Purely Elizabeth — Fantastic B Corps

In 2009, Elizabeth Stein was a Holistic Health Counselor facing a problem. She wanted to recommend her clients healthy, gluten-free baking options, but struggled to find the right mixes. So, she began creating her own using flours naturally free of gluten and baked a batch of muffins to take to a race expo. While the muffins were originally supposed to promote her counseling business, their recipe became such a huge hit that Elizabeth had a light bulb moment to start her own company. Now, Purely Elizabeth offers up gluten-free granola and oatmeal and is passionate about good health in all its forms — from what we eat to maintaining a clean environment and the balance of work/personal life. Read on to find out more about Elizabeth and her Boulder, CO-based B Corp.

Feeling healthy inside and out: “We believe that good health begins with what you put into your body. When you eat better, you feel better. It’s that simple. You are what you eat. I started Purely Elizabeth in the hopes that people could enjoy natural foods and snacks made from the purest ingredients around. That’s why we are passionate about using the most superior, high-quality natural and organic ingredients loaded with health benefits and free of the bad stuff. But it doesn’t end there. In order to be healthy, we also need a clean environment, which is why we are committed to a sustainable planet.”

Why community inspired us to become a B Corp: “We became a B Corp to be part of an innovative and inspiring community. We believe that surrounding ourselves with like-minded companies that are passionate about sustainability will help us grow while still staying true to our core values. Since starting Purely Elizabeth, giving back and supporting our local and global community has been what we are truly passionate about , and I love the the B Corp community helps support that passion.”

The story of our biggest milestone: “I think the biggest milestone and probably greatest day in business was getting into Whole Foods nationally.  At the time, we were only in 5 (out of 11) Whole Foods regions with our granola. I remember the day vividly. I was getting on the subway to head to work and got an email from Whole Foods global office saying they were pushing our products out into every Whole Foods store in the country.  It was definitely one of the greatest, most memorable days in business.  We celebrated in the office later that day with some bubbly! Whole Foods does a great job at supporting companies with a strong B Corp focus and also participating in some sustainability/environmental initiatives of their own. It was very exciting to finally be on the shelves nationwide alongside so many other great companies and in such a great retailer.”

What Purely Elizabeth does to “B The Change” daily: “We love to support fellow sustainable companies. One simple way we do this each day is by the products we buy and use in our office, from cleaning supplies to the snacks in our fridge. We look to support and buy from fellow B Corps and companies with a strong social mission. Connecting with these companies and forming friendships with them is really great and helps us to further live out the mission of Purely Elizabeth.”

What entrepreneurs that want to form a B Corp need to do: “See the long term value in the small, daily changes being a B Corp involves. Reflect on the positive impact you are having on the world around you.  There is a lot of purpose to be found in that.”

A bright future for B Corps: “More and more companies are realizing the importance of the B Corporation movement which is really exciting. Businesses are starting to look beyond profits and rather look to have a positive impact. I cannot wait to see how B Corps change the business world we live in.”

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About Elizabeth Stein, Founder of Purely Elizabeth

Purely Elizabeth was founded in 2009 by Elizabeth Stein. Elizabeth was working as a Holistic Health Counselor and was having trouble recommending healthy gluten-free options to her clients. With her background in Integrative Nutrition, she went into the kitchen and began to create baking mixes with alternative nutrient rich flours that were naturally free of gluten and refined sugar.

Elizabeth was an active Triathlete at the time and brought her goodies to a race expo to promote her Counseling business. People couldn’t have cared less about her counseling and just wanted her muffins! That was the real aha moment for Elizabeth and Purely Elizabeth was born.

Purely Elizabeth has now since discontinued the muffin mixes and focuses instead on granola and oatmeal made with certified gluten-free oats and organic ancient grains and superfood seeds. We are passionate about using the most superior, high-quality natural and organic ingredients loaded with health benefits and free of the bad stuff.

This has been a Fantastic B Corps post, MyCorporation’s salute to the entity that gives back to business and society. Join us biweekly for a glimpse at the entrepreneurs using their small business to “B The Change” in this global movement for good.