New businesses are opening up left and right in today’s fast-evolving world. Being an entrepreneur is the trend, and I think it shows just how many people are ready to call their own shots in life instead of having to rely on their 9-to-5 jobs.
Entrepreneurship is such a personal experience. We’re not all built the same way, which is part of the reason why the world is a mix of dynamic and innovative products and services. That’s a great thing!
And if you’re someone who’s thinking about breaking into the world of self-employment, one of the big questions on your mind right now might be, “which business should I start”?
I think it all depends on who you are and what kind of business you’ll fight for to see success. For this blog post, my goal is to share six general tips that can help aspiring entrepreneurs gain clarity on their first hustle. Let’s dive in!
1. Find what fits your lifestyle.
Are you a full-time stay-at-home parent or are you a single person with plenty of time on your hands? While almost all types of businesses will demand a lot of your time and focus, especially during the start-up phase, it’s important to assess your current lifestyle so you know how to integrate your new business into everything.
2. Look for a business that can teach you new things.
When searching for a business, I always pay attention to what it can teach me or what it will encourage me to learn. Entrepreneurship pushes our limits in ways we’ve never experienced before, which also makes it fun!
Some of the most successful business owners say that their greatest transformations happened in the middle of figuring out how to run their businesses. No one goes into it fully equipped.
3. Search for a business idea that’s fulfilling.
I’ve noticed that happy entrepreneurs are ones that are doing something that they fully believe in. They’re proud of the impact of their product or service. This sense of accomplishment isn’t derived from making money alone.
While profit is not a bad motivator for starting a business, there are other things that make entrepreneurship worthwhile such as:
- Seeing our product or service solve a problem for customers.
- Making customers happy.
- Creating strong relationships with customers and clients.
4. Visualize what a day will look like.
Tap into your creative mind and imagine what a day will look like in your new life as an entrepreneur. Then ask yourself if you’re fully prepared for the shift.
Different types of businesses will have different emotional, financial, and social demands. A coaching business, for example, means you’ll need to interact with one or more people regularly.
There’s a big chance you’ll need to move your schedule around or incorporate new tasks into your daily routine. Visualization helps you gain clarity on all this, which in turn helps you to make more confident and practical choices.
5. Consult with other entrepreneurs.
Many people skip this important step when they’re considering different business options, but its importance can’t be stressed enough.
You will need to figure out a thousand things by yourself. And mistakes can be extremely costly. If you genuinely have a tolerance for intense challenges, you might not want a mentor. But if you want guidance, wisdom, and a faster path toward your goals, it’s best to seek out someone who has already achieved what you want to achieve.
6. Be clear on what problems the business will solve and how it can help others.
A business that’s centered on serving others has a higher chance of succeeding. Let’s take the online retail giant, Amazon, as an example. One of their top priorities is ensuring that every customer is happy with their experience, not just during the shopping process, but also during post-purchase interactions.
Their goal was to provide convenience and a wide selection of items from every product category available! Combined with its top-notch customer service program, Amazon is an untouchable household name that continues and will continue to dominate because of its clear purpose and its ability to turn website visitors into loyal customers.
Our First Business Often Teaches Us The Most
We never forget our firsts. That moment when we decide to become an entrepreneur fundamentally changes our thinking. We go from being passive consumers to creators of products, services, and jobs.
Our views dramatically change too. We develop a deeper appreciation for the function of small businesses in the economy, and we see how large companies can impact the direction of a country’s growth.
It’s a whole new world all of a sudden, and you are now a part of it. So, embrace the lessons of the first adventure.