Why running a values-led business is genuinely harder.

It definitely is harder (you’re not imagining it). When you prioritise people over profit, you’re playing a different game and that comes with more challenges.

You genuinely don’t have the same freedom to experiment, pivot, or take risks as businesses that put profit first. That can slow your growth or make it feel harder to reach your goals. It costs more in time, energy, and money, especially in the beginning.

I’m not saying values-led businesses can’t be profitable or grow quickly. Of course they can. But we measure success differently, and there’s a cost to integrity.

Paying a living wage, prioritising accessibility, and avoiding unethical tools all make things more expensive. When you choose to pay your staff or contractors (or yourself!) a fair and/or comfortable wage, that naturally leaves fewer funds for tools, testing, and scaling. Add in the time it takes to research whether a product or supplier aligns with your values, and consider the consequences of saying no to it, and it all adds up. Everything just takes that little bit more effort.

We all know the stories about charities or not-for-profits where CEOs are on $100k+ salaries, while frontline staff struggle, and you wonder how much actually goes to the cause... If that money were distributed more fairly, those organisations might actually run more efficiently and have a longer-lasting impact (yes, that’s an oversimplification, but you get the point).

The Hidden Costs of Integrity

Running a values-based business comes with a higher mental load. You’re not only making every basic operational decision more slowly because of all the research and ethics checks, you're also juggling complex relationships with clients, taking extra care with communication, and often wearing all the hats, even if you have a small team.

Maybe you’re deliberately not outsourcing to cheaper overseas contractors because you want to hire locally and pay fairly.

Maybe your rates are higher than your competitors because you refuse to rush or underpay your team.

Maybe you hire based on values and personality, not just technical skills, which means it can take twice as long to find the right fit.

Those are just a few high-level examples of how running a values-led business can take far more brainpower and time than, well, not doing that.

Your business likely has higher operational needs, and on top of that, you’re probably carrying most of it in your head because you haven’t had the time, energy, or budget to create the systems and documentation that other businesses might take for granted.

And Then There’s the Online Noise…

Adding to all of that, you’re constantly bombarded with “experts” selling one-size-fits-all business advice based on aspirational, curated versions of their success. The kind of people who never mention their privilege (ahem, white lady with a hobby business bankrolled by a wealthy partner) or the fact that their business runs smoothly because someone else is doing the invisible labour (often poorly paid or exploited).

You know the ones: “I did it, so you can too!” They never consider your context. Trying to sift through who’s genuine and who’s just grifting is exhausting.

If you’re not familiar with the online marketing industrial complex, grab a drink and go take a look - but fair warning, it’s a rabbit hole.

So If You’re Feeling Like It’s Hard… It Is.

You’re not imagining it. It is objectively more difficult to run a values-led business. The trade-off is real. And you chose this path for a reason, because it matters to you.

The best advice I can give (in business and life): focus on what you can control, and let go of the rest. Sure, others are doing it differently, and it might seem easier or more glamorous. But that’s not your path. You’re building something rooted in integrity, and that’s worth it, even if it’s a bit more uncomfortable and takes longer.

Remind yourself often: Your values are valid. Your business is valid. The monsters on this path are real, but so is the reward.

One Small Step

If the part about flying by the seat of your pants hit home, especially when it comes to processes and systems, start small. Pick just one process you’ve been putting off. One that, once it’s in place, will make your life even a tiny bit easier.

And if you want to share your biggest challenges or get some tailored support, leave a comment or book a chat. I’d love to hear from you!