Hannah Cox created her networking group out of a desire to collaborate with other like-minded entrepreneurs. Her business The Better Business Network donates 30 percent of its membership fees to battling climate change and the issues of planet Earth, but its doors are definitely not open to all
Hannah Cox loves networking, meeting new people and having spontaneous conversations. But the Manchester-based entrepreneur found herself frustrated at all too many of the events she attended.
As the founder of a sustainable agency, Betternotstop, and a fully trained B Corp consultant, Cox works with businesses to improve their social and environmental performance. The entrepreneur believes business should be a force for good and, like many, is profoundly concerned with the state of the environment. But she feels business networking groups remain focused on profit and growth, as well as exhibiting other ‘old school’ attitudes.
“I was tired of being the only ‘eco person’ in the room. I was trying to build a business not just to make money, but also to make the world a better place,” she says.
“I didn’t understand why other business owners didn’t care about the living wage and didn’t support flexible working. Some weren’t even bothered if their product had a negative environmental impact.
“I was also sick of business networks where I was treated like I was a ten-year-old because I had tattoos and wore jeans.”
Earlier this year, Cox and like-minded entrepreneurs Kate Clarke and Ben Thorne decided to create an alternative to networking groups such as the Chamber of Commerce. They reasoned that during the pandemic the whole concept of networking had changed. Locality was no longer important in a world where video conferencing and online networks were the norm.
The Better Business Network (BBN) was born. A network founded on ethics, values and ideas and a very big goal.
“The Better Business Network was founded out of my belief that all businesses, of any size, have a responsibility to make the world better,” says Cox.
“We want to help create systemic change in how businesses are run. We want our members to feel they have the ability, responsibility and power to make the world better.”
The BBN vets members to ensure they’re aligned with the values of the group. Its website lists six big reasons why ‘they should not join’ including: ‘You’re solely focused on profit and don’t have sustainability and ethics at the core of your business.’
Cox explains: “We aren’t open to everybody and we are very clear on our purpose. It’s important that everyone feels this is a place where good things can happen and that it’s not just another business club.”
The BBN donates 30 percent of its membership fees to ‘impact giving’, providing cash to groups such as Client Earth and Stop Cambo. Members are given a list of five not-for-profit companies and asked to vote for their chosen group each month.
The organisation also recruits in cohorts in order to bond them together and create a sense of camaraderie. The first cohort joined in May 2021 and the BBN is currently recruiting its second batch. Cox says connecting people with shared values creates better relationships.
“When business owners meet others whose values align with their own, there’s so much they can share. It doesn’t matter if they are in different industries or sectors. There are tools, lessons and resources they can share.
“We can do most things online and virtual networking has become the norm. This has made recruitment easier and people from across the country have joined. Although, we do want to do in-person events too.”
BBN Members get access to resources designed to make them more sustainable and resilient, including a weekly wellbeing session and, for top tier members, a free sustainability audit. Cox says about 40 percent of the group’s fees are spent on resources for members, with the remaining 30 percent on administration and salaries.
“We think all businesses should be doing something to make the world better and to make an impact on the planet, and we think all businesses can.
“Not everyone is welcome. We are prepared to turn people away if we feel they would dilute the network. But we’ve made it that businesses of all sizes can join.”
The BBN is currently recruiting new members. If you’re an ethically focused entrepreneur that believes business can be a force for good, visit: https://thebetterbusiness.
