Why did you start your business? Was it a desire to be independent, to manage your own time, to make piles of money? Maybe, but I’m guessing there was more to it than that. Most entrepreneurs go down this road because they want more in life. Not necessarily more money or more things or more recognition; what they really want is more meaning. They’ve realized and acted upon what evades most people in life, that your worth and your happiness isn’t determined by what you take and what you have, it’s defined by what you give back.
As a human being you have an opportunity to give back to your community. As a small business owner, you’ve been given a gift. In starting your business and building your brand you’ve created a platform to, not just give back, but to reach others as well. To help others understand the value of giving to causes that are important to you both.
So how do you get started? Where do you focus your giving efforts? The good news is you already know the answer to this question. The answer is in your business. I started a pet care company because I’m passionate about animals. It’s not just a business to me, the desire to help make animal’s lives a little better is what motivates me and drives me (and makes me smile each morning when I wake up). Maybe you started an accounting firm because you love working with numbers, maybe you starting a retail boutique because you love fashion, maybe you started a bakery because you love cooking. The point is, your existing passion drove what kind of business you started and that same passion should drive the ways you give back. I volunteer for local animal rescue organizations. You need to find what speaks to you and the answer is in your business.
And remember that this applies to your business relationships as well. Any business book on networking and relationship building will tell you that the best way to build connections is to give much more often than you take. Your first thought when you meet anyone new shouldn’t be how can this person help me but rather, what can I do to help this person.
Not only is giving personally gratifying, it’s ultimately the best way to grow your business. Giving my time to local animal rescues allows me to build relationships within the animal community. It allows me access to an entire group of people who share my passions and, on a practical level, have pets and have friends who have pets. It opens doors for me in so many ways, all of which move my business forward.
What successful small business owners have realized is that giving back shouldn’t be the last or even the second or third thought. It should be the first thought and the first action. The beauty of giving is, if you focus on it, it will come back to you ten-fold in your business and personal life. You won’t have to worry about finding ways to build your business. They will present themselves to you.
Your passion drives your actions, your actions drive your business. So go out and give, give some more, and then give some more.
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