The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

The burgeoning benefits of becoming a B-Corp

  • Written by Melissa Goffin, Red Gum BBQ Managing Director


Certified B Corporations (or B Corps) are the new age business, operating their day-to-day activities to meet the highest ethical standards. In January 2018, Victoria’s Red Gum BBQ became the first Australian restaurant to earn the B Corp certification. Red Gum’s managing director, Melissa Goffin, shares her expert insights into what it means to be B Corp certified and why the certification sets them apart from others in the industry.

From conception Red Gum was established to be a business that prioritised purpose over profit. Our purpose was always to be a different kind of business, with strong emphasis on authenticity, nurturing connections and being ethical across the whole of the business. Our B Corp certification reflects our commitment to ethical business and ensures we are living up to the highest standards of practice. We believe that PEOPLE matter, that ETHICAL FARMING matters and that being KIND matters.

Red Gum’s ethics and morals were the driving force behind securing a B Corp certification. We’ve found that customers are more interested than ever in supporting companies with strong ethics. The ethics of businesses and their supply chains is very much in the spotlight these days. There is much greater transparency and knowledge around food and how it’s sourced than in the past. People want to know what they’re eating and where it’s from. This continues to be a growing movement but we know that our customers care. Using produce such as free-range and grass-fed meat, along with serving local and independent wine and beer, helps to support other businesses and communities, and ultimately creating a tight knit family that is unique to being a B Corp.

One of the many positives that comes from working as a B Corp certified company is being involved in the B Local initiative, which is a program that helps foster a community feel between suppliers. It sees the B Corp community in our local area working together to support, learn and create opportunities for promotion of the ethical business sector. The B Corp community is strong in providing support for those wanting to learn and experience the difference.

As one of the few restaurants to hold the certification, we work hard to provide advice to other businesses attempting to gain certification. I have a few tips for businesses looking to become a certified B Corp:

  • Search and move toward value-aligned businesses – never work with a business or a person that compromises your ideals – no matter what.

  • Connect to your suppliers and find out how you can support one another.

  • Connect to other businesses – across industries and find out what they’re doing and how they’re doing it.

  • Most people enjoy sharing their journey and what they’ve learned – reach out and ask the question.

Red Gum BBQ continues to be a leader in the B Corp space and hopes to educate others to create a more sustainable and ethical landscape. Red Gum is a proud customer of SilverChef – Australia’s only dedicated hospitality equipment financier – which has helped more than 30,000 customers achieve their dreams over the last 30 years.

Property Times

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Food & Dining

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banquets to Sydney’s first-ever Acquapole fitness classes and family fun gal...

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncovered by leading dietitians Anna Debenham and Alex Parker from The Biti...

Cult Favourite, TokyoTaco, Opens Beachfront at Mooloolaba this June

FREE Tokyo Tacos to Celebrate!  Cult favourite Japanese-Mexican restaurant TokyoTaco is opening a beachfront venue at the Mooloolaba Esplanade on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this June.  The doors of the new venue will open on 18 June and to cel...

Business Times

Ricoh Launches IM C401F A4 Colour MFP to Boost Speed and Security…

Ricoh, a leading provider of smart workplace technology, today launched the RICOH IM C401F, an enterprise-grade A4 colour d...

Laundrlab Expands with a New Flagship Store, Redefining Sustainab…

DESIGNED TO CALM. BUILT TO LAST. POWERED BY PURPOSE. THE FUTURE OF LAUNDRY STARTS IN POTTS POINT Sydney, N...

Navigating Leadership Mistakes with Confidence

I am always surprised by this question: How do leaders get over embarrassing mistakes and still succeed? The use of the w...

The Times Features

Ricoh Launches IM C401F A4 Colour MFP to Boost Speed and Security in Hybrid Workplaces

Ricoh, a leading provider of smart workplace technology, today launched the RICOH IM C401F, an enterprise-grade A4 colour desktop multifunction printer (MFP) designed for Austral...

Why Diversification Still Matters in a Volatile Economy

Market volatility, geopolitical conflicts, inflation fears—these are only some of the wild cards that render the current financial environment a tightrope to walk. Amidst all thi...

Specialised nutrition gains momentum in supporting those living with early Alzheimer's disease

With high public interest in Alzheimer’s disease, there is growing awareness of the important role nutrition plays in supporting memory and cognitive function in people diagnosed...

From clinics to comfort: how sleep retreats are redefining care in Australia

Australia is amid a sleep health crisis. Nearly 40% of adults report inadequate sleep, and the consequences are far-reaching, impacting everything from cardiovascular health to...

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...