Years ago—on December 29, 2013, to be exact—I had a moment of clarity while finishing Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh for the second time. That’s right, the second time. I rarely read business books twice, yet this one was different.
Hsieh, the founder and CEO of Zappos, offered a perspective on building office culture and shared a belief system that resonated deeply with me as a small business owner. His philosophy was simple yet profound: make the people around you happy, and in turn, you’ll find your own happiness amplified.
Finding “My People”
Happiness in business begins with alignment—making sure that everyone on the team not only fits the job but also resonates with the culture. This is the same experience many seek when attending a conference. You don’t just register for the education or inspiration. You’re there to find your people—the ones who “get” you.
At Howerton+Wooten Events, I’ve worked hard to create a similar sense of belonging. Our team thrives because we’re not just co-workers; we’re a community. In fact, sometimes they like each other more than they like me—but that’s a sign we’re doing something right.
Manifesting Culture Before It Existed
That December evening in 2013, I had no team. But inspired by Hsieh’s insights, I wrote down 10 core beliefs I wanted my future team to embody. This wasn’t about who we were at the time—it was about who we could become. I posted those beliefs on my website as a declaration of intent.
To my surprise, just a few days later, on January 2, two exceptional job applications landed in my inbox. These applicants weren’t just qualified; they got it. They understood what we were trying to build because they aligned with the values we’d set.
The Power of Core Values
Since then, those values have remained central to Howerton+Wooten Events. Over the years, we’ve refined and expanded them, but their essence remains. They attract the right people, guide our team dynamics, and shape how we serve our clients.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Core values aren’t just words. They’re a beacon that attracts like-minded individuals who want to build something extraordinary with you.
- You don’t need a team to start. Write the vision as if the team already exists. The right people will see themselves in it.
- Happiness is contagious. A happy, unified team isn’t just more productive—it’s magnetic to clients and collaborators.
If you’re leading a business or building a team, I encourage you to reflect on what you stand for. Don’t just hire for skills; hire for alignment. Be intentional about the culture you create because the energy you put out will return to you, multiplied.
At Howerton+Wooten Events, our team remains client-focused, productive, and most importantly, happy. And that, to me, is the ultimate measure of success.
Love and Soul Always, Kawania
Photo: Shutterstock
