My Commitment to
The World I Envision
Where there’s truth, there’s strength.
This is one of the driving forces in my life and business and a cornerstone to all I do and try to do as a human on this planet.
I believe that business can be a powerful conduit for good and change, and my business is one way I hope to contribute to creating the world I envision.
In short, I dream of a world where everyone is allowed to be fully who they are and flourish in their gifts, to be fulfilled and supported so that they can thrive. A world that’s a kinder, more peaceful place that honors the value and autonomy of every human being. While business and our work are merely an aspect of our lives, I find that it’s a perfect practice ground to live our values for those who choose the entrepreneurial path. As business owners, we get a unique prespective to examine our emphasis on productivity and how power is used and abused.
Capitalism is taking its toll on all of us, but we haven’t yet reached a place where we can live without it. For now, I hope to push the boundaries of what’s possible from within the system, to find a new way to do business that allows us to thrive and live as responsible stewards in this world.
It’s a quiet revolution. A slow, gentle change that I think we’re all craving.
Because the “accepted” way of doing business is hard on our nervous systems, for both the business owner and the customer.
As an entrepreneur, it’s unsustainable and exhausting to constantly feed the content machine, to be “on” all day every day whether we have the energy and inspiration for it or not, to live in that neverending cycle of launches, creating, building, testing, tweaking, etc.
As consumers, we’re relentlessly blasted with emails, social media posts, flashing “buy now” buttons and countdown timers, fear tactics, and messaging that tells us how incomplete we are until we buy XYZ.
It’s stressful and leads to burnout on both sides.
But.
Can’t business be supportive for both business owner and consumer? Can’t it be supportive and actually make our lives better instead of more stressful? Do we HAVE to do things this way in order to survive in our late-capitalist society?
Speaking of capitalism, our relationship with productivity and the notion that our worth as human beings is dependent on what we do, make, and accrue, is a constant burden on our minds, bodies, and souls.
We’re taught that productivity and money (the ultimate goal of business) lead to power (which isn’t wrong), but we also see how often power is misused to oppress others rather than lift them up.
None of these are inherently bad. Power can be used responsibly. Creation and production is beautiful and world-changing. Profits and money are sustaining in our society and are inherently neutral and just a means of energy exchange. Conscious business as a movement is already changing the energy around these ideas. Soothing the nervous system is becoming more and more prevalent in conversation and journalism.
A clear message is coming through the rest of the noise, for those who are ready to hear it: Just be. Be a human, not a machine (but even machines need maintenance to prevent breaking down).
This is the change I hope to invite in the way I do business.
How do I embody these ideas in my business?
It boils down to what I’ve coined as the 4 Tenets of Mindful Marketing:
I teach and (try to) live by this way of business that is more gentle and sustainable for the business owner and allows for our creativity and humanity.
It’s in the way I consciously craft my messaging and how I interact with my customers, avoiding manipulative copywriting, urgency tactics, endless email blasts, and reaching some arbitrary post frequency on social media. (Even though we’re often advised to do these things and that they’re the only way to succeed.)
I also strive to maintain a spirit of anti-capitalism and remember that profit is only one metric for success.
In my actual business processes, I’ve taken steps to design my systems to be supportive of these values and the world I envision.
1. Collaborating with folx who share similar values.
Does this sound like you? I always love collaborating with like-hearted souls. If you have a project or an idea where you think I could help, don’t hesitate to reach out. Feel free to reach out here.
Or, are you a virtual assistant, writer, graphic designer, web designer, SEO specialist, or other freelancer who resonates with these values? I often find I need specific and specialized support with these with certain client projects. Reach out here so we can connect and do business differently—together.
2. Contribute funds to one organization every quarter, selected by Maggie Gentry Core Team.
I've created a new line item in the budget so that a percentage of the business’ net revenue will go to one charitable organization every quarter. The business runs with a narrow profit margin, so I will begin with a conservative 2% of net revenue to start. My goal will always be to do more. I will use this line item as an ever-present encouragement to find sustainable ways to be judicious in my spending and creative in my offerings to allow for a beautiful exchange of funds going to the people and causes that are making this world better for all beings.
Here are the organizations we’ve donated to so far:
If you know of an amazing organization in line with our values that could use these funds, submit them here!
3. Continue offering Virtual Office Hours, Shift Sessions, and Aligned Trades.
Since starting my business, I’ve continued to explore ways to exist within capitalism while also stretching the limits of what is possible within it. People have always mattered more to me than profits, and to that end, my main focus has been to find financially accessible ways to engage with me. I will continue to offer Virtual Office Hours, which are always free.
If/When it is possible, then my hope is that folks who are able to exchange money for labor may do so through a Shift Session, which is pay-what-you-are-able.
Have an idea for a trade or another creative way we can work together? Get in touch!
Last updated: October 12, 2022