Giving Back In Your Business, Part 1

The Beatles were right: Money can’t buy you love. And for the record, it can’t buy you happiness either. You probably already know this, but: I didn’t become successful so that I could buy a Birkin bag in every color! Because when you have surface-level reasons driving your business goals, you may find temporary satisfaction. 

But if you want to succeed for the long haul? If you want to create a business that lasts decades and makes an impact worth remembering? There’s got to be something more—a purpose beyond profit. Or not only will your success lack personal meaning, but you may never reach the levels of success you desire.

Here’s my secret: It’s the very purpose behind my business that has driven me to the levels of success I’ve attained. Without a bigger purpose, I honestly don’t believe I would be where I am today. 

Also, fulfillment aside—having a purpose beyond profit is becoming increasingly important in today’s business landscape. Consumers and clients are becoming more and more conscious of the impact that businesses have on society and the environment and the values they represent. 

Businesses that have a clear purpose beyond profit are more likely to attract and retain customers, employees, and investors who share their values. 

In this post, I’m going to tell you:

– The benefits of being a business that gives back
– My purpose beyond profit (I also refer to this as my ‘why’)
– How I use my ‘why’ to fuel my success 
– Practical tips for finding your bigger purpose.

Keep reading to learn more.

Why You Need a Purpose Beyond Profit

The data is in: People want to support businesses that give back, and employees want to work for purpose-driven businesses. 

If you’re worried that focusing on your purpose and giving back is going to get in the way of your business’ profitability—don’t be, because it’s actually going to boost it.  Numbers don’t lie—consumers are increasingly interested in supporting companies that have a purpose beyond profit—like a social or environmental mission—and are willing to reward those companies with their loyalty and dollars over a competitor that doesn’t give back.

According to a Top Cause Marketing Statistics report:

– 81% of consumers say brands must earn their trust
– 91% of consumers are more likely to buy from a company that supports social or environmental issues
– 70% of companies reported an increased consumer demand for environmentally-friendly solutions

Numbers aside—finding your business’ purpose beyond profit is also extremely vital for staying motivated. Having a clear purpose can help you stay determined—even when faced with challenges or setbacks. 

One of the most powerful books I’ve ever read is Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. (If you haven’t read it, it’s a must! Check it out here.) It’s a riveting demonstration (through his survival of Nazi concentration camps) of the human will to survive, and the discovery that what drives us more powerfully than anything—is meaning. 

Knowing your bigger ‘why’ also creates a culture of purpose within your business that attracts and retains like-minded employees and clients—leading to much higher levels of long-term team strength, satisfaction, retention, and success. 

My Purpose Beyond Profit

The big ‘why’ behind my business—and the core reason I continuously strive for success—is simple: I want to crusade for the planet. 

I’ve had a deep love and appreciation for animals ever since I was a little girl. In fact, I thought I might grow up to be a veterinarian, or better yet—Jane Goodall herself. Ah, my hero! But when I became a photographer and was hustling to build my business, I became intensely focused on making progress. I was in a constant cycle of shooting, editing, posting, emailing, traveling, and starting all over again. 

And while my vision for a thriving photography business was well underway, I had another vision that I kept putting off… 

My love of animals and my desire to build social impact into my business by supporting the abandoned and threatened species of this world were still tugging at me in the small spaces between boarding flights and delivering wedding albums. 

Although I knew my true purpose beyond profit, it would take me until 2015 to figure out exactly how I was going to help animals.

I got a wake up call.

Everything changed when I saw a photo of Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, and the rangers who stood guard 24-hours-a-day to protect him from poachers. It was a heartbreaking image. At that moment, it became painfully clear to me that the extinction of one of the world’s most amazing animals was no longer in the distant future.

And that I could not continue living my life without doing something to help. I couldn’t afford to wait to have a massively successful business to start giving back.

That day, I set the wheels in motion for Render Loyalty, a passion project created by myself and my partner Chad, to support Africa’s most vulnerable animals through photography. We photograph the world’s most threatened species and  donate 20% of each print sale to leading wildlife conservations that dedicate their lives to protecting and caring for these vulnerable animals. 

We also donate 20% of each print sale from the Simply Wild collection—part of our Equus series in KT Merry Fine Art—to the American Wild Horse Foundation. 

Making an impact in my businesses didn’t happen overnight. It was a process that started with a vision and a desire to be a positive force for change. With dedication, I am now able to take my ‘why’ and  use it in my photography business—and work for a purpose beyond profit. 

And without that purpose, I simply would not have the same amount of drive to succeed that I have currently. My purpose fuels me, and therefore, my success. 

Tips for Identifying Your ‘Why’

You don’t have to wait for a wake up call like I got. Or until you achieve the successful business you want—to start making a difference. I know what that sounds like:

‘When I’m finally making $XXK, then I’ll….
‘Someday I’ll be able to help in the way that I want….

Friend, someday is today. Don’t wait. The world needs your ‘why’ now. And yes, you can actually make a difference. It’s the little things that add up to the big things. 

Here are some tips for identifying your purpose beyond profit:

1. Start with your values: Consider what you and your business stand for. What breaks your heart? What tugs at you to be a part of the solution? What are your personal values, and how do they align with your business goals?

2. Consider your impact: Think about the impact that your business has on society and the environment. How could you make it even more positive? What problem does your business solve, and how does it make the world a better place?

3. Connect with your colleagues and clients: Find out what motivates and troubles them. Consider how your business can create a sense of purpose and meaning for you, your colleagues, and your clients that extends beyond just a professional transaction.

At the end of the day, only you can decide what your true purpose beyond profit is. It can take time, but once you identify it, you will be able to use it as a compass—not only in your business—but in your life. 

Finding your ‘purpose beyond profit’ is a deeply personal and transformative process. It’s not just about identifying what fuels your drive to succeed in business, but also about understanding what fulfills you as a person. 

Aligning your values and business goals helps create a sustainable enterprise that resonates with today’s increasingly conscious consumers.

As you move forward, let your unique purpose serve as your ultimate compass. It will guide not only your business decisions but also your life choices. The path may not always be straightforward, and it might take time to fully unearth your ‘why’. But remember, success is not merely about profit; it’s also about making a positive impact. 

Embrace this journey, allow it to redefine your vision of success, and watch as it brings a profound sense of fulfillment and a deeper connection with your audience—and the world.

Read More About My Purpose Beyond Profit: