Social responsibility policy

 As a small business owner, I value the opportunity to minimise my environmental impact and advocate for social equality. Whilst I recognise my individual contribution to the global cause may be small, I feel sure that we, as small business owners, can ignite change by raising awareness and proving what’s possible.

In 2022, I achieved a score of 85.4 through the B-Corp Impact Assessment. (The benchmark for B-Corp certification is 80.) I made a decision not to pursue B-Corp certification because, as a small business, I feel that the investment is better spent supporting causes directly.

Current environmental measures

• Run my business through ethical and sustainable bank Starling

• I used to plant trees for every invoice paid. But as current research offers little to recommend it, I now donate the equivalent to an environmental charity

• Operate a mostly paperless business (using recycled or FSC approved products where needed)

• Choose refurbished electronic equipment

• Minimise my water and energy consumption

• Use locally-grown or ethically-sourced goodies as creative fuel, where possible

• Practice green online habits: send only useful emails, work towards a green website and regularly clear cloud storage

Current social measures

• Donate 1% of my annual profits to women-run businesses and local organisations through Lendwithcare

Lendwithcare organises microfinance loans for entrepreneurs in developing countries. The beauty of this is that when the entrepreneur’s new business is turning a profit, they repay the loan and it can go back out to the next up-and-coming businessperson.

• Offer paid work experience to an up and coming writer every summer (email me to discuss)

• Offer mentorship to an up and coming writer every year (email me to discuss)

• Take opportunities to support other writers by building community, discussing rates, sharing experiences and coaching

• Have a code of ethics to guide my behaviour and that of my contractors. You can read it here

• Dedicate three days per year to pro bono work (see below for details)

• Respect your data privacy wherever we interact online: I do not use spy pixels on my email marketing or invasive non GDPR-compliant cookies to track your visit to my website

• Practice inclusivity in all areas of my writing, my business, my website and my community. That includes

  • amplifying the voices of marginalised communities

  • taking a zero-tolerance stance on hate speech

  • demanding inclusivity in the spaces I participate in

  • refusing work that is better given to a marginalised voice

Social and environmental goals for 2023-24

• Support campaigns for policy change that improve society or protect/restore the environment

• Monitor and offset my business carbon footprint

• Transfer to a renewable energy supplier

• Continue to educate myself, taking responsibility for and amending my behaviour.

Pro bono work

Every month, I offer two free hours of copy support for sustainable and ethical businesses and individuals. To me, it’s important to offer my skills to help nurture new ideas that could change the world for the better, regardless of your marketing budget.

You can book one or two hours per month to chat on Zoom about your copy, content or tone of voice.

Here are the criteria you need to apply:

✅ Your business is a force for good
✅ You are right at the start of your journey and have zero budget for copy
✅ You are a young person, a woman, from an emerging economy, BIPOC, experience a disability, come from a low-income background, or are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Email me to find out more.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions about what you’ve read, please send me an email at sally@lumenandfoxwords.com.