Can B Corps make money? Can I make a profit if I'm a B Corp? It is certainly possible (in fact, that's the goal).

Several large and recognizable companies hold B Corp certification, demonstrating that a commitment to positive impact is scalable across industries. However, it’s not all green or rosy as we’ll see below.

Successful B Corp Companies

First, let’s look at some of the largest and most successful B Corps globally by revenue:

1. Patagonia (USA) - A leader in sustainable outdoor apparel, Patagonia is renowned for environmental activism and ethical manufacturing practices​.
2. REI (USA) – REI is a B-corp and is also a consumer cooperative. REI engages in what I call “wallet revolutions” through such activities as closing its stores on Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year in the United States, and instead encouraging its employees to enjoy the outdoors.
3. Danone North America (USA) - One of the world’s largest B Corps, Danone focuses on sustainable food production, particularly plant-based and dairy products such as Silk​.
4. Veeva Systems (USA) - A leader in cloud solutions for the life sciences, offering customer relationship software, Veeva prioritizes responsible governance and environmental sustainability​.
5. Etsy (USA) - This e-commerce platform is known for its dedication to reducing carbon emissions and supporting artisan communities globally​. However, many Esty artists I know or follow on social media complain that fees imposed by Etsy are crippling.
6. Amalgamated Bank (USA) – This is America’s largest B Corp-certified bank, with commitments to climate action and social justice​.
7. Ben & Jerry’s (USA) – Though it is now a subsidiary of (owned by) Unilever, this ice cream brand emphasizes ethical sourcing, climate justice, and fair treatment of dairy workers​. This does not mean the other brands owned by Unilever hold themselves to the same standards.
8. Lemonade (USA) - An insurance company with a social mission, Lemonade donates unused premiums to nonprofits through its Giveback program​.
9. Coursera (USA) - As a global educational platform, Coursera upholds social impact principles and promotes learning accessibility​. It received its B-corp status in 2021 and converted to a benefit corporation legal structure in the State of Delaware.
10. Gousto (UK) - A meal-kit company committed to reducing food waste and carbon footprint through precision-based meal deliveries​.
11. Warby Parker (USA) - A manufacturer of eyewear, Warby Parker became a B-corp in 2011 and is also publicly traded, a combination difficult to pull off. The company combines social responsibility with a dedication to eye care accessibility and glasses distribution to those in need​.

These examples reflect the successful companies that have managed to maintain their strong commitments to B-corp standards and scale and grow profitably.

However, not everything is rosy in B-land. For example, some companies that put their all into maintaining environmental and social standards sometimes fail to earn the revenue they need, or they’re shut out by competition that doesn’t hold to the same scruples. (Let's face it, it's not easy being green.)

When B Corp Doesn't Work

The following companies are examples of when a business fails to reach its ESG goals profitably, either going out of business or experiencing significant challenges:

1. King Cycle Group (Chris King Precision Components) - Known for manufacturing bicycle components and for its commitment to sustainability, Chris King’s brand struggled with the cost and resource demands of B Corp certification. Despite an effort to meet B Lab’s standards, King ultimately let their B-corp certification lapse due to the heavy administrative and operational burden. (See this blog for the top challenges and needs facing B Corps today.)
2. And1 - One of the founding companies behind the B Corp movement, the basketball apparel brand AND1 faced financial challenges and was ultimately sold, which led to its loss of B Corp status.
3. Sungevity - This solar panel company and former B Corp filed for bankruptcy in 2017 due to cash flow issues and challenges in scaling its business amid increasing renewable energy competition.
4. Innocent Drinks (UK) - Although still in operation, Innocent faced significant criticism after Coca-Cola acquired a majority stake. Consumers raised valid concerns about its ability to maintain B Corp values since Coca-Cola is an extremely heavy plastics manufacturer.

These examples reveal challenges like high operational costs, scaling limitations, and mission alignment under new ownership—common pressures that may lead to B Corps either losing certification or going out of business.

Should My Brand Become a B-Corp?

The decision to pursue B Corp certification reflects a commitment to values that extend beyond profit, though it’s obviously not easy especially when your direct competitors may care less about ethics or environmental standards.

There’s no doubt it’s easier and cheaper to be a polluting, misogynist and socially distasteful company. There are few legal supports, tax breaks, or incentives for a company to do things the right way. But there is huge merit in pursuing certification for a business that wants to buck these pollution-heavy trends and still be profitable, hire and engage employees, support the environment, and provide innovative products and services..

The ethos behind Certified B Corps is to align business success with the well-being of people and the planet, contributing to a more inclusive, regenerative economy. For companies eager to create long-lasting, meaningful change, B Corp certification provides a structured path and a community to guide and amplify their efforts.

By embracing the B Corp values, companies show that they’re willing to invest in their stakeholders—customers, employees, communities, and the environment. This commitment has profound implications for brand integrity: you’ll likely attract socially conscious consumers by aligning with a future-focused economic model that prioritizes sustainability. You’ll also attract employees eager to work for an ethical brand. It’s a mighty and noble cause but also very practical and, in my opinion, should be the guiding light for all industries.

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