thread Re: What is your Why? in Square Readers Book Club

What is your Why?

PessoAlumni — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:08:48 GMT

Hey Square Readers,

I hope you’re making your way through Start with Why by Simon Sinek so far, our Square Readers Book Club book for April & May. I’m about ⅔ of the way through! There's still plenty of time to read before our Live Discussion on Tuesday May 23rd.

The keystone of the book is the importance of having, knowing, and explaining the Why for your business.

Sinek defines a Why as an action statement that defines your purpose, cause, or belief. It explains why your business exists and why your customers should care. It should start with a verb (To bring, to give, to change, to ...) and be the heart of your business. It should guide every decision you make, and if your actions are aligned with it, build trust with the kinds of customers that align with it.

So that's my question today: What is your Why?

Feel free to share your How and What too!

It doesn’t have to be perfect – this is hard to do! If you’re not completely sure, that’s perfectly fine. Give it a shot, and if you’re not sure, tell us a bit more about your principles and mission, and maybe we can help.

You can read my Why in the comments below, and I can’t wait to read yours!

We may repost your comments into our summary post at the end of the month.

See these threads for more discussions:

Happy reading,

Pesso

Re: What is your Why?

PessoAlumni — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 20:27:49 GMT

I'm still learning this format and idea, so mine is still a work in progress too.

When I had my ice cream shop, my Why was:

To bring connection & a bit of happiness so that the neighborhood can become a community.

We did this by creating a warm and welcoming place that people can come to escape and treating every customer like family.

We made delicious homemade small-batch Ice Cream and Italian Ices, and served it up with a smile.

What's yours?

Re: What is your Why?

JUYBoutique20 — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 20:26:20 GMT

I wanted to create a space where people with unique styles could come and not be judged....A space that when they came in it was like they're hanging out with there homegirls...

Re: What is your Why?

PessoAlumni — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 20:29:17 GMT

I absolutely love that, @JUYBoutique20 ! A judgement free space to connect and feel safe & at home. That's a huge community builder!

How do you accomplish that and what have y'all been doing to be true to the Why?

Re: What is your Why?

JUYBoutique20 — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 20:53:12 GMT

Everyone says our space feels very welcoming. We greet everyone who comes in and we talk with them as though we've known them forever. I change the smells in my store every month and music is always playing (all genres). We take pics with our customers and post them on our instore tv. Literally people come into our store to hangout, shop, and catchup with us and I love that. There's no rush to leave...If I added a coffee bar, they'd probably stay all day...

Re: What is your Why?

TheRealChipA — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 22:26:57 GMT

It’s probably not far off the mark, @PessoAlumni, to say that your “why” is the same as virtually every other ice cream shop on the planet, just worded differently!

When we opened Piper’s 11 years ago, our purpose was to bring ice cream back to our mixed used neighborhood, and to do it differently from the rest. Our motto has always been “It’s time for something different!” It’s always been about community and the neighborhood first. The fact that we draw customers from the region is just whipped cream and a cherry on the soft serve. Ha

Even as we added other things to our model — food, adult beverage service, for example — the core “why” for us has never changed. It’s about coming together, no matter how the rest of the world might divide us.

Re: What is your Why?

PerroneTech — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 14:58:30 GMT

What: Computer repair shop.

Why: because I love technology, I love fixing technology. I love seeing the reaction of people who get their tech fixed because it feels so intimidating to them. I love being the beacon in the community for being approachable, helpiing however I can, and being the source of knowledge for those who need to know about tech.

The sense of pride, the sense of forging my own path, being in charge of my own destiny. For far too long I dealt with people in different industries who treated me like trash, despite always doing what they wanted and beyond. Now I don't have to "ask" to go to the bathroom, "ask" to have a day off, or "request" a vacation.

I love when people see me out and about around town and recognize me and I recognize them. The sense of community. I love how gleeful they get when they see me and tell someone who is with them about the amazing work I did for them.

It's too late for me now, there is no turning back. I am soon embarking on another journey in business in addition to what I do know and I hope to pass on all those things I love about working for myself on to my significant other who is my business partner.

Re: What is your Why?

DarlingNikki — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 10:30:37 GMT

Because my purpose is to spread knowledge that was passed onto me through love and patience from my beloved

Re: What is your Why?

Doran — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 03:00:59 GMT

I help women take care of their skin and themselves.

Re: What is your Why?

CarissaD — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 12:18:55 GMT

My why is to bring hope and healing to men and women so they are equipped to break out of the status quo, face their fears and go after what they feel called to do. As a result, they will be happier and in turn be better people. My why is to see people flourish.

Wow. This is the first time I put it that way. As a counselor, I always focus on “treating” a disorder. But I want what we do at our organization to go beyond treating a disease. I want to see people flourish and feel connected to something bigger than themselves. I want them to in turn to inspire others to heal and grow.

Re: What is your Why?

KatieT — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 16:55:13 GMT

My business: Replenish Massage & Skin Care Studio LLC

My why: To create a respite for people to renew their bodies and minds. A place to be, to relax, to let go, to replenish their spirit.

I like to think of my office as a vacation from a guest's every day life. A lot of my packages refer this idea like a paradise package, spa escape, etc.

Re: What is your Why?

DinaLRosenberg — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 23:42:51 GMT

Amityville Apothecary's why:

To provide a place for the spiritually inclined to connect, learn and create community no matter where they are on their spiritual journey.

Re: What is your Why?

Moreplease — Tue, 02 May 2023 19:47:36 GMT

My What: Feel Good Essentials aromatherapy and self-care based products.

My Why:

To encourage all who want it, to reach for and create more feel-good moments for themselves.

I spent a lot of my life not feeling good. I'm in such a better place now that I just want others to feel that same feel-good feeling because I know from experience that it's possible.

How: Using my aromatherapy and self-care-based products, people indulge themselves in the experience of caring for their mind, body, and soul. It is my belief that the more feel-good moments you have, the better you feel overall. By feeling better overall, you increase your happiness, joy, and you LIVE instead of being alive.

Re: What is your Why?

Moreplease — Tue, 02 May 2023 19:49:12 GMT

This sounds like a place I'd like to shop.

Re: What is your Why?

JUYBoutique20 — Tue, 02 May 2023 20:31:46 GMT

If you're ever in Anchorage, Alaska definitely stop by...

Re: What is your Why?

Moreplease — Tue, 02 May 2023 21:06:03 GMT

I'm from the Bay Area but this is funny because my husband is convinced on getting me to agree to live in Alaska so I'm sure I will one day. I will definitely keep you in mind!

Re: What is your Why?

CapeAnnSeaSalt — Wed, 03 May 2023 17:43:56 GMT

Why - Cape Ann Sea Salt Co. is dedicated to bringing the delicious taste of all natural sea salt to our customers in an eco-friendly sustainable way.

How - We never use fossil fuels to make our salt. We hand harvest ocean water and our salts are solar dried in greenhouses on our salt farm 900 feet from the ocean in Rockport MA. Using only the power of the sun, ocean breezes and patience we make a finishing salt that will elevate your culinary endeavors!

What - My artisanal small batch sea salt comes in 3 sizes - 1 ounce, 2 ounce and 3 ounce jars in addition to our plain flavor that we call "Pure" we offer a variety of flavors like Herbs D'Provence, Garlic, Rosemary and Black Pepper, Dried Chili, Coffee, Edible Flowers, Lemon, Rose Wine and Hibiscus.

Where - you can buy my salts online at www.capeannseasalt.com find me at Farmers Markets - schedule is on my website, and at several local stores also listed on my website

Re: What is your Why?

PessoAlumni — Mon, 08 May 2023 13:26:17 GMT

Thanks so much for sharing, @CapeAnnSeaSalt !

I absolutely love that business model and all of the environmentally friendly way that you're going about things! It sounds like a wonderful place that you've created!

Part of what Simon Sinek talks about is that the Why should be completely independent of what product or service that you're providing (sea salt) and how you're doing it (eco-friendly & sustainable way). It's what drives you and your business.

How would you describe your why without either of those? It's hard! Think about what your values are, and the roots behind both of those things.

Maybe even something along the lines of "to enable people to live sustainably with a low-impact on the environment"

Re: What is your Why?

PessoAlumni — Mon, 08 May 2023 13:48:52 GMT

Thanks so much @Moreplease !

That all sounds absolutely amazing. Such a great driver for your business and mission to uphold through your products and services! I'm so glad that it's helped you and others.

Rooting for ya!

Re: What is your Why?

PessoAlumni — Mon, 08 May 2023 13:49:35 GMT

Thanks for sharing, @DinaLRosenberg !

That's such a fantastic mission and having been to your shop, definitely matching that Why!