Sustainability reporting can feel overwhelming—especially for small businesses without dedicated staff, technical expertise, or time to spare. The frameworks are confusing, the expectations feel unclear, and it’s hard to know where to begin.
You may be a leader at a small business who knows that sustainability is important, but you don’t know how to start measuring or improving it. You’re not alone.
A lot of tools and advice for larger companies may not apply to yours. How do you know what to focus on? What is an affordable solution that is also easy to implement?
What’s more, small businesses are key to addressing urgent global problems such as inequality and environmental devastation. SMEs are key to healthy communities and economic development. It’s for these reasons that I started PilotSong Sustainability.
I’ve been focused on sustainability since my college years at the University of Maryland where I earned a degree in landscape architecture. During one class, our professor had us watch and discuss a film called “Koyaanisqatsi.” This film brilliantly shows, using only images and music, what I’d been feeling for years: that life is out of balance and we need to find a better way before we destroy what makes life worth living.
After working at a small engineering firm for a few years after college, I started and ran a landscape design and build firm in Baltimore City. From that experience, I know the challenges of running a business from day to day. I also know how vital small businesses are to our communities.
Since then, I’ve worked in a number of positions related to sustainability such as for a non-profit (NGO) focused on improving urban water quality. While working at the NGO, I was responsible for managing our organizational database and became keenly aware of the importance of data in driving strategy. Data, used and analyzed correctly, can show where and how to make the greatest impacts. I then went on to earn a certificate in data analytics from Johns Hopkins University.
Most recently, I worked as a data analyst at the Baltimore City economic development agency where I specialized in tracking data related to economic growth, especially equitable growth. While there, I heard the stories of business owners and the struggles they have navigating processes from loan applications to permitting, due to a lack of time, expertise or other factors. Sustainability reporting is yet another process for them to navigate.
I started PilotSong Sustainability because of my passion for helping small businesses reach their goals while contributing to sustainability efforts. The viability of small businesses, sustainability, and the economy are interconnected. We can’t have long-term (or even short-term) economic growth without a focus on sustainable development.
⇒ Our system is geared towards beginners.
The Sustainability Report Starter Pack includes beginner-friendly templates paired with instructions that walk you through what data to collect and how to turn it into a clear, credible sustainability report.
⇒ You can use our plug-and-play templates without having to learn a new software program.
Your team members just need a basic understanding of MS Excel to use the templates.
⇒ You don’t need to commit to a contract or hire an expensive consultant.
You can begin using our templates immediately upon purchase. Just download the files and start creating your report within minutes.
⇒ Our Starter Pack is designed for small businesses.
The Sustainability Report Starter Pack is intended for U.S. businesses with less than 1,000 employees. The requirements for small businesses are much less onerous than those for large companies. You will save time by only focusing on what is relevant to you.
Pilot verses or “pilot songs” were directions that were sung in tune to favorite songs, as a memorable way to help sailors navigate unknown waters.*
PilotSong Sustainability is located near the Baltimore, MD port and here as elsewhere, boats are guided through local waterways by Bay Pilots. In fact, Maryland is home to the oldest state-codified organization of Pilots in the country!
While not as difficult as treacherous seaways, finding your way through the complications of sustainability data can be daunting as well! We are here to help guide you through.
Thank you if you are still reading this far! We love hearing from you and getting feedback. You can reach me by emailing Jennifer@sustainabilityreport.io.
If you have a question, go to the FAQ page or the Contact page.
We are a woman-owned business located in Baltimore, MD USA. Jennifer is a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional and a member of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.
We help folks at small businesses to complete their first sustainability report, including greenhouse gas inventories, by providing step-by-step guides and templates.
