A Founder’s Purpose is not a Brand’s Why
We are all born with a purpose. Something inherently attached to the core of who we are that moves us into action. Something so abstract that it feels almost impossible to put into words, but that makes us happy when we act on it.
I was lucky to find my purpose early on. I knew I wanted to be a “creative” pretty much all my life, but it wasn’t until I discovered Brand Strategy that I learned how to put my purpose into action. How to use it for a greater good, one that lived outside of me, myself, and I. This was a before and after for me. I knew then, that my calling was to help others bring clarity to find their own purpose. Something, Simon Sinek and many others call “Finding your "Why."
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Finding your why is no easy task
But with guidance, it can be uncovered and put into words. I have noticed it often hides in things we value, and is closely related to actions we enjoy doing. Discovering your purpose does not necessarily mean it is ready to be used as your brand’s purpose. A brand’s Why must not only motivate you, but it should inspire others to act. I see this mistake being made quite often. A founder’s Why isn’t necessarily a brand’s Why.
“A founder’s Why isn’t necessarily a brand’s Why.”
For example:
As an artist, you might feel that just the act of creating something out of thin air brings you the accomplishment and happiness to be your life’s purpose. And that’s great! As long as it is just you. The moment you add a second person, this won’t be enough reason to motivate others to feel inspired to work for you. With a lot of questions and guidance, strategists (like me) are able to uncover a belief system that can be actionable and are 100% percent aligned with the founder's purpose. Nailing down a reason why your business exists in a few words is what we call a brand’s why or a brand’s purpose.
Brands are much stronger when they have a purpose, a clear north, or a guiding star. However you want to call it, it sets the direction for your business and makes guessing and inconsistent brand decisions, less frequent. Not to mention, you are able to create a stronger company culture based on a common belief, unlike companies that base it on bonuses and transactions.
REMEMBER:
“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
SIMON SINEK
Learn how we were able to bring the founder’s why to this brand and convert it into a super strong differential.
IF YOU FOUND SOMETHING INSPIRING, INTRIGUING, OR ENCOURAGING IN THIS JOURNAL ENTRY—I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW!
Send me a message in the DMs or contact me to inquire about working together. I can’t wait to keep the conversation going.
