No, this isn't me
Gal’s Note – Unlike other blogs who’ll tell you that working for someone else makes you a brain dead wage slave, I’m going to tell you that starting a business is not for everyone. It’s risky, takes a lot of work to start and requires a lot of time to maintain. There are no easy solutions here and no easy alternatives to a day job. Some people will like this choice and some won’t. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with working a standard job for someone else and if that’s what you like then by all means, enjoy. In fact, if that’s what you want, I have a few other posts you may be interested in.
Gal’s other note – This was originally meant to be a single post. However, due to the increasing length of the post and my own time constraints, I’m going to make it part of the whole Diamonds or Dogs series. I’ll explore more aspects of starting my own business in the over the new couple of weeks.
So you want to create a business? Here’s a few things I’ve learned over the years, starting up both successful and unsuccessful businesses. The basics of starting a business consist of:
- The Idea – What is it that your business will do?
- The plan – How are you going to launch your business?
- The communication – Who are you talking to about your business and why?
- The execution – Putting you plan into action.
- Adapt and evolve – What do to after it turns out that your plan was wrong.
The Idea
Thomas Edison said that “genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration”. What that means to a struggling business owner is that your idea doesn’t have to be perfect, you just need to work very hard at making it successful. I would also add from my own personal experience that your idea will change as you start developing it. For example, Diamonds or Dogs, my gifts site, was conceived as an online store for electronic gadgets. It then turned into a gift review site for men with an intended audience of women and is now a gift review site for either gender as reviewed by people of that gender. I’ve had that experience with every business idea I’ve had and with every start up I’ve been involved with. Businesses evolve, so don’t be afraid to change if you think it’s necessary.
That said, do stick with something if it’s working and don’t just jump from idea to idea every week. The trick is knowing the balance between sticking with what you’re doing and switching tracks to something new. For me, I stick with what I’m doing unless it’s obviously not working or the new idea is so incredibly good that it makes my previous idea pale by comparison. My guidelines for “not working” is if I’ve been working hard at something for 3 months and I’m making no progress. That to me means something is wrong and either I need to change my idea or my approach. As for my guideline for an idea that’s incredibly good, well, It’s like my guideline for porn, “I’ll know it when I see it”.
Sources for Ideas
As for where to get ideas, I would suggest looking at your everyday life. What do you do well? What do you need and can’t find? What do people talk about? Keep a mental track of these things and eventually you’ll find an idea. Are people saying they can’t find a good Mexican restaurant in your neighborhood? Are they saying they wish they had a website that would make looking for gifts easier? Are you really good at helping people stay in shape? Are you an incredible shopper?
What you’re trying to do is keep two lists. The first one lists the things you’re good at. The second lists the things people want. Sooner or later, the two will intersect and there’s your business idea. For example, on my list of things I’m good at was “setting up websites” and “writing reviews”. On my list of things people are looking for was “a better way to find the right gift”. The two intersected with Diamonds or Dogs.
But I Have No Skills…
Then stop whining and get some. Seriously, if your list of “things I’m good at” doesn’t seem very long, go out there and improve yourself. I learned how to set up websites on my own. I know other people who’ve learned similar skills through night classes, hobbies or trial and error. The more skills you have, the greater your chances of finding that intersection of something you know and something people want. There are so many ways these days to learn skills that not having them is a really poor excuse that only lazy people use. Try a free podcast from the iTunes store and learn how to code or learn Spanish, volunteer at a local shelter and learn how to cook a lot of food, take a night class and learn how to play the guitar or learn a book on knitting. The world is quite literally at your fingertips but it’s up to you to take advantage of that.
But I Don’t See Any “Needs”
Then you’re not paying attention or you’re spending too much time in front of the TV. Talk to your friends, read the news, peruse magazine, read your local newspaper, read online blogs, talk to your coworkers. All of these are sources for “what people are looking for”. All you have to do is pay attention. As you read an article, note any questions or problems that seem unsolved. As you listen to a conversation, pay attention to anything people are complaining about. All of these are needs. If you can solve them, you might have a viable business.
Also, don’t underestimate what people want. There are a lot of needs out there and the internet does a great job of connecting people with niche needs with other people with niche skills. Do you think your knowledge of 1800’s African history is pointless? Maybe, or maybe not. Maybe there’s a niche out there for a website on 1800’s African history, or maybe you can write a young adult fiction novel based in that era. The key is to know your skills and add to them where possible.
It Doesn’t Need To Be Perfect
I can shoot holes in almost any idea. What if this happens? What if that happens? What if… Listen, you’re never going to find the perfect idea. If such a thing existed, someone else is already doing it. What you will come up with are good ideas and good ideas are good enough. If your idea sounds good, go with it, even if it’s not perfect. Don’t let perfection be your enemy!
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Ok, that’s all for ideas. Next post will discuss making a plan for launching your business.
