At Aspire we focus on letting our values lead the way – our guiding light through any change.

March is B-Corp month, and last October, we were overjoyed to be awarded B-Corp status after a lot of hard work and gruelling questionnaires… For those who may not know, certified B-Corps are businesses which put people and planet before profit. At Aspire, we have always endeavoured to do just that, so when we learned more about B-Corp certification, we couldn’t wait to apply. We looked at what we did already that aligned with B-Corp principles and used those as our path through the process.

We managed to get our B-Corp rating after enacting very little change in our practices.

Sometimes though, change is required in order to move forward, so how do you do that without losing sight of who you are at your core?

After achieving our B-Corp status, rather than resting on our laurels, we decided to look through the list that B-Corp provides to see what else we could aim to implement or improve on by our next assessment in 2026. The approach we took was to look out for things that already aligned with our core values to grow and build on rather than trying to bend ourselves out of shape or pay lip service to an idea.

Don’t let the tail wag the dog

Looking through the list of what can get you points as a B-Corp, there are various changes that, though they may be fairly easy to enact, might not positively impact us or the environment in the way they are intended because of the sector we work in and they way our company is structured. The question then becomes, rather than box ticking, how can we do this in a way that does the most good and, if it doesn’t work for our company, let’s focus our energies elsewhere. We are not doing this as an exercise to accumulate points – it’s so important to remember that.

Looking ahead, we embrace the future with a sense of purpose and possibility. Our focus is on our “why”. Rather than accumulating accolades or points, we stay ontrack by considering how we make a genuine difference in the world. We understand that true impact transcends checkboxes; it’s about effecting meaningful change that resonates with our core values and positively impacts the communities we serve.

Just as we might let B-Corp be the tail that wags the dog, when it comes to company culture and best practices, we can often fall into the trap of doing things because we feel we’re meant to or because that’s what other companies do, rather than questioning how it works with the people and environment we’re applying it to.

If we let our values guide the way, it will automatically indicate when we fall into these traps. Letting our values shape our environment rather than the other way around.

So, as we continue our journey, we invite others to join us in redefining success in business — not just in terms of profits, but in terms of purpose and positive impact.

Together, let’s navigate change with our values as our compass, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for all. This way forward.

You can find out more about what it means to be a B-Corp here.