Written by this month’s guest blogger, Lisa Barry, founder of Mission Led Business.
When you started your fitness or wellbeing business, you likely had a vision, a deeper reason for why you wanted to do this work. Maybe you wanted to help people feel stronger in their bodies, support their mental well-being, or create a space where people feel seen and heard.
But as the demands of running a business pile up, you likely lost sight of that original mission and got swept up in the pressure of marketing trends, client expectations, and industry competition.
It’s a tale as old as time.
I see it all the time with my clients and my goodness, I’ve felt it myself but that’s exactly why I help business owners build Mission Led Businesses built on their values.
It doesn’t mean life will be easy, you’ll still have to navigate all the same chaos but instead of feeling crushed under the weight of it all, you’ll know your next steps, make better, more confident decisions and feel a lot bloody better doing it.
Values are valuable
Your values can be the foundation of your business. They shape the way you show up for your clients, the services you offer, and the decisions you make. Without them, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to be everything to everyone, watering down your message, feeling disconnected from your work, and burning out in the process.
When you’re clear on your values, you stop second-guessing yourself. You attract the right clients – the ones who resonate with what you stand for and most importantly, you build a business that feels aligned, fulfilling, and sustainable.
Your first step – identify your core values
If you’re unsure what your core values are, start by asking yourself:
- What made me start this business in the first place?
- What do I want my clients to feel after working with me?
- What kind of impact do I want to make in the world?
- What practices or industry norms don’t sit right with me?
Your answers will reveal the values that truly matter to you, whether that’s empowerment, inclusivity, integrity, or something else entirely.
30 values you might want to pick from or to be inspired by:
- Authenticity
- Empowerment
- Inclusivity
- Compassion
- Integrity
- Holistic Wellbeing
- Sustainability
- Community
- Growth
- Respect
- Balance
- Trust
- Connection
- Mindfulness
- Resilience
- Kindness
- Self-Compassion
- Joy
- Accountability
- Freedom
- Alignment
- Personal Development
- Service
- Ethical
- Wellness
- Honesty
- Excellence
- Innovation
- Self-Care
- Purpose
Using your values to guide your business
Once you know your values, use them as a compass for decision-making. Before launching a new offer, posting on social media, or saying yes to an opportunity, ask yourself: Does this align with my values?
If the answer is no, don’t do it.
It’s that simple.
Values-driven businesses stand the test of time because they are built on authenticity, not trends. They create deeper connections, stronger client relationships, and long-term impact.
The Mission-Led Approach
A mission-led business doesn’t just exist to make money (although that still massively matters) A mission-led business makes a difference to people’s lives.
Your mission and values should be at the heart of everything you do, from the way you structure your services to the way you communicate with your audience. When you lead with your values, people feel it. They trust you, they resonate with your message, and they want to be part of what you’re building.
If you ever feel lost in your business, come back to your values.
They are your anchor, your guide, and your greatest tool for building something meaningful. The fitness and wellbeing industry doesn’t need more businesses following a formula, it needs more people who are brave enough to do things their way, in alignment with what they truly believe in.
So, what’s valuable to you?
Lisa Barry helps solo business owners build Mission Led businesses that feel good, do good and make good money. Follow her on Facebook for more Mission Led Business wisdom and support: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.barry.319
Thank you to Lisa for this wonderfully informative blog.
Until next time,
Best wishes
Philippa x