Image Source
More of us than ever want to become entrepreneurs. We crave the creative freedoms and chance to make a genuine impact that only working for yourself truly offers. With tales of successful people who worked hard and had a vision all around us, and lifestyle rewards being more highly prized than ever, many of us think starting a business can be our way to build a life we love.
The intention may be there, but not everyone wakes up one day with an idea to change the world. Luckily, whatever else it takes in terms of determination, flexibility and tenacity, the inspiration is the one thing you can work out later. Here’s how to find out what you need to do:
Find Your Personal Values
Every start-up business needs a vision. That vision shapes the values and personality of the business- exactly the things that will help it stand apart from the crowded marketplace. And working out what values will inform your company means working out what values inform your life. What do you stand for? What do you care about? What change do you want to see in the world? If you have these factors clear in your mind, the solution will be a natural fit. Perhaps you feel that election voting needs to be changed up, like Smartmatic. Perhaps you believe in helping other people women succeed in business. Perhaps you just really care about providing good coffee to happy customers like Starbucks! Whatever you’re passionate about, that’s where you need to steer your business efforts too.
Answer a Customer Need
The first rule of business is to understand your customer inside out, and the easiest way to do that is to be your own target audience. Think about the pressure points in your life and what could make it easier. Would you have these in common with similar people? If so, you’ve found something. So many companies are set up to address a need that the founder saw in their own lives. Reach out to you friends and float a few ideas. Do they have similar needs? Would they pay for a product or service that addressed that? Look around at the businesses around you, and think about the need they are addressing. Why might a physician answering service have been created? Social media can be an amazing tool to canvass opinion and test the waters with your business idea.
Trust in Your Skills
Learn to identify what you do best. It’s an old truism that people buy from people, and if you find an area where you can shine, you’ll be halfway there. Sticking to your strengths will generate a business idea that suits you. Super organized? Perhaps an events planning business could be for you. Excellent communicator? Offer copywriting services. Align what you do to your natural talents and you’ll be in an extremely strong position.
Starting your own business is undeniably hard work, but it can also bring the greatest rewards in every respect. Believe in yourself, do your homework and offer something unique to the world and you could be onto a winner. Once you get started, there will be no stopping you!
No comments yet.