EP 191: The Serve-First Way: An Introduction

We’re starting a new series today called the serve-first way. It’s about approaching entrepreneurship with a priority of serving your audience. This first episode is the foundation for a different way of doing business, one that’s genuinely focused on serving.

Let’s begin with why I’m passionate about the serve-first model. A few years ago, people began to notice that I do things differently. I was serving and giving instead of focused on getting. A lot of people talk about this in the online space, but often it’s just a way of differentiating ourselves from the lamborghini marketers.

My views on serving in business come from watching my dad run a chain of drug stores in the 1980s and 1990s. His belief was that the customer is always right–no matter what. Of course, customers aren’t always “right,” but the customer is still the center of your business.

Growing up I didn’t want to be a business owner. I wanted to be a professional. But little did I know that my dad’s values were rubbing off on me. I learned that your revenue is a function of how many people you serve and how well you serve them. That means growth is centered on serving more people and serving them better.