Looking for a business idea?

[Brendan]

You are all on this forum for a reason right? You want to start a business, make squillions of dollars and take over the world..?

Or maybe thats just me..

Anyway, most people have this dream of having the next big idea that will sky rocket them to become the next Bill gates, or Richard Branson.. funny thing is, that idea never comes.. right?

Wanna know why?

Because you are looking in the wrong places, and looking for the wrong things.. did you know business ideas can be found right under your nose?

Think about the 'Jim's' franchise.. that guy started off with a lawnmower and a trailer.. and now he is one of the most successful self started franchises in Australia and does everything from Lawns to Dog Washing.. who would have thought you could become rich from washing dogs?

So this got me thinking, we are all dynamic exciting people, why can't we take one of these easy ideas and use our passion and drive to make them successful?

Just sitting here on my couch at home, I got thinking.. business ideas are everywhere - just in this very room there are loads of things that stem from some sort of business..

Take my plasma TV for instance.. I have mounted it on the wall and cabled in a surround sound system.. what if I charged someone a few hundred bucks to do that for them? maybe do 1-2 a day.. and thats $800-$1000 a week income for a few hours work..!

Then I thought about my spare room.. that has been sitting full of junk for almost a year now .. I have to get rid of it soon so I can get it into shape.. but nowhere to store it - so I thought I would be happy to pay someone to rent a bit of space in their garage and store it there.. do you have a garage that you could store stuff in? Maybe you can charge it out .. EASY money..

In a couple of minutes I have been able to come up with two ideas, just sitting on my couch and looking around.. what if I went into the kitchen, or bathroom.. lots more ideas.. even outside..

See where I am going with this?

Opportunities are everywhere.. so what are you waiting for.. that Ferrari is just around the corner.

[Ideasbook]

An interesting place to look to get great business ideas also is www.springwise.com - subscribe to their weekly newsletter and find out about all sorts of fascinating business ideas from around the world

[The Start Up Sage]

You are all on this forum for a reason right? You want to start a business, make squillions of dollars and take over the world..?

Opportunities are everywhere.. so what are you waiting for.. that Ferrari is just around the corner.

Hi Brendan,

At Business Switch, we see no shortage of people with new business ideas. And some of them are bobby-dazzlers. The issue is really transitioning from having an idea to an operational business.

For some people it is a fear thing. The fear of the unknown, of getting it wrong, of losing money.

For many others, it is simply a lack of knowledge about what stepping stones to step on to get up and operational (of course, if you are starting a business in Australia this is where Business Switch can help out).

Then, of course, the reality is that most people who start a new business do not invent anything truly new ... they simple re-produce or try to improve on an existing business model. For these individuals it is not about thrusting a ground-breaking idea onto the world. It is all about simply being in business and making profits.

However, I do agree with you it does all start with a sound idea. It is just that this idea needs to be followed by focussed action ... otherwise it will remain simply a dream.

[Brendan]

Hey Start Up Sage..

For people new to business, do you recommend they run with an idea they are passionate about, or look at using a tried and tested business model so they can get a feel for business?

I am guessing the answer is.. it depends on the idea and the individual.. but would be good to hear your thoughts.

[The Start Up Sage]

Hi Brendan,

'Passion' is really, really important.

That's what all the carbon copy business books, expensive courses and babbling business coaches say. Kaching! Kaching! (Sounds of a cash register as another person has their money taken off them for no real benefit).

Seriously though passion has a place. However, in most cases it is simply a given. As important as waking up and getting out of bed.

There is actually a valid argument that too much passion can be detrimental to a business, however the theory is a bit too long to detail here.

We would argue that it is more important to focus on a niche (whether that niche is using a tried and tested business model or not) that provides the business with an edge (marketers will call this a USP or unique sellling proposition). Having an edge or angle is vital as it provides a point of differentiation between your business and that of your competitors. Remember, a business does not have to be better than a competitors to secure market share ... it just has to be different.

Market timing is also important. No point launching a state of the art VHS video system into the market now. However, it would have been great 20 odd years ago.

These are just a couple of factors we think are important.

[robertcamarines]

funny thing is, that idea never comes.. right?
Wanna know why?
Because you are looking in the wrong places, and looking for the wrong things.. did you know business ideas can be found right under your nose?

Hello Brendan and to all who are following this post,

They say that I should start my business related to the things I love the most.

Well, I have no idea on how to start on this idea. My passion is Photography(Nature, clouds, moon and stars) and Life Values (counseling, encouraging others).

Guys, Do you have any idea on how to start this kind of passion into business?

Thanks,

[lelah_jones]

Having an edge or angle is vital as it provides a point of differentiation between your business and that of your competitors...

[The Start Up Sage]

Having an edge or angle is vital as it provides a point of differentiation between your business and that of your competitors...

I smell something fishy! That's two posts I have found that you have stripped words from my post - word for word - and yet have really not added to the dialogue. The other is here: business Lawyer - Entrepreneur Forum for Australian Small Business

Are you a robot? Or do you simply lack originality? Regardless, you are doing your company a disservice.

[Brendan]

Thanks for the heads up Start Up Sage, we have noticed the same thing.

Leave it with me.

[The Start Up Sage]

Thanks for the heads up Start Up Sage, we have noticed the same thing.

Leave it with me.

No problems. I would leave the post in though and send a note to the firm with the link. They look like a decent enough Aussie company. I suspect they have some dodgy (and pretty cheap) SEO team engaged to spruik their services ... and this has caused the problem.

I guess they were after 'SEO Juice' ... and someone purposely forgot to mention that they need to add value to Forums by making comments of value ... otherwise their business just looks foolish (unless of course you are flogging viagra or online casinos).

Shows how badly people can fare online when, without any research, they shut their eyes and have blind faith in a couple of guys working out of a student dorm in Mumbai.

Perhaps you can show them the smart way out of the negative hole they have created for themselves. Of course, for a fee.