Robert Smith on Dazzle: A niche platform for independent consultants in sustainability

Two years ago, Robert Smith had his eureka moment at a sustainability consultancy. With the aim to carve a niche in the rapidly growing sustainability and ESG space for freelancers, he co-launched Dazzle. We spoke with Robert on the platform’s growth, impact, and plans for the future.

To start with, what motivated the launch of Dazzle?

Dazzle was born with the idea to change the way sustainability work gets done. I believe that the traditional ways in which consulting work is delivered and how sustainability teams are built are becoming increasingly outdated.

Our team wants to make working with the best people in sustainability accessible. We do this by helping companies and independent consultants (freelancers) to find each other for work that drives meaningful change.

Congrats with the 2-year milestone. How has the platform grown since its inception?

Thank you! The growth has really happened across different parts of the business. What I am most proud of is the quality and diversity of our freelance community. It is the heart of everything we do. We work with some of the best independent consultants in sustainability, many of whom have experience at leading global companies.

We have also grown in reach. Dazzle now supports clients in 15 countries. It is really fascinating to see that we have been able to provide work and connect freelance talent with sustainability teams around the world. And finally, our own team. We are now a dedicated team of five, working every day to build this platform together. I’m incredibly grateful for that.

What are some of the projects and client impact Dazzle is most proud of?

We work with some amazing brands, such as Le Creuset Group, Rituals, PostNL, Eurostar, and Plan A. The variety of projects has been incredible for these clients: sustainability communication programs, lifecycle assessments, decarbonization strategies, impact reports, supply chain support, and more. Last year we helped our clients on 75 different sustainability projects. 

But what I am most proud of is that our clients really understand our vision for how sustainability work could be done in a new model, and they trust us. That shows up in the level of commitment and retention we see: nearly every client that starts working with Dazzle ends up coming back for more. Whether it’s follow-up projects or bringing in different freelance experts. 

Increasingly, clients are seeing Dazzle as an extension of their own sustainability team.

There are dozens of marketplaces for independent consultants. How does Dazzle set itself apart for clients and consultants?

Dazzle is the first niche platform focused entirely on sustainability. We work exclusively with companies on sustainability, ESG, and climate-related challenges, and only with independent consultants who are specialised in those areas.

What sets us apart is that we are a curated community, not an open marketplace. In practice, this means that only about 10% of all freelancers who have applied are accepted into the Dazzle network, which means we maintain a very high bar for quality. Our goal is to only work with the best independent sustainability consultants.

Another unique quality of Dazzle is that we are not a self-service model. I would describe us more as a ‘high-end matchmaker’. We have close relationships with the sustainability teams we work with. Once the clients need support, they come to us with specific skill gaps or project needs. We then source and curate a shortlist of consultants from our network, saving them time and giving them confidence in the ‘matched’ candidates.

So, while other platforms offer volume and self-service, Dazzle focuses on quality and hands-on support.

You were working as a sustainability consultant before you launched Dazzle. How did that experience help you shape Dazzle’s model?

I did indeed! During my time working for a sustainability consultancy [at Nexio Projects], I saw two things happening at the same time. On one side, colleagues around me were making the move to become independent consultants.

On the other side, the sustainability teams in companies I was working with had great ambitions, but were working with limited budgets and resources. They needed expert support, but full-time hires or the large consulting fees were often out of reach.

That combination stuck with me. It felt wrong that something as important as sustainability was held back by structural barriers and budget. I wanted to make working with top consultants more accessible, more flexible, and more aligned with how companies actually work today.

Looking back, that experience shaped everything. It gave me insight into how companies could approach sustainability work in a better, more modern way. Therefore, I am actually grateful for the time I spent in consulting as it allowed me to see the opportunity for Dazzle before it even existed.

Freelancers are keen on receiving support from the platform(s) they associate with. How does Dazzle add value to its consulting community?

We definitely feel the same. Freelancers want to feel part of something. Especially because it is, most of the time, quite individual work. That is one of the main reasons we launched the community.

Of course, the starting point is helping freelancers find meaningful work. That is where our platform adds the most tangible value. But beyond that, we help to set them up for success too. We provide quality templates and materials to help them deliver their work in a professional way.

We also created an online community space where freelancers can connect, exchange knowledge, and support one another during projects.

On top of that, we host quarterly community calls, along with skill-building events. The last one was focused on personal branding, helping freelancers sharpen how they position themselves in the market. The community, project templates, and events are free for our members.

This mix of practical support, peer learning, and a shared sense of belonging is what sets Dazzle apart. Finally, what I think is pretty unique about our sustainability community is that we are not only connected through our professional skills, but also because we all care about our planet. We all share a big passion for sustainability.

Social impact is deeply integrated in the mission of Dazzle. What are some of the key principles and goals?

Absolutely, the social side of sustainability has always been central to us. You can see that reflected in different parts of our business.

First, in how we work as a team. Dazzle is a 100% remote company, with team members working from different parts of the world and coming from different cultures. That means we have to be intentional about how we build trust, ensure wellbeing, and create a supportive environment. We always put people first and that shows in the values we live by and the internal guidelines we set.

Second, it shows in the work we do for clients. Many of the projects we support go beyond carbon and compliance, as we help clients improve the social aspects of their ESG strategies, from supply chain, human rights to DEI policies, CSDDD and employee wellbeing.

And lastly, our freelance community is a major part of our social impact. We are very proud to help independent professionals from across the world find meaningful work and build sustainable income. At the end of the day, Dazzle is founded on a people-first philosophy.