What if you have the drive but no ideas?

[Blue Phoenix]

My problem with business has always been that although I have various ideas of businesses I could start and I am very determined, I have never found that 'one' idea that I think would make me that money.

Everything I look at, I see in a business sense, for example how could I make money from this, is there a market for it and so on, but usually I find that things have already been done or there is not enough scope.

Do many of you guys suffer with this? I seem to be constantly looking for that 'one' big idea that will convince me it is worth dedicating my time to... Do I keep waiting?

 

[jeffbearcroft]

It's difficult to comment without further information.

Can you outline a bit about your background - age, what type of work you have done, qualifications/ education?

Regards

Jeff

My problem with business has always been that although I have various ideas of businesses I could start and I am very determined, I have never found that 'one' idea that I think would make me that money.

Everything I look at, I see in a business sense, for example how could I make money from this, is there a market for it and so on, but usually I find that things have already been done or there is not enough scope.

Do many of you guys suffer with this? I seem to be constantly looking for that 'one' big idea that will convince me it is worth dedicating my time to... Do I keep waiting?

 

[Kernowman]

My problem with business has always been that although I have various ideas of businesses I could start and I am very determined, I have never found that 'one' idea that I think would make me that money.

Everything I look at, I see in a business sense, for example how could I make money from this, is there a market for it and so on, but usually I find that things have already been done or there is not enough scope.

Do many of you guys suffer with this? I seem to be constantly looking for that 'one' big idea that will convince me it is worth dedicating my time to... Do I keep waiting?

Why should something that has already done before deter you? You could always do the same better, faster, cheaper, etc., to beat the pants off the competition and corner the market if you really are that determined. Take an existing product with a clearly defined role in a particular industry, then give it a new lease of life by modifying it to make it do something else in another industry that nobody has thought of before. The opportunities are endless, all it takes it to jump out of your current tramlines of thought processes.

 

I agree with Kernowman.

Beware the 'could of/should of' - The vast majority of businesses don't start with a Eureka moment, they start with someone doing things on a small scale & move on from there.

I guess one negative of things like Dragon's Den is that people get carried away by scale & big numbers.

 

[office man]

ideas with no idea what to do with them are best left in peoples head.

 

[Frankus]

If, as a businessman, you have drive and determination, you are valuable in the business arena. You don't need to be an innovator, pioneer, or even very creative.

There are successful ideas having been turned into good, profitable businesses looking for someone like you. Some more and some less reputable, moral and/or profitable.

There are many MLM companies and many franchises out there worth looking at.

If you're not going to be the newest, be the best.

And, no, I don't have an MLM opportunity or a franchise to sell you (just in case anyone thinks I'm spamming!!)

 

[jeffbearcroft]

Dragon's Den is just TV entertainment. Just like The Apprentice, the X Factor etc.

I'm still interested to hear about the OP's background, because, without it, any comments made are generalisations.

Regards

Jeff

I guess one negative of things like Dragon's Den is that people get carried away by scale & big numbers.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Hi there,

Just 24* years old. Have completed a business degree at university (which I consider a waste of time) and have 4 A-levels.

I am actually in a pretty good job as it stands. In 2008 I started out as a freelancer for a local paper working 5 hours a week. Within 6 months I was taken on as staff and employed 20 hours a week. After a year I was full time. In 2009 I went freelance again as I found I could make more money doing 'per article' work for a number of papers in the same group. At the end of 2009 an editors position came up at a local office and I took it.

My issue is that journalism was never something I wanted to do, nor was publishing really. I have always wanted to 'run' things so to speak. I am very ambitious, as perhaps my progression within this company shows. Even in my current position (which I have only been in for around 10 months) I am ready to run a paper... Just waiting for the job to come up really.

Anyway, Hope that gives you a bit more info!

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Whilst writing that response to Jeff I see there is a huge amount of replies suddenly appearing - thanks in advance!

 

[jeffbearcroft]

Blue Phoenix

Thanks for the reply. It sounds to me that you need to work on developing your business network. People that know you, work with you and respect you are the best people to help you move forward. They are also the best people potentially to help you obtain funding for any business venture you want to undertake.

A word of caution, a desire to "run things" ie employing others is one thing. How do you know you would be any good at it? So far your background indicates you are intelligent and have good creative skills. That does not mean that you have the skills or experience to "run" a business.

My view is, take you time and build up your experience. Don't wait for the "big break". Go with what you enjoy and build your skills around that.

Hope that helps.

Best regards

Jeff

Hi there,

Just 24* years old. Have completed a business degree at university (which I consider a waste of time) and have 4 A-levels.

I am actually in a pretty good job as it stands. In 2008 I started out as a freelancer for a local paper working 5 hours a week. Within 6 months I was taken on as staff and employed 20 hours a week. After a year I was full time. In 2009 I went freelance again as I found I could make more money doing 'per article' work for a number of papers in the same group. At the end of 2009 an editors position came up at a local office and I took it.

My issue is that journalism was never something I wanted to do, nor was publishing really. I have always wanted to 'run' things so to speak. I am very ambitious, as perhaps my progression within this company shows. Even in my current position (which I have only been in for around 10 months) I am ready to run a paper... Just waiting for the job to come up really.

Anyway, Hope that gives you a bit more info!

 

[JoTheEntreprenette]

Go and spend 1/2 weeks (for every waking hour) with a startup business owner. I'm sure your mind will be clearer after that.

Good luck

Jo

 

[MikeJ]

Picking up on Jo's idea, start a small business section in your paper. Spend some time with a business each week. You'll learn a lot

 

[Blue Phoenix]

It's not that I think starting my own business would be easy, in fact it is the opposite that attracts me to it. I like the idea of starting a small business column

 

[Barnie]

sounds like your looking for that 1 big idea that will just take off and run, problem is these ideas often don't come from a thinking session in an armchair they arise from a situation either an individual or business spotting a short fall in that given situation.

If you have the drive and passion pick something you enjoy to get you going. you can always diversify as and when

 

[FarmerBob]

Build some momentum, you can't fly until you're going fast enough to take off.

 

[TotallySport]

Have I missed something here, but I think your looking at the glass half empty here.

You already run a business, if your a freelance you already have a business, you should be doing everything a business need, dealing with suppliers, getting contracts, negotiating fees etc etc.

IMO you need to think about scalability or how to develop what you already have, I am sure alot of people on here would love to have some of your contacts.

 

[Paidpal]

Why should something that has already done before deter you? You could always do the same better, faster, cheaper, etc., to beat the pants off the competition and corner the market if you really are that determined. Take an existing product with a clearly defined role in a particular industry, then give it a new lease of life by modifying it to make it do something else in another industry that nobody has thought of before. The opportunities are endless, all it takes it to jump out of your current tramlines of thought processes.

Agree. I believe there's always huge demand for the QUALITY, doesn't matter if it's foods, clothing or real estate

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Have I missed something here, but I think your looking at the glass half empty here.

You already run a business, if your a freelance you already have a business, you should be doing everything a business need, dealing with suppliers, getting contracts, negotiating fees etc etc.

IMO you need to think about scalability or how to develop what you already have, I am sure alot of people on here would love to have some of your contacts.

I am not a freelancer... I was but I accepted a job as an editor. As I said in my post, I didn't like journalism, it was just something I fell into. I wouldn't work as a freelancer unless I had to, it was a decent wage (less than I am on now) but it was doing something I had no passion for.

 

[TotallySport]

Sorry I missed off the last sentence explaining about the editor.

Personally I think you want the responsibility and money, without the risk, and business doesn't work like that, you say your not interest in journalism yet you want to run a a paper.

There are lots of people on this forum running successfuly businesses which complement your background, what you really need to decide is do you want to work for yourself, or run a paper, if run a paper then you have to put in the leg work which you seem to be doing right, if you want to run a business you still have to do the things you don't like or pay someone else to do it.

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

You can make money out of any business - and in truth, there are few if any 'new ideas' about. They are there, but you can wait all your life for one to smack you in the face. You may make money where others have failed - but that is experience based, and probably avoided for now.

I agree with you degree theory - nothing beats experience. I have seen many utterly shocking graduates running businesses without the slightest idea, and wasting so much money, the university should be held responsible!!

Ideas need not be new. Any business means hard work, the general rule is 'The greater the risk, the greater the reward' - the skill is determining the risk accurately! Many underestimate risk, and over estimate sales and that is where they fail.

If you take building developers for example - hardly a new idea, there are plenty about - but they make a good return for their investment, be that building or tarting up existing ones. Not a new idea, not many poor developers either!

I know a chap who turned up in a rusty van and a broken sewing machine claiming he was going to make wetsuits. He couldn't sew, wasn't into watersports and knew little of what he was getting into. He did have buckets of drive, determination and confidence - his brand is now seen all over the world, even on news reports where anyone in a wetsuit is seen, you can guarantee it is one of his.

It need not be a new idea. You can improve, you can compete - you need not break ground with a new concept - far better to sell a quality known item, than a new idea!

Look at a business as an investment - 'where will I be in 10 years?' Don't think for a minute that you will be rich in two - you will be very poor, very tired but learning! That is where you get your experience from.

 

[thebigIAM]

Your lack of enthusiasm for journalism puzzles me. Most people who work on a paper are utterly absorbed by it.

Why did you start freelancing for the paper if you didn't like it? Were you doing sports reports or something like that?

Your editorship is a fantastic springboard for you to do pretty much anything you like.

 

[Esk247]

don't worry about that 'eureka moment' thought process, thats what i used to think, i thought i had to come up with a brand new business that nobody had ever thought of...i was wrong...just look at a business model, see how you can do it better and do it.

but not yet!

just take the advice on these forums, see how other businesses work, it's a tough road..you'll go weeks without any money at all in many cases...running a business is a nightmare sometimes, it can all be going swimmingly then it all crumbles and falls to pieces.

if you can, stick with your current job as long as possible while finding out more about business, the worst mistake people make is leaving a wage paying job and then suckling on a new business...drying it out before it has a chance to even grow!

 

[francsutherland]

Hi,
There are a lot of people with great ideas/products but who haven't a hope of converting this in to a successful business. Partnering up with someone like that could be an option. If it is something that you can both be passionate and enthusiastic about it will help bind you together, and get over the inevitable hurdles.
Best of luck,
Franc.

 

[Esk247]

Hi,
There are a lot of people with great ideas/products but who haven't a hope of converting this in to a successful business. Partnering up with someone like that could be an option. If it is something that you can both be passionate and enthusiastic about it will help bind you together, and get over the inevitable hurdles.
Best of luck,
Franc.

Yep, people like myself, lots of business opportunities and a few websites but not enough hands free to run them all and develop them, it's not employees that we need it's business developers, people with a passion for it that we can trust to take a business idea/website forward and generate more sales.