Changemaker Series with Carla Heim

Welcome to episode four of the Fairware Changemakers Series, where we highlight entrepreneurs and thought leaders that constantly inspire us through their passion for using business to better the world. This week we’re featuring Carla Heim who is a Senior Advisor of Social Entrepreneurship at Business Development Canada.

In this episode, you will learn more about Carla and how her work at BDC is growing the B Corporation movement to create local prosperity, strong community and a sustainable environment.

By way of brief introduction, BDC is the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs. It promotes Canadian entrepreneurship with a focus on small and medium sized businesses. A certified B Corporation since 2013, BDC understands the importance of helping social entrepreneurs look further into their core values.

Carla plays a big role in the B Corporation movement by helping entrepreneurs push through challenges within planning, certification, operational systems and much more. This work drives and supports companies to be the best for the world and as a result society will enjoy a more shared and durable prosperity. Carla believes that having more businesses think and act like B Corporations will ultimately raise the bar in Canada.

I’m completely inspired by entrepreneurs that are committed to the social entrepreneurship movement. They put people first, consider their community, show interest in their effects on the environment and their product and services. It is a healthy way to do business!

Carla started getting involved with social entrepreneurship through corporate social responsibility groups and looking at social purpose companies and what that meant. Inspired by the entrepreneur journey, Carla has been breaking down barriers by looking into core values and providing businesses with the tools needed to overcome obstacles. BDC supports the movement through B-Corp 101 sessions that help entrepreneurs measure what is important. They showcase wonderful things businesses are doing and highlight what they can improve upon.

BDC

Being a change maker means being bold, committed, consistent and never giving up.

BDC has a national partnership with B Lab, which is a non profit organization that serves the global movement of people using business as a force for good. Carla helps entrepreneurs look at all the major areas of their business from governance, employees, suppliers, and overall impact. With Carla’s help, entrepreneurs can hit the limits of their skills and capacity.

We hope you enjoy, and we look forward to sharing our next episode in the weeks to come. Learn more about BDC and sign up for our newsletter to get the next Changemakers Series right to your inbox!