Being a purpose-driven business owner is like taking your business on a meaningful adventure. It's not about chasing after the cash – it's about uniting your business with a mission or cause that speaks to you and your audience will always find you. Whether you're all about bettering food-disparaged communities, fighting for social justice, or solving a problem that improves the quality of life, purpose-driven entrepreneurs are business visionaries with a heart to serve and who leave a positive mark on the world. It's all about making a difference, and that's what gets us out of bed in the morning!

Purpose…

I define “Purpose” as what we are uniquely positioned to do. Purpose-driven entrepreneurs should ask themselves: what are you—given your passions, experiences, and skills—able to do to make this world better?

Everyone has a purpose; however, the question is whether you are aware of it and hustling to bring it to fruition. If you are clear on what and how you want to make the world a better place, then your opportunities to do so are endless. Your purpose can show up in how you treat your employees, where you source from, how you make decisions, where you are located, how you market, who you partner with, and how you use your platform.

My book and keynote address offers practical and accessible steps on how to live within your purpose. One that I would focus on in this article is: to be clear on what your purpose is. Write it down and share it with other people. Incorporate it into your culture. Don’t just say it, but help people to use it to make decisions within the company. When members of my team ask, “Well, what decision is most aligned with our purpose?” is when I realize I have been successful at infusing an organization with purpose.

Contributor: Deanna Singh Author & Chief Change Agent at Flying Elephant

So, what is a Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur...

To be a purpose-driven entrepreneur is to be an entrepreneur who understands their “Why”. An entrepreneur who understands their “Why” will be resilient and focused even through challenging times. The answer to their “Why” acts as a compass and drives the decisions, and by extension, the direction of their life and company.

When many think of a purpose-driven entrepreneur they think of a social entrepreneur such as a company on a mission to impact a social or environmental cause like poverty eradication or provision of clean water. However, this is a misconception because there are social entrepreneurs with no purpose. Shocking? But yes, that’s true. The purpose is the song in our hearts that drives us even after the instruments have been put away. Each of us was born with a different song in our hearts that only we can sing. As an entrepreneur, your company will answer the question “Why” in a unique way that cannot be duplicated.

Your company’s purpose can be as simple as making people smile every day or it can be as complex as revolutionizing the way people think about space.

The common theme is that it is uniquely yours.

Google for example has documented its mission and integrated it into its business goal alongside perception. “Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Their purpose led them to where they are today and inherently to where we are today.

• Identify your Purpose. It’s okay if you’re unsure but now is the time to put intentional thought and give yourself the space to explore to identify it.

• Recognize distractions as distractions. There will always be distractions posing as great opportunities.

• Before you make a decision, ask yourself what decision will align with your Why.

• Write down your Why and review it daily.

• Surround yourself with constant reminders of your Why.

Contributor: Krystal Nelson Founder, i impakt, LLC Https://iimpakt.com/

How to Be a Purpose-Driven Business Owner:

1. Define Your Purpose: Start by reflecting on what truly matters to you. What causes or issues ignite your passion? Your purpose should be authentic and deeply connected to your personal values.

2. Integrate Purpose into Your Business Mission: Craft a mission statement that clearly articulates your purpose. Ensure it becomes the guiding principle for your business decisions, operations, and long-term goals.

3. Engage Your Team: Share your purpose with your team and involve them in discussions about how the business can contribute to a greater cause. A shared sense of purpose fosters a collaborative and motivated work environment.

4. Embrace Sustainability: Consider the environmental and social impact of your business practices. Implement sustainable initiatives and responsible business practices that align with your purpose.

Benefits for your Company & Customers

Every business has the opportunity to serve its customers and leave a positive impact on the world, whether they're building orphanages or designing t-shirts. A t-shirt design business that creates designs that question the traditional norms or incites a movement uniting groups of people can be purpose-driven because their purpose is at the root of what they do and why they do it. It's not just about the money. It's about the impact they're having and the value they're adding to their customers' lives.

It's not enough to just create a company with a strong purpose. A true purpose-driven entrepreneur must live and breathe that purpose every day.

Every action taken by the company should go back to the overall purpose and the core values, and the team should continually assess everything they do against the benchmark of that purpose.

Over time, that purpose may evolve or take on different forms, but it's crucial to continually gain clarity on the purpose. To remain purpose-driven, the business must continually keep a pulse on its purpose, thread messages of its purpose into all communications, and revisit its purpose often to make sure that it still rings true for the business.

Contributor: Annie Dickerson -Goodegg Investments https://www.goodegginvestments.com

Benefits for the Owner, Team, and Customers:

1. Personal Fulfillment: As a purpose-driven entrepreneur, you'll experience a deep sense of satisfaction, knowing that your efforts are contributing to positive change. This personal satisfaction can fuel your motivation and strength.

2. Team Morale and Productivity: A purpose-driven approach creates a sense of meaning for your team members. When employees feel that their work has a greater purpose, morale, and productivity increase, fostering a more dedicated and engaged workforce.

3. Customer Loyalty: In an era where consumers increasingly respect honorable and socially accountable businesses, aligning your brand with a purpose can build strong relationships with your customer base. This loyalty translates into repeat business and favorable word-of-mouth marketing.

Being a purpose-driven entrepreneur is not a trend; it's a transformative mindset that can shape the success of your business. Let’s be real, those who pursue it as a trend rarely last or succeed honestly. When people say something requires “heart” this is it! Just as well, you also must diligently prepare finances and plans to ensure those relying on the mission aren’t without poor planning.

By defining your purpose, integrating it into your mission, and embracing sustainable practices, you'll not only experience personal fulfillment but also inspire and positively impact your team and customers. As a business owner with purpose, embrace the power of discernment adding the wind to your sail, and watch your business flourish in the present and setting an example for those to come, all while paying it forward.