Clear Blue Commercial Honored as a “Best For The World” Company for Its Exemplary Societal and Environmental Impact
Petaluma brokerage, sustainability, consulting and project management companyranked in the global top 10 percent of all B Corps
Clear Blue Commercial, a Petaluma commercial real estate property management company, has been named a B Corp Best For The World honoree for its positive impact on the environment, its workforce, its community, its suppliers, its clients and its corporate governance.
Best For The World honors go to the top 10% of Certified B Corporations — for-profit companies — which must meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit with purpose. B Corp certification and Best For The World recognition are administered by B Lab, a global nonprofit. Today there are 3,000 Certified B Corporations across 64 countries and 150 industries, dedicated to using business as a force for good and a shared goal of redefining business success. The Best For The World ranking puts Clear Blue Commercial in the company of Certified B Corporations that include such well-known businesses as Patagonia, Beautycounter, Dr. Bronner’s, TOMS and Seventh Generation.
B Lab named Clear Blue Commercial to its Best For The World: Overall list as well as the Best For The World: Governance list. The 2019 Best For The World honorees are identified on the basis of the verified B Impact Assessments of Certified B Corporations. The full lists are available on https://bcorporation.net.
B Lab doesn’t just evaluate a company’s product or service, it assesses the company’s overall positive impact. It evaluates how a company’s operations and business model affect its workers, community, environment and customers. To achieve the B Corp Certification, a company must attain at least 80 points on the assessment.
“It was Clear Blue Commercial’s goal since our founding five years ago to become a B Corp, and this honor is a recognition of philosophies we have long embraced,” said Carolyn Pistone, president and managing director. “Because commercial buildings are the world’s largest single source of greenhouse gases, we knew we had a role to play in helping our clients operate more sustainably. We help them save money while saving the planet. We actually didn’t set out to be a differentiator, but we want every company to think about its impact on the environment and make conscious choices to improve the human condition and the world.”
Clear Blue Commercial’s mission is to help improve negative environmental impacts through real estate, setting the bar for responsible and successful businesses around the world. As a property manager, it introduces sustainability practices to decrease energy and water usage, saving its clients millions of dollars a year. Other services include thoughtful business operations and decision-making on even everyday practices like office product purchases. Clear Blue Commercial is the only commercial real estate firm certified as a Bay Area Green Business, a Women-Owned Business and a B Corp. “We’re incredibly proud of this year’s Best For The World honorees,” said Anthea Kelsick, B Lab’s chief marketing officer. “These inspiring companies represent the kind of business models and impact-driven business strategies that are building a new economy — one that is inclusive, regenerative and that delivers value to all stakeholders, not just shareholders. To that end, B Corps like Clear Blue Commercial are redefining capitalism and showing that it actually can work for everyone.”
About Clear Blue Commercial
Clear Blue Commercial is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage,
sustainability consulting and project management company dedicated to
maximizing its clients’ investments, saving its clients’ time, and adding value
to local communities. A North Bay Business Journal Community
Philanthropy and Outstanding Facility Management award winner and a Northbay
Biz magazine Best Green Business, Clear Blue Commercial has successfully
saved its clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in green upgrades and energy
savings. Clear Blue Commercial is the only commercial real estate firm to be a
certified Green Business, a certified Small Business, a certified Woman Owned
Business and a certified B Corporation. Visit www.clearbluecommercial.com
and follow the company on Facebook.
About B Lab: B Lab is a nonprofit that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good. B Lab’s initiatives include B Corp Certification, administration of the B Impact Management programs and software, and advocacy for governance structures like the benefit corporation. B Lab’s vision is of an inclusive and sustainable economy that creates a shared prosperity for all. To date, there are 3,000 Certified B Corps in over 150 industries and 64 countries, and over 50,000 companies use the B Impact Assessment. For more information, visit https://bcorporation.net.
B Lab Contact: Hannah Munger; Manager, PR & Communications; hmunger@bcorporation.net; +1 212-608-4150
Clear Blue Commercial Honored as a “Best For The World” Company for Its Exemplary Societal and Environmental Impact
Best For The World honors go to the top 10% of Certified B Corporations — for-profit companies — which must meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit with purpose. B Corp certification and Best For The World recognition are administered by B Lab, a global nonprofit. Today there are 3,000 Certified B Corporations across 64 countries and 150 industries, dedicated to using business as a force for good and a shared goal of redefining business success. The Best For The World ranking puts Clear Blue Commercial in the company of Certified B Corporations that include such well-known businesses as Patagonia, Beautycounter, Dr. Bronner’s, TOMS and Seventh Generation.
B Lab named Clear Blue Commercial to its Best For The World: Overall list as well as the Best For The World: Governance list. The 2019 Best For The World honorees are identified on the basis of the verified B Impact Assessments of Certified B Corporations. The full lists are available on https://bcorporation.net.
B Lab doesn’t just evaluate a company’s product or service, it assesses the company’s overall positive impact. It evaluates how a company’s operations and business model affect its workers, community, environment and customers. To achieve the B Corp Certification, a company must attain at least 80 points on the assessment.
“It was Clear Blue Commercial’s goal since our founding five years ago to become a B Corp, and this honor is a recognition of philosophies we have long embraced,” said Carolyn Pistone, president and managing director. “Because commercial buildings are the world’s largest single source of greenhouse gases, we knew we had a role to play in helping our clients operate more sustainably. We help them save money while saving the planet. We actually didn’t set out to be a differentiator, but we want every company to think about its impact on the environment and make conscious choices to improve the human condition and the world.”
Clear Blue Commercial’s mission is to help improve negative environmental impacts through real estate, setting the bar for responsible and successful businesses around the world. As a property manager, it introduces sustainability practices to decrease energy and water usage, saving its clients millions of dollars a year. Other services include thoughtful business operations and decision-making on even everyday practices like office product purchases. Clear Blue Commercial is the only commercial real estate firm certified as a Bay Area Green Business, a Women-Owned Business and a B Corp.
“We’re incredibly proud of this year’s Best For The World honorees,” said Anthea Kelsick, B Lab’s chief marketing officer. “These inspiring companies represent the kind of business models and impact-driven business strategies that are building a new economy — one that is inclusive, regenerative and that delivers value to all stakeholders, not just shareholders. To that end, B Corps like Clear Blue Commercial are redefining capitalism and showing that it actually can work for everyone.”
About Clear Blue Commercial
Clear Blue Commercial is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage, sustainability consulting and project management company dedicated to maximizing its clients’ investments, saving its clients’ time, and adding value to local communities. A North Bay Business Journal Community Philanthropy and Outstanding Facility Management award winner and a Northbay Biz magazine Best Green Business, Clear Blue Commercial has successfully saved its clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in green upgrades and energy savings. Clear Blue Commercial is the only commercial real estate firm to be a certified Green Business, a certified Small Business, a certified Woman Owned Business and a certified B Corporation. Visit www.clearbluecommercial.com and follow the company on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About B Lab: B Lab is a nonprofit that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good. B Lab’s initiatives include B Corp Certification, administration of the B Impact Management programs and software, and advocacy for governance structures like the benefit corporation. B Lab’s vision is of an inclusive and sustainable economy that creates a shared prosperity for all. To date, there are 3,000 Certified B Corps in over 150 industries and 64 countries, and over 50,000 companies use the B Impact Assessment. For more information, visit https://bcorporation.net.
Conscious Capitalism
Clear Blue Commercial, of Petaluma, aimed at becoming a B Corp from the outset. A full-service brokerage, sustainability, consulting and project-management firm, it was founded in 2014 and is dedicated to saving the planet through real estate. Carolyn Pistone, president and managing director, observes that people don’t necessarily think of commercial real estate in terms of sustainability. “Buildings are a line on somebody’s spreadsheet,” she observes. She reports, however, that commercial buildings are the largest single source of carbon emissions in the world, and Clear Blue looks for ways to improve their clients’ properties by making them environment-friendly while also saving money. At one building, they converted all the lighting to LEDs, replanted turf with drought-tolerant plants, installed drip systems, used non-VOC paint and added an electric vehicle charging station. In doing so, they added amenities that attracted clients, reduced carbon dioxide emissions and gave employees a nice perk. “As a landlord, you’ve given a differentiator to your building, and you’re saving money on top of it, because you’re saving all that energy,” Pistone points out. “We’re out to prove that sustainability more than pays for itself and is essentially the building block of our future economy.”
At another building, which needed a landscaping makeover during the drought, a contractor submitted a plan that would take 32 years to result in savings on water. It wasn’t practical, so Pistone contacted the water agency and the City of Petaluma and launched a Mulch Madness project that used volunteer labor and got donations of mulch, compost and components for a drip irrigation system. The contractor who missed out contributed equipment and labor. In addition, Clover Sonoma donated yogurt, massage therapists provided chair massages and three bands played. “We made it a festival,” she says. As a result of their cooperative effort, the turf-conversion project saves 3 million gallons of water a year, and it took only one day. “We made this wonderful change and brought the community together to take action,” she says. It also gave the property’s owner, who lives outside the area, a new understanding of a community that is resource-challenged.
With concern for government, community, workers and the environment all involved in its practices, Clear Blue Commercial embodied the principles of the B Corp philosophy, and “We wanted to be a B Corp right away,” says Pistone. The company didn’t have a history, though, and so it didn’t have enough information for the assessment and had to wait until 2016 to receive certification. When the time was right, however, it was prepared. Compiling the documentation B Lab requires is a rigorous process. “We were able to get all our stuff together fairly easily,” she says, adding that it took two to three months and required the company to make some changes. For example, one of the questions they had to answer during the certification process was whether employees have pro bono time to do work for charities. Although Clear Blue did have such a program, they had to document their policy and distribute it to employees to formalize it so they could earn five points on the assessment. It was one of several things Clear Blue already did informally because it’s what they believe in and who they are, but to get points, they had to write all of them into the company’s policy so they would be specific and binding. “It’s a big commitment,” she adds. “If I go to a store and see that B Corp logo, I know instantly what they’ve had to do.”
Tony Conner Agent at CBC
Clear Blue Commercial Presents
“Must Knows” For Commercial Real Estate Investors!
August 29, 2018
Your Cap Rate Is Not Your Return
Your Cap rate may not be your return, it is just the Investment’s value at that particular time.
If you are a real estate investor and you seek a particular return on your investment; say 8%. The thought that an 8% cap rate is the equivalent is not necessarily accurate. In fact, in buy-and-hold scenarios this false assumption has caused many investments to not perform as expected overtime.
To remedy this issue remember the following: The cap rate is a determination of value at a particular time. Your return represents profit throughout the life of the investment.
Take a look at the Investopedia cap rate definition
“The Cap Rate is the rate of return that an investment property will generate based on its current market value, and is a quick way to compare different investment property options including houses, apartments and office buildings”
Within Investopedia”s specific language, notice the word “current” is used to Define value type, i.e., “current value”. Thus, only if you require a property showing a current 8% return is when the 8% cap rate may be a sufficient gauge if calculated properly. But if you seek an 8% return over significant time, i.e., longer than 12 months, use another source. Specifically, check your internal rate of return (IRR) over time of ownership; coupled with your cash on cash return.
Coming soon, “to know IRV is to know the relationships between cap rate, net operating income and value”.
In the meantime, use my complimentary investment calculator link below. And remember, if you’re concerned your deal may not go through, don’t waste time. Call Clear Blue Commercial!
Written by Tony Conner Tony@clearbluecommercial.com 510-686-3242
Click here to open Investment Analysis
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Invest in Costa Rica – Great Spot for marina Hotel casino – Its for Sale – Negotiable
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Carolyn Pistone of Petaluma’s Clear Blue Commercial wins Nonprofit Leadership Award
Carolyn Pistone of Petaluma’s Clear Blue Commercial has won one of North Bay Business Journal’s Nonprofit Leadership Awards.
North Bay Business Journal
October 30, 2017, 5:37PM
Professional background: I have held various senior positions in the entertainment, real estate, and hi-tech industries, including Head of Operations for Dreamworks, and Head of Production at Tippett Studio. A former actress, director, and standup comic, I also spent a year as a comedy traffic school instructor. I am the President and Managing Director at Clear Blue Commercial, committed to client service and applying a holistic and sustainable approach to all facets of the life of a property. I am a certified Realtor, EcoBroker, and Green Building Professional. These experiences have led me to work to build a supportive, innovative, and collaborative environment for clients, vendors, team members, and, yes, even the planet, to thrive.
Education: I earned a B.A. from San Francisco State University; and an M.F.A. in Directing for Theatre, Film, and Television from California Institute of the Arts. I am a 2016 Fellow of the Leadership Institute for the Ecology and the Economy’s Leadership for a Sustainable Future program and a graduate of the Leadership Petaluma class of 2015.
Describe your organization
Clear Blue Commercial is a full-service brokerage, sustainability consulting and project management company dedicated to saving the planet through real estate. An NBBJ Community Philanthropy and Outstanding Facility Management award winner, voted Best Green Business in 2016 by North Bay Biz magazine, Clear Blue Commercial’s efforts saved over three million gallons of water annually during the recent drought, successfully saved their clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in green upgrades and energy savings, and added significant value to their properties through community engagement, customer attraction and retention. Clear Blue Commercial is the ONLY commercial real estate firm to be a certified Green Business, a certified Small Business, a certified Woman Owned Business, AND a B-Corp. We support the many other businesses that will join our ranks and we are proud to be leading the way.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am a committed Earthling and a member of the Stewardship Circle of Daily Acts, a sustainability non-profit that inspires action to create more nourishing, connected, and resilient communities. In addition, I serve on the Environmental Committee of the Sonoma County Alliance, the Climate Action 2020 Stakeholders Advisory Group, former President of the Board of Trustees for the Petaluma Community Foundation, and a founding board member of 100 Sonoma People Who Care. I am also a founding member of both the Real Estate and Business Social Enterprises Association (REBSEA) and Investing in Communities (IIC). I strive to be an inspiring and supportive mother, daughter, sister, and friend, and I believe that life is not worth living without a sense of humor.
What is your role in the organization?
As a business owner and as a leader, it brings me the greatest joy to act as a humble servant to my talented team, helping to maximize their talents to bring ever-increasing positive impact in the community.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I am so honored to be among the amazing individuals and organizations receiving this award. Also, so blessed to be spending every day with my wonderful husband, best friend, and business partner of 22 years, Marty Pistone (which is amazing, considering I am only 29!).
What is your biggest challenge today?: Climate change!
What is the next major project either underway or on the horizon?: Growing our brokerage team and our outreach to bring sustainable real estate solutions.
How do you think your profession will change in the next five years?
We strive to meet every client and property where they are, and through the course of each transaction, project, or consulting assignment, move them forward on the sustainability continuum. Obviously, the broader our reach, the greater positive impact we can have on our planet and in our communities. Hope and optimism.
Most admired businessperson outside your organization: Laurie Zerga, Oren Wool, Cate Steane, Don Black, Tim Saavedra, Pooran Desai, and Brad Baker
Current reading: “A Manual for Cleaning Women” by Lucia Berlin
Most want to meet: Anyone that I can help, anyone that I can learn from, and anyone with great Warriors tickets to share.
Stress relievers: A Sonoma Stompers game in all my fan gear.
Favorite hobbies: Philanthropy and good works in the community. Also, any time that I can spend swimming, paddling, or snorkeling in the sunshine is time well spent
Buzzword from your industry you hate the most: “In sales, we have to kill what we eat.” I prefer to think that we plant what we eat.
Words that best describe you: Resourceful, generous, and funny (I hope).
Read the article here
Petaluma Business Article
Smart Resource Use Is Good Business
Many consider commercial buildings to be one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions and Clear Blue Commercial’s Carolyn Pistone discussed how buildings can be environmentally sound and profitable in this EXCLUSIVE.
Pistone established an advisory board to expand Clear Blue’s sustainability consulting business.
PETALUMA, CA—Clear Blue Commercial’s president and managing director Carolyn
Pistone is an ecobroker and certified green building professional who has successfully built a collaborative consultancy that enables landlord clients, vendors, team members and the planet to thrive. Clear Blue provides property owners with sustainable, profitable and environmentally conscious solutions for facilities.
After many years of implementing green upgrades to the properties it manages, Pistone recently established an advisory board to help expand its sustainability consulting and project management services for all types of commercial real estate properties. Considering commercial buildings are a large contributor to carbon emissions, Pistone discussed how they can be both sustainable and profitable in this exclusive.
GlobeSt.com: Many businesses and building owners would like to make green upgrades, but isn’t it more expensive?
Pistone: This is a common misconception, especially when the upgrades are not viewed holistically. All investors and business owners know that smart resource usage is good business. Increased carbon emissions are not just bad for the planet, they are also bad for landlords’ and tenants’ bottom line. Renewable energy sources, lighting conversions and water-saving initiatives not only save costs today, but can be a hedge against inflation tomorrow.
One of the ways we have worked to mitigate the upfront costs of many improvements for our clients is to take a comprehensive approach to the property. We review and price every possible upgrade, calculate all the energy and water savings, and then review all the possible grants, rebates, financing options and tax incentives. We then calculate the time to ROI (in many cases less than three years) and show the client how much it is costing them every month they wait. Many utility companies offer programs for no-interest on-bill financing where people can pay for these projects on monthly utility bills through energy savings.
In this way, we were recently able to complete a large LED conversion in an office building with no out-of-pocket cost to the landlord and no increase in operating expenses. The EV charging stations installed in the same building recouped 50% of the costs through a grant from our local air quality management district, and, even with the additional electrical draw from the charging stations, the utility bills still dropped due to the LED conversion. These valuable amenities allowed rents to stay competitive, helped our client attract tenants and helped our tenants attract employees without increasing costs to either one.
GlobeSt.com: How do sustainable upgrades affect property values?
Pistone: The short answer: they increase it. Although there is not yet comprehensive data that valuation professionals have adopted, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence out there. One example is the building we mentioned earlier. Our client purchased the building in late 2011 for just under $3 million and sold it in mid-2017 for just over $8 million. Even if the sustainable upgrades only accounted for 10% of the profit, the increased value is still significant.
GlobeSt.com: Aside from the quantifiers, which support an investment in sustainability upgrades, how can commercial real estate be a leader in combating climate change?
Pistone: Our commercial buildings are the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the world: greater than all of our cars, jet planes and super-tankers, and where the greatest opportunities are for positive environmental impact. We need to include sustainability in our definition of ‘highest and best use’ of every property. Although current building innovations and standards are allowing us to build new structures with net zero environmental impact, we know that the greenest buildings are the ones that are already built.
GlobeSt.com: How do your brokerage services fit in with your sustainability mission and related project management services?
Pistone: We strive to meet every client and property where they are, and, through the course of each transaction, project or consulting assignment, move them forward on the sustainability continuum. Obviously, the broader our reach, the greater positive impact we can have on our planet and in our communities.
GlobeSt.com: What additional capabilities does your advisory board bring to your current service offerings?
Pistone: Our new board members boast extensive expertise in law, project management, customer relations, sustainability, business consultation and entrepreneurship, providing strategic guidance as well as operational and industry counseling. The board intends to work with us to market and scale our business throughout our region and beyond, maximize opportunities for our sustainability-driven mission, and create a support structure for our clients, agents and project managers.