Entrepreneurs are dreamers.

The world needs more dreamers.

Everyone I’ve met who started a business has one thing in common. Whether it is someone who one day had enough and now wants to run their own firm, or someone who attracted investments in a start-up that will take over the world – they share one thing: They have a dream; A dream about the future, and a belief that their business will be a tool to achieve that dream.

What’s your dream?

It may be about personal freedom, to be able to say no and choose how to spend your time, or you see an opportunity to build something new that the world did not know it lacked. The dream of the future will be a driving force that can make us accomplish great things.

Make money or Build a monument?

Some say that there are two kinds of entrepreneurs: One is mainly motivated by making money and material success. The other is driven by building a monument that survives the individual. However, those who have studied the most successful companies, and what makes them successful, see a pattern. Most of our admired companies are built on an idea that has kept the business focused and gave it a direction, and often contributed to making our world a little better. They have a Purpose.

That does not mean they have not made any money. On the contrary, they are often some of the most profitable companies. But money is not the driving force – it is the result of success. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, formulated the purpose as follows: “to contribute to the world by creating tools for the mind that promote humanity.[1]”

But he also later said: “I do not feel that I will ever be finished. There are many obstacles out there, and there is always an obstacle I will never reach in my lifetime. The point is to keep working forward.[2]”

Apple is one thing, but what does it mean to me?

It is easy to admire those who have succeeded, but what can your business learn from them? I believe there is a lot you can discover. But, first, thinking about why you are an entrepreneur is essential. And, if you want to build a business where you need to bring others along to achieve your dream, it will actually be easier with a clear purpose.

Many say that the company’s mission is to be profitable to provide returns to the owners. It is, of course, accurate from a financial perspective. But it is just as true that key figures, KPIs, and growth attract very few employees. On the management level, yes, but it is an insufficient driving force to most of the individual employees.

But if you say that “We will achieve this, we aim for this star, and first, we have to cross this mountain by the end of the year.” – that is something people understand and makes them passionate. “We will be required to work efficiently to manage (key figures). To ensure that we will be there in time, we have to walk a certain number of meters per month (KPI), and when we reach the top, it is downhill. Then we can hire more people to give us sufficient strength over the next mountain (growth). We may never reach the star (the purpose), but it helps us stay the course and gives our work a direction.” That is a more successful way to communicate where you are heading and what’s needed to reach your goals.

What is your Purpose?

Think about what your star, your purpose, is. Why does your business exist, and in what way would it be missed if you gave up your dream? Only you can answer. If you find your answer, you have a good chance of using it as a guide to achieving, and maybe even surpassing, your dreams.

We need more entrepreneurs. Don’t hesitate. Follow your dream; dare to take a chance to be in charge of your future. And, you know, the money will follow.

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[1] “The Harvard Business Review Leader’s Handbook.” Harvard Business Review Press, 2018; Ron Ashkenas, Brook Manville.

[2] Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0, 2020, p. 109; Jim Collins, Bill Lazier