B Lab is celebrating 20 years of the B Corp movement. What began in 2006 as a radical idea, that business could benefit all stakeholders, has grown into a global ecosystem of more than 10,000 B Corps across 100 countries.
In this special episode of Beyond the B, Andy Schmidt of Seismic takes over the host seat to interview Ryan Honeyman and Amy Bourbeau about the evolution of the B Corp movement over the past two decades. Ryan and Amy reflect on what first drew them to B Corp, what made the early community feel so compelling, and how the movement has changed as it has grown from a small group of early adopters into a global network.
Together, Andy, Amy, and Ryan explore what the movement has gained through maturity, stronger standards, clearer guardrails, and a greater emphasis on collective action. They also name what has become harder to preserve along the way, including the early sense of intimacy, shared ownership, and community that many longtime B Corp practitioners remember.
The conversation also looks ahead to the next 20 years of B Corp. With the launch of the new B Lab Standards V2, a growing focus on Government Affairs and Collective Action, and rising expectations for businesses to act on systemic challenges, the movement is entering a new chapter. The question now is how B Corp can hold a big tent and a high bar, while keeping the human energy, joy, and sense of shared purpose that made the movement worth joining in the first place.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why the 20-year anniversary is a meaningful moment to reflect on the past, present, and future of the B Corp movement.
- How Amy Bourbeau and Ryan Honeyman first found their way into B Corp consulting and advising.
- What made the early B Corp community feel different from other sustainability and business movements.
- How the movement has changed as it has grown from a small early-adopter community into a global network of more than 10,000 companies.
- What B Corp has gained through maturity, clearer standards, and stronger guardrails.
- What may have been lost as the movement scaled, including some of the early sense of intimacy and collective ownership.
- Why the new B Lab Standards V2 represent a major turning point for certification, accountability, and credibility.
- How the shift from a points-based framework to a requirements-based model changes the way companies prepare for certification and recertification.
- Why collective action is becoming central to the next era of the B Corp movement.
- How B Corps can navigate the tension between keeping a big tent and holding a high bar.
- Why joy, community, and human connection still matter if the movement is going to remain alive and effective.
- What the next 20 years may require from B Corps, B Lab, and the broader movement for business as a force for good.
Quotations:
“B Corp is a global movement, yes, but it’s also a group of humans trying to figure out how to do something with a pretty huge mission.” — Amy Bourbeau
“To change the world, you have to throw a better party than those who are ruining it.” — Amy Bourbeau
“Let’s lean into that paradox of the big tent and high bar. How do we do both?” — Ryan Honeyman
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
- Seismic — Website: https://www.seismic-change.com
- Seismic — Events: https://www.seismic-change.com/events
- B Lab 20th Anniversary Campaign: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/twenty-anniversary-campaign/
- B Lab Standards: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/standards/
- B Lab UK Better Business Act: https://betterbusinessact.org
We want to hear from you! Email us at beyond@lifteconomy.com with requests for content, suggestions for future guests, and feedback about our episodes.
B Corp Consultant
Interested in certifying, recertifying, or maximizing the value of your B Corp certification? Learn more about our B Corp consulting services at LIFT Economy: https://www.lifteconomy.com/secrets-of-b-corp-consulting
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Gratitude
Thank you to Corey Lien, Nozomii Torii, and Kirsten G. Bryant for being our monthly contributors at Beyond the B!
