Provoc, the B-corp-certified strategy and brand management agency, recently moved to new digs in Georgetown. But Raj Aggarwal, president of Provoc, says that putting social responsibility and sustainability at the center of his business has always been the top priority, no matter where the office is located or which clients he is working for.
"We have a very specific social component to our work," Aggarwal explains. "We want to make the world a better place. So we are very specific about the clients we work with." Some of his largest clients include PetSmart Charities and World Learning. Provoc also works with smaller organizations, start-ups, and local restaurants like Ben’s Chili Bowl, Tryst, Open City, and the Diner.
Aggarwal isn’t just giving lip service; he is a founding member of
Think Local First D.C. and sits on the organization's executive board. He believes that local businesses create neighborhoods, and that certified B corporations are at the center of that creation.
Aggarwal is happy with Provoc’s new Georgetown location and feels loyal to the District. "I'm a native Washingtonian," he says. "My roots are here. I went to G.W. I didn’t look strategically at starting my business here, but there are a ton of nonprofits and government agencies here who need help."
As he travels to Phoenix to pitch a new client this week, Aggarwal reflects on his 13 years of provoking social responsibility and sustainability in design and communication: "I'm honored to be trusted with making decisions on behalf of a client’s company."