In a world where time seems to fly by and it’s easy to forget to pause and reflect—to celebrate wins and recognise the opportunities before us — recertification represents a formal, routine moment for B Corps to check in every three years. It’s where B Corps update their B Impact Score to reflect broader business changes, impactful initiatives, growth, and B Corp’s evolving standards. Because it’s true what they say — the only constant is change!
Mezzanine, a local leadership consultancy firm, just recertified for the very first time. True to form, this team’s goal was to “not just maintain” their B Corp Certification but to push themselves further across all areas. “The evolving B Corp standards set a higher bar, and we saw this as an opportunity to lead by example, particularly in our region,” Mezzanine shared.
Similarly, SEO agency Optimising, which, like Mezzanine, also initially certified in Spring 2021, hoped to boost its B Impact Score and identify areas for potential improvement. “Whilst we didn’t set out to target one specific area,” the Optimising team explained, “we approached recertification as a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and to challenge ourselves to do even better.”
To celebrate Mezzanine and Optimising’s recertifications, we caught up with both Australia-based organisations to hear about what they’ve been up to in the past three years and their advice for B Corps due to recertify soon.
Image: Optimising
Positive impact and purposeful growth; Mezzanine is coaching businesses on how to achieve both
Based in Newcastle, Mezzanine is a purpose-driven brand leadership consultancy firm. Its foundations were laid back in 1999 with a vision for a future where the purpose of business wasn’t about being the “best in the world” but rather “Best for the world”. Fast forward 25 years, and Mezzanine is a thriving team, united by the same original vision. Together, they coach organisations in Australia and beyond in creating “positive impact and purposeful growth” through thoughtful strategy, human-centred leadership, positive internal culture and meaningful connections.
“As the new B Corp standards raise the bar, we are committed to raising our own.”
— Mezzanine
Reflecting on the journey since Mezzanine’s initial certification, this team explains that they’ve been focused on strengthening a) internal practices and documentation, b) external accountability by way of public commitments and statements, and c) community connection, with the launch of Good Hunter in partnership with INNX.hub and B Lab. “This monthly meetup in Newcastle, NSW, is all about bringing like-minded purpose-driven professionals together to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and explore how we can drive meaningful change through business,” Mezzanine explains.
“As the new B Corp standards raise the bar, we are committed to raising our own,” they add. “We will enhance our impact management approach, ensuring we track, measure, and communicate our progress transparently. Beyond meeting certification requirements, our goal is to set a high benchmark for what responsible businesses can achieve.”
Image: Mezzanine
How Optimising amplifies like-minded businesses using SEO and community spirit
Born in Melbourne in 2008, Optimising uses creative strategy and SEO (that’s Search Engine Optimisation) techniques to help businesses cut through the noise and reach more of the right people online. Their portfolio of past clients includes familiar names such as Life Saving Victoria, fellow B Corps Spell and Lyka dog food, as well as us — B Lab! Optimising dedicates hundreds of hours each year to pro-bono/in-kind SEO services to amplify good causes, and this year they announced a partnership with the Odonata Foundation, “supporting their innovative Recovery Model to protect Australia’s threatened species.”
“We’re excited to keep building on this momentum, learning from other B Corps, and meeting new friends via the B Local Melbourne chapter.”
— Optimising
There’s a common theme in the impact-related initiatives Optimising has optimised since they certified in 2021. That common theme being their commitment to supporting, celebrating and amplifying like-minded organisations. “A big focus over the past ~3 years was also embedding the B Corp mindset more deeply across the team and building stronger connections within the B Corp community, particularly through our involvement with B Local Melbourne,” Optimising explains. Optimising offer “monetary incentives for employees to switch their banking and/or Superannuation providers to greener alternatives”, regularly source from B Corp suppliers, and are particularly considered and “deliberate” with who they choose to work with, “especially as our work only amplifies the reach of our clients!”
Image: Optimising
A word of advice…
If you’re like Mezzanine and Optimising, you’ll know that actively connecting with the wider B Corp community isn’t just about camaraderie. It’s a powerful source of collaboration and helpful information. That’s precisely why we never miss an opportunity to ask B Corps that have recently recertified if they have any advice to impart on fellow B’s.
“Learning from other B Corps and being part of the community can help refine strategies and drive your organisation forward.”
— Mezzanine
Mezzanine’s words of wisdom? “Start early and embed impact into your daily operations so that recertification becomes a natural reflection of your work rather than a last-minute challenge.” Mezzanine also emphasises the necessity of involving your whole workforce in the process. “Empower them to contribute ideas, take ownership of initiatives, and be part of the journey.”
Optimising is in agreement. “Get the whole team involved! The more buy-in and excitement you can build across the business, the easier it becomes to drive real, lasting change,” Optimising shares. “The process is much more valuable (and enjoyable!) when you use it as an opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow as a team.”
Image: Mezzanine
Thank you to Mezzanine and Optimising for sharing your story. Click here to learn more about B Corp’s evolving standards or here to find B Corp-led, B Local community events in your neighbourhood. Recertifying soon? Bookmark our recertification guide and keep an eye out for our next recertification Q&A session — the perfect opportunity to ask all your burning recertification-related questions.
