Get Down to Business: The B Corp Podcast · 2025-07-15 · 26 min
Join hosts Lauren Everett and Max Hayes on Getting Down to Business, as they chat with Solar States founder Micah Gold-Markel and CFO Jael Blankenship. Solar States is focused on using solar energy as a tool for sustainability, economic development, and workforce training, and the company has installed solar projects on homes, schools, and businesses across Philadelphia, while also training the next generation of green energy workers. Micah and Jael join Lauren and Max to discuss governance, one of the key pillars of the B Corp impact assessment. “Good governance ensures that a company's mission and values aren't just words on a page, but are embedded into its decision-making structure,” Lauren explains. In this episode, she explores with her guests how transparency and accountability shape businesses for long-term success. Solar States’ journey to B Corp When Micah founded Solar States in 2008, he knew he wanted his business to have a connection to the community. He describes being attracted to the idea of becoming a certified B Corp, but knowing the cost would be challenging, he thought he might postpone the certification process.
Starting the B Corp journey: with B Lab managers Max Hayes and Zach Fayer50 / 100Becoming certified and beyond: with NOOR by Grant Blvd founder Dr. Kimberly McGlonnEnvironmental impacts and sustainability: with Re:Vision Architecture’s Drew Lavine and Shawn HoganImpact on workers and community: with Triple Bottom Brewery co-founder Tess HartWhat is a B Corp and why it matters: with Former B Lab U.S. & Canada CEO Jorge Fontanez