My first business was designed with two purposes: to earn a profit, and to support artisans in developing countries. Was it a business or a charity? Well, its l

My first business was designed with two purposes: to earn a profit, and to support artisans in developing countries. Was it a business or a charity? Well, its legal structure was 'business' but its purpose was not only to earn a profit for me. I would consider it a failure if it had only helped myself, because that was not why I started it. So I don't care whether you call it a charity or business. What is important is clearly understanding your purposes and means and making damn sure you communicate them well to the people who matter for your success. The important realization I had was that it doesn't matter what traditional expectations are. As long as I stayed within the law, my limits were simply defined by the agreements I could make -- with artisans, with customers, and with all the other players in-between. Later on I went to university, and that was the first place I was confronted with this inane idea that it was a structural necessity for a business to be driven solely by profit, etc. etc. -- as if this was an immutable law which transcends human nature and society. I didn't get into business only to live up to expectations that society has created, as though I was a gas waiting to expand to fill whatever chamber I was put into. I got into business as a way to express myself through thought and action in whatever ways might lead to the most impact.