April 4

Purpose Driven Profits

Purpose Driven Profits

By Deborah Johnson

April 4, 2025

artificial intelligence, business acquisition, Deborah Johnson, entrepreneur, philanthropy, podcast, purpose driven profits, Roy Dekel, venture capital

In today’s fast-paced business world, the concept of “purpose-driven profits” challenges the traditional notion that success is solely measured by revenue. Instead, it highlights the importance of aligning business goals with a deeper mission—one that not only drives financial growth but also creates meaningful impact. Innovation plays a crucial role in this process, particularly for creators and entrepreneurs who seek to build something that resonates beyond just profit margins.

In this article, we explore how purpose fuels sustainable success based on a podcast with Roy Dekel a seasoned investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has scaled and exited multiple ventures. We expand on insights that shed light on how businesses can thrive by prioritizing both purpose and profitability.

4-8-2025
Women at Halftime by Deborah Johnson Purpose Driven Profits with Roy Dekel 4-8-2025
00:00:00 00:00:00

Fear of Failure

Failure is often seen as something to avoid, yet it is one of life’s greatest teachers. We tend to learn more from our failures than from our successes, making setbacks a necessary part of growth. Many people fear failure because of the stigma attached to it—especially in today’s social media-driven world, where success is showcased while struggles remain hidden. However, failure and rejection can serve as powerful motivators, pushing us to refine our approach and keep moving forward.

Rather than seeing failure as an endpoint, embracing it as a tool for progress is essential. The key is to analyze what went wrong, adjust accordingly, and focus on the core factors that contribute to success. Instead of getting stuck in fear, learning to appreciate failure as a stepping stone can lead to greater resilience and achievement. In the end, the ability to persist despite setbacks is what truly defines long-term success.

Adjust Accoring to KPIs

Roy emphasized the value of taking our five top KPIs that we think contribute to failure and adjust according to those. Measuring failure may seem counterintuitive, but it is one of the most effective ways to pivot toward success. By identifying our top five KPIs, we gain valuable insights into what isn’t working and how to adjust our approach. Whether in business, personal growth, or creative pursuits, tracking the right metrics allows us to make data-driven decisions instead of relying on guesswork. Failure isn't just an obstacle—it’s a feedback mechanism that can refine our strategies and push us closer to our goals.

For example, consider an entrepreneur who launches an online course but struggles to attract students. This is especially relevant for many of my colleagues. Instead of assuming the course itself is the issue, they could analyze five KPIs: website traffic, conversion rate, engagement with marketing emails, social media interactions, and customer feedback. If the data shows that website visits are high, but conversions are low, the problem might be the sales page or pricing structure. By adjusting the messaging, offering a limited-time discount, or adding testimonials, the entrepreneur can improve results based on real insights rather than assumptions. This metric is easy to evaluate, especially with the analytic tools available to us through Google and AI tools.

The key to long-term success lies in embracing failure as part of the journey. By consistently evaluating and adjusting based on our top KPIs, we shift from frustration to informed action. Rather than fearing setbacks, we can use them as stepping stones, ensuring that each misstep leads to a stronger, more effective strategy moving forward.

Forward Thinking on Sales using AI

AI is revolutionizing sales development by streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. With the right digital tools, businesses can build an entire sales department powered by AI-driven voice, content, email, and video automation. AI can generate personalized outreach, automate follow-ups, and even simulate real-time sales conversations, allowing businesses to scale their efforts without needing a massive team. The key lies in crafting highly detailed and effective prompts—essentially training AI as you would a new salesperson—to ensure that messaging aligns with business goals and customer needs.

By leveraging AI tools such as ChatGPT for conversational engagement, Sora for video generation, and other automation platforms, businesses can create a comprehensive sales and marketing stack. AI can assist with lead generation, customer segmentation, and performance tracking, enabling teams to refine their strategies based on real-time data. This not only boosts efficiency but also allows sales professionals to focus on high-value interactions, ultimately improving conversion rates and customer relationships. With the right implementation, AI becomes a powerful ally in modern sales development, bridging the gap between automation and personalized engagement.

Proactive Steps for Economic Trends

Navigating economic trends requires a balance between strategic awareness and decisive action. While it’s tempting to wait for the perfect market conditions, even seasoned investors and financial experts struggle to predict economic shifts with certainty. Instead of attempting to time the market, focus on what you’re passionate about and move forward with well-informed decisions. Whether it’s launching a business, expanding a team, or investing in new opportunities, success often comes from persistence, adaptability, and sound financial management rather than trying to predict every fluctuation in interest rates or inflation.

A prime example is the real estate industry, which has faced significant challenges due to high interest rates in recent years. Many businesses struggled as borrowing costs rose, but those who managed their finances wisely and stayed committed to their vision have positioned themselves for long-term success. With interest rates expected to decline in the next 12 to 24 months, new opportunities are emerging for investors. The key takeaway is that economic conditions will always shift, but those who take proactive steps—researching trends, managing risk, and staying committed to their goals—will be best prepared to thrive in any market. The most critical step? Start now, rather than letting fear or uncertainty delay your progress indefinitely.

Application for Purpose-Driven Growth

A purpose-driven business thrives when its product or service delivers genuine value, allowing growth to happen naturally rather than being forced through excessive marketing. When a product is truly excellent, it attracts customers through word of mouth, creating an organic cycle of referrals and trust. Companies that focus on crafting the best possible offering—whether it’s a physical product, software, or a service—often find that their audience grows without the need for heavy advertising. This kind of traction, built on quality and purpose, leads to sustainable profits and long-term success.

For example, a restaurant that prioritizes serving the best food in its area will naturally draw customers, earn positive reviews, and build a loyal following. Even without a massive ad budget, the quality of the experience will speak for itself with a parking lot that’s always more full than empty. The same principle applies to any business—when purpose and quality drive the creation of a product, customer enthusiasm fuels its success. Instead of chasing forced growth through aggressive marketing, businesses should first ensure they are delivering something that truly meets a need. When that foundation is solid, growth follows naturally.

Additional Resources

SORA for text, image and video: https://openai.com/sora/ 

ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning—based on a podcast interview with Christopher Penn

Deborah’s Resource page-for Deborah’s current tools

- about Roy Dekel

As a co-founder of SetSchedule, a leading proptech company launched in 2015, Roy Dekel has transformed business development for real estate professionals. SetSchedule leverages advanced technology to connect agents with buyers and sellers while offering tools like SetValue for property assessments. Under Dekel’s leadership, the platform has earned recognition, including spots on Inc.’s Fastest Growing Companies and Forbes’ Best Startup Employers lists. Beyond his business ventures, Dekel is deeply committed to philanthropy, advocating for the growth of Israeli and Jewish communities.

Rather than seeing failure as an endpoint, embracing it as a tool for progress is essential.

deborah johnson

Thought Leader, Keynote Speaker, Author

If you are interested in growing and learning, check out our online courses here: Online Learning

1,141 words

Deborah Johnson

About the author

Deborah Johnson, M.A. has not only written multiple books and albums, but hundreds of songs, three full-length musicals and is the producer of the popular podcast, Women at Halftime. She was past president of the National Speakers Association, Los Angeles and has written & produced multiple online courses. She enjoys being outside and traveling with her husband and also loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Up for multiple GRAMMY Awards and spending over 20 years in the entertainment industry, she's built multiple self-driven businesses and is an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy. Deborah speaks and performs for both live and virtual events.

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