From Struggling to Thriving: How Integrity-Based Leadership Rescued Samuel’s Business

At The Leader Team, we want to see people live well and lead well. Every now and then, a story comes along that reminds us why we do what we do. Samuel Babiddo’s story is one of those.

When Samuel joined our Mentorship Program in 2023, his business was barely hanging on. Things had gotten tough, customers were walking away, service quality had dropped, and missed deadlines had become the norm. He admits that he had lost touch with what truly makes a business thrive - trust.

Like many small business owners, Samuel was juggling too much, trying to make ends meet, and in the process, losing sight of his values. But then came a hard truth that changed everything for him: a business without integrity is a business without a future. This realization became the turning point for Samuel.

Through our mentorship and business accelerator programs, Samuel began to rebuild not just his business but himself as a leader. He learned to shift focus from chasing profits to leading with purpose. The SHINE Principles - Serve others. Honour God. Improve continually. Navigate by values. Excel by relationships -  became his guide:

Equipped with this new mindset, Samuel did something brave. He reached out to the customers he had lost. This time with no excuses or fancy talk. Just honesty, humility, and a renewed promise to do better.

And slowly, things began to change. “I’m experiencing a turnaround in my business,” Samuel shared. “The training, the core values, and the focus on integrity, accountability, and excellence have been redemptive. Customers are trusting us again.”

One by one, clients returned. Referrals started pouring in. His reputation was restored, and his business began to grow again, this time on solid ground.

Today, Samuel’s story is no longer one of struggle but of expansion. His current workspace can hardly keep up with the volume of new orders. What was once a dream is now a reality. Growth has become inevitable.

For us at The Leader Team, seeing this transformation come full circle is what our work is all about: helping leaders rebuild, grow, and create opportunities for others.

When we asked Samuel what advice he would give to other entrepreneurs, his answer was simple and powerful: “Lead with integrity. Don’t chase profit at the expense of people. Focus on impact, and profit will follow.”

Over the next two years, we will keep walking with Samuel to help him expand his operations, create jobs, and ensure his team earns fair wages so that they, too, can live well and lead well.

Samuel’s journey reminds us of this truth: when leaders build on integrity, they do more than grow businesses; they transform communities.

Are you ready for your own turnaround story? Join the next cohort of The Leader Team Mentorship Program and experience how integrity-based leadership can reshape your business.