Fredericton Filmmaker Hopes Story About ‘B Corps’ Inspires Others to Do Good
A New Brunswick-made documentary that explains the benefits of starting a social venture and gaining B Corp (Benefit Corporation) certification will soon be available for public viewing.
A social venture is a business that aims to solve a social or environmental problem as well as turn a profit. Social ventures are becoming more common and more influential.
The new 15-minute documentary, B is for Benefit, was created by Joel Thompson, founder of Fredericton film production company East Lens Media. It features some of those best-known for promoting social entrepreneurship in the region.
In it, they speak passionately about moving away from the customary focus on profit to a new emphasis on the three Ps — people, planet, profit — that characterize a social venture.
For Thompson, making the film proved educational.
I’ve always been interested in telling stories of social good, but I’d never heard of B Corp, didn’t realize it was a thing,” he said.
He learned that B Corp certification is a globally recognized way to prove that a business’ ethics are sound in everything from sourcing to marketing.
There are now more than 2,000 B Corps in more than 50 countries; 13 in Atlantic Canada. (Certification is dispensed by Pennsylvania-based B-Lab, the non-profit that launched the movement in 2006.)
Read more about this story in Entrevestor.