Do What You Love, Love What You Do

1. Find Your Purpose: The Key to Happiness

Finding your fundamental purpose and passion in this journey called life, and then having the courage and vision to make a living out of it, will bring you a depth of happiness that can’t be found in any other way.

Purpose brings fulfillment. Happiness and fulfillment stem from discovering your unique purpose. This isn't a quick fix but an evolving journey that aligns your life and work, leading to inner peace and deep confidence. It provides meaning, a sense of place, simplicity, and inner strength.

Generational shift. Unlike previous generations focused on manual labor or rigid roles, we live in a privileged era of flexibility and entrepreneurship. We can prioritize happiness and wellbeing, creating a world our ancestors only dreamed of, inspired by role models who built purpose-driven brands.

Practical benefits. Living through your purpose blends profit, passion, and family into one complete life. It eliminates the need for work/life balance by integrating everything. This alignment makes you smarter, more resilient, productive, and energetic, fueling success from within.

2. Your Unique Diamond: Fuel for Your Business

In order for you to create the shiniest of business gems, you have to understand that it’s the sheer uniqueness you bring to your passion that will be the key.

Passion is the raw material. Your deepest passions are the rough diamonds found within your soul. Turning this raw material into a brilliant business gem requires understanding your unique facets. These include your talents, skills, experiences, personality, and purpose.

Facets of your diamond. Your life experiences shape your unique brilliance. Like a diamond's 57 facets, no two business diamonds are the same. Mine your passions, shine them with your unique qualities, and then monetize them by offering your distinct value to the world.

Uniqueness is power. Copycat businesses rarely succeed because they lack the original's unique facets and individual experience. Your inner diamond, made up of your personal history and traits, creates an inimitable brilliance that others cannot replicate, setting you apart.

3. Define Your Own Success: Beyond Money

In my opinion, true success should be measured by how happy you are.

Happiness fuels success. Contrary to the old belief that success brings happiness, studies show happiness actually drives success. A happy brain is smarter, more resilient, and productive. While money is necessary, it shouldn't be the sole metric.

Redefine success metrics. The outdated 1980s focus on wealth and status is shifting towards wellness and fulfillment. Happiness is becoming the new rich. Good Life businesses value profit and happiness equally, creating a purpose that impacts the world and allows founders to follow their passions.

Visualize your goals. Knowing what success means to you is crucial for making sound business decisions. Is it a lifestyle business, an empire to sell, or supporting your family? Define your "happiness" goals – holidays, hobbies, family time – and build them into your business plan from the start.

4. Just Start: Ditch Perfection & Procrastination

You begin your business journey the moment you commit your inner soul to the idea that this is your future.

No perfect time. Starting a business is like having a baby; there's never a perfect moment. Don't let procrastination (a chemical battle in your brain) or perfectionism (paralysis by the need to be "just right") hold you back. These are common culprits that stop people from taking the first step.

Embrace imperfection. "Perfect" is the enemy of "done." Launching a business is always a gamble, but taking calculated risks is necessary. Adopt a "wabi-sabi" mindset, appreciating the beauty of imperfection. A slightly rough-around-the-edges idea fueled by excitement is electric.

Commitment is the start. You become a founder the moment you commit your soul to your business dream. Set deadlines for milestones and stick to them, even if it means launching before everything feels "perfect." Getting it done gives you a much better chance of success than endless preparation.

5. Build a Good Life: Integrate Work & Life

The objective is to build a life you do not need to take a holiday from, and then if you are able to properly get away, what a cherry on the cake moment that is!

Ditch the scales. The concept of balancing "work" and "life" is outdated and unhelpful. It suggests they are separate and at odds. Instead, view life as something to build brick by brick, integrating all aspects: hobbies, family, business, friends, dreams.

One life, not two. Successful founders live "one life," where work is not resented but makes them happy, just like family time. They don't live for the weekend but for every day. This integrated approach requires graft and grit in all areas, not just work.

Prioritize your wellbeing. As the energy source of your company, your mental health is crucial. Build "Good Life" goals into your business plan – daily walks, flexible hours, time for hobbies. These aren't luxuries but necessities for running a marathon, not a sprint, and avoiding burnout.

6. Brand & Emotion: Your Most Valuable Assets

Brand – your business’s persona, reputation and personality... is a business’s most valuable asset.

Brand is everything. A strong brand is a business's most valuable asset. It builds trust, attracts customers who pay more and buy more often, and creates a barrier to competitors. It's the sum of customer perceptions and experiences, encapsulating your face, personality, and values.

Emotion drives decisions. Humans are highly instinctive; 95% of our daily decisions are emotional, not rational. Emotional commerce, stimulating the heart, is key. Brands that connect emotionally, mirroring customer beliefs and values, build long-lasting love affairs, not just transactions.

Storytelling builds connection. The best brands are built on stories. Tell stories about why you exist, who you are, and how you help others. Stories are memorable and create magic. Use your brand narrative to connect with customers on a human level, fostering love and respect.

7. Community is Key: Make Friends, Not Contacts

Being a community member has all the benefits of what ‘networkers’ used to seek... but it also includes a key thing missing from these alpha events: true connection.

Loneliness is a challenge. Starting a business can be isolating. Traditional "networking" often feels transactional and inauthentic. The new approach is building a community – a flock of people who share interests, values, and genuinely support each other.

Find your flock. Seek out groups, online or in person, where you feel a sense of belonging. These communities offer camaraderie, advice, and resilience. They are people who understand the unique challenges of being a founder and can offer true connection, not just contacts.

Community is the new marketing. Building a strong community is one of the most important business goals. Empowering your users turns customers into a loyal flock who amplify your brand organically. They provide valuable input, help develop products, and create a vibrant ecosystem around your business.

8. Embrace Uncertainty: Be a Chameleon

Mastering flexibility – being the most limber, elastic, nimble, swivelly version of yourself in the way you approach business – will help you join the ranks of future-facing brands.

Change is constant. Business environments change rapidly due to technology and cultural shifts. Companies that fail to adapt, like Blockbuster or Kodak, face demise. Big businesses often struggle with rigidity and bureaucracy, clinging to certainty.

Uncertainty is opportunity. Your job as a founder is to be a chameleon, adaptable to changing situations. Uncertainty, while uncomfortable, leads to opportunity and adventure. Don't chase certainty; nurture your chameleon powers by staying nimble and flexible.

Pivot with purpose. When faced with the unthinkable, return to your core diamond – your talents, purpose, and values. Get creative and find ways to monetize your skills to meet current needs. Pivoting isn't just for crises; adapting to change should be the norm for future-facing brands.

9. Perseverance Trumps Everything: Grit and Grace

Perseverance trumps everything!

Keep going. Success isn't about being the most creative or having the best plan; it's about perseverance. The ability to just keep going despite setbacks is the ultimate secret. Resilience is your most used tool on the founder's journey.

Purpose is your glue. When faced with difficult times, draw strength from your purpose. Acting for others who rely on you provides a "bigger meaning" that keeps you stuck to your dream. Without this driving force, it's too easy to feel like a victim and give up.

Bounce back. Resilience means rebounding from challenges. Use your founder DNA – tenacity, initiative, gut instinct – to navigate storms. Show up, look in control, and create an atmosphere of determination for your team. Protect your dream for the long haul.

10. Conquer Money Fears: Understand Your Worth

History, society and the status quo might make you believe that finance is a dark art and something only a select few can master.

Money fears are common. Many people, especially women and creatives, feel intimidated by finances due to societal conditioning. This belief that money is a "dark art" mastered by few is codswallop. You can be both creative and numerical.

Charge for your time. A major mistake is not valuing your own time. While working for free initially is common, plan for when the business must pay you. Calculate your worth based on desired salary and available hours, gradually increasing it as the business grows.

Cash is queen. Finance needs deep focus. Understand your costs, pricing, and cash flow. Lack of funds is a primary cause of business failure. Plan well in this area, get professional help if needed, and ensure you truly understand your finances to keep the lights burning bright.

Last updated: May 5, 2025