
Company: Rosso Coffee Roasters
Headquarters: Alberta, Canada
Industry: Food products
Final B Corp Score: 80.9
Rosso Coffee Roasters’ priority is to deliver a world-class journey through specialty coffee. Founded in 2007 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, they have grown from a single cafe into a world-recognized coffee roaster. They maintain a constant focus on improving not just their effects on the environment, but also to improve their communities and the quality of life for the people they serve, and to ensure they leave things better than they found them.
We asked Erik Parkin, Head Barista Trainer & Systems Designer, to share what the experience of going through certification was like for a growing company who wants to ensure that their processes are sustainable, their values remain in place, and that they remain connected to not just their local community but to all communities that they touch and affect.
Why was B Corp certification important for you?
It was important for us to validate our commitment to environmental sustainability and social equity as well as to communicate said commitment to our customers.
What did you learn from the certification process?
Throughout the certification we were exposed to so many potential pathways for growth, beyond simply economic growth. The wealth of information on best practices that is collected within the B Impact Assessment is an incredible resource for businesses that want to expand their impact.
How did your company change through the certification process?
We’ve changed in small ways, mainly in systematizing existing practices for supporting our employees. We also significantly improved our means and accuracy of tracking our environmental impact via waste and carbon emissions
In your own words, what does it mean to be a B Corp?
To be a B Corp is to say to the world that your company exists for a reason. To say we are here to make a difference in our community, that we are taking the climate crisis seriously and that we are mindful of our impacts on society.
What advice would you give to others considering certification?
As you work through the certification process you’ll end up reflecting on nearly every aspect of your business. It can really be overwhelming at first! We highly recommend embracing support within your business and seeking experts, like Cultivating Capital, to share the load.
Join the Community
Whether you’re just learning about B Corps or are already far along your journey, you’ll find opportunities to improve your impact as a business by getting certified or recertified as a B Corp.
If you have questions or would like to talk about B Corp certification, please get in touch with us using the form below.