Strengthening Impact through Ethical Supply Chains
Why B Corps Should Prioritize Working With B Corps
As mission-driven organizations, impact-driven businesses are united by a shared goal: to create a more equitable and sustainable world. Together, we have the power to amplify this impact—not just through our own operations but by choosing ethical partnerships and vendors that align with our values. Now more than ever, fostering these connections is a responsibility, not just an opportunity.
Why Ethical Supply Chains Matter
An ethical supply chain isn’t just about minimizing harm; it’s about creating and maximizing good. By incorporating more socially and environmentally responsible businesses into our partnerships—especially certified B Corps and 1% for the Planet members—we’re creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond our own organizations.
Each decision to source ethically strengthens a network of businesses committed to positive impact, ensuring our collective efforts carry greater weight. By partnering with ethical vendors, we signal our commitment to those values, building trust and loyalty among customers, employees, and stakeholders.
Rising to the Challenge in Uncertain Times
As we head into a new administration in the United States, there’s uncertainty about the future of critical climate and social justice policies. While policy shifts may be beyond our control, our choices of business partners is not. Now is the time to double down on our commitment to ethical practices, ensuring that our supply chains reflect the world we want to build—regardless of external challenges.
Our founder Michelle Hirons is fond of saying: "Every dollar we spend is a vote for the world we want. By working with ethical vendors, who care as deeply as us about using business for good, we build a stronger business, stronger communities and contribute to a more equitable and regenerative future."
In other words, by prioritizing vendors and outsourcing partners who share our mission, we can safeguard progress, even in the face of potential rollbacks.
Leading By Example
Prioritizing ethical practices and uplifting conscious businesses in our own supply chain is how HigherRing leads by example. Many of our own vendors and preferred platforms include B Corp and 1% for the Planet members with whom we are proud to partner. We know that the dollars we spend with them will support values and actions that align with our own. We contract with B Corps for services like refurbished computer hardware from BackMarket, Marketing and Branding strategy with Oliver Russell and RoundPeg, B Corp certification through Cultivating Capital, financial coaching through Honeybee, and trademark law with Better Law.
How HigherRing Can Help
At HigherRing, we’re proud to be the ethical outsourcing partner for socially responsible companies. As a B Corp, 1% for the Planet member, climate-neutral certified, and a Living Wage certified company, we understand the importance of aligning business practices with values. By partnering with us, impact-driven companies can ensure that their operations are both effective and aligned with their mission.
Outsourcing can often feel like a purely practical decision, yet it’s a powerful opportunity to extend your impact. By choosing partners like HigherRing, you’re supporting ethical employment practices, climate action, and community investment—all while lightening your operational burden. HigherRing can support in areas like customer and app support, eCommerce operations, executive assistance, financial ops/bookkeeping, and marketing/sales support.
The Call to Action
We all want to uplift one another, and in today’s climate, acting with intentionality is more important than ever. Here are a few steps to strengthen your supply chain:
Audit Your Vendors: Identify areas where you can shift to more ethical suppliers, prioritizing B Corps and 1% for the Planet members.
Make Tangible Goals: Consider writing a policy or a goal statement of which vendor partnerships you will swap and by when. Goals are most successful when they are specific!
Collaborate with Impact Partners: Seek out partnerships with businesses that share your values, particularly for critical services like operations, customer service, and bookkeeping. Search in the B Hive, on the 1% for the Planet portal, and by asking in impact community hubs for recommendations.
Walk The Talk: Use your platform to promote the importance of ethical supply chains and encourage others in your industry to follow suit. Lead by example by promoting the awesome service providers and vendors you work with. Share them on social media, at conferences, and in your impact reporting.
We can build a resilient, values-driven ecosystem that uplifts everyone in the impact community. Let’s lead by example and ensure that the progress we’ve made continues to flourish—not just for our businesses, but for the world we’re working to improve.
Author Bio
Hiya! I’m Heather, and I’m the Marketing Manager here at HigherRing. I enjoy bringing my marketing expertise to a brand focused on balancing the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. I’m passionate about storytelling around corporate social responsibility. When I’m not supporting HigherRing with our communications I’m listening to a comedy podcast, taking a hot yoga class or tending to my (many) plants.