B-Corp Certified
Conscious luxury, certified.
Stick & Ball is thrilled to announce that we have officially become a Certified B Corporation®.
"This milestone isn’t just a new badge of honor; it’s a reflection of who we are and the values that have guided us since day one."
What Does “Certified B Corporation” Mean?
If you’re not familiar yet, B‑Corp Certification is a globally recognized standard for businesses that balances profit with purpose. Think of it as the gold standard for social and environmental responsibility in business. To become a B‑Corp, a company must meet strict criteria across all aspects of its operations — from how it treats workers, to its impact on the environment, to its transparency and community involvement. It’s not just about one cool project or a donation here and there; it’s about consistently operating with integrity, sustainability, and care. Only a few thousand companies around the world have earned this status, and now Stick & Ball is proudly one of them.
Why Does B‑Corp Matter to You?
In today’s world, we’re all craving authenticity and positive impact. As consumers, we want to support brands that do good behind the scenes. B‑Corps are exactly that — companies that have been verified to “walk the talk.” When you see the B‑Corp logo on a brand, you can trust that the brand loves people and the planet as much as you do. Globally, the B‑Corp movement is pushing industries forward, proving that businesses can be successful and generous, creative and compassionate. For conscious consumers and luxury lovers alike, this is a big deal. It means you don’t have to compromise; you can have beautiful products and a better world at the same time.
Why It Matters to Stick & Ball
At Stick & Ball, pursuing B‑Corp certification was a natural step. Since our founding on the polo fields of California, we’ve been about more than just fashion. Our mission has always been to create a community of people who appreciates not just style, but an authentic, sporting lifestyle rooted in heritage with a deep connection to the land, the seasons, and the natural rhythm of life. Becoming a B‑Corp matters to us because it formally acknowledges our mission and holds us accountable. It’s like planting a flag that says: This is who we are. We’re in this to make a difference. As a female-founded, mission-driven brand, we also love that B‑Corp connects us to a community of like-minded businesses. We’re now part of a family of brands worldwide – from Patagonia to small artisan workshops – all committed to using business as a force for good. It’s inspiring and energizing for our team to stand alongside these changemakers.
How We Earned the B‑Corp Badge
Achieving B‑Corp certification wasn’t easy (and it shouldn’t be!). With an overall score of 90.2, we underwent a rigorous, months-long assessment, (18-months total)—answering hundreds of questions and documenting every aspect of our operations. Here are a few highlights of our score:
Sustainability at Our Core: We source sustainable materials like alpaca, organic linen, and vegetable-tanned, end of life dairy leather for our collections. These materials aren’t just luxurious; they reduce harm to the environment. Nearly all of our fabrics and fibers are natural or recycled, which greatly lowers our footprint. We also minimize plastic in our packaging, using recyclable tissue, reusable cotton dust bags, and compostable mailers. If you’ve ever received a Stick & Ball package, you will notice these details.
Empowering Artisan Communities: Stick & Ball works with artisans from Peru and Argentina to Italy to Turkey to California, many in small villages carrying on generations-old craft techniques. We ensure everyone who makes our goods earns fair wages and works in safe conditions. For example, our alpaca wovens are hand-loomed by cooperatives in Peru, supporting communities high in the Andes. Our leather bags are crafted in Italy by family-owned ateliers using environmentally friendly tanning techniques or finished in California by hand by our founder. By treating our suppliers as partners (and friends) and prioritizing fair trade practices, we scored high in the Community impact area of the B‑Corp assessment. This is something very dear to us — when we say our products are made with love, that love extends to every artisan, shepherd, and craftsperson involved.
Diversity & Inclusion: Stick & Ball is woman-founded and women-led, and we extend that spirit of inclusion outward. We believe diversity drives richer thought and creativity, not to mention it fosters more economic prosperity among society. We collaborate with women-owned and minority-owned businesses when possible. Luxury should lift people up, not just elevate style. On our team, though we’re small, we also embrace diversity and ensure everyone feels welcome and valued. This focus on equity contributed points to our B‑Corp score under the “Community” and “Governance” sections, but more importantly, it creates a culture we’re very proud of.
Quality & Longevity: A subtle but important aspect of sustainability is making high-quality products that last. If you’ve purchased a Stick & Ball piece, you know it’s made to be a longtime companion in your wardrobe or home. We offer repairs and stand by our goods, encouraging a repair-and-reuse mentality over a throwaway one. Our commitment to heirloom quality means fewer items end up in landfills and you get to treasure your items for years. B‑Lab took note of this aspect in our assessment — the fact that we design for durability and timeless appeal, not rapid churn, aligns perfectly with the B‑Corp principle of reducing waste.
Community Engagement: Our local community and broader global community mean the world to us. Since inception, we’ve been involved in numerous charitable initiatives every year – from hosting “Shop for a Cause” events, to donating a portion of sales to relief funds. Our team volunteers time for causes and we spotlight nonprofits doing great work. While we’re not a huge company, we believe in the power of small actions. These efforts added to our B‑Corp impact score in the community realm, but we engage in them because it’s part of our DNA. Giving back is woven into the fabric of Stick & Ball.
Transparency & Ethics: We’ve always run Stick & Ball with a spirit of openness — from sharing the stories of our artisans to being upfront about our pricing and sourcing. As a B‑Corp, we’ll continue to share our impact with you. That means we’ll communicate more about our progress: How are we improving our environmental metrics? What new sustainability goals are we setting? How are we responding to challenges? We want you on this journey with us, every step of the way. In a world where so much happens behind closed doors, we pledge to keep an open channel about what’s going on behind the seams at Stick & Ball. It’s all part of holding ourselves accountable to you, our wonderful community.
Looking Ahead – Riding Forward Together
Becoming a Certified B Corporation is not the end of a journey — it’s the beginning of a new chapter. We are excited (and energized!) for the work ahead. In the coming months and years, we’ll be setting new sustainability goals, exploring even more earth-friendly materials (did someone say climate-positive alpaca farming?), and finding fresh ways to give back. We’ll also be leaning on your support and feedback. One beautiful aspect of B‑Corp is that it connects consumers and companies in a shared mission. When you support Stick & Ball, you’re supporting all the ideals we stand for — and we never forget that.
To every customer, artisan, partner, and supporter who’s been part of the Stick & Ball story: Thank you. This B‑Corp Certification belongs to all of us. It’s a testament to what we can achieve together when we believe in doing business differently — with heart, conscience, and purpose.
We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us. Join the conversation on social media, send us your thoughts, or simply wear your Stick & Ball pieces with a little extra pride knowing they’re Certified Good. Here’s to a future where luxury and sustainability ride together, hand in hand, towards the sunset of a better tomorrow.
With gratitude,
Elizabeth & The Stick & Ball Team
