So, you want to start a business. You’ve probably got a million ideas floating around in your brain, but picking the one feels impossible. What if you choose the wrong idea? What if it flops? What if you hate it in six months?
Deep breath, bestie. You don’t need to have everything figured out today. What you do need is a clear way to narrow down your ideas, validate them, and finally start.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid business idea that you feel good about, or at least a clear direction to choose the right business for you. No more sitting on the sidelines while other people take action.
Look At What You’re Naturally Good At
The best business ideas are usually right in front of you! A lot of people think they need some groundbreaking, never-before-seen idea to start a business. Nope. Some of the most successful businesses are built on things people are already naturally good at.
Think about it, have you ever been the “go-to” person for something? Maybe you’re the one who:
✨ Styles outfits for friends who hate shopping
✨ Bakes the best cakes for family events
✨ Organizes everything down to color-coded perfection
✨ Creates gorgeous artwork that makes people obsessed
These are clues. People already see value in what you do. That means there’s a good chance people would pay for it.
Journal prompt: Grab a notebook and write down answers to these questions:
- What do people always compliment me on?
- What do I love doing even if I’m not getting paid for it?
- If I had to teach a class on something, what would it be?
Find the Sweet Spot Between Passion & Profit
Let’s be real, just because you love something doesn’t mean it’ll make you money. I love watching The Great British Bake Off, but that doesn’t mean I should start a bakery.
The trick is finding something that fits all three of these:
✨ You enjoy it. (You don’t have to be obsessed with it, but it shouldn’t feel like torture.)
✨ You’re good at it. (Or at least willing to get good at it.)
✨ People will pay for it. (This one is crucial! If there’s no demand, it’s just a hobby.)
Here’s how to quickly test if your idea has potential:
- Google it. Are other businesses already selling something similar? That’s a good thing! It means there’s demand.
- Search on Etsy, Instagram, or TikTok. Are people actively buying this product or service?
- Ask your network. Post on social media or ask a few friends: “If I sold [this thing], would you be interested?”
If nobody is selling something similar, that could be a red flag. It might mean there’s no demand….that or you’re creating something new! Do a little more digging!
Consider the Lifestyle You Want
Before you commit to a business idea, ask yourself: Do I actually want to live this lifestyle?
Let’s say you love baking. But do you really want to be in a kitchen all day, every day filling custom orders? Or would you rather sell digital cake decorating guides instead of physical cakes?
Here’s a quick breakdown of different business models and what they involve:
Digital Products (E-books, Templates, Printables, Online Courses)
✅ Passive income potential (sell while you sleep!)
✅ No inventory or shipping
⛔ Requires upfront work (creating the product + marketing it)
Physical Products (Handmade Goods, Clothing, Candles, Skincare, Home Decor)
✅ People love tangible products
✅ Can start small & scale
⛔ Requires inventory, production, shipping, and labor
Services (Photography, Coaching, Graphic Design, Social Media Management)
✅ No need for inventory or upfront costs
✅ You can do it from home.
⛔ Time-based (you only make money when you’re working)
Which one fits the lifestyle you want? If you hate dealing with customers daily, maybe a service-based business isn’t for you. If you love creating with your hands, maybe a physical product business is perfect!
✨ Bestie Advice: Think about where you want your business to be in a year. If you don’t like the idea of doing it every day, it’s probably not the right fit.
Validate Your Idea With a Mini-Test
Planning forever won’t make you money. So, here’s how to test your business idea in a low-risk way before committing 100%:
Offer it to a small group first. Sell a few products or services to friends, family, or social media followers and see what happens.
Pre-sell before creating. Post: “I’m thinking about launching [product/service]! If you’re interested, DM me!” If nobody responds, you just saved yourself time and money.
Set up a simple landing page. Create a free waitlist to gauge interest. If people sign up, you know they actually want what you’re offering.
Just Pick One and Start.
Here’s the truth: You won’t know if your business idea will work until you actually try. No amount of planning will guarantee success.
Instead of overthinking, just pick one idea and commit to testing it for 90 days. That’s three months to see if you like it, if it sells, and if it fits your life.
If it doesn’t work? No big deal. You pivot, tweak, or try something new. Don’t see it as a failure, entrepreneurship is all about learning how to pivot.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Make a Decision!
You’ve got this, bestie. You don’t need the perfect business idea, you just need one that you can start and grow.
✨ Action step:
Write down your top 3 ideas and ask:
- Do I enjoy this?
- Is there a demand for it?
- Does it fit the lifestyle I want?
Then pick one and start. You’ll learn way more by doing than by waiting.
Now that you have your business idea, head over to my Ultimate Guide to Starting a Small Business to take the next steps! Don’t forget to save or pin this for later! Do you like video content? Follow my YouTube Channel here!
xx CBBC
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