From Organic Foundations to B Corp Success

Client: Cou Cou Intimates

Sector: Fashion & Textiles – Lingerie and Loungewear

Services Provided: B Corp Certification Support, Materiality Assessment, Sustainability Strategy

The Challenge

Cou Cou Intimates had already nailed the sustainability basics, producing 100% organic GOTS certified lingerie that felt as good as it looked.

But they knew there was more to being a truly responsible business than just organic cotton.

The real challenge? Moving beyond greenwashing buzzwords to create measurable, auditable impact across people, planet, and community.

They needed to transform from "we're pretty sustainable" to "we can prove we're making a difference" whilst keeping their intimate apparel brand feeling personal and authentic.

Plus, like most small fashion brands, they were juggling certification requirements with the daily reality of running a business without a massive team or corporate resources.

The Solution

Working closely with the Cou Cou team, we tackled B Corp certification through a structured yet flexible approach that respected their size and operational reality.

We started with foundation building, conducting a comprehensive materiality assessment to understand where Cou Cou could make the biggest difference.

This involved mapping their existing sustainability practices against B Corp's rigorous standards and creating a realistic timeline that wouldn't derail their core business operations.

The strategic implementation phase focused on developing robust systems for tracking and measuring environmental impact, particularly around carbon footprint and water management.

We strengthened supplier relationships with enhanced visibility and accountability measures, whilst building frameworks for ongoing compliance and impact measurement that would grow with the business.

For operational excellence, we guided the implementation of practical waste reduction programmes and recycling initiatives, helped establish water management protocols, and created documentation systems that would satisfy B Corp's evidence requirements whilst being genuinely useful for daily operations rather than just bureaucratic box-ticking.

Throughout the entire journey, I provided step-by-step support through the certification process, ensured all submissions met B Corp's exacting standards, and built sustainable systems for maintaining certification long-term rather than treating it as a one-off project.

Cou Cou Intimates

The Outcome

The numbers don't lie. Our post certification impact survey revealed some brilliant outcomes that prove B Corp certification delivers real business value, not just feel good credentials.

Business Performance:

Cou Cou saw significantly improved overall business performance since certification, with noticeable increases in revenue, customer engagement, and brand trust. The certification created what Megan, the Buying & Operations Director, describes as "general elevation of brand perception", that is translating into tangible business growth.

Marketing & Brand Impact:

They're now actively using their B Corp status in marketing strategy and have achieved a very positive impact on brand reputation and customer perception. This isn't just about having a nice logo to stick on packaging; it's become a core part of how they communicate their values and connect with conscious consumers.

People & Operations:

The certification improved employee engagement and recruitment whilst driving practical changes including recycling programmes, water management systems, and enhanced carbon footprint tracking.

These aren't just compliance exercises but genuine operational improvements that make the business more efficient and responsible.

Strategic Foundation:

Perhaps most importantly, Megan describes B Corp certification as "like having training wheels on how to be a good business." This framework approach means Cou Cou now has systems for continuous improvement rather than just meeting minimum standards, setting them up for long-term sustainable growth.

"We had such a great experience working with Rodica. She is one of the best project managers I have worked with and made our B-Corp journey very enjoyable. I would highly recommend RM Sustainability Consulting." Megan McDonald - Buying & Operations Director, Cou Cou Intimates

The Honest Challenges

Megan was refreshingly candid about the biggest hurdle: "The environmental part. Understanding our environmental impact."

This is exactly why the structured approach we developed was so crucial.

Rather than getting overwhelmed by complex environmental metrics, I broke everything down into manageable, measurable steps.

What This Means for Small Fashion Brands

Cou Cou Intimates proves that B Corp certification isn't just for big corporates with sustainability departments. Small brands can absolutely achieve these standards whilst maintaining their personality, agility, and customer focus.

The key is having the right support to navigate the complexity, build practical systems, and maintain momentum throughout the process.

The Bottom Line

B Corp certification gave Cou Cou Intimates exactly what they were looking for: rigorous proof of their impact, better business performance, and a framework for being genuinely good rather than just looking good.

"Rodica was exceptional in helping us with the process of submitting our B-Corp accreditation application. Orderly, understanding of business priorities, and instrumental in keeping on track. The weekly tasks were broken down understandably and adapted so we understood our priorities. The supply of surveys, policies, links, spreadsheets, presentations, etc for us to work with enabled us to work through everything incredibly efficiently, ensuring both best practice and Cou Cou alignment. She has a natural ability in understanding business nuances and has a calm, supportive, inquisitive, and enthusiastic nature, be it when things haven’t been achieved, when things weren’t quite in order, when responding to questions, or more happily, when targets were reached. I could not recommend her more highly."  Sarah Palmer - HR Director, Cou Cou Intimates

Ready to transform your fashion brand's impact? 

B Corp certification isn't about jumping through hoops, it's about building a business that genuinely works for everyone. From organic cotton to global recognition, your sustainability journey starts with one conversation.

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