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4 Ways to Define your Core Values in Business

Darlene Hawley

Your core business values may be the one thing that is the driving force behind your brand

Darlene Hawley, Personal Branding & Business Coach for  online service based business owners

Gandhi once said, "Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny."

As we really look closely at who the person is that you want to be, your core values are so important because that is what is helping you reach your destiny and taking you to where you want to go.

Simply put, your values are what matter most to you. Your values are yours alone and they are different for everyone and can change over time.


Think of them as your internal compass, they can help you determine if something is the right fit for you in business and in your personal life.


We all know that customers buy from people they know, like and trust, right?


Well, your core business values may be the one thing that is the driving force behind your brand.


This allows your customer to connect best when they respect you and they can relate easily to you.


Here are my top 4 tips to why it’s important to define your core values in business.


1. Your core values help you guide your decision-making process. When you know exactly what your core values are you can easily decide if something is aligned with your belief. If it doesn’t feel in alignment you can quickly say no, or pass on the opportunity and get back to the things that truly matter most to you.


2. No regrets. You don’t have to feel guilty when something doesn’t feel right, even if others try to guilt you into helping them with a project or working with someone that doesn’t share the same value as you do. When you're clear with yourself you can say no and move forward easily.


3. You get to stand up for yourself and stand out in your industry. When you're leading with your core values in your business you get to stand up for your choices and other people’s opinions mean less. When you worry less about what others think you will respect yourself more and your confidence will grow.


4. You get to choose who you work with, and I highly encourage you to work with people that share the same values as you. When you both are able to show up as your true self and within your core values you will connect and grow your relationship quickly.


Download my " Core Values Worksheet" and uncover what your top core values are and create a solid foundation of who you are as a person.



✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.

In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.


Plus, you’ll get a step-by-step workbook and personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.

Get Instant Access for just $47

10 Effective Communication Tips
Darlene Hawley, Personal Branding & Business Coach for service based entrepreneurs

Hey There!

I'm Darlene



As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.


My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.


Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.


Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.


Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.

By Darlene Hawley October 27, 2025
Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan, a seasoned keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and change strategist, shares her incredible journey from a challenging career in pharma sales to becoming a transformational catalyst. She discusses overcoming fear-based thinking, navigating major business disruptions, and building trust in organizations. Whether you're a heart-centered entrepreneur or an executive leader, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on how to lead confidently, handle major transitions, and create a business that thrives. Curious to learn more? Visit darlenehawley.com/workwithme. 00:41 Meet Carolyn Bennett Sullivan 01:48 Carolyn's Journey and Overcoming Fear 04:15 Navigating Workplace Disruptions 07:21 Tools for Leaders and Employees 15:03 The Importance of Communication and Engagement 21:19 The Importance of Team Buy-In 22:49 Building Relationships in Sales 27:21 Future Plans and Goals 29:26 Rapid Fire Questions 35:09 Conclusion and Contact Information Carolyn is an inspiring keynote speaker, transformational catalyst, and change strategist. As a TEDx speaker, author, and consultant, she leverages her corporate sales and small business expertise to help organizations create strategies for navigating business disruptions through mindset mastery. Her deep understanding of psychology, neuroscience, and business uncovers barriers to change and guides individuals to overcome obstacles, build resilience and unlock their highest capabilities. You can engage with Carolyn at: https://linkedin.com/in/carolynbennettsullivan https:instagram.com/cbsullivan https://facebook.com/carolynbennettsullivan ------ Hi I’m Darlene Hawley and I help ambitious entrepreneurs and executive women find their voice, craft powerful messaging, and regulate their nervous system so they can speak up with confidence in high-stakes conversations, client meetings, and on stages ... without second-guessing themselves. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com https://linkedin.com/in/darlenehawley
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