B Corp Diaries Entry 02: Lessons from the Messy Middle (And Why That’s Where the Good Stuff Happens)
When we kicked off our B Corp journey, we did what most small studios probably do — opened the portal, rolled up our sleeves, and started ticking boxes.
We wanted to see the score. Because who doesn’t love a number that says, “You’re doing good”?
Fast-forward a few months (more like a year) and the number hasn’t moved much.
But we have.
Turns out, the process is less about collecting points and more about collecting perspective.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far — the good, the hard, and the occasionally uncomfortable.
There were moments when I became a blocker, not a driver, not on purpose, but because I was acting like an island.
B Corp isn’t a solo sport; it’s a relay. The real progress happens when everyone knows why it matters and where they fit.
Embedding it across the team isn’t the nice-to-have part — it’s the work.
Culture change sticks when people own it, not when one person guards the spreadsheet.
There are “hell yeah” milestones — but they usually arrive after a few “oh f***, we’re miles off” moments.
The assessment forces you to look straight at the messy bits — the gaps, the grey areas, the good intentions that never made it into policy.
It can sting. But that friction is where the growth happens.
You’ve got to trust the process is making you better, even when it’s uncomfortable.
We rushed in, eager to benchmark ourselves.
The score told us where we were, but not who we were.
If we started again, we’d slow down, translate each question, connect it to our culture, and make sure the principles land before the paperwork.
Slow, steady, intentional beats fast and forgettable every time.
B Corp isn’t the prize at the end; it’s the mirror that keeps you honest.
The goal isn’t perfection it’s progress you can feel.
The conversations it’s sparked inside Edna about how we work, who we serve, and what we stand for are already worth more than any certificate.
Doing good business doesn’t always feel good instantly.
Some days it’s spreadsheets and existential questions.
Other days it’s the quiet pride of knowing you’re building something stronger than a logo.
If you’re somewhere in the messy middle too, stick with it.
That’s where the good stuff happens.
Until next time,
C x
