In 1912, a group of business leaders came together with a bold idea:
What if trust wasn’t optional in business?
That idea became the Better Business Bureau.
At a time when misleading advertising and deceptive sales tactics were becoming common, these leaders believed ethical businesses deserved to stand out. They created a system rooted in transparency, accountability, and integrity — long before “brand trust” became a marketing buzzword.
More than 100 years later, that mission still holds strong: Advance marketplace trust.
Today, BBB: • Supports millions of consumers each year • Provides dispute resolution between businesses and customers • Offers scam prevention education • Accredits businesses that commit to high standards of ethics
BBB is not a government agency. It’s a nonprofit organization funded primarily by accredited businesses who choose to publicly stand behind integrity.
In every generation, trust has looked a little different. But it has always mattered.
And in today’s marketplace, it may matter more than ever.
If you’re a business owner, ask yourself: What does trust look like in your business — and how are you showing it?