So, you’ve decided to move from being a solo designer to running a full-fledged design business. Congratulations! But before you dive into hiring or new clients, there’s one step that will lay the foundation for everything else—creating a Vision and Mission statement.

Why Your Vision Needs to Be Aspirational

Your Vision is not about where you are today; it’s about where you want to be in the future. Think of it as your North Star. It should inspire both you and your team to work towards something bigger than just day-to-day tasks.

A good Vision statement pushes boundaries and paints a picture of a future that’s worth striving for. For example:

• NASA: “To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown for the benefit of humankind.”
• Apple: “To make the best products on earth, and to leave the world better than we found it.”

These are clear, aspirational, and focused on the future. They give everyone involved a reason to strive for something bigger.

Creating Your Vision: Think Legacy

When crafting your Vision, imagine that you’re passing the mantle of your business to someone else—what would you want them to follow? Your Vision is your legacy. It’s about answering the big “why” of your business. Ask yourself:

• Why am I doing this?
• What change do I want to make in my industry or for my clients?
• If I weren’t running this company, what direction would I want the next leader to take?

Your Vision statement should be something that lasts beyond you.

How Vision and Mission Shape Your Business

Once you have a clear Vision, your Mission is about how you’re going to get there. It’s your plan of action. While the Vision focuses on the “what” and “why,” the Mission focuses on the “how.”

For instance:

• Microsoft’s Mission: “To empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”
  This Mission aligns with their Vision by focusing on how they plan to enable success.

Tips for Creating a Strong Vision and Mission:

1. Make It Aspirational: Focus on the future, not just what you’re doing now.
2. Align with Values: What are your core values? How do they shape your long-term goals?
3. Think Long-Term: Your Vision should stand the test of time and guide decisions for years.
4. Focus on Impact: How will your business change the lives of your clients or the industry at large?
5. Succession Planning: Imagine passing your business to a successor—what’s the legacy you’re leaving behind?

Having a clear Vision and Mission statement is the first step to becoming more than just a freelancer—it’s what transforms you into a founder. These statements will guide every decision, from hiring to marketing, and help build a business that thrives long after you step aside.

If you’d like to have your vision and mission writting guided by specialists, book us for a free session