This past week, my family and I moved half way across the country. 27 hours and two flat tires later, we finally made it to St. Louis. Saying we were relieved would be an understatement.

With the business on hiatus during relocation, my time has been split between getting the family back to normal as quickly as possible and transitioning Her Startup to its new location. And although email has been a lifesaver, one question in particular kept coming up – “What am I doing this for?”

I received emails from women of different ages and various backgrounds. Some were dissatisfied with their present careers and thinking about going solo. Others had launched businesses, but eventually found themselves disillusioned chasing dollars rather than happiness. Then there were those that wanted to do something worthwhile, but felt there was no profit in it. I read each email with a smile and reminisced about how I too had been in their shoes at one time or another.

One of my favorite sayings is that everything is a process. Twenty years ago, my opinion was you worked to earn money. Every person for themselves. Fast forward to today and much experience later, life is about so much more than just money. We go astray when we begin looking at people in terms of how much we stand to gain rather than how we can be of help. Our path becomes twisted when we deny where we‘re being led in favor of destinations others set for us. And we become confused when nothing works out as planned because we didn’t follow our heart’s leading in the first place.

Every woman we’ve consulted with lists being successful as their #1 goal. I’m glad to see that now, many are listing making a difference as being equally important. I firmly believe women have always wanted to do this even before it became trendy. But the prevalence of this desire tells me women are beginning to avidly explore their options. It is possible to do well by doing good, but what does it take?

It takes Courage – to follow your dreams, your leading, your own path in life. To not define your success solely in terms of finances, but also in the impact you‘re making. Where there is passion, profits follow. It takes willingness – to donate a portion of your proceeds, to get involved in a cause greater than yourself or create one. What are you doing this for? Because just to earn money is an empty endeavor. Because doing business with the welfare of others in mind is a legacy worth leaving. And for the women who may follow in your footsteps and look to you as a role model. Shouldn’t they have more to read about you than the amount of money you earned?