Introduction: From Passion to Purpose
For Chef Michelle Carpenter and Co-Founder Hanh Ho, Restaurant Beatrice in Dallas, Texas, has always been about more than just food. It’s a love letter to Cajun and Creole heritage, a commitment to sustainability, and a beacon of opportunity for underrecognized voices in the restaurant industry. When they set out to formalize these values by obtaining B Certification, they found themselves facing unexpected challenges. The process was rigorous, and after a disappointing first attempt, they needed a strategic partner to help them navigate the complexities and push through to success.
The Challenge: A Roadblock on the Path to Certification
Beatrice had been operating with sustainability and social responsibility at its core since its inception. They secured Pending B Status in 2022, signaling their intent to pursue B Certification once they completed 12 months of operations. However, when they submitted their B Impact Assessment in October 2022, unforeseen obstacles emerged. Due to delays and backlogs at B Lab Global, the Verification stage did not begin until March 2023. Months of scrutiny followed, and ultimately, Beatrice fell short of the 80-point threshold. The main reason was due to the removal of Arts, Media, & Culture, a key impact business model they had selected to highlight their unique role in preserving Cajun and Creole culinary traditions. The loss of this model resulted in a score drop to 71.9, making B Certification too high of a barrier to surmount at that stage.
This initial attempt left Hanh and the team frustrated and discouraged, questioning whether their mission was truly being recognized within the B Certification framework. Still as committed as ever to the impact they were creating, they needed a new approach to obtain Certification.
The Process: A Second Attempt with Enharmonic Encounters
In late 2023, as Restaurant Beatrice sought a new way forward, they connected with us at Enharmonic Encounters. Recognizing the significance of Beatrice’s success—not only as a mission-driven restaurant but as one of very few women- and minority-owned, full-service restaurants pursuing B Certification—we were beyond elated to guide them through a second attempt at B Certification.
Together, we developed a strategic roadmap:
- Identifying an alternative impact business model: After further examination of B Lab’s rationale for not accepting Beatrice’s argument for the Arts, Media, & Culture impact business model, we helped Beatrice shift focus to Designed to Give, which recognizes businesses making significant charitable commitments year over year.
- Formalizing charitable giving efforts: Charitable giving has always been an integral part of Beatrice’s identity, supporting local non-profit organizations and launching the Women in Restaurants Leadership Program (WRLP) at Dallas College, a free mentorship initiative for Black and Brown women in the Dallas community of Oak Cliff. We guided Beatrice to track and document these efforts formally, in accordance with B Certification standards.
- Strengthening operational policies: We worked with Beatrice to refine their supplier tracking, historical donation records, and internal policies to ensure compliance with B Certification standards.
- Advocating on Beatrice’s behalf: Leveraging our intimate knowledge of B Lab’s protocols and expectations, we ensured a smooth and efficient resubmission and review process, removing any unnecessary impediments to Beatrice’s success.
The Impact: A Certified Future
On October 22, 2024, after over 23 hours of consulting support and a meticulous second review process, Restaurant Beatrice achieved B Certification with a score of 89.5—a remarkable leap from their initial verified score of 71.9.
Beyond the Certification itself, the process helped Beatrice:
✔ Strengthen business practices with enhanced documentation and tracking.
✔ Gain recognition as one of the few full-service restaurants in the world to obtain B Certification, with media coverage from outlets such as The Dallas Morning News and Eater Dallas.
✔ Reinforce their mission of sustainability and community impact, further elevating WRLP’s visibility and reach.
Chef Michelle’s Takeaway
B Certification wasn’t just a stamp of approval; it was a learning experience that challenged us to be even more intentional. Enharmonic Encounters was instrumental in helping us tell our story in a way that met B Lab’s standards while staying true to who we are.
Now, Restaurant Beatrice serves more than just great food; it serves as a model for how other restaurants and concepts can balance purpose and profitability.
