7/13/26:  How to Build a Successful Business Without Compromising Your Values

One of the challenges of being a human is keeping your values intact while living your best life.

The same can be said for entrepreneurship.  One of the biggest challenges lies in creating a path to success while maintaining your values.

First and foremost, have you defined your values?  Most likely, your personal and professional life are very similar. 

Balance (family first).  Honesty.  Authenticity.  Integrity.  Community.  Professionalism.  Empathy.  Compassion.

These are the values that I filter opportunities and ideas through.  Income is fantastic, but if it is at the expense of any of these values, not only will I feel “icky” when it is said and done, but it is not driving my business in the direction of growth.

If you read last week’s blog (which you should) “The 24-Hour Rule: How to Make Better Decisions When Emotions Run High” you saw me talk about how a high emotion day was leading me down rabbit holes.  I said I used the “24-Hour Rule” to bring myself back to a place of logical thinking, but at the heart of it, I used my values to get back to center.

As I thought about what it might look like to chase full-time employment opportunities, I realized I didn’t want to let go of a couple key values:  balance/family first and community.

Although many jobs offer flexibility, I am aware that working for someone else will mean sacrificing what is most important to me, my family, at times.  I wasn’t ready to do that.  I wasn’t ready to miss the big or small things that my girls will remember me being there for.

Community may seem weird because I’m still here, but at the heart of it, community means more.  I have organizations that I LOVE being part of.  I had to question if my involvement would have to be more passive if I wasn’t my own boss.  

Compassion was learned over time. 

I’ve always been very empathetic, a trait I have proudly (and sometimes fearfully) passed onto my children, but compassion has been difficult.  In fact, I had to go through one of the most challenging periods of my adult life to learn true compassion for people. 

I take great pride in having honesty and integrity.  I’ve been told I’m so honest it is annoying, but it feels good to know people trust me to do the right thing, even when others aren’t watching.  Not to say I haven’t faltered, but because I know these are top values for me, I work hard to find a way back to them.

Authenticity is actually a value I do have to reign in a bit.  I always say, “I’m not everyone’s cup of tea,” but at the same time it is important to be authentic without being hurtful or offensive. I do promise, however, that you will not get a version of me that is not real.

I have learned the hard lessons in professionalism as a representative of others businesses and organizations, but now that I am representing myself and my own business, maintaining a level of professionalism (which really is encompassing all the other values) has become paramount.

As I reflect on each of the values, why they are important, and how they make me, me, it becomes easier to make decisions.  Whenever I steer toward a decision that doesn’t align with these values, I am overtaken by that “ick” feeling – the feeling that this is not the right decision.

You do not need to sit with a physical checklist every time you make a decision.

Aligns with mission?
Aligns with vision?
Aligns with values?

Those questions matter, but most of the time, your heart and your gut will tell you when something feels off. That “ick” feeling usually shows up for a reason. It is often the first sign that you are drifting away from what matters most.

The world is not perfect, and neither are we. Sometimes we will get off course. Sometimes we will make decisions out of fear, pressure, survival, or comparison.

But when your values are clearly defined, it becomes a whole lot easier to find your way back.

So let me ask you:

When was the last time you took inventory of your values?

Does the way you are living, working, leading, and building feel aligned with what you say matters most?

What would need to change for you to feel back in line?

Take some real time to reflect and define what is important to you. Not what looks impressive. Not what someone else expects. Not what hustle culture tells you success should look like.

What actually matters to you?

And if you are building a business, making decisions, or trying to grow without losing yourself in the process, this is exactly the kind of work we can do together.

Through 1-on-1 coaching, we can sort through the noise, define what success looks like for you, and build a business that supports your life instead of pulling you away from it.

If you are ready to grow with more clarity, confidence, and alignment, schedule FREE 30-minute a discovery call today.