The state of entrepreneurship is at a very exciting stage in history in terms of having significant impact around the world. More people than ever are pursuing social enterprises or business as mission ventures as a way to fulfill their desire to transform communities, change lives, and leave a positive multi-generational legacy, among many other admirable reasons.

​The problem, though, is when people of great compassion lack some non-negotiable essentials to run a profitable business that has a major social impact. Compassion is necessary to run a mission driven business, but it can't make up for lack of a business plan, ineffective business practices, or flawed execution.

​So let's take a look at six issues that prevent mission driven businesses from having a major social impact in local communities:

1. Lack of Competencies. ​Every profitable business - no matter the type - must master certain business practices that are non-negotiable, such as marketing, sales, customer service, financial management, and more. If your business isn't competent in these areas then it won't be around for very long, which means you can't help anybody.
2. Lack of a Compelling Product or Service. Sometimes social entrepreneurs forget that the number one aspect of the business has to be offering something that people want to buy. People are not buying your product because you're connected to social cause, they're buying your product because it solves a problem for them. The social cause is just icing on the cake not the cake itself. So if you decide to go the route of having a mission driven business make sure your business deals with solving real problems and producing real solutions that people want to pay you market value for.
3. Lack of a Core Business Model. Without a proven business model, which means that you have a business operation that can consistently turn your product/service into revenues. For example, many entrepreneurs come up with great ideas, but they haven't identified the right target audience, or they don't have an efficient, convenient, and inexpensive model to deliver it to their customers. Your business model must be working before you can have the real long-term impact you're capable of.
4. ​Lack of a Concentrated Effort in One Direction. Another way to say this is a lack of focus. It can be very easy for mission driven entrepreneur to get caught up in caring for the needs of the community and not lock in on what is necessary to build a sustainable enterprise. And sometimes the needs in the community are so great and so diverse that the attention of the business owner is now spread out and the lack of focus causes them to not be effective at anything or very few things. Every successful business requires a business owner who can lock in and perform necessary business functions and activities at a high level over a sustained period of time. Without a sustained and concentrated effort, the business may be busy but it won't be productive or profitable.​
5. ​Lack of Consistency. Mission driven entrepreneurship is a marathon not a sprint. One of the critical things about having a comprehensive core business model is sticking to the execution of the model overtime, and not changing that model on a whim or at every point of adversity. Consistency over time with your business model and serving the community are required for you to have sustained impact. It's better to do one thing well for a long time than trying many things with good intentions and flailing all over the place.
6. Lack of a Connection to the Community. It's one thing to want to do something "for" a community of people, but it's a totally different thing to do something "with" a community of people. Again, compassion is a wonderful thing but not if it comes off as paternalistic. And just because you generate lot of profits and then donate a lot of money to a community doesn't mean you are having a deep social impact. So get into the habit of developing strong ties to the community of people you desire to serve through your business. The relationships will prove themselves more valuable than money over time.

If I'm honest it takes a while to master all of these areas. And some of these old habits have a tendency to try to creep back into my daily routines. But I realize as I continually get better in these areas I see our business improving and our impact increasing.

Did you identify any of these areas where you can make some improvements? If yes, I would love to assist you where you need some help. Check out my online business course, 7 Week Startup, which will help you launch a new mission driven business or restart your current one in 60 days or less. We will cover all the issues identified above to ensure you are equipped to run a profitable business and deeply impact the community God called you to reach.

Don't let any of these issues slow you down or stop you from fulfilling your dreams and reaching your destiny. I'll see you in class!

"You're fired!" has long been an unwelcome phrase in the workplace way before our current President-elect Donald Trump made it even more infamous on his previous TV show, The Apprentice. And I'm sure for anyone who has ever had that directed at them, it was not a pleasant experience.

Nevertheless, this is a statement or a concept that you need to be able to practice as a relates to the vision, dream, or business that God has given you. The truth is there are some people that have gotten closer to your vision than they should be. Sometimes you must make some hard decisions when you determine that some people should not continue the journey with you to your destiny.

​Too much is at stake for you to be messing around with the wrong people or for the wrong people to be messing around with you!

I created a coaching video that describes three types of people that you need to fire from your Dream Team. In order to watch the video all you have to do is download my free mobile app and go to the Coaching Videos section. You also be able to watch all the other coaching videos that are inside the app.

After you download the app and open it you'll see that we have some great free resources and a 50% OFF deal that you don't want to miss out on!

​So download the app, watch this video, and I look forward to your feedback. Enjoy!

As we roll into the final month of the year, entrepreneurs and small business owners often try to balance two important thoughts: 1) focusing on ending the year strong and 2) evaluating how their business performed over the past 11 months. Alas that's the life of an entrepreneur, constantly going back and forth between maximizing the present and positioning for the future.

So if you are currently in the mode of evaluating your business or maybe even reconsidering why you started the business in the first place, I have some encouragement for you. Here are 3 reasons why your small business is a BIG deal...

1) Provides Income. Whether your business is a side hustle or your main source of income, at least it's producing something. You may not be making as much money as you want to, but imagine if you didn't have your business at all. And if you have made money in the past that means you definitely have the potential to make even more in the future.

2) Creates Jobs. Small businesses are the main economic engine and job creators in this country. You greatly impact someone else's livelihood when they are on your payroll. Whether you are already employing people or your business has the potential to do it down the line as you grow, you are doing a great service for your community and your country.

3) Inspire Others. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream for field is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12). Hope is contagious. Sometimes just seeing someone else pursue their business dream inspires people to chase their own. Whether you have reached all or business goals or not, you are still further ahead than many people who are still in the sidelines.

​So if you ever get down on yourself about the current state of your business just remember that you're probably having a bigger impact you think you are. Keep up the great work!

Over my 15 years of coaching small business, I have observed certain consistent themes. One of the biggest challenges small businesses face is the issue of capacity. It's hard to grow when you don't have the financial or human resources. One of the keys to growth is developing systems that will allow you to build capacity that will position you for profitable growth and sustainability.

​That's why I'm excited to share some best practices that will help your business grow. Please join me for a FREE webinar Monday, July 25th at 7 PM where I will share with you:

1. ​What are business systems
2. Why businesses need systems
3. 8 business systems every small business needs

​To register go to: https://app.webinarjam.net/register/28546/9fa7f05659

​See you there!

Watch this powerful message from Thomas Cotton, pastor of Redeemed Life Community Church in South Atlanta, about the benefit of partnering with our summer camp to offer business training for youth. ​

Click below to learn more about our free Inc. My Dream Young Boss Camp for middle and high school students! We have some excited new offerings this year. In addition to teaching them how to start businesses we will also provide more of an emphasis on STEM/STEAM topics. They will have a chance to interact with experts in the following career fields:

• Music
• Arts
• Science
• Technology
• Recreation

Click now to learn more!

The new clothing line launched by Atlanta area high school seniors Jordan Williams and Brandon Iverson is called Young Moguls. However, this is by far not their first business venture. They started in business together when they were 10 years old selling toys.

Click below to listen to  hear the inspirational story of their journey and how they are empowering other teens to pursue their dreams also.

You can read the original article posted online at WABE, Atlanta's NPR Station, here: http://wabe.org/post/atlanta-teen-entrepreneurs-working-be-young-moguls

If you only pay attention to mainstream media outlets, you will only get a distorted, narrow, and negative image of young people from urban communities. This powerful story of Taharka Bros. Ice Cream in Baltimore is a great example of young leaders from an urban community turning their passion and concern into positive action that will not only benefit themselves but others also. What excites me even more about this story is the entrepreneurial creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance they demonstrated to bring into reality their dream of impacting their community through ice cream. I hope this inspires you...

Click here to read more about Taharka Brothers...

We had an incredible time at Inc. My Dream Young Boss Camp. Having fewer students this year which allowed us to go deeper in helping each one discover their purpose, develop their personal dream boards, and identify legitimate business ideas. We helped them craft a personal life mission statement, teambuilding skills, and daily affirmations they can use to encourage themselves and others as they grow on their journey.

What we're really excited about is that we will continue to work with these young entrepreneurs throughout the school year to help launch their initial concepts into profitable and sustainable businesses.

One thing Shawnice and I realized as this camp was coming to a close is that we are just getting started. Our ultimate job is to help as many youth as possible to see a new vision for their lives and their communities. Our job is to equip them with skills to turn their dreams into reality. Our job is to inspire their greatness, that today may only be a small flicker of light, but with the right help can become a contagious inferno of positive possibilities. Our job is to become hope dealers.

As such, we are in the process of developing some brand new resources that will help youth, parents, educators, youth pastors, and anyone else who cares about investing in the future of young people. You will be able to use these powerful tools to inspire and equip them to accomplish things they never thought was possible.
 
So, stay tuned for some major announcements coming in the next few weeks!

It is our privilege to serve the next generation and we hope you will come along on the ride with us.