Brian Thompson chats with Faye Zeigeweid, founder and CEO of Queen Fayzel, a greeting card company for people who want to send messages that are unique, sassy, and sincere. Faye built her values-aligned greeting card company after realizing she couldn’t be her authentic self in her old career as a public health project manager. In this episode, Faye gets real about the personal side of entrepreneurship, including how self-discovery and personal growth are necessities for sustainable growth. She also shares how articulating your values clearly can attract the right clients and create a culture of accountability.

To Faye, mission-driven businesses infuse their “why” into everything the company does. From product design to customer communications, mission-driven businesses focus less on what they do and more on why they’re doing it.

“It’s less about what the business is providing and more about why it’s providing that thing,” she said. “Sometimes we’re afraid to stay what we stand for or are worried about alienating customers.”

Queen Fayzel’s website is unique because it not only states the company’s values but also shares how it puts those values into practice. For instance, the company lives its value to “Make Connections” by donating 3% of profits to organizations making an impact.

“I want people to know what this business is about, but I also want people to understand how I’m putting those values into practice in my business,” Faye said.

When Faye left her job in public health project management to start Queen Fayzel, she not only changed careers but also started on a journey of personal growth. Founding a company forced her to learn essential business skills and how to navigate moving forward without the illusion of certainty.

“I thought I had a lot of things to learn about the business, but then I realized I had a lot to learn about myself and how I function,” she said.

Faye emphasized the importance of connecting with fellow entrepreneurs for community and accountability. Whether it’s checking in with a business owner friend or joining a more formal business group, it’s paramount to find ongoing support from people who understand exactly what you’re going through.

“Especially if you’re a solopreneur, it is so lonely sometimes, and it’s really hard to be your own motivator,” she said. “When you’re in a lower spot, having a group of people to be there is so important.”

• Queen Fayzel: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest

• Faye Ziegeweid: LinkedIn

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Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit.

On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.