Starting a business can be an overwhelming endeavor. But it is doable, and does not require being a Trump-esque organization with a board of directors, a team of attorneys and a 500-page business plan.
Starting a business can begin with your passion, an idea, and the desire to do something that offers great reward.
1) Passion – The expression “love what you do, do what you love” is a basic truth. When you were a child, you often play-acted what you wanted to do or be when you grew up: a doctor, an actress, an astronaut – because it was something fun and interesting.
Of course, not many of us go on to be those things we fantasized about as children, but the foundation is the same: we sought out something that would interest us. Starting a business should espouse this childhood role-play: do something you are interested in and would “love” to do for the long-term. I use the term “love” because there will be bumps along the way, and just as in life, if you love what you do, you will weather through the difficulties, objections, and any hurdles that your business may face.
2) Idea – The “idea” does not have to be a huge revelation or epiphany. Necessity is the mother of invention, and many times, a business idea stems from a need you see yourself fulfilling. Take the organization “Meals on Wheels” for instance. Someone recognized the need to deliver food to shut-ins in the 1950’s, and thus the current organization was born. But an idea is just an idea until it is implemented.
Do it, and don’t over-think. Too often, a person with a great idea allows fear and doubt to crowd in: not enough experience, no funding, wrong (or no) education, this is “bad” idea, etc. are excuses that need to be banned from an entrepreneur’s thoughts. Ideas that come to fruition can turn into orchards if seeded and nurtured correctly.
3) Desire – This may sound a lot like passion, but it is different. Passion is the heart of your business. Desire gives you velocity – forward motion, especially when the going gets tough. Being an entrepreneur is no cakewalk, and starting a company on a shoe-string budget takes a lot of creativity and humility. Be open to learn from other successful companies and individuals whom you want to emulate.
Write down what you desire to see for yourself and your business, even if it seems over-the-top. There is something powerful about seeing your future on paper. It may not all happen, but when written the desire looks tangible.
There are, of course, more to starting and building a business than the passion, idea and desire. Take note that these 3 things are mind-sets, and the #1 key to success (or failure) starts in the mind. So don’t let the lack of what you think is essential deter you from starting a great business. “If you build it, they will come” – what are you waiting for?
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I definitely have a ton of ideas when it comes to start a business, but I’m conflicted… on one hand I want to produce something that will solve a problem, and that I will be proud of but on the other, I want to make money from it. Most of my ideas are creative but I doubt they will be profitable.
Hey Donina!
I love this post. It’s inspirational and really focuses on the inception of a business. Because this subject is at the core of what I do, I couldn’t agree more with your points. Of course there are much more technical and critical aspects to starting a business, but having the right mind set is essential to lasting success.
I particularly like that fact that you make a distinction between desire and passion. You put that very well, and I think you’re absolutely right.
Great post!
Hi Donina,
Starting a business is not always a small feat but making that business work and keeping it alive is definitely something to be proud of.
And if you want to accomplish that one of the easiest methods is to have a real passion for what you do, nothing makes things easier then really liking what you are doing.
What you can do is remember school with all the classes you had, you were really good at some while others gave you lots of headaches and if you remember those classes that you really liked were the easiest, because you understood everything the first time. The same is with a business born from passion.
Of course, passion can only take you so far, having an idea to base your business on is a must. If you have the idea, then you can develop it and make the correct adjustments so that it can work in the real life.
Then, after you have everything set up, perseverance is the key, you then have to have the desire to make it, to make your business grow bigger and stronger.
Hi Alex:
It’s amazing how many things we took for granted when we were in school. What a good analogy! I did that mental journey back to school and asked myself what was it that I was good at? What were the skills that came easily? I applied some of what I discovered to starting my business.
Thanks for your insight.
Cheers,
~ Donina
Donina – I personally believe that desire is the most important thing you’ve listed out of the three you have here. When starting a business you need a high level of desire in order to make through the rough, challenging, and frustrating times that come along with starting a new business.
I agree that money shouldn’t be your only motivation, but when you have a desire to succeed it doesn’t matter how many times you fail because you will be determined to find out what you need to do to achieve success in your business. Great tips Donina and thanks for sharing.
Hi John:
Isn’t that life? Things we accomplish is borne of a desire in us to see what that desire can turn into. “Do I want this badly enough?” is a question we should ask ourselves over and over in the process of starting and running a business.
Thanks for your kind insight.
Cheers~
Donina
Hi Donina:
Talking about starting your business, you have described how easy it is to start a business. It is a great idea for those who need to do that. Yes once you start from scratch, it is only an idea that blooms to become a full time business. Planning your passion, into paper, giving it a real shape and being ready with the product.
That is right passion is different from desire. You have explained a lot in this short article.
All the best
fran A
Hi Fran:
Thanks for the comment. I think so many people get stuck in the “idea” mode and don’t execute because of excuses, i.e. fear. You are so right that the idea will bloom once you just get started. It’s rewarding to see that initial idea turn into something wonderful!
Cheers!
~ Donina
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