Every business owner has something called the ‘Founder story'. This story conveys the reasons why the owner or founder of the business decided to start their business, the drivers that shaped the business, what problem they were trying to solve, who they wanted to do this for and their motivations for the impact they wanted to make.
This story can be very compelling when shared with customers and anyone who works for the business and often shapes the direction a business goes. It helps stakeholders to connect back to something bigger and connects them at a deeper level.
Why is this important?
- It reminds you of why you're in this in the first place.
- It helps you communicate to your team what matters to you.
- It serves to drive you and inspire your people
- It helps with determining the business Purpose and Values.
Quality check
When writing your Owners' Why, consider:
- Will your leaders and employees relate to your story?
- Have you covered each of the four categories in enough detail to inform a successful session on Purpose?
Examples
Blake Mycoskie founded TOMS with a unique business model – for every pair of shoes sold, another pair would be given to a child in need. The 'why' behind TOMS is to improve lives through business, making a direct impact on communities in need.
Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, built the company with a deep respect for the environment. Their 'why' is rooted in making the best product without causing unnecessary harm and using business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis. They've even encouraged customers not to buy their products unless necessary, showcasing their commitment to sustainability over profit
Interesting resources
A Founder’s Story (forbes.com)
Simon Sinek's The Story of Discovering Why video is a great example!
Purpose