Steve Streit on Finding Meaning in Entrepreneurship – 5 Tips

Some entrepreneurs are fortunate to find meaning in the work they do every day. That’s what keeps them coming into work and putting in far more of it than the average 9-to-5er.

The rest of us can and should find inspiration in these lucky souls. Unfortunately, that may be easier said than done. Especially early on in the journey, being an entrepreneur often means running from one crisis to the next, bailout bucket in hand.

“It’s challenging to find true meaning in what you do when you’re doing all you can to stay afloat,” admits serial entrepreneur and growth investor Steve Streit, who works with founders across a range of tech industries. “However, you’ll be happier in the long run — and more likely to avoid burnout — if you can find that meaning,” he adds.

Here’s how Streit and other successful entrepreneurs manage to add value while taking care of business.

Build Around Your Personal Values

Begin by building your current organization (or your next one, if you’re between projects) around your personal values.

“Orienting your company around deeply held ideals or a broader sense of mission helps you feel good about getting up and heading into work each day,” Streit says.

Building around your values is more than a way to feel better about what you do. It’s also a way for you to get more out of those around you. According to Dexian, values-driven organizations tend to be more productive, more profitable, and achieve higher levels of employee well-being.

Surround Yourself With Like-Minded People (Who Know How to Say “No”)

But wait: there’s more. Values- or mission-driven organizations tend to attract like-minded team members, the upshot being a stronger internal culture.

Lean into this natural trend by selecting for culture fit when hiring early employees. While this shouldn’t be the only factor in the equation, it makes sense that, all else being equal, you’d staff with talent ready to row in the same direction.

Build Generosity Into Your Corporate DNA

Values matter, but finding true meaning in your work as an entrepreneur may mean going further and putting your money (and operations) where your mouth is.

One way to do this is by getting certified as a benefit corporation, or B-corp.

The world has about 6,000 B-corps in more than 80 countries and rising fast, according to its certification authority. That is still a tiny fraction of the total number of corporate entities in existence, however, so it’s fair to conclude that you’ll be rewarded as an early adopter if you get the process started now.

If you’re not sure about going that far, take intermediate steps like organizing monthly or quarterly volunteer days, creating internal committees authorized to spend company dollars on charitable activities, and even directly supporting causes championed by your employees. You could also launch a charity of your own, as Steve Streit did with Patti’s Way — a nonprofit named in honor of his mother.

Do What You Love in Your Day-to-Day

Not only does this help you find meaning in your everyday work as an entrepreneur, it’s also smart business. Delegating jobs you don’t love to others who do (or who are, simply, better at them) is a way to maintain personal and company-wide productivity while boosting employees’ happiness (including your own).

Mentor Up-and-Comers Inside and Outside Your Company

“Giving back” doesn’t always mean opening up your wallet or rolling up your sleeves. Sometimes, professional relationships act as a form of charity.

This is certainly the case for mentor-mentee relationships, which often lead to more substantial and longer-term professional connections. In the meantime, by acting as a mentor for your employees and other professionals in your field, you create a “rising tide” that adds value (and satisfaction) to your industry.

Like other strategies to help you find meaning in your work as an entrepreneur, mentorship has side benefits, like enhancing your talent pipeline and improving productivity, says Patrik Schulcz of Do Better.

“In the fast-paced and competitive world of early-stage startups, mentors serve as catalysts. With their wealth of experience, knowledge, and guidance, they can provide invaluable support and contribute significantly to entrepreneurial success,” Schulcz says.

Never Work a Day in Your Life

A wise person once said that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.

That’s not exactly true. Sure, working your dream job might feel like, well, a dream come true, but it can still be a grind.

The happiest entrepreneurs go one step further. They make sure to do what they love every day while also finding ways to make their work meaningful for everyone else. Not just in the sense of providing a valuable product or service, but truly doing what they can do make the world a better place.

Charitable, community-oriented entrepreneurs like Steve Streit show it’s possible. And so can you.