NerdPress: HR

How Swift HR Solutions Helped NerdPress Become B Corp Certified

NerdPress provides website support and maintenance services for WordPress websites. They serve as tech partners so businesses don’t have to worry about the behind-the-scenes upkeep of their website. As a fully remote company, they’ve built their reputation on being proactive and genuinely caring about their clients’ success.

Swift HR Solutions Consultant Michelle Del Santo has been supporting HR for NerdPress since 2022, providing ongoing strategic HR guidance on a fractional basis. Beyond traditional HR support, she’s become an important part of shaping their people-first culture and ensuring their values translate into concrete policies and practices.

Recently, NerdPress CEO Andrew Wilder decided to pursue becoming B Corp Certified. In this case study, we’ll explore the certification process, where expectations differed from reality, and how Michelle supported NerdPress through this achievement.

The Client

Company: NerdPress
Industry: Technology Services
Size: Small remote team
HR Engagement: Ongoing support since 2022
Core Values: Always Be Helpful, Be Proactive, Take Good Care, Teach and Empower, Keep Improving

The Challenge

NerdPress had long been interested in becoming B Corp Certified, but the process has a reputation for being challenging and labor-intensive. As NerdPress Communications Manager Miranda Wicker explains, “We’ve been committed to fair pay and being a healthy workplace from our beginning, so becoming a Certified B Corporation felt like a natural step for us as a company.”

For small businesses, becoming a B Corp can be daunting. The process is complex, resources are limited, and most don’t have expertise with the assessment requirements. NerdPress needed guidance on how to move forward without derailing their day-to-day operations or compromising their commitment to clients.

The Process

The Foundation: Early HR Audit

Michelle’s work with NerdPress began well before becoming a B Corp was on the horizon. As Miranda notes, “One of the first things Michelle did for us, before we ever thought about becoming B Corp Certified, was conduct an HR audit. She assessed our compliance, benefits, compensation, recruitment, performance management, employee relations, organizational culture, health and safety, HR metrics, and training and development.”

This comprehensive audit proved to be invaluable groundwork. It helped make the B Corp certification go more smoothly because NerdPress already had solid HR foundations in place.

Taking the Lead on Assessment

When the decision was made to pursue becoming a B Corp, Michelle took the lead in driving the process forward. “Once we kicked off the certification process, Michelle ran the initial pass of our B Impact Assessment,” Miranda shares.

Initially, Michelle was concerned the process would be overwhelming, but as she learned more, she quickly realized that NerdPress was already doing most of what was required. “We were already doing all this. It’s about how you treat people, how you think about the environment, equity, diversity” Michelle explains. “We were really well positioned for success.”

Michelle audited and refined policies and job descriptions. She compiled the well‑being survey data and team demographics so the submission was complete and credible. This work made sure that the documentation was clear, the proof around worker practices was strong, and the overall process was efficient.

Consultant Partnership

Recognizing the intricacies of the process, Michelle encouraged bringing in external expertise. “She recommended bringing in a consultant (Nathan Stuck of Profitable Purpose Consulting) to ensure our responses were thorough and aligned to B Corp standards and kept us moving with regular check-ins throughout the process.”

Michelle coordinated between the consultant, the leadership team, and day-to-day operations so that nothing fell through the cracks.

As a fully remote company, NerdPress faced some unexpected hurdles. “The assessment went much deeper on environmental impact than we anticipated,” Miranda recalls. “As a fully remote company, measuring that was tricky; many questions assumed a physical footprint, like office space or supply chains for physical products.”

NerdPress navigated these challenges with the help of Nathan by coordinating team data collection on home-based conservation and consumption then translating individual responses into consistent metrics.

The Outcome

NerdPress is now a Certified B Corporation, joining a global community of businesses committed to using business as a force for good.

Immediate impacts included:

• Enhanced credibility: Third-party verification of their people-first values
• Cultural reinforcement: Clear policies that protect and strengthen their workplace culture as they grow
• Environmental consciousness: More intentional choices around sustainability, from event materials to transportation
• Community connection: Access to the diverse and energizing B Global Network

Long-term benefits:

• Future-proofed culture: As Miranda explains, “B Corp certification helps our culture endure as we grow. By turning our core values into clear policies, and committing to having them independently verified, we’re protecting this really wonderful environment we’ve built over the last 11 years.”
• Stakeholder signaling: Clear communication to team members, clients, and partners that their commitments aren’t aspirational but rather operational standards

Key Takeaways for Other Companies

Start with Strong HR Foundations

The early HR audit Michelle conducted proved invaluable when certification time came. Companies considering B Corp certification should ensure their basic HR infrastructure is solid first.

Small Companies Can Become a B Corp 

NerdPress proves that certification isn’t just for large corporations. It’s about intention, values alignment, and commitment to making a positive impact rather than company size.

External Consultants Can Be Worth the Investment

While not required, bringing in B Corp expertise helped ensure thoroughness and efficiency. The extra support can make sure your resources aren’t strained during the process.

HR Leadership Is Essential 

Much of B Corp certification centers on people practices: compensation, benefits, workplace culture, and employee engagement. Strong HR leadership is foundational to success.

The Community Aspect Is Valuable

The size and diversity of the B Global network was an unexpected benefit beyond the certification itself.

Look for Alignment with Existing Values

Companies already operating with strong values and employee-focused practices may find the B Corp process more manageable than expected. The certification often validates and formalizes existing good practices rather than requiring wholesale changes.

Conclusion

NerdPress’s journey to become B Corp Certified illustrates how the right HR partnership can transform ambitious goals into achievable milestones. Michelle’s combination of systematic approach and existing HR work supported achieving the certification while strengthening the company’s culture and operations.

For other companies considering B Corp certification, the key lesson is clear: Success depends not just on good intentions, but on having the right support and commitment to strong values.