What 139 entrepreneurs shared in 2018 still echoes today
In 2018, I conducted a study that turned out to be more than research – it became a wake-up call.
I had been asking a question in my coaching sessions for years:
What comes first – happiness or success?
Some people answered quickly: “Success, of course.” Others hesitated. “Well… depends what you mean by happiness.”
But when I invited 139 entrepreneurs to explore that question more deeply, the answers revealed something powerful:
Most people were chasing one and sacrificing the other.
That was the starting point for the Happy Business You research.
What people shared back then still shapes everything I do today, and it became the seed of what would later grow into the Quality of Life Concept & Tour.
What the survey revealed
This wasn’t a casual online quiz. It was a full survey built on respected frameworks: Maslow’s needs, McClelland’s motivation theory, EQ, the Business Model You, and even the nine domains of Gross National Happiness. The survey explored:
- What makes people feel truly happy in their business-life
- How they define success – on their own terms
- What happens when the two don’t match
- And whether change actually feels possible
The answers came from 139 entrepreneurs, across sectors and stages of life.
The real story behind “Success”
When asked whether they felt successful as entrepreneurs, many said yes – but not without hesitation. Success was often linked to external results (revenue, growth, team performance), yet…
“Even with results, I’m not always in balance.”
Over half of participants admitted that their company’s performance strongly influenced their personal sense of happiness – for better or worse. So while success felt measurable, happiness felt more fragile.
The deeper motivators
When asked what truly made them happy, 76% of respondents said:
“It’s important that we do something good and contribute to society.”
This was more than window dressing, it was a core value. People wanted their business to mean something. Not just in terms of impact, but in how it aligned with their personal values.
Another common response:
“I feel happiest when I grow personally, not just professionally.”
This distinction between doing well and feeling well became one of the most valuable insights I’ve carried with me since.
Identity and misalignment
A majority identified strongly as entrepreneurs:
“It’s in my blood.”
But many also admitted feeling tired, out of rhythm, or disconnected from their original purpose. They were still “playing the part,” but not always living the truth of why they started.
Desire for change
Most participants said they believed in growth, and wanted it, not just in revenue, but in their own life experience. They were open to change, but often stuck in the structures they’d built for themselves.
“I know what I want to change. I just don’t know how.”
This was the contradiction I saw again and again: People deeply wanted alignment – but didn’t feel free to pursue it.
Why it still matters today
Looking back, this study wasn’t just about the answers. It was about what people felt but rarely said out loud. It showed that even back then, people were beginning to question:
- What is success really costing me?
- What does “enough” feel like?
- Am I still building the life I want?
And that’s why, years later, I started the Quality of Life & Tour. Because the need to rethink success and realign with what matters has only grown louder.
From survey to movement
This research may be from 2018, but its message is timeless:
- Success without happiness is hollow
- Purpose matters more than ever
- Entrepreneurs are people first
- And real change begins with honest reflection
So soon, when I travel from city to city – listening, reflecting, and gathering stories – I’m not just documenting a tour. I’m continuing a conversation that started with 139 brave responses.
Want to reflect on your own path?
You’re invited. Just two ways to take your next step:
Visit the QOL Tour page – see where the journey is going next and what stories we’re gathering across the world.
Try the Soulprint Compass – upload 3 images that feel like “you” and receive a visual mirror + a soulful suggestion on where to begin realigning your life.
Because maybe it’s not about chasing more. Maybe it’s about remembering what matters.
Business Hippie Club 