Vision ignites passion, guides decisions, and propels us forward even in the face of adversity. However, crafting a work life based on vision requires more than just passion—it requires a balance between doing good and doing well. To make a meaningful impact, you must be both idealistic and pragmatic, passionate and commercial, generous and ruthless.
When I founded Auris Tech and created Fonetti, a read-aloud app designed to improve children’s literacy, my vision was clear: to harness technology to help children read confidently and enjoyably. This vision was fueled by a deep desire to impact the lives of young readers. But I understood that for this vision to come to life, the business must not only make a difference, but also thrive commercially. It needs to generate revenue to grow, scale, and ultimately reach millions of children globally.
But my vision extends beyond helping children. The automatic speech recognition technology behind Fonetti is being developed to serve a broader purpose. While it currently supports children’s literacy, we are actively working on expanding its application to the workplace to support adult literacy and reading assessment. Soon, this technology will help adults improve their reading skills, provide companies with tools to assess and enhance employee literacy, and ultimately contribute to a more educated and capable workforce. This is not just a dream; it is a tangible reality that we are building today—a future where technology bridges the literacy gap across all ages, empowering individuals to succeed in both their personal and professional lives.
The reality is that money is a powerful tool—it’s the fuel that powers your vision. Without it, even the noblest intentions can fall flat. To do good on a large scale, you need resources, and to acquire resources, you must be commercially astute. As impact-driven entrepreneurs, we should not be afraid to stand up and say that we are driven by making money. Profit is not a dirty word; it is essential for sustaining and scaling the impact we aim to create. This is where the concept of ruthless commercialism comes into play. It’s about making tough decisions, negotiating hard, and ensuring your business is profitable—not for profit alone, but because profitability enables you to pursue your vision sustainably.
Many successful entrepreneurs have demonstrated that it is possible to be both ruthlessly commercial and passionately philanthropic. Take Bill Gates, for instance. Gates co-founded Microsoft and built it into one of the most successful companies in the world. His business acumen is undeniable—he relentlessly pursued market dominance and commercial success. Yet, Gates is also one of the most prominent philanthropists of our time. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he has channelled billions of dollars into global health, education, and poverty alleviation. Gates understands that making money and making a difference are not mutually exclusive; they are intertwined.
Closer to home, I recently met John Caudwell, founder of Phones 4u, who openly admits his drive to amass wealth fueled his success. Yet, after selling his business, Caudwell finds greater pleasure in philanthropy than in material luxuries. From his Mayfair mansion, he shared how his true joy now comes from Caudwell Children, a charity he founded to support disabled children and their families. His wealth not only enabled his luxurious lifestyle, but also allowed him to make a significant impact, demonstrating that profit can be a powerful force for good
These examples illustrate a crucial lesson for any entrepreneur: a vision without a solid business foundation is just a dream. To bring your vision to life, you must embrace the realities of the business world. This means setting clear financial goals, understanding your market, and making strategic decisions that ensure the sustainability of your venture. It also means recognising that profit is not the enemy of purpose—it is a vital component of it.
In my journey as a female founder, a vision has driven me to create technology that makes a positive impact. But I have also learned that to achieve this vision, I must be as commercially savvy as I am passionate. It is this balance—between vision and pragmatism, passion and profit—that has allowed me to build a work life that is both fulfilling and impactful.
References:
Gates Foundation
Impact Wealth
