By Grace Darcy
Do you have a passion for entrepreneurship, but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone.
Many people have the drive and passion for starting a business, but don’t immediately have a business idea. That’s okay!
Here are four tips and tricks on how to find a business idea so you can begin your journey as an entrepreneur.
Is there something you find overly annoying?
Do you ever find yourself doing tasks and thinking “this is such a waste of time”? Instead of wishing someone else can handle those tasks for you, turn those into business ideas.
Throughout the day make a list of tasks that you find annoying, a waste of time, or something you are constantly having to search for on the Internet. At the end of the day look at that list and narrow it down. See which of those tasks can be turned into a business venture. Is there a solution to these tasks that you can provide?
This might take a lot of brainstorming to figure out what could be a solution to such problems, but take the time to figure it out. If you want a solution for certain tasks, many people are going to want a solution as well.
What do you have a head start on?
To create a business, you don’t need a “world-changing” idea or innovation. It can simply be something you enjoy doing or creating.
Is there a hobby you find yourself indulging in during your free time? Maybe you like to create keychains, or pottery, or crochet. Is there a skill that you have that people find useful? Maybe you are amazing at cosmetology or photography.
A business can be something that you already find joy in doing.
Make a list of your hobbies and skills. Narrow those down to what you can sell or provide to people.
Who would be your audience?
When promoting your business, it is important to have a target audience, but you can also use this as a way to find a business idea.
Instead of taking an idea and figuring out who your audience will be, find an audience and build your business idea around that.
If you are a part of a club or group on campus, figure out what kinds of things the group struggles with finding or needs.
For example, if you are a part of a theatre or drama club and are helpful in costume design, makeup or hair, you can use this to build a business idea. You can create a clothing business or provide cosmetology services. Maybe you help the club in creating props/ set designs, you can create a business selling art.
A business’ audience doesn’t have to be this niche. You can find a bigger audience, such as students, and gear a business towards them.
If you already have the audience in mind during the development stage of the business, you’ll have an easy time marketing and promoting your products towards that group later on.
Will this be something you’ll enjoy creating or providing to people?
When starting a business, you want it to be something you’ll enjoy doing. You don’t want your business to fall as a burden or an annoyance on you.
Building off of tip two, you can create your business with hobbies you already enjoy. If you are still unsure of a hobby that can be built into a business, try some new hobbies or tasks to see what you love doing.
Your business idea doesn’t have to be something you already love doing, it might be something new that stirs that same passion.
In the early stages of building a business, it is the perfect time to explore new ideas. Take the time to figure out what you love doing.
Finding a business idea doesn’t have to be overly complex, the idea might be right in front of you.
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About the CIE:
“Where underestimated talent becomes unstoppable.”
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship follows a mission of providing hands-on experiences to turn into something meaningful and impactful. The CIE supports “underestimated people and early-stage ideas with strategy, grit, and belief.”
The vision of the CIE is to make Texas State University “a place where entrepreneurship and innovation are real and accessible to anyone with the courage to create.” The CIE provides opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and the community to turn ideas into lasting ventures.
Media Contacts:
To become involved in the CIE as a student, faculty or staff, alumni, or community member, connect with the CIE team:
Quinn Valentine, Director for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, McCoy College of Business, at quinn.valentine@txstate.edu
Kendall Perkinson, CIE Program Coordinator
Email: kendallperkinson@txstate.edu