Get Clear on your “Why” as a Small Business Owner
I’m not going to lie, business has been rough these past 2 years. And while I’m grateful for the opportunities that have come our way, there are still moments when I want to give it all up and try something else. But every time I take a step back and remember why I started Farnsworth Street in the first place, I wake up and I’m motivated to keep going again.
If you’re a fellow small business owner, or in the process of being one, my advice to you is to get clear on why you started your business, and why you want to see it thrive.
Your clarity in your purpose will guide you through everything.
So, why focus on your “why” ?
1. Your “why” simplifies your decision making.
Do you collab with this brand or not?
Do you hire this person into this company or not?
Should you introduce this new product or not?
Ask yourself: “Does this decision make sense to my why?”
For example:
At Farnsworth Street, we’re a marketing house that focuses on building community organically. Does it make sense for me to collaborate with a business who buys their followers? Absolutely not. Will it make sense for me to bring in a client who only cares about vanity metrics? It doesn’t.
2. Your business is a reflection of you.
What you put out there as a small business owner is a reflection of you and your values. The way you communicate, the choices you make, and the motived behind them all tell people what you stand for.
Granted, we’re all going to make mistakes sometimes (it’s part of the process) but when you have a solid understanding of your “why”, you’re far less likely to make decisions that go against your values.
3. People connect with passion
Your business has a good story, and a meaningful reason as to why you started it.
Share why you care.
Share why your product or service matters to you and how it helps your audience.
People don’t just buy your products. They also buy the story behind them. When you share the “why” behind them, you build authenticity, trust, and loyalty that ads and that finicky algorithm can’t replace.
Your “why” is worth sharing. It’s the thing that turns customers into community.
Not sure if you’ve got a solid grasp on your “why”?
Here are some questions to reflect on!
What motivated you to start this business?
What impact do you want to leave on your community, customers, or industry?
What values do you want your brand to stand for — even when no one’s watching?
When have you felt most proud of your business? What made that moment meaningful?
If your business disappeared tomorrow, what would people miss most?
Getting clear on your “why” brings everything you do into alignment. When those pieces connect, the right people and opportunities start to find you naturally.
🍊 You’ve got this!
