Growth for growth’s sake is being displaced by a growing trend among entrepreneurs: mindful entrepreneurship.
What is mindful entrepreneurship? How can mindful entrepreneurship be integrated into new and existing business practices? Here’s how 10 business leaders who practice mindfulness integrate mindfulness into their businesses.
1. Balancing purpose, passion, and profit.
Mindful entrepreneurship represents the intersection of purpose, passion, and profit while being cognizant of where attention is best utilized. It means making business decisions with a conscious awareness of their broader impact on society and the environment.
“Running a business mindfully involves creating a work environment that values the business’s well-being, fostering creativity, and encouraging a healthy work-life balance,” says Ashley Graham, founder of the Orange County-based PR firm, The Conscious Publicist. “By integrating these mindful practices, I strive to achieve success in the business while also contributing to the greater good, embodying a holistic approach to entrepreneurship.”
2. Leading with empathy and responsibility.
For Vivian Chen, founder and CEO of the New York City-based job search platform Rise, mindful entrepreneurship means recognizing that there are more important things than profit in life.
“For me, it’s about leading with empathy, values, and a strong sense of responsibility towards my team and community,” shares Chen. “Beyond the spreadsheets and KPIs, it’s the people and their well-being that truly matter.”
3. Reflecting and aligning with long-term goals.
Many entrepreneurs, like Shay Berman, president of Digital Resource, a digital marketing company in West Palm Beach, Florida, consider mindful entrepreneurship to be a long-term strategy that can be reinforced with weekly actions.
“I set aside time each week for reflection so that I stay grounded and aligned with our long-term goals,” shares Berman. “Before making major decisions, I consider the impact on our team and clients, ensuring the decisions align with our values and strategic plans.”
4. Achieving daily wins through self-care.
Jason Smikle, managing director of the Brooklyn-based trend-tracking app fNograph, stresses that mindful entrepreneurship is about finding a flow state where complex challenges can be broken down into simpler decisions.
“It’s about ensuring you’ve taken care of yourself before tackling tough challenges and collaborating with others,” Smikle says. “This means eating right, exercising, giving yourself time to think, and jotting down your ideas to set yourself up to achieve the small wins every day.”
5. Creating a culture of awareness and purpose.
For some, mindful entrepreneurship is about being fully conscious of the impact a decision can have on all employees, customers, and the community at large.
“In practice, this means creating a culture that emphasizes open communication, empathy, and collaboration,” says Victoria Tollossa, CEO of the personal branding agency Illume, which is based in the Washington DC area. “We hold regular feedback sessions, set realistic goals, and encourage taking breaks to maintain productivity and focus. This helps ensure that our business operations contribute positively to individual team members and society as a whole.”
6. Integrating holistic well-being in business.
Creating a supportive ecosystem where personal growth and professional achievement flourish together is another component of mindful entrepreneurship. This prioritization of mental well-being is deeply personal to Anjan Pathak, co-founder of Vantage Fit, an employee wellness platform with offices in Plano, Texas.
“I advocate for a culture that supports both physical and mental health, drawing on my own experiences to guide our wellness initiatives,” says Pathak, who recently completed the Ironman 70.3 and is a serial marathon runner. “This commitment to holistic well-being is ingrained in our company culture, creating an environment where everyone can thrive.”
7. Serving clients with a purposeful commitment.
Having a strong value proposition is no secret to success in business. Mindful entrepreneurship extends a value proposition to understanding who a business is helping and how a service makes a difference for them.
“Mindful entrepreneurship is a deliberate and intentional dedication to serving clients with unwavering commitment and attentiveness,” says Yemisi Iyilade, CEO of Eminent Coaching Academy in Ontario, Canada. “It signifies approaching each client interaction and business endeavor with a profound awareness of the value you offer and the transformative impact you strive to achieve.”
8. Equip employees with what they need.
Of course, an entrepreneur can only achieve so much alone. To truly make an impact, the entire team needs to be aligned with the mission and vision of the company.
“I practice mindful entrepreneurship by making sure that my entire team has everything they need to succeed and thrive in their roles,” says Rachel Beider, who oversees a group of clinical massage studios in New York City as the CEO of PRESS Modern Massage. “Being attentive to the needs of employees helps create a more balanced, purpose-driven, and impactful business.”
9. Community focus.
One of the core aspects of a mindful approach is a commitment to improving the community. For Sandi Hendry, founder of the US-based blanket retailer, Minky Couture, this commitment is reflected by a desire to give back to those in need.
“We donate thousands of blankets to NICUs and local charities through our ‘Heart of Minky’ initiative,” shares Couture. “This initiative not only helps others but also fosters a culture of compassion, positivity, and generosity within our company.”
10. Embracing intuition for impactful entrepreneurship.
According to Maggie Gentry, a mindful marketing strategist for high-conscious entrepreneurs, the days of separating soul from business are numbered.
“Businesses can be a conduit for change, but it requires a devoted exploration and connection to our soul in order to see it through,” shares Gentry. “No longer can we avoid the importance of feelings, gut instinct, and intuition in business. Mindful entrepreneurs are incredibly intentional and decisive.”