Don't Just Build a Business -- Build a Business With Soul You need more than brains to create and sustain a business that has a lasting impact.

I just returned from the Shift Conference in Split, Croatia. Witnessing a hackathon teaches you something about soul, about youth and the bridge between the two. I don't know if it was the ridiculous energy of 1,200 twentysomethings hopped up on caffeine and adrenaline, or the sultry, slow-moving intensity of a country trying to forge its way economically, but attending this event got me thinking about what it means to be a startup vs. what it means to be a startup with soul.

Let us take a moment to honor soul—the vital force that gives you and your business a vibe. Soul is the handshake that acknowledges that you believe and that you are present. It is the central tenet of your company culture.

It's hard to explain entrepreneurial soul, but once you experience it, you know what it means. It's what gives you purpose. It's at the core of every sustained business—the ones with heart and emotion and customers who just can't live without them. A business without soul? Flash in the pan.