Building a Business: Passion, Purpose, and Vision Over Perfection
Hey Mobsters,
It’s Francesca here - The MOB’s resident Business mentor, mum, and exited tech founder.
This week's blog comes to you straight from the side of a tennis court where I am of course not playing Tennis but more a chauffeur for the little one!
This week I want to talk about how to start a business and when to start. Trust me, there is never the right time and the secret is just to start and not wait for the perfect moment.
However, I know that's easier said than done, so in addition to this week's blog, I am soon launching an incredible London based accelerator of my own to offer the support, guidance and accountability I wish I had when starting my first business. Thanks to the support of some brilliant sponsors I will launch a 9 week programme to provide the guidance and motivation needed to start and develop entrepreneurial ideas and ventures. We’ll cover everything from ideation through to fundraising. Keep an eye out for an upcoming blog or announcement via the MOB and my We are Ambition channels (details below). As more details are coming soon, in the meantime enjoy this week's blog, there is more excitement around the corner!
Many people hesitate to start a business because they feel they lack the practical skills, accounting, marketing, legal knowledge, operations, the list goes on. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to have all the answers before you begin. The most successful entrepreneurs didn’t start with an MBA-level understanding of business. They started with something far more powerful: passion, purpose, vision, and mission.
If you have those, you can pick up everything else along the way.
Step 1: Find Your Passion (The fire that fuels you)
The best businesses are not built on cold, calculated strategy alone, they are built on fire. That fire is your passion.
Ask yourself:
What excites you so much that you lose track of time?
What problems do you love solving?
What change do you want to see in the world?
Your business should be something that energises you, because there will be tough days, and it’s your passion that will carry you through when logic tells you to quit.
Step 2: Define Your Purpose (The reason You exist)
Passion alone isn’t enough, it needs direction. This is where purpose comes in. Your purpose is why your business exists beyond making money. It’s the deeper meaning behind what you’re building.
Nike’s purpose: "To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world."
Patagonia’s purpose: "We’re in business to save our home planet."
What’s yours?
Think about the people you want to serve, the impact you want to create, and the difference you want to make.
Step 3: Craft a Clear Vision (The big picture goal)
Your vision is the future state you want to create with your business. It’s where you’re headed.
A compelling vision is:
Inspiring (it makes you and others excited to chase it).
Clear (it paints a vivid picture of success).
Bold (it pushes you beyond your comfort zone).
For example, Tesla’s vision is "To create the most compelling car company of the 21st century by driving the world’s transition to electric vehicles." That’s powerful!
What’s yours? If you’re struggling, ask yourself: "If my business was wildly successful in 10 years, what would the world look like because of it?"
Step 4: Define Your Mission (How you’ll get there)
If your vision is the destination, your mission is the path to reaching it.
Your mission is about action, the work your business will do every day to bring the vision to life.
Example:
Google’s mission: "To organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful."
your mission should be specific, practical, and motivating.
Step 5: Start Before You’re Ready
Many people stay stuck because they think they need a perfect business plan or an MBA to start. They don’t. The best way to learn is by doing.
What do you actually need?
A problem to solve
A deep belief in your vision
The courage to take the first step
Everything else, finance, marketing, sales can be learned as you go.
Successful businesses aren’t built in a straight line. They evolve. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll pivot. But as long as your passion fuels you, your purpose grounds you, and your vision guides you, you will figure it out.
So stop waiting for the "right time" or the perfect skillset. Start now. Build the plane while you’re flying it.
Your business starts with one decision: to begin.
Please connect with me via Linkedin and instagram, details below. If Linkedin, please add a note to your connection request to let me know you are a member of the MOB.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-hodgson/
https://www.instagram.com/we.are.ambition/
If you want to work with me directly on a 1:1 basis then please email me francesca@weareambition.ventures.
Read recommendation of the week: What’s Your Dream by Simon Squibb
