You want a new business idea? You could do this by asking a fortune teller, signing up with Quixtar, or flipping a coin. Or, you know, you could turn to more logical methods such as serious deliberation. If you’re to choose the path of logic, there are some steps you need to take while brainstorming and choosing “the one”.
To assist you with your ideas, here are the three most important questions that you should ask yourself when brainstorming:
Why are you looking for a business idea?
This question is often overlooked because it’s too simple. The truth is, it’s the most important question in the bunch. Is it because you’re sick and tired of your corporate job? Or maybe you need extra income to pay off that mortgage. You might even want to sincerely help people. Whatever your reasons, you need to figure them out first before you delve into other questions. After all, you need to know why you’re doing something before you do it.
So what do you do, and what do you do well?
From your college education, to your interests and experiences, what line of business do you know like the back of your hand? Once you figure that out, how can you improve that business and do something that no one else is doing?
Another way to answer this is to think about your hobbies, your pastimes, or anything you spend substantial amounts of time or money on. Chances are it’s something you know by heart, and you’ll have plenty of ideas from your experiences. Look for what you like, and how you can share it with everyone. Nothing’s better than profiting from a hobby. However, this isn’t for everyone. Some people love their hobbies, but they start hating it once they have to spend countless hours each week on it for clients they don’t even like. Consider this before you write an entire business plan around your hobby. which brings us to the next question…
What things can you work on for prolonged periods of time? (without going insane)
Is it the kind of work you don’t mind doing everyday? Starting your own business means you may likely need to work more hours than you’re used to, whether you’re a college graduate or a corporate slave. Are you prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that your enterprise prospers?
My mom used to run a pastry baking business and she made me wrap tens of thousands of pastries. One night, I dreamt those pastries had faces and they were singing to me, taunting me that I had to wrap more of their cousins. If you think a business idea is something that will give you similar nightmares, and you don’t have the guts for that sort of thing, then look at your other options.
If you think that this is the end of the process, it’s only the beginning. Choosing a business idea is merely a small step into the world of business and entrepreneurship.
Originally posted on December 14, 2007 @ 8:17 pm