“I’m on a mission to help make that happen – by moving businesses beyond compliance and toward real, measurable impact.”
Libby Staggs, founder of Sustainable Business Matters has spent nearly two decades helping businesses make sense of sustainability in a practical, strategic way. What began as a response to growing client and regulatory demands has evolved into a mission-driven consultancy focused on creating real, measurable impact.
At Sustainable Business Matters Libby works 1:1 with overwhelmed small to medium-sized product manufacturers and retailers on their sustainability strategy. She does this by assisting them with certification, modern slavery due diligence and environmental management system implementation.
While many consultancies focus on large corporations, Libby works primarily with SME who are often navigating complex supply chains with fewer resources and less support. She has a particular focus on product suppliers in the building and construction sector, an industry she believes has both the influence and the responsibility to eradicate modern slavery from supply chains.
Her work moves businesses beyond compliance and toward genuine impact, helping them understand their human rights responsibilities, implement meaningful due diligence processes, and take courageous action.
What Libby enjoys most about running her own business is the autonomy and flexibility it gives her. The ability to choose aligned clients, shape her work around purpose, and combine strategy with advocacy is deeply rewarding.
She says, “Being able to bring awareness to modern slavery, collaborate across the industry, and help businesses take meaningful action — in a way that aligns with my values — is incredibly fulfilling.”
“The HerBusiness Network helps me stay inspired, informed, and strategic through resources, planning days, and opportunities to learn from experts. Being part of this community ensures I’m not navigating challenges alone and that I can continue to grow my business with confidence and clarity.”
Libby has been a member of the HerBusiness Network for close to five years, regularly attending events and programs. She has connected and collaborated with other members and says: “Being a member of the HerBusiness Network solves the challenge of running a business in isolation. It gives me access to a supportive community of female business owners who understand the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and provides practical expertise and insights I can apply directly to my work.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
My favourite entrepreneur is Brené Brown. She combines deep research with humanity in a way that is both intelligent and accessible. She’s a straight talker with a big, generous heart and she isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said about courageous leadership.
What I admire most is her willingness to challenge traditional ideas of power and success. She reframes vulnerability as strength, and she invites leaders to step into discomfort rather than avoid it. Her work reminds us that real leadership isn’t about control or perfection, it’s about vulnerability, integrity, empathy, and having the courage to show up fully.
That philosophy resonates deeply with the work I do, because meaningful change, especially in areas like modern slavery and social impact, requires exactly that kind of courage.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I started my business almost 18 years ago because I could see companies struggling to make sense of the growing number of sustainability requests coming from clients, regulators and industry bodies. There was a real need for practical guidance, not just theory, to help businesses respond in a clear, structured and strategic way.
About a decade ago, my focus shifted more deeply into social impact. I began working primarily with small and medium-sized businesses to help them implement meaningful human rights due diligence and better understand and address the risk of modern slavery in their supply chains.
Many consultancies focus on large corporations. But SMEs are often the ones navigating complex supply chains with far fewer resources and far less support. They are critical to systemic change, yet frequently overlooked.
I focus my work on product suppliers in the building and construction sector. I believe our sector has both the influence and the responsibility to take meaningful action to eradicate modern slavery from supply chains. I’m on a mission to help make that happen – by moving businesses beyond compliance and toward real, measurable impact.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
What I enjoy most about running my own business is the autonomy and flexibility it gives me. Being able to make decisions that feel right, to say yes to some clients and no to others, and to shape my work around real purpose rather than just deadlines.
I also value having the time, heart, and energy to bring awareness to modern slavery – to work and collaborate across the industry, spark important conversations, and help businesses take meaningful action. Being able to combine strategy, advocacy, and real-world impact in the way I see fit is incredibly rewarding.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Expect the ups and downs. Running your own business is a rollercoaster. There will be moments of incredible progress and moments that feel frustrating or overwhelming. Learning to navigate both with resilience is essential.
- Stay purpose-led, even when it’s hard. Building a business with impact at its core is deeply rewarding, but it can also be challenging, especially when change is slow or when compliance-focused approaches dominate. Trust that staying true to your purpose matters more than short-term ease.
- Celebrate the wins, no matter the size. Real impact often comes in small steps. Taking time to acknowledge the difference you’re making, whether it’s a supplier adopting a better practice or a client acting courageously — keeps motivation and energy alive.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- Start with purpose, not just profit. Know why you are doing this and what impact you want to create. Purpose will keep you motivated through the inevitable challenges.
- Be prepared for ups and downs. Running your own business is a rollercoaster. There will be moments of exhilaration and moments of frustration. Resilience, adaptability, and patience are your best allies.
- Focus on the right clients and partners. Saying yes to the right opportunities and no to those that don’t align with your values — is crucial for long-term sustainability and satisfaction.
- Invest in relationships and collaboration. Building a network of peers, mentors, and supportive partners will accelerate your learning and amplify your impact.
- Celebrate small wins along the way. Progress is often incremental, and acknowledging achievements, both yours, your peers and those of your clients. Keeps momentum and energy alive.
Ultimately, starting a business is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. The freedom to shape your work, create meaningful impact, and see ideas come to life is unlike anything else.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- Systems. Get your systems in place from the start — for workflows, client management, finances, and communications. A strong foundation here saves time, reduces stress, and allows you to scale without chaos.
- Marketing and brand strategy. Partner with someone who can guide you in building your brand thoughtfully. For example, Amey Heart’s Brand Story Strategy Workshop helps you connect with your ideal audience, communicate what makes your business unique, and create marketing that truly converts — all while reigniting your passion for your business and giving you a clear foundation to grow something you can be proud of.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My ideal business is one that creates real, measurable impact in the areas I care most about — particularly ending modern slavery in supply chains and supporting SMEs to take meaningful action. It’s a business where I can combine strategy, education, and advocacy to help clients lead with courage and integrity.
In this ideal version, the business has the right team and network to collaborate across the industry, amplify awareness, and drive meaningful change for the people whose lives are affected by exploitation. It’s a business that feels aligned with my purpose every day, where the work I do leaves a lasting positive impact on others.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Being a member of the HerBusiness Network solves the challenge of running a business in isolation. It gives me access to a supportive community of female business owners who understand the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and provides practical expertise and insights I can apply directly to my work.
The network also helps me stay inspired, informed, and strategic through resources, planning days, and opportunities to learn from experts. Being part of this community ensures I’m not navigating challenges alone and that I can continue to grow my business with confidence and clarity.
Learn more about Libby and Sustainable Business Matters.
