Ask any small business owner, “What’s the purpose of your business?” and you’ll get a variety of answers:
“To make a profit.”
“To deliver a great service.”
“To create jobs.”
“To do work I enjoy.”
“To make a difference in the world.”
All are valid and admirable—but they miss one critical point.
The real purpose of your business is to give you, the owner, the life you want.
That’s not selfish. That’s smart.
Are You Serving Your Business? Or Is Your Business Serving You?
Here’s a hard truth many business owners eventually face: what started as a passion project, a freedom play, or a dream of independence slowly turns into a machine that consumes their time, energy, and even joy.
If you’re working 60 hours a week, missing family dinners, and still struggling to pay yourself well… then it’s worth asking:
Are you serving your business? Or is your business serving you?
Let’s be clear—your business should work for you, not the other way around.
And yes, it IS possible to set up your business to give you the time and money freedom you need to live a great life.
Perspective #1: To Make a Profit
Of course, profit is essential. No margin, no mission. But profit isn’t the end goal—it’s the engine.
Too many business owners chase revenue without designing a business model that gives them personal financial freedom. They end up with high turnover, low profit, and even lower energy.
Profit should be the byproduct of a well-designed business, not the sole purpose.
Perspective #2: To Deliver a Great Service
Providing excellent service builds trust, repeat business, and reputation. But service can also become a trap if you equate “great service” with always being available.
One coaching client of mine, a brilliant consultant, hadn’t taken a holiday in three years because she thought “great service” meant being on call 24/7. Once she shifted to structured client onboarding, proactive communication, and boundaries, both her client satisfaction and her personal satisfaction skyrocketed.
Perspective #3: To Create Jobs
Small business is the backbone of the economy. Creating jobs is honourable and impactful. But hiring people just to “grow” without a strategy can lead to overhead without outcome.
Ask yourself:
- Are you building a team that supports your vision?
- Or are you building a team that needs constant babysitting?
Jobs should serve both the community and your business’s ability to give you freedom.
Perspective #4: To Do Work You Enjoy
Loving what you do is a gift. But even passion, unmanaged, can become a prison. If you’ve built a business around work you love—but you’re doing everything from admin to delivery to chasing invoices—it stops being enjoyable fast.
The real joy comes from doing your best work within a business structure that supports your life goals.
Perspective #5: To Make a Difference in the World
Making an impact is meaningful. But too often, business owners sacrifice their health, time, and relationships in pursuit of “making a difference.”
The truth is:
You make a bigger difference when your cup is full—not when you’re running on empty.
The best way to serve others is to build a business that is sustainable—for you and the world.
The Real Purpose of Your Business Is to Give You the Life You Want
Let’s revisit the core question: What is the purpose of your business?
Yes, it exists to make a profit.
Yes, it exists to deliver a great service.
Yes, it can create jobs, do meaningful work, and change lives.
But underneath all of that, your business should be designed with intention:
- To give you control over your time.
- To give you financial freedom.
- To allow you to enjoy your life, not just survive it.
It IS Possible to Have Both Freedom and Impact
The idea that you must choose between making a living and living a great life is a myth.
You can structure your business to:
- Run without you in every meeting.
- Generate consistent, predictable income.
- Create space for holidays, hobbies, and family time.
- Align with your values and vision.
This isn’t just a dream—it’s the foundation of a well-built business.
Final Thoughts: Reconnect With Your Why
So, here’s your challenge:
Take a quiet hour this week. Grab a notepad. And answer this:
What do I want my business to give me—really?
Then reverse-engineer your structure, offers, team, and systems to align with that vision.
Because at the end of the day, your business isn’t just about transactions.
It’s about transformation—yours.
Ready to realign your business with your ideal life?
Let’s talk. You can book 15 minutes on my calendar to discuss coaching here: www.TimeWithShane.com or access free tools at www.summitscale.biz designed to help small business owners build a business that truly serves them.
