Profit Seeks Purpose

Posted August 7, 2026

In this episode of the podcast, Tim Staton sits down with Harland Merriam—pastor, entrepreneur, Army chaplain, real estate investor, and author of Profit Seeks Purpose—to explore what it really means to pursue success without losing sight of purpose. Harland shares how decades in ministry, the military, and business shaped his belief that faith and work are deeply connected. The conversation unpacks what is profit seeking, the profit seeking paradox, and why many high achievers still feel empty even after hitting big financial goals. Together they dig into strategies for increasing small business revenue while asking the harder question of should companies prioritize profit or purpose? and what seeking purpose in life looks like across different stages. Harland opens up about his journey from single-family deals into multifamily investing, offering practical insights on real estate profit and loss, profit in real estate, and the profit first for real estate investors approach that keeps cash flow and purpose aligned. You’ll also hear clear guidance on how to create a mastermind group and how to create a mastermind that actually works—built on trust, confidentiality, and mutual support—so leaders stop operating in isolation. The episode touches on the 4 pillars of profit and how they support a life where commercial success becomes a form of workplace ministry rather than an end in itself.