The intention of a business is very intriguing to me. What is their purpose? What do they believe? How do they make a difference? My purchases are directly related to those intentions. For instance, my husband bought me a gift last week—a frying pan! You might think, “big deal” but it was thoughtful; very much needed and beautifully designed. While drying my new pan I discovered their cleverly placed motto underneath, Great Inventions Support Great Intentions—a pan after my own heart.

Within minutes I was on the GreenPan web site. I dove in and read their mission: “To help support the global challenges of living in our modern society. We are bringing ‘constainability’ [convenient + sustainable] to the cookware you use in your home”. Now I’m in deep, captivated by their intention, design and quality and inspired to share the story of my new treasure with friends, co-workers and now you. Mission Accomplished GreenPan!

Another company that inspires me is  Newman’s Own created by the late Paul Newman who said this about his business, “We are such spendthrifts with our lives” Mr. Newman said. “The trick of living is to slip on and off the planet with the least fuss you can muster. I’m not running for sainthood. I just happen to think that in life we need to be a little like the farmer, who puts back into the soil what he takes out.”

My point is, in business or in life, what is the purpose? And in these crazy financial times, does a product or service add value to your life and to others?

It is essential for me to know that my steps on earth make a difference. One way is by being ruthlessly aware of my purchases.