Sam Mansfield is a seasoned Business Architect with a deep understanding of technology and strategic innovation. Born and raised in Georgia, Sam’s career spans from founding startups to leading Mansfield Energy, a family-owned enterprise in the energy sector. He holds advanced certifications in technology product management, process optimization, and continuous improvement. Sam’s approach is defined by his belief in the power of discipline, both physically and mentally, and his commitment to balancing his professional ambitions with his personal values. In addition to his business pursuits, Sam is passionate about fitness, music, and humanitarian work, particularly in La Gonave, Haiti, where he supports infrastructural and educational initiatives.
What does success look like to you?
For me, success is about balance and alignment. It’s not just about achieving professional goals or hitting financial targets. Success is when the work I do aligns with my values and my broader vision of how I want to live my life. A lot of people define success as reaching the top of their field or securing a certain level of financial freedom—and those things are important—but for me, success is also about being present for my family, contributing to my community, and maintaining my health and well-being.
Professionally, success means building something that lasts. I want to create strategies, processes, and innovations that not only drive growth but are sustainable in the long term. I’ve seen too many short-term wins that come at the expense of long-term stability. I want the work I do to have lasting value, both for the company and for the people around me. Success is seeing my team grow, watching their ideas come to life, and knowing that we’re creating something bigger than ourselves.
Do you think your definition of success has changed over the years?
Absolutely. Early in my career, I was very focused on hitting milestones—whether it was launching a startup or hitting revenue targets. At that time, success was more about proving myself, taking risks, and seeing immediate results. And while I don’t regret that approach, I’ve realized over the years that there’s more to it.
Now, my focus is on creating a more holistic kind of success. That includes nurturing the relationships I have with my family, staying connected to my values, and building a legacy that extends beyond just the business world. I want to be a positive influence on my team, my industry, and the communities I’m involved with, like La Gonave, Haiti. For me, it’s now about creating a meaningful impact over the long term rather than just winning in the short term.
How does your passion for fitness fit into your definition of success?
Fitness is a cornerstone of how I define success because it keeps me balanced and grounded. Success in business can often lead to stress and burnout if you’re not careful. Fitness—whether it’s powerlifting, running, or Muay Thai—gives me the physical and mental resilience to handle the pressures that come with leadership. It’s not just about staying healthy; it’s about maintaining clarity and focus.
There’s something about pushing yourself physically that translates directly into how you push yourself professionally. When I’m in the gym, I’m setting goals, staying disciplined, and overcoming obstacles. That mindset carries over into how I run my business and lead my team. So, for me, a successful day includes time spent working on my physical well-being because that’s what keeps me sharp and ready to tackle whatever challenges come my way.
What role does community involvement play in your view of success?
Community involvement is a huge part of what success means to me. You can build the most successful company in the world, but if you’re not giving back to your community or using your influence to make a positive impact, I feel like you’re missing a crucial part of what it means to be truly successful.
My work in La Gonave, Haiti, is one example of how I try to make a difference beyond just my career. Whether it’s supporting infrastructural projects or educational programs, I want to ensure that I’m contributing to something bigger than myself. When I see the impact we’re having there—how it’s improving lives, creating opportunities, and fostering long-term growth—it’s a different kind of success. It’s fulfilling on a deeper level because it reminds me that my work can help drive change in the world, not just in business.
How does family factor into your personal definition of success?
Family is central to everything I do. One of the reasons I push so hard in my professional life is to create stability and opportunities for my family. But at the same time, success isn’t just about providing financially—it’s about being present, engaged, and supportive. I make a conscious effort to ensure that my time at home is quality time, where I’m not distracted by work or other obligations.
Balancing work and family isn’t easy, especially when you’re deeply invested in both. But for me, true success is being able to excel professionally without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. It’s about showing my children that hard work and dedication are important, but so is being there for the people you love. When I look back on my life, I don’t just want to be remembered for my career—I want to be remembered as someone who was there for his family in meaningful ways.
What advice would you give to someone who is still figuring out what success looks like to them?
I’d say take the time to really understand what matters to you. It’s easy to get caught up in other people’s definitions of success—whether that’s a certain job title, a certain salary, or hitting certain milestones. But if those things don’t align with what you truly value, you’re going to end up feeling unfulfilled, even if you achieve them.
Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. For some, it’s about climbing the corporate ladder; for others, it’s about flexibility, creativity, or making an impact. There’s no wrong answer, but you have to figure out what drives you and what kind of life you want to build. And once you have that clarity, let that be your guiding principle in both your personal and professional decisions.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to redefine success as you grow. What mattered to you when you were 25 might not be the same at 40. Allow yourself the space to evolve and adapt your goals as your life changes. Success is a moving target, and that’s okay. The key is to keep checking in with yourself to make sure you’re pursuing the things that truly matter to you.