Why Your Mission Statement Matters More Than You Think

Every business needs a mission statement, but not every business understands why. In my experience, a well-crafted mission statement is the foundation upon which a business is built. It's the driving force that guides every decision, every product, and every interaction. The clarity of purpose one has when they define their mission attracts the right people, whether that’s investors, clients, or a team.

A mission statement, when done right, becomes the heartbeat of your business. It helps remind everyone why you started this journey in the first place. There have been days when the only thing that kept me going was revisiting that core mission.

Our Mission Statement

When I first started Gateway Gears, I thought a mission statement was just a formality. Something you throw up on the website and forget about. But over the years, I’ve come to realize just how critical it is. In those early days, I spent a lot of time bouncing between different projects, unsure of what direction to take. The turning point came when I sat down and really thought about why Gateway Gears existed. I asked myself, What am I trying to do? Who am I trying to help? What’s the long-term impact I want to have?

It wasn’t until I put pen to paper that it all started to come together. Our mission became:

At Gateway Gears we empower thought leaders by training and building marketing systems that allow them to scale their impact, grow their communities, and focus on what they do best.

Defining our mission statement has helped me know what opportunities I say yes to and which ones I say no to. It became easier to make decisions, focus on the right clients, and lead my team.

The Core of a Good Mission Statement

focus on clarity. Your mission statement needs to be simple enough that someone hearing about your business for the first time immediately gets what you’re about. Think about what drives you to get out of bed in the morning to work on your business. What problem are you solving? And more importantly, why does it matter?

Let’s look at another example. Tesla’s mission is “to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” Short. Clear. You immediately know what they’re trying to do and why it’s important. That’s what you want.

How to Start Writing Yours

If you’re feeling stuck, start with these three questions:

1. What problem does your business solve?
2. Who benefits from your solution?
3. What is the long-term change you’re hoping to see?

For Gateway Gears, the problem we solve is helping influencers get their marketing right so they can focus on their strengths. The people who benefit from that are those looking to scale their impact like speakers, authors, coaches, and influencers. The long-term change we want is a world where these thought leaders have the tools to build thriving, sustainable communities that make a difference.

Once you’ve got those answers, start crafting a sentence that ties them all together. Don’t overcomplicate it, simplicity is your friend here. Also remember, your mission statement doesn’t have to be set in stone. It can evolve as your business grows and changes.

Keep It Alive

A mission statement is only valuable if you live it. Don’t let it sit on your website collecting dust. Use it in your decision making processes, revisit it when you’re feeling lost and let it guide your team. Every now and then, sit down and ask yourself, Is this still true? If not, adjust it. Your mission should be a living, breathing part of your business.

At the end of the day, a good mission statement reminds you of why you started. It pulls you through the tough times and motivates your team to keep pushing toward that greater goal.