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Mission Driven Business

Mission Driven Business

By: Brian Thompson
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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. Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 92: 6 Pillars of Successful Brand Messaging with Ashlee Sang

    The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 92: 6 Pillars of Successful Brand Messaging with Ashlee Sang
    May 13 2025
    Brian chats with Ashlee Sang, a values-aligned brand messaging strategist and consultant who equips visionaries to clarify and amplify their message. Drawing on her background in anthropology, Ashlee brings a values-centered approach to brand development, content creation, and marketing strategy. In this episode, she details common challenges faced by values-driven founders, shares her six pillars of successful brand messaging, and gives a few quick tips to get your brand’s story out of your head and into the world. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses are “why”-driven businesses. Ashlee defines a mission-driven business as one deeply rooted in its reason for being, also known as its “why.” “A mission-driven business is a group of people, or a solopreneur, who have a really, really clear reason for being -- a really clear why -- that is driving them toward every single decision,” Ashlee said. If the mission is the “why” of the business, then Ashlee’s sweet spot is working with the “how” of the business: its values. “Values-driven is the operating system; it’s the mechanism,” Ashlee said. “If I can always point back to core values, then I always know it’s in alignment.” Businesses evolve through experimentation. Ashlee started her entrepreneurial career as a freelancer on the side while working in nonprofits and NGOs. Through years of experimentation, she discovered and refined her niche of values-aligned messaging and now encourages her entrepreneur clients to embrace their own trials. “No matter how well prepared you are, no matter how much research you’ve done, no matter how firm your plan is, there are so many other factors at play,” she said. “One of my favorite things about business is we sort of get paid to experiment.” Clear messaging builds clarity and confidence. After more than six years in the business, Ashlee has noticed her clients commonly struggle with feeling too scattered to find the common threads in their work or being too close to their work to articulate it clearly. Clear brand messaging can overcome these challenges because it creates a cohesive experience for clients, partners, and team members. “We can all write an email,” Ashlee said. “We can all slap together something on a website. But are we really going in with intention, thinking about those tiny details and the big picture? … The idea is a lot less important than the experience we’re creating for people.” Follow the six pillars for a successful brand messaging strategy. Ashlee defines brand messaging strategy as how a business wants to be known, and she’s narrowed a successful brand messaging strategy to six core components: Brand statement Mission statement Values Voice Audience Key differentiators Together, these elements serve as the root system that informs all marketing, operations, and external communications for a business. “I like to think of a brand as a tree, so the messaging strategy is the root system holding everything else up,” she said. “Brand messaging strategy is the focus and intention of the brand you are building.” Resources + Links Ashlee Sang: Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast 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.
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    31 mins
  • The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 91: Deductible Business Expenses That Can Save You Thousands

    The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 91: Deductible Business Expenses That Can Save You Thousands
    Apr 15 2025
    As an entrepreneur, you know that every dollar counts, so today we’re taking a deep dive into a topic that can save business owners thousands of dollars: deductible business expenses. In this episode, we’ll cover what makes an expense deductible, the savings that come with deductions, unexpected deductions, and the importance of bookkeeping. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clear picture of how to make the most of your expenses and keep your money in your business. Episode Highlights Deductible expenses must be ordinary and necessary. Deductions are powerful. Every dollar you deduct reduces your taxable income, directly lowering the amount of taxes you owe. However, in order to deduct a business expense, two key rules must be satisfied: the expense must be ordinary and necessary. To be ordinary, the expense must be common and accepted in your industry, such as a yoga mat for a yoga instructor. To be necessary, the expense must be helpful and appropriate for your business operations. Before you write off something, ask yourself whether a business like yours typically needs this type of expense and does it serve a legitimate business function? If the answer is yes, you may have a deduction on your hands. Don’t forget unexpected deductions. While rent and office supplies may come to mind as deductible business expenses, consider whether these unexpected events apply to you: Pet expenses -- If a dog protects your office or warehouse, the dog’s food, training, and vet bills may be deductible. Coaching -- Hiring a business coach, taking leadership training, and even going to therapy for stress management related to business all might qualify as expenses needed to run and lead a company. Your home office -- If you have a dedicated space in your home exclusively used for business, you can write off some of your rent, utilities, and internet costs. Marketing and promotions -- Hosting an industry event, running a giveaway, collaborating with influencers, and paying for digital ads all count as deductible expenses as long as they are directly tied to promoting your business. Work-related attire -- Buying branded uniforms or specialized attire for your business are legitimate business expenses. Business retreats -- If you take your team on a business retreat to strategize and improve company culture, that expense could be deductible. Make sure you document the business purpose with an agenda and good notes. Good bookkeeping is just as important as knowing the rules. Without solid record keeping, you might miss valuable deductions or struggle to justify an expense in the event of an audit. Here are some tips to keep your books in order: Separate personal and business finances -- Keeping separate personal and business bank accounts and credit cards makes tracking deductible business expenses much more manageable. Use accounting software -- Accounting software, such as Quickbooks or Wave, can help automate tracking, helping to ensure nothing gets overlooked when tax season rolls around. Save your receipts -- The IRS requires proof of deductions, so keep digital or physical copies of receipts and invoices. Work with a professional -- A professional bookkeeper or accountant can help you keep your financial records accurate and compliant. Resources + Links Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast 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.
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    8 mins
  • Re-Releasing Episode 52: An Expert's Guide To Understanding The 1120-S Tax Form

    Re-Releasing Episode 52: An Expert's Guide To Understanding The 1120-S Tax Form
    Mar 11 2025
    It’s tax season crunch time, so we are resharing a timely episode debunking the 1120-S tax return. In this episode, Brian will walk you through the S-Corporation income tax return to help you better understand what you’re filing and hopefully catch mistakes before it’s too late. He provides a section-by-section analysis of Form 1120-S and highlights key areas that business owners and tax professionals make mistakes. Episode Highlights Part 1: Heading, Income, Deductions, Tax and Payments Most of this information is drawn from your business’s Profit and Loss Statement. Here’s a breakdown of what’s on the first page: Calendar year: The very top of the form asks for the calendar year. If the corporation has a calendar year-end, leave this blank. If a fiscal year or short year put in the appropriate dates. Address: Underneath the calendar year, the form asks for a name and address. Use the name set forth in the charter or other legal documents, such as your Employer Identification Number (EIN) letter. Item A: Located to the left of the address, Item A asks for your S election effective date. You should have a letter from the IRS (CP 261) with your S-Corp starting date. This date should stay the same every year. Item B: Your business activity code. This code shows the IRS exactly what you do. Item C: Item C only applies if you have assets of $10 million or more. Most of the time, Item C will not be checked. Item D: Put your EIN in Item D. Make sure to verify it’s correct before you file your form. Item E: Your date of incorporation should match the articles of incorporation. This date may or may not be the same date as your S-election. Like the S-election date, the date of incorporation won’t change. Item F: Total assets at the end of the year. Item G: If the corporation is electing to be an S-Corp beginning with the current filing tax year, check the appropriate box. If the S-Corp did not already file the S-Election, attach Form 2553 with the return. Item H: These boxes should be self-explanatory. Check the boxes that apply. Item I: Enter the number of shareholders in the firm (e.g. yourself and your partners). Item J: Most of the time, Item J will not be checked. If you believe that one of the Item J items applies, follow up with your tax accountant. Income: Report gross revenue your business has earned for the year and any additional income or interest income that you may have incurred. Only report trade or business income. Do not list rental income, portfolio income, or tax exempt income (those go on your Schedule K). Expenses: Report all deductions on your Profit and Loss statement. Pay special attention to the following lines: Line 7: Compensation of officers should have something on it. S-Corporations must pay shareholder/employee reasonable compensation for services rendered, and failing to put reasonable compensation could lead to an IRS audit. Also included on this line are fringe benefits, including employer contributions to health plans and group term life insurance, for shareholders/employees owning more than 2% of the corporation stock. If your S-Corp has total receipts of $500,000 or more, you’ll need to attach Form 1125-E to explain what was paid to each officer. Line 8: Salary and wages paid to employees (other than officers) of the corporation. Line 17: An S-Corporation can deduct contributions made for its employees under a qualified pension, profit sharing, annuity, SEP plan, Simple plan, or any other retirement deferred compensation plan. This includes shareholders/employees owning more than 2% of the corporation stock. Line 18: Employee fringe benefits provided to officers and employees owning less than 2% go on this line, such as health insurance, disability insurance, and educational assistance. Line 19: Line 19 includes any other deductions. There should be an attached statement, and it should match your profit and loss. The numbers should be close to your Profit and Loss statement. Taxes and payments: In general, an S-Corporation does not pay taxes at the corporate level, so this section will be blank. Signature: It’s important to sign the return only after verifying all of the information, including the following sections. Part 2: Schedule B This section is mostly self-explanatory questions. Make sure to read and understand each question. Below are two lines to pay special attention to: Box 1: This easy-to-miss box can change your entire return if you’re not careful, since it’s where you select whether you’re a cash or accrual basis taxpayer. Once you choose an accounting method, you generally cannot change without approval from the IRS. Box 2: Here is where you explain what you do. Part B is an either/or question, so state whether you sell products or services. Also, if you hire contractors, say yes to question 14 -- and hopefully you got out your 1099 forms by January 31. Part 3: Schedules K and K-1 Schedule K reports the pro ...
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    32 mins
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