Five questions every entrepreneur should ask

Every entrepreneur wants their business to succeed, but success is a moving target in today’s world. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Staying relevant in a crowded, ever-evolving market requires more than a solid product or competitive pricing. It demands a commitment to go deeper, to question assumptions, and to challenge what it really means to create something lasting.

Here are five questions every entrepreneur should ask to build a business that endures, inspires, and leaves a legacy worth remembering.

1. What legacy do I want my business to leave?

In the hustle of daily operations, it’s easy to get swept up in immediate goals and demands. However, entrepreneurs whose businesses thrive beyond their lifetimes are the ones who look beyond the here and now. They ask, “What will my business stand for long after I’m gone?” This isn’t about personal gain or short-term wins; it’s about building something larger than yourself that resonates deeply with customers, communities, and the world.

Building a legacy means shaping a business that does more than just deliver a product or service. It’s about creating an imprint that speaks to the values and purpose at the heart of your mission. When people reflect on your business, years from now, will it be just another brand, or will it be remembered for the value, inspiration, and change it brought to the world?

2. Am I creating value beyond my product or service?

It’s easy to think that an exceptional product or service is all it takes to win loyal customers. But in a market flooded with options, the businesses that stand out are those that offer something more—a sense of meaning, purpose, or connection that extends beyond the transaction. Ask yourself, “What value am I providing that goes beyond what I sell or serve?” Build a business where each purchase supports a vision of shared prosperity, helping uplift vulnerable communities and creating lasting social impact.

Real value creation occurs when you embed purpose in every interaction and invite people to be part of a mission they believe in. When customers know their choice extends beyond the product in their hands, they’re not just making a purchase but joining a movement. This approach transforms a business from a transaction-based entity into a force for positive change, aligned with what people care about most. People who feel connected to the values behind your product or service return not just for what you offer but for what you stand for.

3. What does growth look like in my business?

Growth is alluring, but does bigger always mean better? For some, growth might look like new markets and scaling up, but true success lies in defining purposeful and sustainable growth. Pause and ask yourself, “Is my vision of growth more than just numbers?”

True growth is about balancing ambition with intention. It’s innovating responsibly and creating opportunities that uplift your business and the communities you touch. This kind of growth boosts revenue while strengthening your business’s foundation, making it resilient and adaptable in a changing world.

4. Am I holding my business accountable to humanity?

Our planet is in crisis, and the uncomfortable truth is that Earth will go on—with or without us. Humanity and all life on Earth are at risk from the impact of our actions. Every business leaves an imprint, but real accountability means taking full responsibility for that impact. Ask yourself, “Is my business working to repair the damage and regenerate what we take, or are we just passing the problem on to those who come after us?” Accountability isn’t just about sustainability but being regenerative.

Holding your business accountable to humanity means going beyond “minimizing harm” to actively restoring what’s taken. Accountability requires transparency and hard choices, whether by reducing waste, sourcing ethically, or creating systems that replenish the environment. It takes courage and vision, with the resolve to build a world worth inheriting.

5. Am I actively seeking out collaborations that can help me drive meaningful change?

Building a business that endures and makes a difference isn’t a solo journey. The most impactful companies open up to partnerships with like-minded organizations, businesses, and people with a vision for a better world. Real progress comes from gathering ideas, resources, and talents to create something far more powerful than any business can achieve alone.

Partnering with others allows you to share strengths, expand your reach, and innovate in ways you couldn’t on your own. Together, you can take on bigger challenges, find creative solutions, and grow with purpose. Whether it’s creating environmental impact, aligning on social initiatives, or sharing value, these connections are foundations of a business that leaves a meaningful and positive mark in the world.

The impact your business can make

Every business has the potential to be a force for good, and each question above is a doorway to building a brand that matters. Partnering with organizations like Plastic Bank—a social fintech that helps end poverty and stops plastic pollution—opens that door wider, providing a pathway to create measurable impact while empowering you to grow with purpose.

Plastic Bank’s Impact Membership is designed to make meaningful change accessible for businesses of all sizes. By opening an Impact Account, your business directly supports collection members, enabling them to gather plastic waste in exchange for money and social benefits. This can drive the collection of up to 600,000 plastic bottles annually, with the gathered plastic repurposed into recycled feedstock that replaces virgin plastic in products and packaging.

Your Impact Account with Plastic Bank is a comprehensive tool to showcase and promote your contribution to environmental and social change with full traceability. From authentic stories, images, and videos of collection communities to a personalized web page highlighting your impact, downloadable impact certificates, and in-store materials, Plastic Bank equips you with everything needed to share your commitment and inspire your audience.
Now’s the time to act and address each of these questions head-on. All it takes is the right partnership to bring purpose, accountability, and impact together in one powerful movement. Ready to make it happen? Learn more at plasticbank.com/small-business.