Money as means or money as ends?

Discover how creators can balance creative integrity and financial success by understanding the difference between using money as a means versus an end.

Hi,

Most advice about “growth” comes from people who see money as the ultimate goal. They are usually agnostic about what they sell or how they sell it. To them, the process, whether it is crafting something new, building a platform, or designing a marketing plan, is just a means to an end. Their focus is on the outcome: the accumulation of wealth.

For many entrepreneurs, this mindset grates against their souls. Creatives tend to care deeply about the process and the work itself. It’s not just a job; it is a craft, a calling, and often a form of self-expression. For most heartrepreneurs, money is not the ultimate goal. Instead, it is a tool, a necessary means to create more, connect more, and sustain a career. Once the basics are covered—keeping the lights on, buying time to create—money often fades into the background.

This difference in priorities creates a disconnect. Advice aimed at maximizing revenue can feel out of sync with what creators truly value. When money is the end goal, th…