In the current economy it is completely understandable that the concept of “profit” would seem a little suspect. Our economy is crashing largely because certain business sectors got greedy and took some risky profit opportunities that failed rather miserably.

As a new wave of businesses begin to startup and expand they are realistically asking themselves “What is ok?” Small businesses owners often ask this question as they begin the brainstorming and visioning process that will give birth to their new creation. The fear often voiced is “Why would someone pay me for this? Is it ok to ask for money for my products & services?” The reality of course is that profit is NOT a sin! It’s completely understood in our society that businesses are started to generate a reasonable profit.

The key word of course is “reasonable.” The problem with the financial sector meltdown is they sought unreasonable and high risk profits. When it comes to small businesses though, most of the time there is a distinct value proposition being offered. Whether it’s new and innovative products, something already offered or a personal service designed to support, improve or enhance life there is usually a direct correlation to functionality or quality of life. The biggest concern small businesses owners seem to have around accepting payment and profit is the way our society is redefining value. In the old paradigm businesses made a product or provided a service that fit a very standard set of ideals. Today many businesses are creating new and innovative products and services or entering or building an entirely new industry or service category or challenging long held standards or products or ways of doing business. In many of these circumstances the individual starting the business has spent a significant amount of time learning, developing skills, creating products or researching ideas or opportunities.

Every business serves the purpose of providing a value exchange – product or service for money. The employee of a company is paid for their time, skills and past experience or training. The small business owner is really not that different. The only difference between being an employee or a business owner is whose writing the paycheck – the employer or the customer.

Here’s a simple way to make an assessment on whether it’s reasonable to accept profit:

1. Does the product or service create a value for the user?

2. Is time, skills, knowledge or resources required to build or provide the product or service?

3. Was an investment of time, skills, knowledge or resources required to design or create the product or service?

If the answer to any of these questions is “Yes” then profit is a reasonable expectation. These are the same reasons that an employee or owner of a resource would get paid. For small businesses that are stretching into new segments, services or ways of doing business all that is needed is a new realization of value.

The simple realization is that it is not necessary to be a large corporation or one of its employees in order to make a profit. Profit is just a different form of paycheck.

By: Angel True – Synergy Coach
True Living Synergy Coaching
Angel works with individuals & businesses to empower their passions, move into action, and transform dreams into reality.  In building Synergy in Life, Business & Spirit Angel’s simply philosophy is Do What You Love, Love What You Do!