Louder Than Words B Corp Festival
Last month we sent Ellie, from the Kingdom & Sparrow design team, to ‘the city of dreaming spires’ for the Louder Than Words B Corp Festival. As a city known for its vibrancy, innovation and meeting of the greatest minds, Oxford provided the perfect backdrop for an inspiring few days of talks, workshops and conversations.
A Spark of Inspiration
After an obligatory pose in front of the ‘BIG B’, and with the buzz of over a thousand B Corp businesses around me, I hit the city and joined the masses for the Louder Than Words kick-off at Oxford’s New Theatre.
The festival commenced with a powerful message from Char Love, Co-founder of B Lab UK: “Problems in this world are connected, which means we must be too.” This uplifting sentiment set the tone for the event, highlighting the importance of collaboration and collective impact.
Mary Portas, renowned retail expert (and all-round legend), delivered a captivating talk on “Beautiful Business“. She emphasised the need for businesses to be both desirable and ethical, a message that resonated deeply with the team at Kingdom & Sparrow.
From participating in a LEGO-building session to exploring the value of play through imagination, to chatting with other businesses (with a B Corp speed dating session thrown in to top it off), day one was over and out! Sitting in one of Oxford’s oldest pubs with a Young’s beer in hand, I pondered the day’s events and the value of connecting with others with a shared passion for making a positive impact.
The Power of Together
The next morning, the words ‘Less, better, local’ greeted us from the main stage. The British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant stood by these words, delivering a talk on how even a good pair of socks could truly change the world. The stage was set for a showcase of businesses from across the country, highlighting the power of collaboration and community in their respective industries. From Finisterre’s ‘Wetsuit Project’ to Naseem Akthar’s ‘Sähëlï Hub’, inspiring stories of community impact filled the air.
One key takeaway was the incredible power of local engagement. By focusing on their unique strengths and actively contributing to their communities, businesses can truly make a positive and lasting impact. As a small creative business deeply rooted in the heart of Falmouth (with most of our team living just a stone’s throw away from our Old Art School home), the morning’s sentiment couldn’t have been more relevant.
The Louder Than Words B Corp Festival was an unforgettable experience (thank you B Corp for our ‘Pay It Forward’ ticket)! It was a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from inspiring leaders, and gain valuable insights into the future of sustainable business. I left Oxford feeling energised and motivated to continue our own journey towards a more ethical and sustainable future.
As a B Corp, Kingdom & Sparrow is committed to making a positive difference. We believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for our planet and its people.
