PEOPLE Power profits

The New Edge in Business

Today’s small business landscape, rewards those who connect the deepest. Products can be copied, prices can be matched, but trust?

Trust is earned

The brands that win are the ones that feel real. And the secret to lasting growth lies in the belief that people power profits.

PEOPLE Before profits — Always

“People power profits” flips the old playbook. It puts people at the heart of every decision. Three things I know for sure... If you value your team

• They will bring unmatched energy and creativity.

• Treat customers like partners, not transactions, and they will turn into your loudest advocates.

• Invest in your community, and you will build a foundation money can’t buy.

This isn’t charity. It’s the smartest growth strategy you’ll ever adopt.

Authenticity as a Business Advantage

Authenticity is the thread that ties people and profits together. For small businesses, it’s an especially potent differentiator. Without corporate bureaucracy or layers of PR filtering every message, owners have the ability to communicate directly, make quick decisions that align with their values, and build genuine relationships with customers.

Research consistently demonstrates that companies committed to putting their people first outperform those that don't. That “people-first” approach, characterized by fostering well-being, engagement, trust, and support, drives better employee outcomes and translates into superior financial performance and profitability.

Let's explore some real world examples.

• Nvidia’s success as a top-performing S&P 500 stock has been partly attributed to its strong people‑focused culture, with flexible work, generous benefits, and high employee wellbeing.

• Between 2021-2024, if you invested in the top 100 well‑being workplaces, you have 20% more return than the S&P 500 or Dow Jones, according to Business Insider and the Financial Times.

• Companies with highly engaged teams report roughly 23% higher profitability compared to those with lower engagement, according to Gallup.

A people-first focus works for small businesses too. Now a well-known brand, Chobani started with the purchase of a small yogurt plant. Within 5 years it expanded to $1 billion dollars in annual sales and its human-centered business strategy is credited for that success. The founder granted all employees the equivalent of 10% ownership, paid a minimum wage of $15 an hour, and implemented fully paid parental leave. This is what it can look like to be people-focused.

Believe it and Live It

When you lead with people, profits stop being the goal and start being the result. The evidence is clear: companies that put their people first outperform those that don’t.

For small business owners, the choice is simple.

Be Authentic

Put People at the Center

Let Your Values Lead

Because when people power profits, everyone wins.

#ThePeoplePlaybook