When I began my entrepreneurial journey, my objective was simple: accumulate substantial wealth. Like many emerging entrepreneurs, I assumed that once I achieved success, I would then focus on giving back. The plan was to secure success first and then consider the impact thereafter.

In hindsight, I recognize that this mindset was a critical error. It was, in fact, one of the primary reasons it took me years to achieve any significant success. Delaying the focus on purpose, I now understand, can stymie growth even more than ineffective marketing strategies.

Everything changed for me when I shifted my focus from “chasing paper” to considering how I could contribute positively. Once this transition occurred, my business began to flourish in unexpected ways. And the financial success? It followed naturally as a byproduct. This is a truth we instinctively understand yet often overlook.

We’re led to believe that giving back is a privilege reserved for when our company is large enough, our team is established, and our finances reach a certain benchmark. However, the truth is that purpose should not be seen as a luxury but rather as a strategy for growth. This mindset of abundance is something that must be embraced both internally and externally.

The initial focus should be on your daily operational approach. At BotBuilders, our core operations include AI and automation, but our driving force is broader. Our true mission is to empower small business owners to believe in their ventures and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.

The more we have invested in our clients’ achievements, the more we have witnessed our own business’s expansion—not just in terms of revenue, but also in our reach, loyalty, and community. Genuine relationships have propelled us beyond what any marketing tactic ever could. It’s an aspect you can’t quantify or budget for, yet we all know how one relationship can lead to significant growth on multiple levels.

The second way to have an impact is how your company shows outside of your core competency. Namely, in your community. How often do you and your team get out and serve those who need it most? Money is great, but there is no comparison to the difference that a smile can make.

One of the biggest culture-shaping moments we’ve ever had started in the most unexpected place: a bowling alley in Arizona. Working with Special Olympics Arizona, we put together the Bowl-A-Thon Bash. The annual event pairs athletes with local business owners for high-fives, gutter balls, and a whole lot of laughter.

At first, it felt like a one-off community event. But after that night, something shifted. It became tradition. And every year we go back it resets something in us. We leave lighter, clearer, and more in tune with what really matters. That one night has done more to anchor our company values than any vision statement ever could.

Don’t get me wrong, money is important. I’m not dismissing that. But if we’re talking about real impact? Giving your time and actually showing up, things just hit different. Over the years, our team has done all kinds of small things that ended up being huge. We’ve served meals at shelters. We’ve planted trees. We’ve hosted holiday parties in retirement homes just to bring some joy to folks who don’t get many visitors.

None of that was fancy. None of it was scalable or “optimized.” But the growth those moments sparked? You could feel it. In how we communicated, how we worked together and how we showed up on Monday mornings. When we work together to do good for others, we are connected on a level much deeper than winning awards or even with traditional team-building activities.

So if you’re leading a team, never forget the fact that your values are contagious. Culture doesn’t come from the posters on your wall or the perks in your handbook. It’s built in the quiet choices. It shows up in how you respond when no one’s watching. It’s shaped by what you say “yes” to, and what you’re willing to let slide. As my angel-of-a-mother always says, “never miss a chance to help someone out.”

When you lead with meaning, people notice. They step up. And the ripple effects extend way beyond your team. So don’t wait for the perfect opportunity. You don’t need a giant audience, a massive checkbook or a five-year plan to make an impact. You just need to care enough to begin. You’ll be amazed by what comes of it on every level of your organization.

Pick something simple. Volunteer for a day, and invite your team into the process. Whatever you do, it doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be real. Because when your business stands for something more, people stand with you. And that is when things really start to grow.