What the Amish Can Teach Us About Running Successful Businesses
Business Lessons from a Community That Thrives Without Modern Technology
Did you know that Amish businesses have a 95% success rate of staying open for at least five years? Compare that to just 55% of U.S. businesses hitting the same milestone, and it's clear the Amish are doing something right.
But what’s their secret?
I first encountered the Amish when I was 16. As a foreign exchange student from Germany, I lived with a host family in Upstate New York, and I couldn’t believe my eyes: there were people dressed like they’d stepped out of another century, riding by in horse-drawn carriages. On the road! With little traffic triangles stuck to the back for safety. It blew my mind.
As I came to learn, the Amish are a traditionalist Anabaptist Christian group living off-grid in parts of the United States and Canada, known for their simple, low-tech lifestyle. I’d often visit their produce stores for the best fruits and vegetables around. But at the time, I had no idea about the valuable business insights they held.
Then, just a few days ago, while I was googling business stats (as one does), I came across that eye-opening statistic—that Amish businesses consistently outperform modern ones, all without relying on technology. This sent me down a fascinating rabbit hole, learning how they’ve been running successful businesses for generations—many of them becoming millionaires along the way.
So, buckle up—we’re about to deep dive into the Amish Business Playbook!
1. Lead With Purpose
Amish businesses aren’t just about making money—they exist to support a life centered around family, faith, and honest work. With a history of martyrdom, the Amish place tremendous value on practicing their faith, which includes living apart from mainstream society and relying on each other rather than outside institutions. Once primarily farmers, rising land prices forced them to adapt and they turned to business, but their goal was never wealth—it was simply to uphold their values and sustain their growing families.
In many ways, this brings us back to the original purpose of business: exchanging goods and services to support ourselves and our communities.
Contrast that with most modern businesses, where the primary goal tends to be maximizing profits. To me, that’s backwards. What’s the point of a profitable business if it forces everyone involved to sacrifice their quality of life? The Amish remind us that financial success is just the vehicle—not the destination. While I don’t necessarily share their views (I do love my technology), I, too, want to build a business that supports my life and reflects my values. Money is important, but it’s just the carriage that gets us where we want to go—not the end goal itself.
2. Know Your Field
You don’t want to compete against an Amish person in business, because they probably out-thought you. — Ian Cassel
Amish businesses range from handmade furniture shops and farmers' markets to construction companies and quilt-making, but they all share a common approach: they leverage their existing expertise. These are simple, straightforward industries that rely on manual labor and deep, practical knowledge. As a traveling book trader noted, Amish communities would consistently buy large quantities of practical books from him. This reflects their dedication to mastering their trade.
That doesn't mean they shy away from new opportunities. With the legalization of marijuana in some U.S. states, Amish farmers have begun growing hemp for CBD products. Hemp’s organic cultivation process, requiring no pesticides or heavy machinery, is a perfect fit for their farming style. But what stands out is how quickly they built a reputation for quality. CBD retailers now market their products as “Amish-grown,” a mark of craftsmanship and purity that draws consumers who value natural, high-quality products. The Amish didn’t dive headfirst into this new market; they assessed it, ensured it aligned with their beliefs and capabilities, and approached it with the same dedication to mastery that defines their other ventures.
This approach resonates with me. Instead of rushing into the latest trend or stretching ourselves thin, the Amish remind us to slow down, select business concepts that align with our core values and aspirations, and invest time in honing our craft.
3. Put Profit Over Growth
Some Amish businesses remain small, family-run affairs, while others grow to employ dozens, producing high-quality goods for their local communities and beyond. But no matter the size, they follow one simple rule: profit comes before growth. By financing most ventures out of existing cash flow, often running businesses on their own land, and avoiding debt and expensive high-tech equipment—they reduce overhead, limit risk, and maintain stability. This focus on slow, sustainable growth allows them to foster strong relationships and uphold a high standard of quality without the volatility of rapid scaling.
In a world obsessed with the next billion-dollar idea, this approach feels refreshing, even radical. The "growth-at-all-costs" mentality has seeped into business culture, convincing many that scaling fast is the only path to success. The Amish offer a different way, where growth isn’t the ultimate goal. Sometimes, staying small, focusing on profit, and building something solid and lasting is the best way forward.
4. Support Your Community
The Amish don’t just build individual businesses—they invest in their community’s future. Skills are passed down through apprenticeships, ensuring that valuable knowledge isn’t lost and that every person has the tools they need to succeed. One person’s success lifts everyone.
In modern business, fostering true communities is rare, but when it happens, the rewards are huge. Take Toyota, for example. When they started fostering mutually beneficial relationships with their suppliers—teaching them Lean Manufacturing, helping them improve processes, and sharing the rewards—they didn’t just see an improvement for themselves. Lead times dropped, quality shot up, and the whole supply chain became more resilient.
There’s a clear lesson here: when we support those around us—whether through sharing skills, resources, or collaboration—we all benefit. Let’s build businesses that aren’t just good for us but also lift up those we work with—because when one of us wins, we all win.
5. Play the Long Game
The Amish know that great things come to those who consistently do the right thing over time. They prioritize craftsmanship, ensuring every product they create meets the highest standards. By minimizing waste, reusing materials, and respecting their resources, they not only reduce costs but also care for the environment. Their focus on reliability and exceptional service has earned them a loyal customer base and a strong network of support. This long-term approach sets them apart, allowing them to outlast the competition.
The takeaway? We don’t need shortcuts to succeed. By focusing on quality, delighting our customers, and playing the long game, we can build businesses that stand the test of time.
Embracing the Amish Way
So, where do we go from here? Even if we’re not ready to ditch technology or embrace an entirely different lifestyle (I know I’m not!), we all want more from our businesses than just a paycheck, right?
When we compare the Amish approach with the top reasons modern businesses fail—cash flow mismanagement, running out of cash, no market need, and being overtaken by competition—it becomes clear how the Amish effectively navigate these challenges. By avoiding debt and financing their ventures with existing cash flow, they sidestep the pitfalls of cash flow mismanagement and running out of cash. Their strong community ties and long-term customer relationships ensure they consistently meet market needs, while their unwavering commitment to quality craftsmanship helps them stay ahead of the competition. By focusing on excellence, prioritizing community, and playing the long game, the Amish show us the path to creating something truly meaningful.
I don’t know about you, but this is making me excited! I have a tendency to overcomplicate things (who else can relate?), so this feels like permission to keep it simple and go back to the basics. Start with your purpose, hone your craft, stay profitable, support others, and commit to long-term success.
Still skeptical about whether this approach can work for your business? Stay tuned for deep dives into modern companies that embrace these same principles to achieve lasting success!
xx
Your Operations Bestie
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