Although big businesses get most of the media coverage, the truth is in the United States, small businesses are the engines of job growth and economic growth. Let’s look at a few statistic about small businesses according to most recent date [1]:

• The share of U.S. businesses with less than 20 workers was 97.9%
• ​Produced nearly 50% of non-farm GDP
• Represent 99.7% of all employer firms.
• Employ half of all private sector employees.
• ​Pay 42% of total U.S. private payroll.
• Generated 63% of net new jobs over the past 17 years.
• Produce 16 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms.

In light of these statistics, what are the major implications for mission driven entrepreneurs? I believe they are at least 3-fold: financial, social, and spiritual.

1. Financial: mission driven entrepreneurs have the opportunity to create jobs that bring immediate, tangible financial support to families and those they support. 
2. Social: You have the opportunity to positively leverage your influence for the benefit of your target community through your business relationships, including customers, employees, suppliers, partners, and the broader community in which you operate.
3. Spiritual: As you grow and are able to hire additional employees, you can create an atmosphere of discipleship whereby people receive a daily impact of a spiritually-empowering and development environment.

The most critical factor that will allow your business to be sustained in the place God has called you to is obedience to God’s directives. When your vision and operating activities incorporate all three of these aspects, you will not be consumed by the thought of money and will have a healthy approach in your decision-making.

So if God called you into business, He wants your business to make a major impact in the world. Just seek His direction for the specifics and watch your business do more than all you could ask, think, or imagine.
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[1] Sources: http://sbecouncil.org/about-us/facts-and-data/ and https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/FAQ_March_2014_0.pdf

God gives every man/person a purpose that comes gift-wrapped in a dream. Our marketplace assignment is one of the major strategies God uses for us to fulfill that purpose. These affirmations would help to reinforce who God has called you to be and what he has called you to accomplish for His glory through your business.

1) MY IDENTITY AFFIRMATION

• ​My identity is found in God.
• I am a son of God.
• My value is found in being a son of God.
• My work represents worship to God.

2) MY INSIGHT AFFIRMATION

• ​I have the mind of Christ.
• I have the creative wisdom of Christ.
• Greater is He that is in me then he that is in the world.
• The Holy Spirit is my competitive advantage in the marketplace.

3) MY IMAGINATION AFFIRMATION

• ​I have the mind of Christ.
• I have the imagination of Christ.
• I have God ideas.
• I am created to create like God created.

As mission driven entrepreneurs we must understand the difference between the people to which we sell our products and services versus the people we've been called to serve through our businesses. Many Christians make the mistake of trying to sell their products and services to the people they have a desire or passion to serve. Unfortunately, this produces unintended consequences.

One key reason is that usually the people you're called to serve can't afford to pay you the necessary value for what you have created. That then causes you to struggle to stay in business because your sales will be low or you wrongly assume you shouldn't deal with them altogether because you aren't generating any revenues.

So the issue is not that you shouldn't work with them. The issue is that you defined them the wrong way. You mistakenly tried to sell to the people you were called to serve.

I recently heard the story of a real estate developer whose business model is selling unique, high-end houses to the ultra-rich so he can use his profits to serve the ultra-poor. He clearly understands his calling to serve people by using a profitable business model directed toward customers who can fully afford to pay for what he sells.

Here are 3 things you can do to avoid the trap of trying to sell to those you're should be serving...

1) Distinguish between who you sell to versus serve. Be very clear about these two different groups of people, which will then create boundaries for how you interact with them.

2) Develop a detailed persona for your target customer. The more specific you get about defining your target customer the easier it will be to tailor your sales activities to the right audience. This will allow you to reduce customer confusion and build a profitable revenue model.

3) Determine how you want to serve your target community. Just as you clarify your target customer, you also must clarify your target community and how you want to engage them. The way you choose to help them will create a clear purpose, intentionality, and impact.

As you recognize the people God called you to serve, ask Him for whom you should sell your products and services so that your business can grow profitably and you can then use your profits to bless the others.