What drives an entrepreneur to leap into the unknown, take on outsized risk, and chase an idea that has no guarantee of success? We often credit grit, hustle, and a taste for independence. But research suggests another surprising factor may be at play: faith.
A study led by Dr. Mitchell J. Neubert and his colleagues at Baylor University (published in Harvard Business Review, 2013) found that entrepreneurs pray more often than non-entrepreneurs and are more likely to believe in a God who is personally engaged in their lives. In other words, business founders feel that they have a more direct line upstairs.
The Research
Neubert’s team surveyed 1,714 U.S. adults about their religious habits. While entrepreneurs didn’t differ much from the general population in terms of church attendance, religious affiliation, or overall belief in God, the differences showed up in the depth and frequency of their practices.
• 34% of entrepreneurs pray several times a day, compared with 27% of non entrepreneurs.
• Entrepreneurs are more likely to believe in an engaged God who listens and responds. • They also tend to worship in congregations that are supportive of business activity.
This might defy the stereotype that business builders are too busy—or too profit-driven—to make time for spiritual life. In fact, the study points to the opposite: faith and entrepreneurship often reinforce each other.
Why Faith Matters in Entrepreneurship
Starting a business is inherently uncertain. Unlike salaried work, the outcomes aren’t predictable. Bills need to be paid, payroll has to be met, and customers are never guaranteed. That level of risk can push people toward prayer, seeking strength and direction from beyond themselves.
But the causality might also run the other way: people who already believe in a personally engaged God may be more willing to take bold risks, trusting that they are not leaping entirely alone.
Neubert points out that congregations themselves play a role. Faith communities can provide entrepreneurs with social capital—customers, investors, encouragement, and even employees. Many congregations integrate financial planning, innovation, and work ethic into their teaching, creating fertile ground for business thinking.
Beyond Profit: The Rise of Purpose
Interestingly, the research hints at a connection between faith and the growing field of social entrepreneurship. While most entrepreneurs surveyed had traditional motivations like financial independence and self-employment, the desire to do work with purpose beyond profit often aligns with spiritual values.
In earlier work, Neubert and Baylor colleague Steve Bradley studied microfinance entrepreneurs in Africa and Indonesia. They found that “spiritual capital”—the way faith shapes how people value relationships and treat others—was associated with more innovation, higher revenues, and greater job creation.
A Local Takeaway
For local business leaders, the lesson isn’t necessarily to recruit only the most devout employees. Instead, it’s to recognize that for many entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial thinkers, faith is not just a private practice—it fuels resilience, creativity, and engagement at work.
Ignoring the role of spirituality in business may mean overlooking a wellspring of motivation that drives people to push through risk and uncertainty. As Neubert concludes, the challenge is to tap into this source of dedication while still being inclusive of diverse beliefs.
Entrepreneurs often talk about having a “calling.” This research suggests that for many, it’s not just a metaphor—it’s a lived experience.
Citation: Neubert, M.J., Dougherty, K.D., Park, J.Z., & Griebel, J.M. (2013). Entrepreneurs Pray More: Faith and the Propensity to Start a Business. Harvard Business Review, Interview by Alison Beard.
Mike White is a local entrepreneur and small business owner and freelances for the Salem Business Journal.
