Mission Driven Business

Brian Thompson
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semimonthly

Diverse entrepreneurs share their experiences, strength, and hope to help mission-driven businesses thrive. In a series of intimate conversations, attorney and CFP Brian Thompson and his guests provide practical steps to create businesses with impact and profit.

  1. 1d ago

    Five Questions To Ask About the Future of Your Business

    Ten years into building a business, the questions you ask yourself need to change.  In this episode, Brian Thompson wraps up the BTF tenth anniversary series by looking forward, sharing five questions every entrepreneur should ask about the future of their business, and the power of writing a letter to your future self. This is not a strategic planning session. There are no revenue projections or growth targets. It is an honest and personal reflection on what intentional entrepreneurship looks like when survival is no longer the primary question.   In this episode you will learn: Why the shift from survival to sustainability is one every entrepreneur eventually faces Five questions worth asking about the future of your business and your life How to think about what you want to keep, what you are ready to leave behind, and where you can create more impact Why asking what kind of life you want should come before any business planning How writing a letter to your future self can serve as a compass for the next chapter of your business Why business growth and personal growth are not separate journeys   Entrepreneurship has a way of teaching you things that no business plan can anticipate. After ten years of building BTF, the most important question Brian is asking is not what he wants his business to become. It is who he wants to become while building it. Whether you are in your first year of business or your tenth, these five questions will point you in the right direction.   Resources + Links Anniversary Ep #1:  A Decade in Business: Lessons, Gratitude, and What Comes Next Anniversary Ep #2: What I Believed About Business in 2016 and What I Know Now Newsletter Sign Up Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

  2. Aug 11

    What I Believed About Business in 2016 and What I Know Now

    Ten years of entrepreneurship changes the way you think about almost everything. In this episode, Brian Thompson shares ten belief shifts that shaped his journey from 2016 to 2026, and what they might mean for wherever you are in building your own business. Brian introduces two versions of himself: 2016 Brian, the guy who just walked away from a comfortable legal career with a vision and a lot of assumptions, and 2026 Brian, someone who has spent a decade building a business, serving clients, making mistakes, and learning along the way. The result is an honest and personal reflection on what entrepreneurship actually teaches you over time.   In this episode you will learn: Why confidence is a byproduct of action, not a prerequisite for it How expertise alone does not create lasting client relationships Why planning creates more peace of mind than money ever will How the definition of success shifts from growth to alignment over time Why authenticity and niching down are about belonging, not just marketing strategy What productivity actually means when you are building a mission-driven business Why there is no finish line in entrepreneurship and why that is a good thing   Ten years of entrepreneurship teaches you that authenticity is not a brand strategy. It is the foundation of everything. The clients who stay, the work that energizes you, the business that lasts, all of it comes back to knowing who you are and building something that reflects that. Whether you are in your first year or your tenth, this episode is a reminder that the business you are dreaming about will not turn out exactly how you imagined. It will become something better.   Resources + Links Newsletter Sign Up Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

  3. Aug 4

    A Decade in Business: Lessons, Gratitude, and What Comes Next

    Ten years ago, Brian Thompson walked out of his law firm for the last time with a vision, a lot of fear, and no guaranteed paycheck. In this episode, he reflects on a decade of entrepreneurship, the lessons that shaped him, the people who made it possible, and what the next ten years of mission-driven financial planning looks like. This is not a strategy episode. It is a personal and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of the BTF journey, and a reminder that meaningful businesses are not built overnight. They are built one conversation, one client, one courageous decision, and one ordinary Tuesday at a time.   In this episode you will learn: The business lessons Brian has carried through a full decade of building BTF Why financial planning has always been about helping people build lives, not just balance sheets How community and connection have shaped the growth of a mission-driven business Why the podcast became one of the most unexpected and meaningful parts of the journey What Brian believes about mission-driven entrepreneurship going into the next decade Why celebrating milestones matters and how to start doing it more intentionally   A decade of entrepreneurship teaches you things that no business book can. It teaches you that mission matters more than metrics, that community sustains what strategy alone cannot, and that the businesses that last are the ones that know why they exist. Whether you are just starting out, somewhere in the middle, or celebrating your own milestone, this episode is a reminder of how far one courageous step can take you.   Resources + Links Newsletter Sign Up Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

  4. Jul 14

    How to Review Your Business Finances Mid-Year

    The halfway point of the year is one of the best moments to review your business finances, and most entrepreneurs let it pass without taking action. In this episode, Brian Thompson shares the CASH framework, a simple mid-year review you can complete in under an hour, that helps you understand where your business stands and make better decisions for the second half of the year. Brian gets honest about his own relationship with numbers and why most entrepreneurs avoid their finances, not because the news is bad, but because looking feels uncomfortable. This episode is a practical and compassionate guide to changing that relationship, one question at a time.   In this episode you will learn: What your financial statements are really saying How to complete a mid-year review using the four-step CASH framework What questions to ask when reviewing your revenue, expenses, and cash flow How to assess your spending and whether it reflects your values Why cash flow creates peace of mind and how to strengthen it before year end How to head into the second half of the year with three clear financial intentions Why small adjustments made consistently over six months can completely change your year   A good mid-year review is about gathering the information you need to make better decisions going forward. When you understand your cash flow, your spending patterns, and your financial position, the second half of the year becomes much easier to navigate with clarity and confidence. Whether your numbers are better than expected or worse than expected, this episode will help you turn what you find into a plan.   Resources + Links Newsletter Sign Up Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

  5. Jul 7

    How to Make Better Business Decisions Using a Simple Framework

    Most entrepreneurs treat business problems as money problems. In this episode, Brian Thompson makes the case that they are almost always alignment problems, and that better decision-making starts not with tactics, but with mission, vision, and values. Brian shares the alignment framework he uses with entrepreneurs across industries to help them make decisions with more clarity, confidence, and purpose. If you have ever felt like your business decisions are harder than they should be, this episode will help you understand why, and what to do about it.   In this episode you will learn: Why most business problems are alignment problems, not money problems How to use mission, vision, and values as a foundation for better decision-making Why tactics like pricing, hiring, and structure should come after the foundation is clear How to think about money, energy, and ethics as the three pillars of a sustainable business strategy Why profit protects your mission and allows meaningful work to continue How to evaluate any business decision using your values as a filter What to do before you raise your prices, hire someone, or launch something new Better decision-making in business starts with a clear foundation. When mission, vision, and values are in place, the tactical questions, what to charge, when to hire, how to structure the business, become much easier to answer with confidence and alignment. This episode is especially relevant for service-based entrepreneurs, therapists, coaches, consultants, and creatives who are building businesses around meaningful work and want a framework that reflects their values as much as their goals.   Resources + Links Newsletter Sign Up Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

  6. Jun 30

    Why Better Systems Won't Fix Entrepreneurial Burnout

    Refining workflows and checklists cannot solve every foundational business hurdle. In this episode, Brian Thompson explores why a focus on optimization often leads to the avoidance of deeper personal and operational challenges, and what actually builds true resilience over the long term. Brian opens up about navigating a profound capacity problem during a period of intense personal transition and business growth. If you have ever felt exhausted despite having a perfectly organized schedule, this episode explains why the solution often requires subtraction.   In this episode you will learn: The distinct difference between productivity and emotional capacity How optimization can become a subconscious shield against discomfort Why relying on new tools and artificial intelligence can create a trap of treating every challenge as a productivity flaw The relationship between constant achievement and survival strategies within the LGBTQ community Why choosing to simplify a business requires more courage than choosing to optimize it A simple three-question exercise to help evaluate where your business needs simplification   True business health centers on alignment, authenticity, and recognizing human limits. Operational clarity comes from the courage to subtract, allowing you to let go of projects that are good but unnecessary. Whether you are facing burnout or looking to streamline your daily obligations, this episode offers a grounded and honest look at the human side of entrepreneurship and the practical steps that help you build a sustainable life.   Resources + Links Newsletter Sign Up Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

  7. Jun 23

    Choosing the Right Business Structure for a Mission-Driven Business

    Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions a mission-driven business owner will make, and taxes are only part of the story. In this episode, Brian Thompson walks through every major business structure available to entrepreneurs, viewed through the lens of ownership, profit sharing, decision making, and mission protection. Whether you are just starting out, growing your team, or thinking about the best way to share profits, this episode will help you ask better questions and make a more informed decision about the structure that fits the business you are actually trying to build.   In this episode you will learn: Why business structure affects ownership, profit sharing, governance, and mission protection The five questions every mission-driven business owner should ask before choosing or changing a structure Red flags that your current business structure may no longer fit your vision The key differences between sole proprietorships, LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, and benefit corporations Why an S-Corp may limit your ability to build a mission-driven business over time How cooperatives and ESOPs create shared ownership and democratic governance What steward ownership and purpose trusts are and why mission-driven founders should know about them   The right business structure is not the one that saves the most in taxes today. It is the one that supports the mission-driven business you are trying to build over the next decade. Ownership, profit sharing, decision making, and legacy all depend on getting this right.   Resources + Links Episode with D.G. Safeer Hopton on Co-Ops Episode with Brian on S-Corps Newsletter Sign Up Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

  8. Jun 16

    People Before Profit: The Co-op Business Model

    Most entrepreneurs have never seriously considered the cooperative business model, even though some of the most recognizable brands in the world are co-ops. In this episode, Brian Thompson sits down with D.G. Safeer Hopton, entrepreneur, healer, and author of Creating a Co-op Village, to explore cooperative economics and what it could mean for mission-driven business owners. Safeer has spent decades building co-ops, studying cooperative economics, and helping communities create prosperity through shared ownership. This conversation is a practical and eye-opening introduction to a business structure built on people before profit.   In this episode you will learn: What cooperative economics actually means and how it works in practice How co-op business models differ from LLCs, S-Corps, and nonprofits Why credit unions, IKEA, Sunkist, and Carpet One are all co-ops How patronage refunds work and why they are the fairest profit-sharing system Safeer has found What questions every entrepreneur should ask before choosing a business structure How co-op business models create community prosperity by keeping money circulating locally The history of co-ops from pre-colonial Africa to present day How to get started with a co-op through organizations like the National Cooperative Bank and the National Cooperative Business Association Cooperative economics offers a genuine alternative to the competition and extraction model that drives most traditional businesses. Co-op business models are democratically controlled, neutral in race, religion, politics, and gender, and designed to return profits back to the people who generate them. Whether you are an entrepreneur exploring new business structures, a mission-driven business owner looking for more community aligned ways to operate, or simply curious about how cooperative economics could create more prosperity in your community, this episode is a valuable and thought-provoking listen.   Resources + Links Connect with D.G. Safeer Hopton: LinkedIn Global Village Cooperative Get the book: Creating a Co-op Village: How Real-World Co-op Businesses Build Wealth and Thriving Communities on Amazon Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Newsletter Sign Up   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

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Diverse entrepreneurs share their experiences, strength, and hope to help mission-driven businesses thrive. In a series of intimate conversations, attorney and CFP Brian Thompson and his guests provide practical steps to create businesses with impact and profit.

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