Mission Statement Examples: Inspire, Write, Succeed Today

A collage of famous company logos with their short, clear mission statements displayed, highlighting diverse mission statement examples.Mission Statement Examples: The Ultimate Guide

What Is a Mission Statement?

A mission statement is a short sentence that tells everyone what your company or group does. It explains why you exist and what you want to achieve. For example, Google’s mission is “To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”. Simple, right? But it’s also powerful.

Why Do You Need a Mission Statement?

A mission statement helps everyone know your purpose. It guides your team and shows customers what you stand for. For example, Nike says, “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world”. This tells you what they do and who they do it for.

Ask yourself: If someone reads your mission statement, will they know what you do? Will they feel inspired to join you or buy from you?

What Makes a Good Mission Statement?

A good mission statement is:

  • Clear and simple
  • Short (one or two sentences)
  • Easy to remember
  • Focused on your main goal
  • True to your values

For example, Starbucks says, “With every cup, with every conversation, with every community — we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection”. You know what they care about right away.

How to Write a Mission Statement

Want to write your own? Follow these steps:

  1. Discuss Your Values
    Think about what matters most to your team or business. What do you believe in?
  2. Use Clear Language
    Avoid big words. Be specific. For example, instead of “helping the needy,” say “enabling the poor to support themselves with dignity through workforce training”.
  3. Keep It Short
    Long mission statements are hard to remember. Pick strong, clear verbs and keep it brief.
  4. Identify Your Principles
    What rules guide your work? Add these in a simple way if needed.
  5. Refine and Share
    Read your statement out loud. Does it sound good? Does it inspire you? If yes, you’re done!

50+ Best Mission Statement Examples

Need ideas? Here are some of the best mission statements from top brands:

  • Google: “To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
  • Apple: “To bring the best user experience to its customers through innovative hardware, software, and services.”
  • Nike: “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.”
  • Patagonia: “We’re in business to save our home planet.”
  • Starbucks: “With every cup, with every conversation, with every community — we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection.”
  • Warby Parker: “To inspire and impact the world with vision, purpose, and style.”
  • Airbnb: “To create a world where anyone can belong anywhere.”
  • Slack: “To make work life simpler, more pleasant, and more productive.”
  • Spotify: “To unlock the potential of human creativity by giving a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it.”
  • McDonald’s: “To make delicious, feel-good moments easy for everyone.”
  • Coca-Cola: “To refresh the world…To inspire moments of optimism and happiness…To create value and make a difference.”
  • Ben & Jerry’s: “We love making ice cream—but using our business to make the world a better place gives our work its meaning.”
  • Whole Foods Market: “Our purpose is to nourish people and the planet.”
  • REI: “We inspire, educate, and outfit for a lifetime of adventure and stewardship.”
  • Adobe: “To change the world through digital experiences.”
  • Tesla: “To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
  • LinkedIn: “To connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.”
  • Amazon: “To be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices.”
  • Facebook (Meta): “To give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.”
  • Netflix: “To entertain the world.”

Can you see how each one is short, clear, and inspiring? Which one speaks to you the most?

Mission Statement Examples by Industry

Technology

  • Microsoft: “To empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”
  • Intel: “To shape the future of technology to help create a better future for the entire world.”
  • Salesforce: “We bring companies and customers together.”

Food and Beverage

  • Chipotle: “We believe that food has the power to change the world.”
  • PepsiCo: “To create more smiles with every sip and every bite.”

Nonprofit

  • American Red Cross: “Prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.”
  • Teach for America: “One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.”

Retail

  • IKEA: “To offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.”
  • Home Depot: “To provide the highest level of service, the broadest selection of products, and the most competitive prices.”

What Makes These Mission Statements Work?

Let’s break it down:

  • Clear Purpose: Each statement tells you what the company does.
  • Inspiration: They make you want to join, buy, or support them.
  • Short and Sweet: Easy to remember and repeat.
  • Unique: Each one stands out and fits the brand.

How to Use Mission Statement Examples

You can use these examples to:

  • Inspire your own mission statement
  • Guide your team’s work
  • Show customers what you value
  • Stand out from your competitors

Try this: Pick your favorite from the list. What do you like about it? How can you make yours just as clear and inspiring?

Tips for Creating Your Own Mission Statement

  • Start with your “why.” Why do you exist?
  • Keep it simple. Use short words and sentences.
  • Make it true. Don’t write what sounds good—write what you believe.
  • Test it. Share it with others. Do they understand it? Does it inspire them?
  • Update as needed. Your mission can change as you grow.

Case Study: How a Good Mission Statement Changed a Company

Let’s look at Warby Parker. Their mission is “To inspire and impact the world with vision, purpose, and style”. When they started, they wanted to sell glasses. But they also wanted to help people see better and do good. Their mission helped them build a brand that stands for more than just glasses. Today, they give away glasses to people in need. Their mission guides every decision.

What about your company? Can your mission do the same?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long should a mission statement be?
A: One or two sentences is best. Keep it under 30 words.

Q: Should I include my company’s values?
A: Yes! Your mission should reflect what you believe in.

Q: Can my mission statement change?
A: Yes. As your business grows, your mission can grow too.

Ready to Write Your Mission Statement?

Now you’ve seen the best mission statement examples. You know what works and why. Are you ready to write your own? If you need help, we’re here for you.

Contact us for expert advice and more mission statement examples tailored to your needs.