How Much vs How Many: Which Question Are You Asking?

You have probably noticed that business success is often measured by numbers these days - profit margins, market share, financial returns, et cetera. Everywhere you turn, people are asking the same question: “How much?” How much did you make? How much did you sell? How much did you gain?

But what if we started asking a different question in this new year? At The Leader Team, through our Mentorship and Business Accelerator programs, we have learned that true success is not just about how much - it is about how many. How many lives were touched because of your work? How many people found hope because you showed up with integrity and care? How many communities are better because your business chose to make a difference?

Our Executive Director, Shiloh Karshima, often says, “Social impact is the new rich.” And she’s right. In today’s world, wealth is not just what sits in your account - it’s the good you do, the problems you solve, and the lives you help transform.

That is the heart of what we call Redemptive Entrepreneurship - building businesses that are both profitable and purposeful. It’s about leaders who see business not just as a way to make money, but as a platform to make life better for others, specifically by creating sustainable jobs above a living wage. 

Profit matters, but it is impact that gives it meaning.

We see this every day across our network. Entrepreneurs are redefining success - not by their sales numbers, but by their stories of change. Some have covered hospital bills for families in need. Others have provided books for schools that lack basic materials. A few have led community drives on health, education, and food security.

During one of these outreach projects to a local hospital, Charity, a participant from our 2025 Business Accelerator, said something that struck a chord with all of us: “Many families are suffering, not because they lack faith but because they lack support.” That single line captures why we do what we do. Sometimes, change starts with someone deciding to care. To see this spirit in action, check out the social impact project led by Chigbo, David, and Charity, all members of our Business Accelerator Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KGvooCPkhI.

The shift from how much to how many isn’t just a mindset - it’s a movement. It’s about redefining what success really means. Because in the end, people won’t remember how big your company was; they’ll remember how big your impact was.

At The Leader Team, we’re raising a generation of entrepreneurs who live well and lead well. They build well, not just for themselves, but for others. So the next time you celebrate a win, pause for a moment and ask yourself: “How many people did this help?”

Because someday, when the noise quiets and the numbers fade, what will truly matter is how many lives your work changed. After all, social impact is the new rich.

Partner with us today at www.theleaderteam.org. Let’s make social impact the new definition of success.