24 Jul Learning Together: Lessons from an Early Adopter of the New B Corp Standards

Posted at 10:03h in Event Recap by

One of the greatest strengths of the B Corp movement has never been the certification itself. It’s the willingness of businesses to learn together, share openly, and help one another succeed.

That spirit was on full display during the Charlotte B Corp Collective‘s recent virtual learning session, Navigating the New B Corp Standards: Lessons from an Early Adopter, featuring Kendall Creek, Owner of IQ Bookkeeping.

As one of the first companies pursuing initial certification under B Lab’s new standards, Kendall offered attendees an honest look behind the scenes. She shared not only what has worked, but also the challenges, surprises, and lessons learned along the way.

Her journey began with curiosity at one of our Charlotte B Corp Collective events in early 2025. Since then, IQ Bookkeeping has completed the B Impact Assessment for benchmarking, partnered with the NC State B Corp Clinic, developed new policies and systems, submitted under the new standards, and worked through the audit and corrective action process.

One message became clear throughout the conversation: the new standards have raised the bar, but they are absolutely achievable.

Success requires preparation, detailed documentation, and a willingness to build systems that reflect your company’s values. From procurement policies to climate planning, the standards encourage businesses to create repeatable practices that strengthen both impact and operations.

Kendall also reminded us that no one has to navigate this journey alone. Resources such as the NC State B Corp Clinic, peer learning opportunities, and the broader B Corp community provide valuable support along the way. By sharing her experience so openly, she has made the path a little clearer for every business that follows.

That generosity embodies what makes this movement so special. Every company that shares a lesson learned, a template, or a challenge overcome helps strengthen the entire community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this conversation and contributed thoughtful questions and perspectives. Our community continues to grow because of leaders who are willing to learn together and support one another.


Resources that will help you on your journey toward certification:  

 

We hope you’ll continue the journey with us at our next Charlotte B Corp Collective event, Roots & Rescue: Community Day, on Thursday, September 24. Join fellow purpose-driven professionals for a hands-on morning of service where you’ll choose between two local nonprofit projects making a difference in our community. It’s another opportunity to build connections while putting business as a force for good into action.