How Veterans Are Transforming Into Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs
Mission Driven Business
Julie Austin and Matthew Cain share their journey in leveraging their military backgrounds to assist veterans in transitioning to entrepreneurship through their podcast Dogtags to Ownership. We explore the definition of mission-driven businesses, the importance of community & networking, and the personal experiences that shaped their call to service. The discussion also touches on the significance of identity, the challenges faced during the Don't Ask, Don't Tell era and how their backgrounds influence their current endeavors. The episode concludes with insights on partnership dynamics and...
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Transform Your Business with an Annual Client Audit
Mission Driven Business
Understanding your client relationships is more crucial than ever in today's fast-paced business environment. The that can help you gain clarity on your client base, enhance your business relationships, and ultimately drive growth. In this episode, Brian Thompson focuses on how a thoughtful client audit can transform your business. He emphasizes that this process is not about hastily cutting ties with clients but rather about thoughtfully evaluating client relationships to enhance business growth and personal well-being with a simple three-step process. The Importance of a Client Audit...
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Reclaiming Your Time with Boundary-setting
Mission Driven Business
In this solo episode, Brian Thompson outlines practical steps for business owners to take back their time, including auditing their calendars, defining a 'hell yes' filter for opportunities, using scripts to say no gracefully, and starting small with boundary-setting. He stresses that reclaiming time is an ongoing practice that requires accountability, energy tracking, and celebrating small wins. By protecting their time, entrepreneurs can create space for joy, clarity, and purpose in their lives and businesses. Why do boundaries around time management matter Time is your most valuable...
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Close The Books, Open The New Year
Mission Driven Business
In this solo episode, Brian breaks down one of the most overlooked but essential parts of running a mission-driven business: year-end bookkeeping. You’ll learn a simple, practical framework for cleaning up your books, organizing your finances, and setting up systems that actually support you and your business. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by accounting software, unclear categories, or messy receipts, this episode will help you start the new year with clarity and confidence. Episode Highlights Why year-end bookkeeping is a big deal The way you close this year directly affects how you...
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How To Define Your Niche with Theresa Pablos
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson chats with Theresa Pablos, CFP®, about the early-stage realities of building a business. A former journalist and freelance marketer, Theresa transitioned careers to financial planning in 2023 and ultimately earned the CFP® certification mark in 2025. She recently joined as an Associate Financial Advisor and is just starting to build her client base. In this episode, Theresa and Brian discuss the excitement, fear, and the uncomfortable but necessary work of defining a niche. You’ll get practical tips for finding your target audience, learn how to provide real value, and...
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You Can’t Change What You Don’t Track
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson loves a good spreadsheet, and in this episode, he’s sharing some of his best tips for tracking metrics in a manageable, mission-aligned way. You’ll learn how intentional tracking can help mission-driven entrepreneurs gain clarity, celebrate progress, and make better decisions. Drawing inspiration from investor and writer Sahil Bloom’s Five Types of Wealth, Brian offers practical tools to help you track progress without it becoming a full-time job. Episode Highlights Tracking creates accountability Tracking transforms assumptions into awareness. If you’re not measuring...
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Building Businesses with Purpose and Profit with Rachel Bernier-Green
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson chats with Rachel Bernier-Green, founder and CEO of the Economic Justice Consortium, a Chicago-based firm that helps mission-driven businesses sustain and amplify their impact through financial and operational excellence. A recovering public accountant turned social entrepreneur, Rachel has dedicated her career to closing the racial wealth gap and redefining what it means to lead with purpose and profit. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from climbing the corporate ladder in public accounting, to running a social enterprise bakery that partnered with Whole Foods and...
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The Power of Clarity
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson takes a deep dive into one of the most important tenets for mission-driven business owners: clarity. Clarity may sound simple, but it’s not easy. If done well, clarity can be the foundation for building a business that truly supports your mission and your life. Once you find clarity, everything else becomes easier, and this episode gives you tips on how to do just that. Episode Highlights Clarity enables mission-driven entrepreneurs to build their business around their life. Building a business — particularly a mission-driven one — is filled with ambiguity. There’s no...
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101 Sketches To Start Meaningful Conversations with Carl Richards
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson chats with Carl Richards — Certified Financial Planner™, creator of The New York Times “Sketch Guy” column, and bestselling author of “” and “.” Carl’s simple Sharpie sketches have transformed how millions of people think and talk about money. In his latest book, “”, he shares 101 drawings and essays designed to spark deeper conversations about money, values, and what matters most. In this conversation, Brian and Carl dive into the emotional side of money and debate whether money actually can buy happiness. Episode Highlights A good sketch can start a...
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10 Conversations That Changed My Business And My Life
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson marks a major milestone with Episode 100 of the Mission Driven Business podcast! In this special retrospective, Brian reflects on 10 standout episodes that made a lasting impact and continue to resonate in his business and life. Whether you’re new to the podcast or a long-term listener, Episode 100 captures the heart of the conversations that Mission Driven Business is all about. Episode Highlights 1. Mike Michalowicz put profit first In , Mike Michalowicz flipped the traditional profit formula, redefining how business owners can approach cash flow. Mike’s episode gave...
info_outlineIn this special and timely episode, Brian Thompson calls on fellow mission-driven business owners to embrace their identities and own their values. Highlighting real messages from clients, Brian explores the challenges and uncertainties facing entrepreneurs, especially those from LGBTQ+ backgrounds and other marginalized groups. He challenges the myth that being neutral is the safest option in the current political environment and shares practical steps to get clear and bold about who you are and what you bring to the table.
Episode Highlights
Your identity is an asset -- not a liability.
Mission-driven businesses are facing very real and sometimes existential threats: the sudden loss of federal funding, the risk of becoming political targets, and being asked to remove terms like LGBTQ and racial equity from mission statements. When under pressure, it may feel like the safest option is to remain neutral, but neutrality actually erodes trust.
“When someone sees themselves in your language, branding, or leadership, it builds a bridge faster than any marketing funnel ever could.”
Your core community should never have to wonder where you stand.
In a time of rising government hostility toward civil rights protections, customers, donors, and employees are noticing which companies are scaling back their offerings and which CEOs are saying less, not more. When companies backpedal from their commitment to equity and inclusion, they often lose the very people they claim to support.
“When we talk about staying visible, it’s not about being provocative -- it’s about staying anchored. It’s about making sure your core community never has to wonder where you stand.”
4 strategies to stay true and stay standing
To navigate this moment with courage and conviction, consider these four steps to practically and proactively affirm your values without jeopardizing your sustainability:
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Conduct a visibility audit: Review every touchpoint of your business and ask whether you have gone quiet out of fear and if your language needs to be updated for clarity or protection.
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Update compliance protocols: Work with legal counsel to audit your DEI and HR policies, review whistleblower protocols, and ensure you’re accurately documenting civil rights compliance.
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Strengthen your financial resilience: Prepare for the next financial crisis now by revisiting your income allocations, building an emergency reserve, and mapping out income diversification.
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Communicate your values internally and externally: Create talking points that affirm your mission and explain any language shifts to reassure your community you still serve their needs.
Write your mission-rooted business affirmation.
When fear is loud, clarity must be louder. Open your notes app or a journal, write down the following sentence, and fill in the blanks with your truth.
I started this business to serve __________. I believe in __________. Even in this moment, I choose to stay rooted in values by __________. I will lead with clarity and courage.
You don’t have to disappear to survive.
It’s exhausting to defend your humanity while running payroll, applying for grants, and trying to build a thriving business. But this moment isn’t just about defense, it’s about creating a legacy.
“Let your business be one of the lights that didn’t go out. Let your clarity be the thing that gives someone else permission to speak up. Let your strategy be what helps you survive and thrive without compromise.”
Resources + Links
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Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast
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Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes
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.