On this episode of The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast, Dwayne is joined by Ron Tite - award-winning creative director, author, comedian, and founder of Church+State - for a conversation that unpacks the real meaning of purpose in business.
Ron has spent decades helping global brands like Google, Walmart, and Microsoft align what they believe with how they grow. In this candid conversation, he explains why most companies get their purpose wrong, how to articulate what truly drives your business, and why belief - not branding - is the foundation of sustainable success.
Ron shares tangible frameworks straight from his latest book, The Purpose of Purpose, and shows how every entrepreneur can stop chasing trends and start building a company rooted in integrity, clarity, and long-term impact.
Episode Highlights:
00:36 - Ron Tite Introduction
05:40 - Purpose and the Path to Growth
12:33 - Finding Your Blue Ocean Strategy
19:10 - Identifying Your Fundamental Beliefs
27:10 - Discovering Your Company's Purpose
30:38 - Aligning Your Team with Business Direction
35:00 - Purpose Creation: Pool Company Example
39:50 - Correlating Belief to Business Purpose
Key Takeaways:
1. Purpose Is Practical, Not Promotional - It’s not about charity statements, it’s about aligning belief with how you make money.
2. Focus on the Ecosystem - Shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and communities all define modern success.
3. Stop Copying Competitors - Innovation begins when you stop painting “pink” just because everyone else does.
4. Belief Drives Growth - Purpose clarifies where your next product, hire, and customer come from.
5. Integrity Over Imitation - The moment you sacrifice your ideals for sales, you lose both.
Quotes:
“Purpose is a fundamental belief that drives what you sell and how you grow.” - Ron Tite
“A belief and a purpose is strategically linked to where you make your money.” - Ron Tite
“The second I sacrifice my ideals and my pursuit of what I think is true, to match up with your desire and what you want to buy, I have lost all my integrity and I have no more business.” - Ron Tite
“Business people can get in their head, and there’s that saying - once you’re in your head, you’re dead.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
Resources Mentioned:
Everyone’s An Artist - Or At Least They Should Be - by Ron Tite
Think Do Say - by Ron Tite
The Purpose of Purpose - by Ron Tite
The Man Who Broke Capitalism - by David Gelles
The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits - by Milton Friedman
Larry Fink’s Annual Letter to CEOs
Savannah Bananas (Jesse Cole) case study
Ron Tite is an entrepreneur, speaker, and best-selling author. He has been a creative director for some of the world’s most respected brands including Air France, DoorDash, Evian, Google, Intel, Microsoft, and Volvo. He’s the founder and chief strategy officer of Church+State, co-founder of advertising holding company Group 219, and an investor/ advisor to Wavy, the culture OS for distributed teams. He’s the best-selling author of 3 books: Everyone’s An Artist - Or At Least They Should Be (HarperCollins, 2016), Think Do Say (Page Two, 2019), and The Purpose of Purpose (Page Two, 2025).
Links:
Website: https://rontite.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574805686652
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rontite
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rontite
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rontite/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/rontite
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/
Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com
Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.
