I like to ask business owners this question:

If your business went away today, who would care?

How does your business make the world better? Research tells us that, in today’s marketplace, younger generations lean into social impact. It matters to them that your business does more than make a profit. It matters to many people – and, I’ll boldly add, it should matter to you.

No matter what your spiritual persuasion, we are all invited to use our spiritual gifts to make a difference – and the tools we have at our fingertips are so very powerful! But how do you get started?

Spiritual businesses have the unique potential to influence society positively. By aligning your spiritual practices with social responsibility, your business can contribute significantly to community development while also enhancing your brand's integrity and depth. To do this, you must ensure that your business operations and its core values align with both your target clientele and the broader community you serve.

What do you care about?

For a spiritual business, the journey towards impactful social engagement begins with a clear understanding of its social purpose. This means identifying which social causes align naturally with the business's spiritual objectives and which social causes you simply care deeply about. This could be anything from environmental stewardship to social equity or educational empowerment.

One process you can use is similar to a meditative reflection on one’s life purpose, providing clarity and focus. Meditation invites us to still ourselves, to open to inspiration, and to trust in the wisdom that comes from the indwelling Divine.

What do you value? Google search a word list of values, then go into meditation and reflect on each word. Choose 5 or 6 that are meaningful to you. Plug those words into Google and ask which nonprofit organizations or causes share those values. You can also use Chat GPT to do this. Take time to research each cause or organization and use your own intuitive tools – prayer, oracle cards, pendulums, dowsing rods, or other divination tools can help you discern which organization is best for you. What feels aligned with your business’s purpose?

Go no further until you have an idea about what cause you might want to support somehow. Sometimes this process takes a little while… a few days…a couple weeks. You want to get it right.

Once you select a couple organizations, call them. Get to know someone there. Find out more about what they do. Before long, it will become clear who you want to help and how you’re going to help them!

Once you choose, you can use your business platforms—newsletters, blogs, social media—to educate your community about the social issues you are passionate about. This might involve writing articles that explore the spiritual dimensions of these social issues, sharing stories from the field, or explaining how these issues align with spiritual practices.

Over time, as you socially align your business, you’ll have stories to share that demonstrate the impact of your initiatives. This not only showcases your commitment to social responsibility but also illustrates the tangible benefits of such engagement. Highlight how these efforts have led to positive changes, and how they resonate with your spiritual purpose. By taking deliberate steps towards social responsibility, your business not only contributes to societal betterment but also deepens your connection with those you serve.

And – you are going to love making the world a better place in measurable ways!

Plus, if anyone ever asks you if your business makes the world better – you’ll be able to say “Yes” enthusiastically!