Summary:

In this episode of Coffey Talk, Kate sits down with Erica Hakonson, CEO and founder of Maven Collective Marketing, to talk about what happens when purpose is not a side project, but the operating system of a business. Erica shares her journey from aspiring academic to entrepreneur, the two-year push to become a certified B Corp, and why giving is not a nice-to-have for her team, it is a responsibility. They walk through Maven’s Pay It Forward initiative, how employee goals now include impact, and why purpose-driven companies can still be wildly profitable.

Takeaways:

• B Corp certification is a rigorous, ongoing commitment, not a one-time badge.
• Purpose-driven practices can live right inside day-to-day operations, not just in marketing copy.
• Giving back can look like money, skills, time, and simple presence in your local community.
• Employees stay longer when they feel like true stakeholders in the mission, not just the work.
• You can grow a profitable business that also funds real-world change, year after year.

👉🏻Contact information for Erica Honkonson: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericahakonson/

B Corp - Maven Collective: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/maven-collective-marketing/

B Corp Mission: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/

Officially B Corp Certified: https://mavencollectivemarketing.com/insights/maven-collectives-journey-to-b-corp-certification/

2026 Microsoft Partnership Survey: https://bit.ly/FY26-MSPartner-Survey

2025 Microsoft Partner Global Benchmarking & Insights Report: https://bit.ly/ms-partner-report

Maven Collective Learn With Us: https://www.youtube.com/@MavenCollectiveMarketing

Maven Collective Sneak Peak into Our Culture: https://www.instagram.com/mavencollectivemarketing/

Partner Marketing Bytes Newsletter: https://bit.ly/partner-marketing-bytes

Pay It Forward Initiative: https://mavencollectivemarketing.com/insights/b-corp-pay-it-forward-2025/

Additionally, Maven Collective's Global Survey on AI-Driven Growth: https://www.einpresswire.com/article/866976365/inside-the-1-2t-microsoft-partner-economy-maven-collective-marketing-unveils-2026-global-survey-on-ai-driven-growth

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