Spring has officially sprung. A season of growth, fresh beginnings and renewal and fittingly, we’ve got some newly Certified B Corps to celebrate, too!
Our local rag trade has seen The Sussan Group and FRANKIE4 footwear join the B Corp fold. Meanwhile, from the world of communications, Think HQ earned the coveted B, as did equipment finance company Quadrent, and community-centred craft brewers Jervis Bay Brewing Co.
Officially embarking on the next chapter of their B Corp journey, we’re excited to welcome these businesses into our rapidly expanding community. We caught up with Think HQ, Quadrent, FRANKIE4, Jervis Bay Brewing Co., and The Sussan Group to learn more about how they use business to affect change.
Image: The Sussan Group
Farewelling ‘one-size-fits-all’ thinking: Think HQ
A digital campaign to promote cancer screening services to First Nations communities, delivery of critical COVID-19 vaccine information to non-English speakers, and a strategy to address teacher shortages by getting people excited to pursue careers in the classroom. What do all these powerful campaigns have in common? Think HQ had a hand in creating all of them. As the communications firm explains, “We’re not in the business of doing work for work’s sake. If it doesn’t have a positive impact, it’s not for us.”
Through its dedicated multicultural arm, CultureVerse, Think HQ works on projects that authentically resonate with Australia’s diverse communities. By taking a codesign approach, they ensure “those with lived experience have a say in the communications being produced.”
“Over half of Australians are either born overseas or have an immigrant parent. At Think HQ, we believe that inclusive communication should be the standard, not the exception.“
– Think HQ
Working their magic in Melbourne, Australia, Think HQ’s team of epic messaging experts hails from 24 different countries and speak 37 languages.
“For far too long, the advertising and communications industry has relied on a one-size-fits-all approach created by homogenous creative teams who share the same lived experiences. This lack of diversity results in messages that often fail to represent or resonate with Australia’s diverse population. Modern communication requires a more nuanced strategy, incorporating diverse perspectives from the outset rather than retrofitting messages after the fact.”
– Think HQ
Image: Think HQ
Addressing e-waste and digital inequality: Quadrent
Using business to create positive change is great. Empowering others to use business for good is even greater! That’s what non-bank lender Quadrent does by offering financing or leasing arrangements through a sustainable lens. They are helping workplaces access the equipment that they need to get on with doing what they do best.
When it comes to equipment and technology, circularity is something that the Quadrent team would like to see other companies think about more. The growing issue of e-waste is high on their radar, and it’s what prompted the company to introduce its Green Lease Initiative.
The initiative is designed to “simplify the financial burden” of upgrading workplace tools, like phones, computers and other hardware, and redirect preloved office tech into recycling programs or digital inclusion initiatives who place technology into community groups who may not have access to tech otherwise. Quadrent’s commitment to “bridge the digital inequality gap in New Zealand and Australia” through equipment donations is so embedded in their operations that they’ve incorporated it into their constitution.
“With the extreme volume of technology produced today, promoting the reuse, refurbishment, and responsible disposal of assets is crucial to minimise e-waste and extend product life cycles. By doing so, we could achieve reductions in e-waste, improved resource utilisation, and a more equitable distribution of technology.”
— Quadrent
Image: Quadrent
Shoes with soul: FRANKIE4
For over 14 years, FRANKIE4 has been creating footwear that’s comfortable, supportive, and uber-stylish to boot.
Wellness is priority for this podiatrist-founded B Corp, and each pair of FRANKIE4 kicks features their proprietary layered support and cushion systems, Sole Hero™️ and LuxaLite™, designed to “enhance lower limb alignment, create soft support, and deflect pressure from areas prone to pain.”
But maximising comfort isn’t the only thing that FRANKIE4 stands for. Their materials are consciously selected from suppliers who meet high standards for labour, safety, and ethics and in partnership with TreadLightly, they’ve encouraged customers to recycle nearly 20,000 pairs of shoes.
FRANKIE4’s Brisbane-based HQ runs on solar power, and each year, they conduct a greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment with fellow B Corp, PlanA. When it comes to supporting their workers, maternity and paternity leave, an annual volunteer leave day, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for team members and their families are just a few ways this workplace prioritises the well-being of its people.
These are truly shoes with soul, but FRANKIE4’s socks are pretty impressive, too. All net profits from FRANKIE4’s sock range are donated to The Brainchild Foundation, The Cure Starts Now, and Brain Tumour Support, with over AUD $700,000 raised since the beginning of the initiative.
“Our brand was created to support the well-being of women worldwide — we knew this focus would be essential during our B Corp journey. For other B Corps, our advice is to align your certification journey with your company’s core purpose. This will not only streamline the process but also strengthen your commitment to making a positive difference.”
– FRANKIE4
Image: FRANKIE4
Spreading the local love: Jervis Bay Brewing Co.
In the business of craft beer, Jervis Bay Brewing Co. is a Certified B Corporation infused with a whole lot of community spirit. The picturesque coastal town of Huskisson, New South Wales, is where you’ll find its taproom —aka, the “heart of the business”. Even before opening the doors, Jervis Bay Brewing Co.’s four founding directors had their sights set on becoming a B Corp, explaining that they laid the organisation’s foundations by viewing “everything through a lens of sustainability.”
For Jervis Bay Brewing Co., it’s all about spreading the local love. They host not-for-profit events in their Huskisson taproom, choose a charity to support each month, and select suppliers close in values alignment and geographic location.
“We source the vast majority of our ingredients by weight from Voyager Craft Malt who operate in the Riverina – our closest grain growing area. This keeps our carbon miles to a minimum and supports a business that also makes big efforts on the sustainability front.”
— Jervis Bay Brewing Co.
Jervis Bay Brewing Co. has always prided itself on being a great place to work and completing the B Impact Assessment highlighted even more opportunities to show appreciation for their team. They’ve recently introduced an annual paid volunteer day, a regular employee feedback process and an employee share scheme, “where long-term employees are rewarded with part ownership of the business”.
Image: Jervis Bay Brewing Co.
Future-thinking fashion: The Sussan Group
The Sussan Group, including brands Sportsgirl, Sussan, and Suzanne Grae, has been a fixture in the wardrobes of Australian women for over 80 years, dedicated to offering fashion “that helps women look and feel good at every stage of their lives.”
Reflecting on what inspired their B Corp journey, Sussan Group CEO Rebecca Hard explained that the B Corp framework represented the kind of “robust certification” they were seeking, that would assess their current position, identify future opportunities, and offer ongoing accountability.
“Creating a world where women drive the change they want to see is at the core of the Sussan Group’s B Corporation Certification.”
— Rebecca Hard, CEO, The Sussan Group
The Sussan Group is a foundation member of The Seamless Initiative, created by the Australian Fashion Council, which aims to create a circular clothing industry by 2030. The lion’s share of cotton used in the Sussan range is locally sourced in Australia, and the group has committed that, by 2025, 50% of their cotton will be Better Cotton Initiative cotton. Between 2022 and 2023, the group recorded a 23% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions.
Speaking to their industry as a whole and ‘fast-fashion’ practices, they comment that fashion “has a long way to go” and that they hope their B Corporation Certification may encourage others to embark “on their own journey.”
“We’re dedicated to providing better options that make women feel great about their bodies and their purchasing habits. This means continuously improving our practices to ensure our impact is meaningful and lasting across our entire supply chain.”
— Rebecca Hard, CEO, The Sussan Group
Image: The Sussan Group
Luxury powerhouse Mulberry joins the community
It’s energising to see so many members of the fashion community come together to forge a more positive path forward. Trends come and go, but that encircled B is always in style! Not only here in the southern hemisphere but overseas, too. Fashion followers may have seen that UK-based luxury brand Mulberry recently became a B Corp. With a huge global following, undeniable industry influence, and, to the delight of local luxury lovers, stores across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, we’re thrilled to have Mulberry as a member of our global and regional movement.
A big thank you to Think HQ, Quadrent, FRANKIE4, Jervis Bay Brewing Co., and The Sussan Group for sharing your journeys with us. Visit the blog to discover more B Corp stories or the directory to explore all local Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand-based B Corps. Looking for further support on your B Corp journey? Explore our introductory on-demand training here or, if you’re looking for something more comprehensive, our intermediate training here.
