If you have made the decision to start a small business, the first thing you will need is a business idea. You probably already know the industry where you want to start your business, but the idea for your business is the foundation for what will set you apart from potential competitors and help you attract customers.
To give you an example, you may know you want to open your own restaurant, but what type of restaurant should it be? Should it be a food truck serving uniquely named burgers, a sit-down restaurant that fuses different types of cuisines, or something entirely different? That is your business idea.
So how do you come up with a business idea? Start with determining what good or service your business will provide your customers. Here are five factors to consider when deciding what your business will sell.
1. Background and Experience: In whichever industry you choose to open your business in, it is important to have a deep understanding of how the specific industry operates, and how you can sell your goods/services. This knowledge can help you formulate a business idea that can not only give you a leg up when breaking into the market, but also help set you apart from your competition.
2. Demand for Your Idea: A business idea is only valuable if there are people willing to pay you for it. When coming up with a business idea, be sure to complete market research and find out if there is demand in your area.
3. Your Community’s Needs: Your business idea needs to be one that serves a need in your marketplace. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors to see what goods or services that they feel are missing in their lives, and see if you can fill that need. If you have the funds and time, an online survey could also be helpful.
4. Technology and Market Changes: You want your business idea to be one that will be profitable for many years to come. One of the best ways to ensure that your business has a future is to provide a product or service that will be necessary in the future and can adapt to technology and market changes. Do research on the latest changes in technology and market trends to see where your business may be a good fit.
5. Resources: The scale and size of your business will be affected by the resources at your disposal. See what capital you have, and research what supplies you’ll need for specific business ideas before settling on one.
Once you have done more research on your idea, the next step is to lay it out in a business proposal. Business proposals include a summary of your research, the goals for your business, and information about your business idea. This will allow you to see how your idea looks on paper and move forward with it.
Choosing the right business idea and turning it into action may seem overwhelming, but this guide can help you find that right idea and move forward with it.
