Yes, you can grow a business without damaging the planet or the people who live on it. From a start-up in 2006 to a presence in 30,000 stores worldwide, Yes To is a success story by any measure. And its values, as explained on its Facebook page, could come straight from “Social Enterprise 101,” if there were such a handbook:

a portion of all proceeds has been dedicated to a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization
sustainability in products, partners, and the lives of the company and the people who work for the company
a team committed to taking steps to lead greener and more 'aware' lifestyles (organic fruit deliveries! recycling! team yoga!)
a healthy, happy team makes everything a little bit better

Read more
Comments (1)

Social Responsibility Leads To Bigger Profits

by Geri Stengel on Jun 7, 2011 - 12:11am

corporate social responsibility obesity epidemic profitability Small Business small business Social Responsibility sustainability triple bottom line

I think they got it! Two items this week give me confidence that there’s been a sea change in corporate thinking: The planet and the customer now count. It’s a business model that small businesses can profit from as well.

Back in ‘05 or so, Walmart got on the green bandwagon, designing greener packaging, cleaning up its supply chain, and generally opting for sustainability. It did not do this to help the environment; it wanted to improve its bottom line. And it succeeded.

Social Entrepreneur Combines Business With Vision

by Geri Stengel on Jun 24, 2010 - 10:22am

carbon footprint enterprising entrepreneur environment Otarian recycle RecycleBank Ron Gonen Small Business small business social enterprise Social Entrepreneurship social responsibility socially responsible sustainability

Exciting times! Creative, practical, inspiring ideas to help the environment are cropping up all over. Start-up social enterprises, aka small businesses, are, as always, leading the way.

Enterprising small business owners are reducing carbon emissions and cleaning up the world by taking risks, thinking outside the box, and pulling big organizations along after them.

5 Steps to Greater Profitability ... Starting at the Bottom

by Geri Stengel on May 27, 2010 - 9:45am

corporate social responsibility growth health care incentives profitability Small Business small business sustainability training

I've always been an advocate of treating all employees well and now the research is in that supports my contention.

Profit at the Bottom of the Ladder found that there is a link – unexpected by the researchers – between improved conditions for bottom-rung employees and profit. They expected to find that companies could provide good benefits to low-level employees and still be profitable. But they found much more. They found that well-treated low-level employees increased company profits.

Here's What Small Business Leaders Can Learn From Big Businesses About Going Green

by Geri Stengel on Apr 20, 2010 - 9:20am

collaboration entrepreneur green business innovative small business leaders social enterprise Social Entrepreneurship socially responsible corporations sustainability

"We're still here." So begins the State of Green Business Report from GreenBiz.com. The big news according to the report, is that green businesses were not the first to go during the Great Downturn.

Social Responsibility Is a Winner at 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

by Geri Stengel on Dec 13, 2009 - 11:37pm

non profit social enterprise Social Responsibility social responsibility sustainability

When the Olympic torch is lit in Vancouver, Canada, on February 12, 2010, it will mark not only the beginning of the 2010 Winter Olympics but also a victory for social responsibility, inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

Read more
Comments (1)