More Than Money: Other Forms of Capital You’ll Need For Your Business
There Are Five Returns That Root Your Business
Every purpose-driven business strives to create meaningful outcomes. For farm and food businesses, these outcomes—or returns—extend far beyond the balance sheet. They shape how you grow, create community, and leave a lasting legacy.
At Shelterbelt Advisors, we believe that long-term success requires nurturing five distinct areas of return: Financial, Natural, Social, Human, and Inspirational.
1. Financial Return: Sustaining Your Business for the Long Haul
Financial health isn’t just about turning a profit; it’s about creating a system that supports your growth, mitigates risk, and funds an equitable future. It builds your capacity to:
Weather unexpected challenges (droughts, market shifts).
Reinvest in your operations for smarter, more efficient growth.
Build personal financial security alongside your business success.
2. Natural Return: Your Connection to the Land
Your business begins with roots deep in the natural world. Every decision—how you manage soil health, water resources, or biodiversity—has a direct impact on the environment around you.
When your natural return thrives:
You protect and enhance ecosystems.
You create long-term resilience against climate and market challenges.
You ensure your farm’s sustainability for future generations.
3. Social Return: Building Stronger Communities
Every business exists within a network of people: employees, customers, suppliers, and local communities. Your social return reflects how you nurture these relationships and contribute to the social fabric around you.
A strong social return leads to:
Fair and transparent business practices.
Meaningful collaborations and partnerships.
A ripple effect of positive impact throughout your community.
4. Human Return: Learning as You Grow
Your experiences—both successes and failures—are some of the most valuable assets you own. Human return is the accumulation of skills, knowledge, and insights gained over time — including insights about the limits of human experience.
Investing in human capital helps you:
Tackle complex challenges with confidence.
Adapt to changes with creative problem-solving.
Mentor others by sharing the lessons you’ve learned.
5. Inspirational Return: Leading by Example
Leadership is about inspiring others through your actions. Your inspirational return reflects how you share your story and motivate others to become the heroes of their own amazing lives.
When your business serves as an example:
You empower others to overcome obstacles and pursue their own regenerative journey.
You inspire innovation across your industry.
You foster a culture of creativity and forward-thinking within your team.
Inspiration is the spark that ignites movements—starting with your own vision and radiating outward.
Building Your Returns from the Ground Up
Every adventure starts with an assessment: Do you have enough capital—financial, natural, social, human, and inspirational—to give your business the best chance of success?
Before you launch, evaluating these five returns can help identify gaps that could shorten your runway. What do these potential gaps look like?:
Limited cash reserves and a high personal burn rate
A land base of poor or unknown quality
Lack of connections in your community
Minimal management experience
A failure to articulate the guiding light for your business
As your business grows, a focus on intentional accumulation in each area will make it easier to navigate challenges. Building financial reserves, strengthening relationships, and deepening your knowledge creates resilience.
When your business reaches maturity, these returns work together to support not just your personal success, but also the ecosystems, communities, and people connected to your work.
The question isn’t just “Are you ready to start?” but “Have you built a real foundation to support your growth?” If you want to bear quality fruits in the future, set your roots deep today.
You’ve built something meaningful. Let’s make sure your finances help it thrive—reach out today.
