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What is business actually for?
In this episode of The Authority Company Podcast, Joe Pardavila sits down with entrepreneur and author Rick K. Jones to challenge the way most leaders think about profit, growth, and responsibility. After decades building successful companies, Rick now focuses on a bigger question: what does success mean if it doesn’t lead to something greater?
Rick introduces his concept of “The Business Tithe,” a simple but powerful idea that businesses should give back a portion of their profits to create lasting impact. The conversation explores the tension between capitalism and conscience, why many leaders optimize for profit at the expense of people, and how a shift in mindset can change everything.
You’ll hear why Rick believes businesses exist to “feed sheep,” how small companies can start giving back immediately, and why the future of leadership depends on moving from success to significance.
This is not a theoretical conversation. It is a practical framework for building a business that supports your life, your team, and your community.
If you are building a company, leading a team, or thinking about your long-term impact, this episode will challenge how you define winning.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro: Profit vs purpose 00:45 – Why business exists beyond money 01:50 – The problem with modern CEOs and profit-first thinking 03:20 – Capitalism, fairness, and where it breaks 06:20 – Why leadership is a moral decision 08:00 – “Feed your sheep” philosophy explained 10:00 – Success vs significance 12:00 – How much money is enough? 13:20 – The Business Tithe explained (10% giving model) 15:50 – Why entrepreneurs struggle to value their work 17:10 – Privilege, profit, and responsibility 19:00 – Real-world example: Jersey Mike’s giving model 21:00 – How to start giving (even at $1M revenue) 22:00 – Givers vs takers mindset 24:20 – What “tithe” actually means 27:00 – Does faith matter in business? 30:00 – Final thoughts: building a legacy
