There was a time when I never would have recorded an episode like this. Not because I lacked faith, but because I kept my faith and my business in separate boxes. I was the person with faith, and I was the CEO—but those two identities rarely overlapped. Today, I can’t imagine separating them. My faith is woven into every decision I make as a leader and founder.
Why Traditional Business Advice Falls Short for Faith-Focused Founders
Over the years, I’ve worked with mentors who were brilliant in their fields—marketing, strategy, you name it. Their advice looked perfect on paper, but something always felt off. I’d follow their guidance, only to end up feeling more exhausted than equipped. The missing piece? Their advice didn’t account for my faith or the unique calling I felt in my heart.
This isn’t just my story. I see it all the time with founders who share my faith. They build businesses that look successful from the outside—revenue, clients, teams—but inside, they feel depleted, unclear, or burnt out. The root cause is often a lack of congruence between their business decisions and what God is calling them to do.
The Power of Discernment
One of the most important skills I’ve developed as a leader is discernment. Even the most faithful mentor can’t chart your path for you. God’s call on your life is unique, and sometimes it won’t make sense to anyone else. You can follow the “perfect” plan, but if it’s not your path, it won’t bring peace or fulfillment.
I’ve made tough decisions—walking away from expensive mentorships, pivoting my business, even refunding revenue—because I knew deep down that I was being called in a different direction. Each time, the peace I felt confirmed I was on the right path, even if it didn’t make sense to the world.
Redefining Success: From Performance to Purpose
For a long time, I measured success by KPIs and external validation. But I realized that checking all the boxes didn’t fill my soul. True success, for me, is “worthy exhaustion”—the kind that comes from pouring myself into what really matters: my family, my team, my calling.
I’ve learned to ask myself: Am I building something that honors my calling, or just fitting someone else’s definition of success? Sometimes, that means making radical changes—like taking a sabbatical during the busiest season or rebuilding from scratch. But every time I choose purpose over performance, I find more freedom and peace.
Three Models of Leadership for Founders
- The Hustler: Chasing success, saying yes to every opportunity, sacrificing peace for productivity. Burnout and misalignment are common here.
- The Steward: Aligned with your calling, curating your business instead of copying others, prioritizing true “fruit” over vanity metrics. You may be misunderstood, but you’re building something meaningful.
- The Legacy Leader: Thinking in decades, not quarters. Building for generational impact, aligning your business with family rhythms and spiritual health, and exercising spiritual authority over performance pressure.
Key Lessons and Takeaways
- Define your own version of success. Don’t let society or the business world dictate it for you.
- Give yourself permission to be misunderstood as you pursue stewardship and legacy.
- Margin isn’t a reward for success—it’s a requirement. Clarity and discernment come when you’re not stuck in survival mode.
- Regularly check in: Are you striving or stewarding? Are you building for legacy or just the next launch?
Final Thoughts
This journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve made mistakes, learned hard lessons, and had to reimagine what success looks like. But as I tie myself more closely to my calling, I find real freedom and peace. If you’re feeling stuck or misaligned, start by redefining success for yourself—and have the courage to make the changes needed to get back into congruence with your calling.
If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to share your thoughts or pass this along to someone who might need it. And if you found value here, please consider leaving a review for the podcast—it helps us reach more people with these conversations.
Thanks for reading, and for being part of this journey.
