At Reverb, we’ve always believed that how you run a business matters just as much as being profitable. From our founding in 2015, we’ve been 100% woman-owned—a core part of our identity that influences everything from the clients we partner with to how we approach the work we do. Early in our journey, we took the step to become official members of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). This certification is aligned with our values, and shows a formal commitment to advocating for women leaders—a group that remains underrepresented in business and whose voices are too often missing from the room. Here’s why we chose to pursue it and what it means for our partners in Seattle, Denver, and beyond.
Celebrating Our Roots as a Woman-Owned Firm
Reverb started because I wanted to bring the best of HR to growing companies without the bureaucracy—all while balancing the demands of raising a family. Today, over 80% of our employees identify as women or nonbinary. We are proud to be a place where our team can grow their careers while prioritizing time for self and family.
Strengthening the Ecosystem of Women Leaders
We love working with women leaders and other women-owned businesses. Whether it’s providing fractional People Operations support to a female founder or coaching an executive through a major transition, we see the unique strengths women bring to the table. WBENC certification allows us to connect even more deeply with this network, sharing best practices across the thriving startup and nonprofit communities in the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies.
The Intersection of Mission and Impact
Becoming WBENC certified is a perfect companion to our status as a Certified B Corporation®. For us, these aren’t just badges; they represent our commitment to a double bottom line that includes having a positive impact on our community. This dual certification ensures we meet high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency in everything from our internal operations to our community involvement.
How Our Mission Makes Us a Better Partner for You
When you partner with a WBENC and B Corp certified firm, you are choosing a team that is legally and ethically committed to excellence. Our mission isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s woven into how we show up for you every day. Here’s how that helps make your business better:
- Culture That Doesn’t Break as You Grow: We don’t just engage employees; we help you build the people structures and processes a company needs to scale. When you use a firm like Reverb, you avoid the “culture debt” that leads to high-performer burnout and leadership communication breakdowns. We ensure your values are integrated into your actual workflows, so your culture stays strong even as you double in size.
- The Power of Lived Experience: Our WBENC certification reflects our deep understanding of the unique hurdles women and underrepresented leaders face. This means when we provide Leadership Coaching or People Operations support, we aren’t just reading from a playbook. We bring a nuanced perspective to things like parental leave policies, pay equity, and inclusive leadership, ensuring your workplace is one where everyone feels welcome and valued.
- Sustainable Infrastructure over Quick Fixes: Instead of just filling an immediate HR gap, we implement human-centric systems like transparent performance frameworks and inclusive hiring practices. This specifically helps you win the competition for talent against larger firms, because candidates can see that your commitment to people is built into the foundation of the business, not just a line in a job description.
We’re excited to continue this journey as your exceptional people partner. If you’re a leader looking to build a more inclusive culture or a fellow mission-driven business, we’d love to start the conversation.
In addition, here are a few quick tips when choosing an HR partner.
3 Things to Look for When Choosing a Mission-Driven HR Partner
- Verified Accountability: Look for certifications like WBENC or B Corp. These prove the company has opened its books and practices to third-party scrutiny, ensuring they incorporate equity and impact into their work.
- Startup-Specific Fluency: A mission is great, but your partner needs to understand the speed of a growing company. Ensure they know how to implement just-in-time processes to keep you safe without slowing you down.
- Holistic Support: Your partner should be able to see the reverberations of a decision. For example, how does your choice of benefits and policies impact your business goals? A mission-driven partner looks at the whole ecosystem, not just the task at hand.
