Starting a business isn’t for the faint of heart. It demands a hefty amount of planning, a willingness to make bold moves, and yes—a lot of learning on the go. But starting a faith-based business? Now that’s something extraordinary. It brings an entirely new dimension, a calling that turns the very core of your work into a mission for something far greater than profits or reputation.
If you’re here, reading this, maybe you’ve felt that nudge too—a longing to bring your faith and work together. You’re not alone in this; in fact, it’s one of the most beautiful journeys you could embark on as a Christian entrepreneur. Building a Christian business that’s deeply rooted in faith will impact how you make decisions, serve others, and even how you measure success.
To build a successful faith-based business, you cannot do it by logic and ‘good’ ideas alone. Everything you do needs to be come from God. It needs to start with prayer. If you want to learn how to deepen your prayer life, then start with our free prayer journal.
So, let’s talk through this, not as just another “how-to,” but as a heart-to-heart convo about what it takes to build a business that reflects the heart of Christ. Here are four foundational keys that I believe can help plan and grow your faith-based business:
- Vision & Mission
- Market Research
- Goal Setting
- Marketing Plan
One more thing before we get into it. Starting a Christian business in hopes that you will discover who you are and find your ‘purpose,’ is not the best way to start a business. Who you are is always more important that what you accomplish. If you want to truly understand who you are in Christ, Daughters of the King in an intimate Bible study that is the perfect place to start.
1. Vision & Mission
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that any endeavor worth pursuing begins with a clear, God-inspired vision. So, let me ask you: what is that vision stirring in your heart? Maybe you already have a mental picture of it—a way you believe you’re meant to impact others, perhaps in your community or even on a larger scale.
Take the time to ask yourself these questions and bring them before God. What does He want to accomplish through you? Your mission statement should reflect more than just your products or services; it should reflect the deeper “why” behind your business. In my own journey, I’ve found that I sometimes rushed into good ideas that weren’t necessarily God’s ideas. Remember, vision is not about sprinting to the next step; it’s about rooting yourself deeply in God’s purpose and your obedience to his call.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
I believe that this step is the most essential for building a strong and successful business. I’ve rushed ahead with good ideas, that where never God’s ideas. Our Vision and Strategy for Christian Businesses will lead you step-by-step through the process of developing the core foundations of your business.
2. Market Research
Aligning your business with God’s calling isn’t just about having a vision—it’s about knowing who you’re called to serve. I often remind fellow Christian business owners that market research isn’t just a business term; it’s a way to understand, know and care for others.
What are the specific needs of the people you want to reach? Where are they struggling, and how might God want to use you to bring solutions? Pray for wisdom in this step and trust that He will give you insight. As you study your audience, ask yourself how you can offer something that not only serves them but that echoes the love of Christ.
3. Goal Setting
Once you have a vision and a deep understanding of your market, the next step is to set actionable goals. But remember, these aren’t just business milestones; they’re mile markers that are firmly rooted in your core vision. It’s easy to fall into the trap of setting goals that only drive profit or recognition. But in your faith-based business, your goals should reflect something deeper: they’re about honoring God, impacting lives, and growing in faith.
"Over 100 separate studies in a wide range of experimental situations have come to the same conclusion: people who explicitly state when and where their new behaviors are going to happen are much more likely to stick to their goals." Jenna Kutcher
Break your larger vision down into smaller, SMART goals—those that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Then, lay these goals before God in prayer. Ask Him to shape and refine them, trusting that even in your goal-setting, His hand is at work. A tool like our Business Planner can be a helpful companion to keep you organized and focused, so your goals remain not just achievable but God-centered.
4. Marketing Plan
You can have the most beautifully crafted mission and a clear set of goals, an amazing product or service, but if no one knows about your business, it’s hard to make the impact you’re aiming for. That’s where a solid marketing plan comes in. But let’s shift our perspective for a moment: marketing, in a Christian business, isn’t about broadcasting a sales pitch; it’s about sharing your story and inviting others into what God is doing through you.
When it comes to choosing the platforms you want to market your business through, consider the platforms that resonate with you most. When I am helping someone start a business, I always suggest that you first start with getting social media handles, especially for the larger platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn). But only start using them when you are ready. You don’t have to be every where, on every platform! A few platforms done well, will always out perform a lot of platforms done poorly.
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The golden question: Can you truly grow a business without social media?
Controversial opinion, but I want to give you full permission to not use social media!
I consistently see businesses being told that they have to be on social media, and I agree, there are loads of benefits. You can increase your audience and reach, and sometimes you might be fortunate enough to go viral and get a sudden influx of followers.
But the reality that I continually hear small business owners saying, is that social media is not what they want to be doing. It can be a lot of effort, creativity, engaging, audience building, editing, time (I could go on?) for potentially little return.
So this is my encouragement to you, social media isn’t your only option.
It’s definitely a good one, but there are many ways you can grow and establish a business online, without social media. Get to know your audience, and if social media is where they spend most of their time and it is where they would go to find out information on your products or service, than go on social media.
However, a beautiful, SEO optimized website, a value-packed blog, an exceptional Google business set up, genuine community connections or click-worthy email marketing are just some of the ways that you can draw in a crowd, without social media. I’ve left social media to build my business through my website, and Stefanie Gass is an inspiring example of someone who left social media and primarily moved to podcasting for her business.
As you plan for your business, plan for what you want to be pouring your time and efforts in to. Or set up your social media in a way that brings you life and enjoyment, rather than drains you.
Discover the online tools and platforms I use and recommend to run an online business.
Building a Christian Business that Intentionally Serves Others
Building a Christian business is a journey of faith, purpose, and humble service. And by focusing on these four keys—Vision & Mission, Market Research, Goal Setting, and a Marketing Plan—you’ll have a solid foundation to build a business that honors God and leaves a lasting impact.
As you embark on this journey, know that you are not alone. Trust in God’s guidance; lean into His strength. Your business is a vessel for His love and a platform to serve others. And in every step, as you seek to glorify Him, may you find that true success isn’t measured by profits or popularity, but by your obedience to God.
