Pro Bono Project: Empowering Local Small Businesses with EHS Support

In 2021, Antea Group was presented with an exciting opportunity to partner with Deluxe for Season 6 of Small Business Revolution, an Emmy-nominated series dedicated to celebrating and supporting small businesses across the United States. Season 6 was particularly meaningful, as it focused on uplifting Black-owned businesses in Minneapolis-St. Paul, the home of Antea Group’s headquarters. These small businesses were facing significant challenges, particularly due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest following the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020. Antea Group recognized the chance to give back to its local community and help these businesses recover and thrive in a time of immense hardship.

As an official partner of Small Business Revolution, Antea Group provided in-kind support in the form of environmental, health, safety, and sustainability services to both the production team and the featured businesses. Our contributions were designed to help ensure the safety and well-being of all involved while also providing valuable consulting services to the small businesses highlighted in the show.

On the production side, Antea Group’s team provided event and set support, including COVID compliance officers for the filming in Minneapolis and Los Angeles, ensuring safety protocols were followed during a challenging time.

Additionally, Antea Group provided facility optimization services to Elsa’s House of Sleep, a full-service furniture store and warehouse, offering guidance on improving energy efficiency. We also provided ergonomics consulting to Lip Esteem, a plant-based, cruelty-free cosmetics company, to enhance the comfort and efficiency of their operations.

The collaboration between Antea Group and Small Business Revolution had a profound impact on the small businesses involved. According to Erica Adams, Director of Content Strategy & Partnership at Deluxe, Antea Group’s support was invaluable in not only keeping the set safe but also consulting with business owners on areas that extended beyond the typical marketing and makeover services provided by the show.

From assisting Lip Esteem with ergonomics to helping Elsa’s House of Sleep optimize its energy efficiency, Antea Group’s contributions added meaningful value to these businesses in a way that went above and beyond expectations. By participating in this project, Antea Group not only helped these businesses recover from the challenges they had faced but also demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and making a lasting impact on the community. Through this partnership, Antea Group helped these small businesses build a foundation for long-term success, showcasing its dedication to supporting the growth and sustainability of Black-owned businesses in its hometown of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

At Antea Group, we believe in leveraging our professional expertise to make a meaningful impact beyond business. Through our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, we allocate up to 1% of our Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) annually to pro bono consulting services. This equates to leveraging our team's expertise to benefit charitable organizations dedicated to societal and environmental causes.