Profit With Purpose

Running your business while trying to make a difference in the world means finding the right balance—for you—between profit and purpose.

Jonathan and I argue that you must have profits to consider your work a business, but you get to choose where to position yourself on the profit/purpose scale:

Why you need to answer this question: how much profit is enough for you?

How to work your way up the difficulty scale to find clients with bigger, more expensive problems so that you can work less.

The myth behind doing hard work—and how to work less without guilt.

Making an impact with your ideal audience that leaves a memorable footprint (and builds a sustainable business).

Quotables

“Assuming you’re comfortable with some profit, the question is how much?”—JS

“What’s that expensive problem that’s inside your big idea, your revolution, that you can solve?”—RM

“You can find people who are currently in a situation where they would write a big fat check to someone like you.”—JS

“You’re gradually working your way up the difficulty scale to find clients with bigger problems or more expensive problems so that you can work less.”—RM

“If you only feel okay doing really hard work, then what does that look like in your future? You’re dooming yourself to a life of toil.”—JS

“The key is delivering huge value. You have to keep asking: are you moving the needle on your revolution by doing the work you’re doing?”—RM

“People do stuff all the time that is not in their best interest financially, for other reasons and one of them would be purpose.”—JS

“It’s not just about the money—it’s about impact. It’s about your footprint.”—RM

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Recent Episodes:

April 22, 2024

It’s A Wrap!

We have a BIG announcement wrapped in a short episode of The Business of Authority. If you’re a fan, you’ll definitely want to tune in. We talk about where we’re taking the show and how your feedback will impact our next steps.

April 15, 2024

April Dunford – Obviously Awesome REPLAY

When I started reading April Dunford’s book, I couldn’t wait till we had her on the show. In Obviously Awesome, she simply yet powerfully explains the importance of positioning and how to do it. She’s no less fabulous on the show—she not only clarified what positioning is and why it’s important, but she also shared her own journey to her current positioning and niche (hint: it’s wildly successful).

April 08, 2024

The Passion Economy with Adam Davidson REPLAY

You may have heard our guest Adam Davidson on NPR (he co-founded their Planet Money podcast), but his—well, passion—is what he calls “The Passion Economy”. He makes the case—including some mesmerizing stories—that we can create deeply impactful, financially successful businesses from our deepest talents and passions.

April 01, 2024

In Defense of Repetition

How do you get better at anything? You practice. LeBron shoots free throws—Gaga sings scales. Consulting and advisory is no different. Upping your game requires embracing repetition— continually practicing all the elements of your craft and the business skills you need to flourish

March 25, 2024

Genius Zone vs. Productivity

When Louis Grenier of Everyone Hates Marketers called out working in your genius zone as a recipe for burn-out, well, Jonathan and I had to push back. We argue that working in your genius zone is not about being “hyper-ultra-mega productive”, but about working in flow state

March 18, 2024

The Pros And Cons Of An Application Process

Have you considered adding an application process for your service(s), but weren’t sure whether it would help or hurt? Jonathan and I have both used applications for different programs and purposes and we dive into how to make them work for you