For years, DC Comics dominated the superhero world. Its heroes were larger than life: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman. They were icons.

Then Marvel changed the game.

Stan Lee, working alongside legendary creators such as Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, helped introduce a different kind of superhero.

These heroes had problems.

Spider-Man worried about school, money, relationships, and disappointing the people he loved.

The Fantastic Four argued like a family.

The X-Men struggled with rejection and wondered whether the world would ever accept them.

Marvel did not simply give ordinary people extraordinary powers. It showed us the human being underneath the costume.

That is why people cared.

We understood their struggles. We saw their fears, flaws, responsibilities, and reasons for fighting. We were not only watching superheroes save the world.

We were rooting for people to overcome what stood in their way.

That is the power of an origin story.

And you have one too.

Your business did not begin with a logo, a website, or a desire to make money. Something happened that made you care. You saw a problem. You lived through an experience. You discovered a gift. You felt called to serve a particular group of people.

That story reveals the heart behind your mission.

When people understand your heart, they understand why you do what you do.

They begin rooting for you.

They remember you.

They trust you.

They may even drive past ten other businesses to reach your door because they are no longer choosing only a product or service.

They are choosing the person behind it.

So here is your call to action:

Tell me your origin story.

Why did you begin?

What problem were you determined to solve?

Who were you called to help?

What mission keeps you moving when the work gets difficult?

Show me your mission, and I will see your heart. ❤️

Originally published on LinkedIn. Comments and the conversation live there.