Sleek X Baba Yaga: B Corp Journey to Sustainability

As a proud B Corp, Sleek shares insights from Amber Wan , founder of Baba Yaga—a sustainable business consultancy firm dedicated to guiding SMEs worldwide in sustainability reporting, business model innovation, and achieving milestones like B Corp certification.

What inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey, and how does your commitment to social impact shape your work?

My entrepreneurial journey started with a deep concern about the unequal distribution of resources. There are vast disparities between the few who have too much and the many who have too little, and I believe we need to take action before it leads to bigger problems. Sustainability in business isn’t just about giving back—it’s about rethinking the way we operate from the ground up.

In the last 5-6 years, I’ve noticed that many SMEs in the APAC region are eager to embrace sustainability, but they often struggle to find the right balance between being sustainable and staying profitable.

That’s where we come in. Our goal is to help these businesses adopt innovative, resilient strategies that benefit the future generations, the environment, and their local communities. By providing affordable and accessible consultancy services, we aim to help businesses achieve financial success while staying committed to sustainability.

How does your focus on sustainability and social responsibility influence your business practices?

I believe in "baking our values into the business strategy right from the start." It means letting our core principles shape everything we do, ensuring that every decision we make benefits both society and the environment. In the end, this will prove that being profitable and responsible can go hand in hand.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a positive impact?

My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: don’t wait for the perfect moment or the best tools. The longer you hold off, the more people will be affected by the problems you’re trying to solve.

Just start making progress, even if it’s in small steps—every little bit helps. Think about taking on climate-positive projects or doing something tangible, like dedicating 1% of your efforts to making a difference. It’s all about balance—picture it like a triangle where profitability, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility come together. Start now, grow gradually, and before you know it, your efforts will create real, meaningful change.

How do you measure success in your business beyond financial metrics?

I think of success as going beyond just financial metrics. For us, it’s about aligning with B Corp standards and incorporating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. This framework really helps us look at the bigger picture and understand our impact on employees, customers, suppliers, the community, and the environment.

The key indicators we focus on include employee satisfaction, client feedback, and how much we contribute to community initiatives. We also constantly monitor our sustainability efforts, like reducing carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly practices.

In the end, success for us means creating lasting value and driving meaningful change—not just chasing profits. By paying attention to these broader metrics through ESG reporting, we make sure our business stays true to our mission, which is to promote a positive impact.

How do you feel Sleek aligns with your values as a B Corp consultant?

I can really see how Sleek aligns with my values as a B Corp consultant, especially when it comes to our procurement policy that focuses on small and local businesses. I genuinely believe in the potential of SMEs and have a lot of faith in B Corp-certified companies, which makes working together a great fit.

We are intentional about choosing suppliers who share our vision of using business as a force for good, and we do annual reviews to make sure they can meet our standards.

It can be tough for small businesses to influence the bigger players out there, but we know we can make a difference with our decisions. By sticking to our procurement principles, we aim to create a positive ripple effect in the market and help building a more equitable and sustainable economy.

What do you appreciate most about the support and services provided by the Sleek team?

What I really appreciate about the Sleek team is how smooth the onboarding process has been for accounting, auditing, and tax filing. Transparency is very important to me, and Sleek really shines in that area. The team takes the time to explain everything clearly and set realistic expectations, which is such a breath of fresh air compared to my previous supplier, where I often encountered billing and communication issues.

Every step of the onboarding has been well-organised and easy to navigate, leading to a fantastic overall experience. I just switched to some additional services this month, and I’m already impressed with the consistency and clarity of the support I'm getting. I’m planning to move my corporate services to Sleek next year!