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Key Takeaways Personal connection and being present in day-to-day operations build trust and strong company culture.
Continuous innovation and industry education are essential for long-term success and positioning as experts in the field.
I was recently a guest on a podcast where the host asked me a deceptively simple question: “How have your core values shifted over your career as an entrepreneur?” I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Should our core values really change? They might evolve or expand as our businesses grow and we gain experience, but our fundamental values shouldn’t disappear with each pivot. After all, they define who we are and why we do what we do as entrepreneurs.
After reflecting on two decades of building and growing a business, I’ve found that while my company has certainly transformed and adapted over time, the values guiding my decisions have remained remarkably consistent. These five core principles have served as my North Star from day one.
Related: Unlock the Secret to Crafting Compelling Core Values With This Step-by-Step Guide
Personal connection
Time and time again, I’ve watched businesses stumble when leadership is absent — quality slips, culture dissolves and customers start to walk away. In my experience, being present and engaged has had the greatest impact on my company and has been absolutely critical to my ability to lead effectively. It’s not enough to set a vision and step back; the leaders who can truly immerse themselves in the day-to-day realities of a business — listening to employees, connecting with clients and observing operational challenges — build stronger teams and create businesses that thrive over the long term.
Personally, I practice this core value both internally with employees and externally with clients. Whether I’m setting aside time for weekly lunches with my team (no shop talk allowed) or jumping on the phone myself to talk to a client about a new feature request, these meaningful moments of connection build trust, strengthen relationships and reinforce the culture of our company. Maintaining a personal connection to my business, my team and my customers ensures that our team feels supported, our clients feel heard and our business continues to evolve.
Exceptional service
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