Is Your Business an Idol? Brandon Clifford on Finding Christ in the Chaos of Success
The Winter of the Grind and the Hope of Resurrection
Every business owner knows the "brown mud and sticks" of a hard season. In the rugged landscape of New England, Brandon Clifford observes that while everyone loves the fall colors, the true miracle is the spring. It is a "little model of the resurrection"—the moment life breaks through the dark, cold days of winter.
Brandon Clifford, CFE, is the CEO of Business Alliance, Inc., where he leads a national network of franchise consultants, more than 350 franchise brands, and key industry suppliers. With nearly two decades of experience in franchise development, consulting, and ownership, he brings deep expertise to every stage of the franchise journey. Earlier in his career, Brandon successfully launched and grew multiple restaurants, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Today, he is passionate about helping individuals achieve both personal fulfillment and financial success through franchising.
For years, Brandon lived the restaurant "grind," managing dozens of employees and the relentless pace of food service. But as he matured in faith, he realized that a business is more than a paycheck; it is a "living, breathing organ" made of people. If you are currently in a "winter" season of burnout, remember that the Lord is the Master of the seasons. Your struggle is not the end; it is the soil for your resurrection.
The Idol of the Office—Who Do You Truly Serve?
It is a dangerous trap to walk into your own store or office and become the "center of your own universe". Brandon warns that when 15 employees are calling you "sir" and following your every command, it is easy to start playing God.
The podcast highlights a sobering truth: you cannot serve two masters. Either Christ is on the throne of your heart, or your business is. Brandon points out that when we identify primarily as "The CEO" rather than a child of God, we have abdicated our ultimate goal: Heaven. Business becomes an idol when it is no longer "rightly ordered" toward the higher good. Success that eats you alive or costs you your health—as David Mansilla experienced with a stress-induced heart attack—is a success that has become a master.
Scaling "Holy Moments" Through Stewardship
What if your business was a vehicle for the Holy Spirit? Brandon’s career took a radical turn when he read about the concept of "Holy Moments"—simple acts of kindness and grace that fix a broken world. He began to pray a prayer of transformation, asking God to help him create these moments at scale.
The very next day, a door opened for him to lead a senior care franchise. Brandon realized that by helping people enter the senior care industry, he wasn't just selling a business; he was facilitating "holy moments at scale" for the elderly and their families. This is the heart of franchising: people helping people. When you view your leadership as stewardship, your work becomes a ministry that provides jobs, impacts customers, and serves the community for the glory of God.
The Discipline of Replacing Yourself
A business that depends entirely on you isn't an asset; it's a "risky job" filled with liability. Brandon’s leadership style is rooted in the humble discipline of replacing himself. He challenges every leader to take every "hat" off their own head and place it on someone else's.
This isn't just a business strategy; it’s an ego-crushing spiritual exercise. As high-performers, we want to be the ones who "get stuff done". But true Kingdom leadership means building a "self-managed company" that can thrive while you are on a pilgrimage with your family or serving the Lord in other ways. Your proudest moment as a leader should be the day your organization no longer needs you to function.
Established Steps and Eternal Legacies
"The Lord is moving in all things," Brandon reminds us. "He’s the Master of the universe, not just the Master of church on Sunday". Brandon’s journey from a 24-year-old restaurant owner to the CEO of Business Alliance, Inc., is a testament to Proverbs 16:3: when you commit your work to the Lord, He establishes your steps.
The fires of business trials will either burn you up or forge you like iron. If you stay grounded in Christ, those trials become the refining heat that prepares you for your true legacy. Business will pass away, but souls are eternal. As you lead, keep your eyes on the final target—Heaven—and trust that if you walk in obedience, the Lord will provide the prosperity and peace that no bottom line can ever offer.
Written by Jovilyn Dela Cruz
“If you’re not thinking about your business as an investment that you’re going to sell for a multiple someday, you just have a job... and it’s a risky job. If it’s not rightly ordered, it can eat you alive.”
