What’s it Like to Work with LIFT Economy?

At LIFT Economy, we provide a structured and comprehensive approach to guiding businesses through the B Corp certification process. Our team is committed to long-term impact, and we’ve developed a clear, client-focused framework that not only helps companies achieve certification but also leverages that status to drive greater social and environmental change.

This FAQ will walk you through each phase of working with us, from initial contact to post-certification support.

"LIFT Economy was a crucial partner in our B Corp certification process. Their expertise helped us navigate complex areas like living wage benchmarks and business impact models, making the entire process much clearer and more manageable. Their guidance was invaluable."

– Hana Kajimura, Head of Sustainability at Allbirds

What Happens When I First Reach Out?

The first thing we do is screen whether your company would be a good fit for our services. If we believe it would be a good fit, we schedule a 30 minute discovery call to get to know your company’s structure, operations, and overall goals for certification. Some of the key questions we’ll explore during this call include, but are not limited to:

  • Where is your company based?

  • What is your team size and approximate annual revenue?

  • What is your legal structure?

  • Why is your company pursuing B Corp certification?

  • What are your long-term goals beyond certification?

This conversation allows us to understand your motivations and align the certification process with your broader mission. We view B Corp certification as a step in a longer journey of social and environmental impact, and we help ensure that it serves your vision.

After understanding your needs, we explain how LIFT can help. We outline the four phases of certification—Assessment Review, Improvement, Verification, and Post-Certification Value Maximization—so you know what to expect.

What Can I Expect in the Proposal? How Much Do You Charge?

Once the discovery call is complete, we provide a customized proposal tailored to your company’s specific goals, capacity, and the scope of work needed for certification. This proposal includes:

  • A detailed overview of the entire B Corp certification process.

  • Clear timelines for each phase.

  • Transparent pricing based on the level of effort and complexity involved.

We don’t have a set fee that applies in all situations—please reach out to us so we can help customize our support.

Why Choose LIFT Economy?

At LIFT Economy, we go Beyond B Corp certification. Our focus is on creating a Next Economy—an economy that works for the benefit of all life. Our team has deep expertise in helping businesses create lasting impact beyond certification. Here’s why we stand out:

  • Next Economy Focus: B Corp certification is just one step. We help you go further by aligning your business with principles that benefit society, the environment, and future generations.

  • Experienced Team: Our team has decades of experience in the B Corp space, from technical certification details to impact strategy and leadership coaching.

  • Proven Results: We have helped over 100 companies—including Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, and Allbirds—achieve and leverage their B Corp certification for long-term success.

  • Selective Approach: We don’t take on every company that comes our way. LIFT Economy is committed to working with businesses that are genuinely dedicated to using business as a force for good. We ask prospective clients to share why they believe their company is a good fit for B Corp certification and why we should work together. We want to be sure that you’re as invested in this journey as we are, and that you’re ready to embrace the process of transformation.

Meet the Team:

  • Ryan Honeyman, a Partner at LIFT Economy, is the co-author of The B Corp Handbook and The Next Economy MBA. Ryan has helped over 70 companies—like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, and Allbirds—achieve certification. He also brings leadership coaching skills, combining mindfulness and somatic practices to help social impact leaders unlock their potential.

  • Shawn Berry is an organizational strategist who co-founded LIFT Economy. With hands-on experience as an entrepreneur and deep knowledge of the B Impact Assessment, Shawn helps companies create resilient, impactful business models and effectively navigate the certification process.

  • Emmy Allison previously worked at B Lab, where she supported over 1,700 companies in renewing their B Corp certifications. Emmy’s background in diversity, equity, and inclusion, coupled with her technical expertise, makes her a key player in helping businesses succeed in the B Corp journey.

We offer a 100% money-back guarantee—if at any point you feel we’re not meeting your expectations, we will refund your fee in full.

"Ryan and the LIFT team provided exceptional support, offering easy-to-use templates and tools that made our B Corp certification process smoother. Their expertise was key to helping us gain crucial points and succeed in our certification."

– Jeff Ward, CEO at Animikii

What Happens If We Agree to Work Together?

If we mutually agree to work together, we move into the onboarding phase. Here’s what happens next:

  • Onboarding Survey and FAQ: We send a detailed survey to gather key information about your business, including corporate structure, legal documentation, and any subsidiaries. We’ll also send you an FAQ that explains in more detail about our process.

  • Assignment of a Dedicated Consultant: You’ll be assigned a primary consultant who will act as your guide throughout the process. This consultant will manage the process, communicate next steps, and answer any questions you have along the way.

  • Scheduling a Kickoff Meeting: During the kickoff meeting, we outline the certification process, discuss the company's goals and success criteria, and assign roles and responsibilities to key stakeholders on both teams.

What Does the B Corp Certification Process with LIFT Economy Look Like?

Our process is broken down into four phases, each designed to guide you seamlessly through every step of the B Corp certification journey:

Phase 1: Assessment Review

The first phase is a deep dive into your B Impact Assessment (BIA). This is the core of the certification process, where we evaluate your company’s existing policies and practices across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.

  • Document Review: We check your BIA to ensure it is complete and identify areas where additional documentation is needed.

  • Gap Analysis: We assess your current practices and determine what improvements may be necessary to meet the certification threshold.

  • BIA Optimization: Our goal is to position you for success by optimizing your BIA responses, making sure you have a strong foundation for certification.

Phase 2: BIA Score Improvement

In the second phase, we focus on improving your BIA score. This involves identifying areas where your company can make real improvements, and we provide practical solutions to help you achieve these.

  • Governance Improvements: We assist with creating or improving policies around transparency, accountability, and mission lock.

  • Employee Engagement: We help you formalize engagement and benefits policies to align with B Corp standards.

  • Sustainability Practices: We suggest ways to reduce environmental impact, improve supply chain transparency, and increase community involvement.

  • Tailored Resources: You’ll receive customized templates, best practices, and strategic recommendations based on your specific needs.

  • Score Tracking: We monitor your progress to ensure your score reaches the minimum threshold of 80 points, with the goal of going beyond where feasible.

Phase 3: Verification

Once your score is high enough, we guide you through the verification process with B Lab, which involves a thorough review of your assessment and supporting documentation.

  • Document Preparation: We help you compile and organize all necessary documentation for the verification process.

  • Interview Preparation: To ensure you are fully prepared, we walk you through potential questions B Lab might ask during the verification interview.

  • Real-Time Support: We are available to provide support during the actual verification interview with B Lab, helping to clarify any last-minute questions or concerns.

Phase 4: Maximizing the Value of B Corp Certification

Certification is a significant milestone, but it’s just the beginning. In the Maximizing the Value phase, we help you use your new B Corp status to drive meaningful long-term success.

  • Internal Employee Engagement: We help you build a culture that centers around your B Corp values, making sure employees are engaged with your social and environmental goals.

  • External Marketing and Partnerships: We guide you on how to use your certification in marketing efforts and leverage it for business growth, including partnerships with other B Corps.

  • Continuous Improvement: We assist in improving your BIA score over time, helping you work toward even higher levels of impact and recognition, such as becoming a “Best for the World” B Corp.

  • Recertification Planning: We help you create a roadmap for recertification, ensuring your company stays aligned with evolving B Corp standards.

"LIFT Economy gave us the confidence and insider knowledge needed to successfully tackle our B Corp certification. Their guidance was crucial in helping us refine our responses and prepare for the audit, making the process much smoother."

– Zack Scott, Chairman of Scott Labs

What Kind of Communication and Support Can I Expect During the Process?

Communication is a key part of our service. From the moment we begin working together, we establish clear communication preferences and a regular cadence of bi-weekly check-ins to keep you informed and on track.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Progress Reports: We provide detailed updates on your BIA score and project milestones.

  • Project Management: We use a project management system to ensure that deadlines and deliverables are met efficiently.

  • Responsive Support: We are available between meetings to answer questions, clarify any uncertainties, and provide guidance on next steps.

How Long Does the B Corp Certification Process Take with LIFT Economy?

The process typically takes between 8 and 12 months, depending on where your company stands when we begin and how much work is needed to meet B Corp standards. Throughout the process, we set realistic expectations and help ensure that your timeline remains on track.

"LIFT Economy was instrumental in helping us update and align around 30 key policies for our B Corp certification. LIFT’s guidance and feedback were invaluable, and their support gave us a much deeper understanding of the process."

– Nora Cummings, VP of Retail and Impact at Fashionphile

How Does LIFT Economy Gather Feedback and Ensure Continuous Improvement?

We value your input and continuously strive to improve our services. After the certification process, we ask for feedback through post-certification surveys to gather insights on how we can do better.

We also use this opportunity to ask for testimonials and referrals. Your experience can inspire other companies to begin their B Corp journey, and your feedback helps us ensure that we deliver the highest level of service to future clients.

What is the B Corp Community Engagement Process After Certification?

After certification, we continue to support your involvement in the broader B Corp community. Here’s how we help:

  • Networking: We introduce you to other B Corps in your region or industry, facilitating valuable partnerships and collaborations.

  • Events and Retreats: We invite you to key B Corp events, such as the annual Champions Retreat, where you can connect with other B Corps and learn about the latest trends in impact-driven business.

  • Continuous Learning: We provide updates on evolving B Corp standards and emerging best practices, ensuring that your company stays at the forefront of social and environmental leadership. Staying engaged in the B Corp community helps your company continue growing and learning, reinforcing your commitment to using business as a force for good.

"LIFT Economy’s guidance and expertise were essential in navigating our B Corp certification. Their support made the entire process more manageable, and their in-depth knowledge of the assessment helped us achieve our goals."

– Dawn Boulware, VP of Social and Environmental Responsibility at Taos Ski Valley, Inc.