Leading Through Growth: How Purpose-Driven Leadership Builds Stronger Small Businesses

By Allison Lepanto, Founder of Aterak Nutrition

When I started my company, Aterak Nutrition, I thought leadership meant doing everything myself. I believed the fastest way forward was to keep my head down and push through every obstacle. But over time, and plenty of long days and longer lessons, I learned that true leadership is about leading with clarity, trust, and purpose.

Start with the “Why”

Leading others requires being deeply connected to why your business exists. For me, that “why” has always been healing, healing animals, soil, and the systems that connect them. When your purpose is clear, it becomes the compass that guides every decision you make from who you hire to how you handle challenges. Purpose-driven leadership keeps growth aligned, especially when things get chaotic.

Empower, Don’t Overload

Small business owners often fall into the trap of doing everything themselves. I did too. Growth depends on letting go of control in the right places to the right people. Empowering others to take ownership not only lightens your load, it builds a culture where people feel trusted and valued. When I began handing over day-to-day operations, something incredible happened: my team became more creative, more invested, and more confident. Leadership isn't about managing every detail; it’s about creating the space for others to lead and own their part of the growth.

Lead With Clarity and Compassion

Having a clear goal that is communicated to your entire team brings calm. Your team can’t follow what they can’t see. Define your goals out loud, write them down, and revisit them often. People thrive when they feel seen. Make sure that every team member has a clear part of achieving the goal.

Stay Rooted During Seasons of Change

Growth brings transitions, and transitions test leadership. Whether it's scaling production, onboarding new team members, or moving into a larger facility, each growth cycle reveals both strong effective systems and systems that need nurturing. View these growth cycles as opportunities to refine systems, communication, and leadership techniques. Just as healthy soil adapts to support new growth, strong leadership adapts without losing its integrity.

Measure Success Beyond Numbers

Profitability matters and so does peace of mind. A thriving business should uplift people as it grows. I’ve learned that sustainable success looks like a team that is fulfilled working towards a clear goal together. Growth that costs your well-being and integrity isn’t success; it’s burnout with better packaging.

Final Thought

Purpose-driven leadership doesn’t mean leading perfectly; it means leading intentionally. When your “why” drives your decisions and your team feels part of the vision, growth becomes organic. This cultivates success from the inside out.