How to find your why as an entrepreneur
Question
Hi Jasmin! How do I find my why as an entrepreneur? I’ve been in business for over a year and when I talk about my brand, people say “oh cool” but they don’t really seem very interested to learn more about me or how I can help them. What am I missing that people aren’t connecting with me or my brand?
answer
Your passion for your business will drive excitement and connection with your dream customer. And it starts with having a clear understanding of that particular reason you started your business. So what was the reason why you left your steady paycheck and put all of your trust into yourself? In other words, “What is your why?”
Every marketing guru shouts it from the rooftops about the importance of finding your why because it is the foundation of your business….and I couldn’t agree more. I’m a big advocate in understanding why you do what you do. And if you haven’t watched Simon Sinek’s Tedx Talk, please do ASAP. Your why is the fire in your belly that when business is slow, chaotic, or overwhelming, you still want to get out of bed and keep pushing through.
The key thing to note is finding your why isn’t just for you.
Yes, it’s the motivation that encourages you to go after your dreams. But it’s also why your dream customer wants to support you. If you haven’t heard it before…people buy from people. They don’t just buy products or services. So when you share your brand story (which should include your why), your dream customer will resonate with it which then intrigues them to learn more about you and your business.
Don’t think it’s true?!? Think about why you started following me?! Is it because I’m a brand designer? Maybe. But it’s more likely that I started my business not only to help you become your most confident business owner-self but also to pay forward all the advice and guidance I received when I was lost and overwhelmed in my business. After sharing my why, you’re probably thinking:
OMG I can totally relate to being lost and overwhelm as an entrepreneur
Jasmin looks like her most confident business owner-self, and
I want to too!
See how sharing my why connects us beyond what I do. And by sharing yours, you’ll attract your dream customer too.
7 questions to ask yourself to find your why as an entrepreneur
Why did you start your business?
Why are you so emotionally invested?
Why do you do what you do?
Why do you care so much about it?
What’s your favorite part of your business and why?
What makes you excited to get up and do what you do each and every day and why?
What’s the reason you continue to do it even when times are tough?
After you answer each question, ask yourself why again until you uncover the deeper reason why. I recommend asking yourself why about 5 times. Finding your why isn’t an easy exercise…I’m challenging you to think beyond your initial response and do some digging. But I promise you’ll find your why which then will reignite a new found energy and excitement for your business.
One of my clients was struggling to find her why and figure out what sets her apart from other artists and painters. During our brand strategy session, I asked her what was her favorite painting that SHE created. She dove deep into this washy, watercolor painting of her hometown park on a fall day that she did in high school. This painting traveled with her to college, to every apartment she lived in, and is still and will forever be in her home.
She explained that she would never get rid of it because it represented a little piece of her hometown that she could always carry with her. This painting was something she would treasure for the rest of life because it gave her a sense of comfort, love, family, and support. My client didn’t just hand paint ornaments of your family home; she captured memories of your home that you could carry with you always.
Now imagine going to a networking event and introducing yourself as “I capture memories of your home that you could carry with you always”...of course everybody’s ears will perk up with interest because you are more than what you do.