Andrea Chase believes in creating a better world through business. And she puts that belief into action as Arbonne’s Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Social Impact. Arbonne’s mission, We empower people to flourish with sustainable healthy living, guides her leadership and the company’s direction every day. “We are a mission-driven company, and a purpose-driven company,” Chase said.
The recipient of the 2023 Bravo Global Good Award, which recognizes companies that take a proactive approach to environmental, philanthropic and social responsibility issues, Arbonne has become known in the direct selling industry for its passionate commitment to empowerment, transparency and sustainability.
Exceeding Expectations
In 2022, Arbonne earned recertification for its B Corporation status, a designation the company has held since 2019. Required to recertify every three years, companies that are B Corporation Certified must meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. Arbonne’s recertification achievements include:
- A reduction in water consumption globally by 60 percent across all sites since the company’s 2019 baseline year;
- A 55 percent reduction in Scope I and II emissions since 2019 (which means Arbonne met its 2025 carbon emissions reduction goal three years early);
- And a 42 percent decrease in electricity consumption since 2019.
With an overall B Impact Score of 119.9 (a 43 percent increase from the company’s overall score in 2019), Arbonne’s rating soars above the 50.9 median score for ordinary businesses.
“We’re really proud to be a B Corporation-Certified company,” Chase said. “We’re also proud to be the highest scoring B Corporation direct selling company.”
Adopting the Public Benefit Corporation legal structure enables Arbonne to take all stakeholders into account when making decisions. Throughout the recertification process, Arbonne measured the company’s impact against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Arbonne’s Sustainability Compass five stakeholder pillars: Company Governance, Employee Welfare, Customer Welfare, Community Impact and Environmental Impact.
“There is no shortage in the efforts we’re making,” said Stefani Green, Arbonne’s Head of Communications. “Our dedication to the planet and the purpose creates a vibrant company culture. We’re all rallied around the same lifestyle and values.”
A Company that Cares
These values are also evident in the company’s employee welfare. At Arbonne, 53 percent of managers identify as women. Employees who work 19 hours a week qualify for benefits, and all employees get four special paid days off a year: two days to volunteer; one to reconnect with nature; and one to celebrate their birthday. And these are not just perks Arbonne added for fun. They are exemplary benefits that serve as an integral part of the company’s and employees’ ability to flourish.
“The things once considered to be external to business are now internal,” Chase said. “We strive for a happy employee population. We can do better than just the bottom line.”
The company’s commitment to stakeholder pillars and values makes it a great choice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Arbonne’s products are vegan and cruelty-free, and they are formulated using premium, plant-based ingredients grounded in science and clinical research with high safety standards. With products they can 100 percent believe in, Arbonne consultants can build their businesses with confidence.
“We are dedicated to providing customers with high quality products that are effective and responsibly sourced,” Chase said. “Our people, from employees, to vendors, customers and consultants can truly feel good about being a part of Arbonne, understanding the bigger connection we strive to create between our products, people and the planet.”
Arbonne doesn’t stop at empowering its employees and consultants. Through charitable initiatives, the company is helping others flourish, too. Since 2020, the Flourish Arbonne Foundation has granted over $2,344,914 USD equivalent to its strategic and nonprofit charity partners globally, positively impacting over 736,000 youths against its one million youth goal.
A Brighter Future for All
Arbonne will continue ramping up its efforts to help people and the environment flourish as the company looks to the future. Right now, Arbonne is working towards a 50 percent reduction of plastic in their packaging portfolio, and they already have a jump on meeting this goal. In 2022, Arbonne offered and launched many products in renewable and infinitely recyclable materials that resulted in an elimination of 85,958 pounds of plastic from their portfolio.
“I decided long ago that I wanted to spend my time working for a business that was closely aligned with my values,” Chase said. “At Arbonne, I get to enjoy that synergy every day. “We are working to not only be the best company in the world, but the best company for the world.”
DSN congratulates Arbonne on its Bravo Global Good Award and thanks them for their enduring commitment to making the world a better place.
From the June 2023 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.
