B Corps understand that, while individual actions add up, little progress happens when we work in isolation. So it’s no wonder that many within our community feel drawn to use their skills to amplify, enrich, and elevate the work of like-minded collaborators.
Today, we chat with three such businesses — each quite different in industry, but connected through their shared focus on thoughtful design and powerful partnerships.
Marnie Hawson is a photographer documenting sustainable architecture while teaching built environment businesses how they too can be a force for good. MaCher partners with goods-based brands to create meaningful and sustainable packaging experiences. While Shannon Behaviour Change creates powerful messaging, film, and PR campaigns that shift human behaviour and address major environmental and social concerns.
A showcase of Victoria-based talent — read on to learn more about what these local B Corps do and their advice for aspiring B Corps.
Images: Marnie Hawson
Capturing and championing eco-conscious architecture with Marnie Hawson Pty Ltd
If your magazine rack is adorned with architecture and design reads, then it’s likely you’ve come across Marnie Hawson’s work before. A photographer with an environmental science background, Marnie is known for capturing sustainable builds — think low-impact materials, energy-efficient systems, and thoughtful design elements. Aesthetically stunning and widely published, Marnie’s work is about documenting examples of nature-positive infrastructure and, in doing so, amplifying the work of like-minded architects, builders, and developers.
“It’s not just about doing less harm – it’s about doing more good.”
— Marnie Hawson
Marnie recently recertified — an exciting milestone and moment of reflection that B Corps embark on every three years. But that’s not all they’ve been up to. Marnie recently launched ‘Business of Biodiversity’, a second brand which sits alongside photography under the Marnie Hawson Pty Ltd umbrella.
“Be prepared for your business to evolve, and let the recertification process reflect that. For me . . . launching a second brand came with its own admin, but aligning it with the B Impact Assessment helped make sure that growth was grounded in purpose.”
— Marnie Hawson
The initiative is a practical framework designed to support businesses in the built environment industry to “go beyond carbon and start taking real action for biodiversity.” Marnie adds, “This shift reflects my commitment to not just documenting sustainable design, but also helping businesses actively restore nature as part of how they work.”
Images: Marnie Hawson
Meaningful and mindful: unboxing the impact of MaCher Aust Pty Ltd
The saying goes ‘it’s what’s inside that counts,’ but goods-based business leaders (and anyone who understands the power of a great unboxing experience) may argue that, when it comes to product packaging, what’s on the outside is not to be underestimated.
Packaging manufacturers and designers, MaCher, believe that packaging should do more than just hold a product. It “should tell a story, represent a brand’s values, and above all, be created with respect for people and the planet.” Backed by an impressive 40 years of experience, this newly Certified B Corporation offers design, sourcing, quality control, logistics, product reporting, packaging recyclability assessments, and “solutions to phase out problematic plastics”.
Within the workplace, MaCher prides itself on its collaborative culture. The business donates to charity partners annually and has recently introduced annual team volunteering days in addition to employee volunteer leave to expand positive impact on the local community.
The MaCher team publishes annual impact reports, and they hope to see self-reflection, in the areas of sustainability and ethical business practice, become the norm. “The B Impact Assessment and subsequent B Corp [verification process] required us to examine everything we do,” MaCher shared. “From sourcing FSC-certified and recycled content materials and designing recyclable packaging alternatives that eliminate single-use plastics, through to measuring and reducing carbon emissions. It wasn’t an easy process, but the accountability pushed us to innovate and do better.”
“Gather your ‘business evidence’ as you complete the B Impact Assessment, to ensure your answers are accurate and can be verified. This means you’ll be submitting with a score realistic to your post audit score.”
— MaCher
Images: MaCher
Messaging that moves with Shannon Behaviour Change
How do you harness emotion to positively influence the behaviour of individuals, groups, and whole communities? This is the area in which this new B Corp thrives. Using storytelling, film, and PR, Shannon Behaviour Change collaborates with clients to drive positive change within our society for environmental and social good. “From public health and safety to sustainability and financial well-being, we shift behaviours that matter,” the team shares. “By blending evidence, creativity, and storytelling, we break down barriers, align with values, and move communities toward better outcomes.”
In 2011, the company co-founded, and continues to co-fund, BehaviourWorks Australia — a research institute at Monash University focused on finding behavioural solutions to real-world problems. Further, though widespread campaigns are their main domain, the team isn’t one to shy away from adopting micro, everyday positive actions in the office too. They compost food waste, are on a green energy electricity plan, and are proudly paperless. “A paperless office environment, with less printing and the flexibility for our teams to contribute from wherever they are around the world is our utopia.”
“By blending evidence, creativity, and storytelling, we break down barriers, align with values, and move communities toward better outcomes.”
— Shannon Behaviour Change
Now that they bear that iconic ‘B’ stamp, we asked Shannon’s what behaviour they recommend from aspiring B Corps. “Be prepared. We made sure we had all our policies in place and up to date with current legislation as it evolves,” the new B Corp explains. “Having a dedicated team with a good understanding of how and why we are embedding B Corp [practices] and UN Sustainable Development Goals in our workplace made the process much smoother.”
Images: Shannon Behaviour Change
Congratulations Marnie Hawson, MaCher, and Shannon Behaviour Change on your recent B Corp milestones, and thank you for sharing your stories. Take a scroll through the blog for more inspiration, insights, and experiences from local B Corps. Is your business also freshly Certified? Congratulations! Get in touch to be featured on the blog, book in for one of our online introductory sessions, or consider joining us at Assembly 2025, we’d love to see you there!
