Nothing makes us smile quite like welcoming new B Corps to the community. This month, we celebrate the certification of four businesses from the land down under. For these B Corps, leaving a positive legacy starts with thoughtfully and intentionally designed products, spaces, and business practices.
At EverCircle, that means rethinking hair products with our beloved oceans in mind. At Fieldwork, it’s all about using architecture and design to build a more equitable and eco-conscious world. Meanwhile, human resources consultancy firm Now Actually helps clients cultivate harmonious and human-centric workplaces, while LUMIRA carefully formulates divine fragrances with sustainable, ethically sourced ingredients.
Join us in welcoming these four new B Corps to the fold!
Image: LUMIRA
Making waves in hair care: EverCircle
New South Wales-based EverCircle offers high-quality haircare and accessories made with natural, sustainable ingredients that are “gentle on both hair and the environment”. The brand, previously known as Eco Ocean Care, was founded by surfer and passionate earth lover Jessie Alice, who hopes to help foster a greater appreciation for our oceans by “removing beauty barriers that prevent people from connecting with nature.”
“We believe that the more people engage with nature, the more they will care about protecting our planet. By promoting natural beauty, we encourage a deeper appreciation for the environment.”
— EverCircle
The EverCircle range includes hair serums and protectants for the sun, surf, and pool. Also popular are their eco-friendly upcycled rubber, coconut oil, and eucalyptus hair ties, which scored the business a finalist spot in the 2022 Clean & Conscious Awards.
EverCircle is always looking for opportunities to educate and promote ocean conservation in the community, and in collaboration with fellow B Corps Upparel and Go For Zero, they have also established a takeback initiative encouraging customers to return their broken or discarded hair ties for recycling. Bs teaming up; you know we love to see it!
“[Product stewardship programs] encourage companies to innovate in their product designs and manufacturing processes, aiming for sustainability and minimal environmental impact. Moreover, it fosters a culture of responsibility and transparency, where businesses are not only focused on profit but also on the well-being of the planet and society.”
— EverCircle
Image: supplied by EverCircle
Human-centred habitats: Fieldwork
To Melbourne-based architecture and interior design studio Fieldwork, our neighbourhoods are much more than bricks and mortar. They believe that architecture is a “social and civic practice” and describe their approach as “sensitive to the evolving needs of [the community] within a shifting local and global context.” Their talented team of 25+ is highly curious about how we interact with our built environments. As they put it, “good architecture starts with deep listening.”
“From our homes to our schools, from our workplaces to our creative and civic spaces, we all engage with architecture on a daily basis. We believe architecture is a sensitive, spatial practice from which the entirety of life unfolds.”
— Fieldwork
Just last year, members of the Fieldwork team travelled to Peru, “the home of one of their directors, to support the design of a new local school.” Here in Australia, in partnership with the University of Melbourne, they’ve established an Architecture Award to celebrate high achieving Indigenous Australian students undertaking a Bachelor of Design with a major in Architecture.
Now a Certified B Corporation, Fieldwork is turning its attention to future-focused continuous improvement plans to even further elevate their design practices. This will involve “upskilling across all staff, as well as building specialisations and how we communicate, specifically with clients but also more generally to councils, communities and other stakeholders.”
“Undertaking the B Corp process has reinvigorated our approach to consultation and participation in how we develop as a collective.”
— Fieldwork
Image: Fieldwork
People power: Now Actually Human Resources
What is (quite literally) the beating heart of every business? It’s people, of course, and, as any B Corp will tell you, amazing things happen when you authentically champion and protect your team. This sentiment is shared by newly certified Now Actually Human Resources, a purpose-driven consulting firm that says, “it’s possible to be both compliant and people-first.”
From fresh start-ups to long-standing established companies, Now Actually coaches their clients in all things HR, like employee benefits, training, and cultivating a thriving culture, which, as Now Actually says, “is more than a pizza lunch or a 4 pm finish on Fridays.”Now Actually hopes to help their community “navigate Australia’s ever-changing employment landscape,” recognising that, in the world of work, employees’ expectations and legislation will always evolve.
“We deliver HR strategies that promote ethical business by guiding our clients to make decisions that positively impact their number one asset: their people.”
— Now Actually
The Victoria-based firm donates to a different not-for-profit each quarter, with the Epilepsy Foundation and National Breast Cancer Foundation among the causes they have previously supported.
What’s Now Actually’s message to other businesses? Well, they’d like to see workplaces actively put their people first and are fierce believers that this ethos doesn’t hinder but rather helps organisations flourish.
“If businesses cannot provide employees with minimum legal requirements under the Fair Work Act, a business should not be able to operate. Integrity is a must, and this is part of it. It’s really possible to be compliant AND people-first.”
— Now Actually
Image: Now Actually
Feel-good fragrances: LUMIRA
Our sense of smell is pretty powerful in eliciting emotions and memories. But can the scents we wear help shape the world we’d like to see (or, should we say, smell)? Sydney-based B Corp LUMIRA thinks so. “Blending sophistication with sustainability,” the luxury fragrance house offers Australian-made perfumes and candles made with natural and sustainable ingredients, responsibly sourced through Fairtrade partners. Free of palm oil and animal testing, LUMIRA explains that “What we put into our product matters. What we leave out is even more important.”
“One business practice I’d like to see become the norm is transparent and ethical supply chains. Ensuring that every step of the production process is fair, environmentally responsible, and transparent not only helps in building consumer trust but also contributes to a more sustainable and equitable global economy.”
— LUMIRA
The 100% Australian-owned business works to minimise their waste by producing in small batches and using thoughtful packaging, including “clear or coloured-through glass bottles, which is infinitely recyclable in curbside recycling.” In fact, you can hand your empty LUMIRA glass bottles into their Sydney store for recycling and receive $30 in store credit (score!)
“As of 2024, we’re transitioning to the use of Green Chemistry in our fragrances, including ingredients that are up-cycled, biodegradable and designed to limit waste and pollution.”
— LUMIRA
This B strongly believes that “Luxury and sustainability can coexist harmoniously”, and, in addition to their ecological ethos, LUMIRA also commits to doing their bit to care for the community by giving to select not-for-profits in partnership with i=Change.
Image: LUMIRA
A word of advice
We are stoked for these B Corps on their Certification. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to quiz them on their advice for future B Corps.
Fieldwork took the opportunity to work towards three ISO Standards Certifications “in tandem” with B Corporation Certification, explaining that “the two sets of Certifications dovetail well and enabled us to work toward a coordinated and integrated system.” They added that it was also beneficial to first establish a team that would lead Certification efforts, made up of workers from diverse corners of the business.
The team at Now Actually Human Resources however took a slightly different approach. To streamline the process, they shared that “having one main person responsible for the completion of the assessment who reported back to the Management Team was what worked for us.”
EverCircle mentioned that to make their Certification process “as smooth as possible”, they started by taking a magnifying glass to their supplier and partner relationships to assess if they were value-aligned.
“By fostering strong, aligned partnerships, you can create a solid foundation that supports your B Corporation Certification efforts and overall mission. Taking a thoughtful, intentional approach to these relationships can make a significant difference in achieving a successful Certification.”
— EverCircle
Similarly, LUMIRA started with an “internal assessment to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.” They added that “meticulous documentation”, enhancing sustainability initiatives, support from consultants, and employee education on Certification were all important steps in their experience.
“Starting early and allowing ample time for assessment and implementation is essential. Engaging your team, leveraging resources from B Lab, and networking with other B Corps can provide valuable support.”
— LUMIRA
Image: Now Actually
A big thank you to EverCircle, Fieldwork, Now Actually, and LUMIRA 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.
