Why Integrity In Business is A Key Growth Driver
Oct 13, 2025
Ten years of entrepreneurship. Ten years of risk, growth, and a whole lot of learning.
If you’ve been following my 10 Lessons from 10 Years of Entrepreneurship series, you’ll know that last week’s episode was all about growth — personal, professional, and everything in between. This week, we’re diving into one of the most important lessons I’ve learned along the way: doing the right thing.
It sounds simple, right? Like something your parents taught you as a kid. But in business, it’s not always so clear-cut — and yet, it’s been the foundation of every good thing that’s come my way.
Integrity Builds Longevity
When I look back over the last decade, the throughline that connects every win, every relationship, and every opportunity is integrity.
Doing what’s right — even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costs you money — is the reason I’ve been able to build a brand and reputation that people trust.
I’m not saying I’ve been perfect. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve made decisions I would handle differently today. But when I zoom out, the moments I’m most proud of are the ones where I chose to do the right thing instead of the easy thing.
The Conference That Changed Everything
Years ago, when I still owned my gym, I attended a business event in Boston hosted by Ben Bergeron. I can’t tell you what most of the sessions were about — but I’ll never forget one line he said:
“Always do the right thing.”
He was talking about life, not just business. The example he gave was simple: do you return your shopping cart to the corral, or do you leave it behind for someone else to deal with?
That stuck with me.
It reminded me that how we show up in small moments is exactly how we’ll show up in the big ones — whether that’s running a business, leading a team, or managing relationships with clients.
When I Stopped Enforcing Contracts
In my early gym days, members signed 6- or 12-month contracts. If someone wanted to cancel early, I’d dig in my heels: “You signed a contract. You owe the remainder.”
It made me feel secure, but it didn’t feel right.
Eventually, I scrapped the long-term contracts altogether. Because the truth was, I didn’t want to argue with people about why they couldn’t leave. I wanted them to want to be there.
For me, doing the right thing meant honoring the season someone was in — not punishing them for it. And that decision completely changed how I operated as a business owner.
A Story About Humanity Over Optics
More recently, a woman told me about a situation with her coach: she had joined a year-long mastermind, then faced a massive personal crisis. She asked to step away — and the coach refused, saying it would “look bad” to the group.
That story broke my heart.
Because doing the right thing in that moment had nothing to do with “optics.” It was about humanity. Compassion. Recognizing that contracts exist to protect us — not to imprison us.
And while yes, contracts matter (my lawyer friends are wincing right now), there are exceptions to every rule. There are moments where our values have to lead the way.
Reputation Is Everything
In business, your reputation is your currency.
When you’re known as someone who leads with integrity, people remember that. They come back. They refer you. They open doors for you.
I’ve had people re-enter my world after 8 or 10 years — bringing opportunities that are elevating This Mother Means Business in ways I couldn’t have predicted. Those moments didn’t happen because of luck. They happened because of how I chose to show up.
Good things come to good people. That’s not a cliché — it’s proof of consistency.
Doing the Right Thing Doesn’t Mean Being a Doormat
Let’s be clear: doing the right thing doesn’t mean you undercharge, over-deliver, or let people walk all over you.
There’s a big difference between integrity and self-sacrifice.
Sometimes the right thing is enforcing a boundary or protecting your team. But if your actions are aligned with your values — if you can look yourself in the mirror and know you made the ethical choice — you’re doing business right.
The Long Game
Ten years in, I can confidently say that integrity is the backbone of everything I’ve built.
And no, I haven’t always gotten it right. But I’ve learned that the more you lead with honesty, transparency, and humanity, the easier things get. The more doors open. The more aligned opportunities show up.
Business will always have hard moments — the crying-on-the-kitchen-floor moments — but if you can navigate them by asking, “What’s the right thing to do here?” you’ll never steer yourself wrong.
Final Thoughts
As you reflect on your own business, ask yourself:
- Where am I making decisions that don’t feel aligned?
- Where can I bring more humanity or integrity into what I do?
- How can I build a reputation that reflects my values — not just my strategy?
Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about who’s loudest, flashiest, or fastest. It’s about who’s trusted.
And trust is built one decision at a time — by simply doing the right thing.
