Which came first, the idea or the desire to start your own business?

[ups47]

I have wanted to start my own business for as long as I can remember, but have found myself stuck in a 'safe' job where the money comes in at the end of every month.

The thing that stops me starting up is indecision about what sort of business to start up. I think of a good idea at breakfast time but have talked myself out of it by lunch!!

How many others started with a great business idea as opposed to the desire to be their own boss? Which was your motivating force?

For me it's the latter - think it would be so much easier/ more motivating if it was the other way round

Any thoughts?

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I truly cant remember a time when I didnt want to be my own boss even when I was at school.

For me it was growing up in a family of business owners that did it I suspect, being an employee just didnt seem an option.

 

[gemd89]

I started by my determination, wish i had done it the other way - proably wouldnt have failed then!

We live and learn

Gemma

 

[ups47]

I think determination is invaluable tho, that is where I have come unstuck, by not having enough determination / commitment / whatever.

And I do agree that family circumstances can altar your views on work. My dad was a factory worker and my mum was a stay-at-home-Mom. This actually made me think that I never, ever wanted to work for anyone else. The whole thing about clocking in and out did my head in.... and yet, here I am doing pretty much the same thing (allbeit at a higher level)

Would be so much better to have a great idea first I think. And then dump the rat race??

 

[mattyh1986]

For me it was the desire then i looked for idea. When your going through your day think look for pains , look for things that annoy/frustrate you.

The best way to think of new ideas is to look for a problem, and then think of a solution.

I graduated from Uni , knew i wanted to start a business so I spent a month just looking for problems which could be solved. I made a note of each of them and started generating ideas.

My idea came to me out of a huge frustration, I lost my Iphone in a taxi. It got me thinking about ways we can protect against loss and I came up with a great idea to stop it happening. ( Google "TagBak")

The idea is only a good idea if it solves a problem!

SO... Problem first, then idea! Majority will be no goers , but its the most affective way to do it.

Hope this help!!

 

[mattyh1986]

Look for problems to solve and good business ideas will come out of that. As your going about your day look for pains and frustraitions and make a note of them. Then think of ways you might be able to help ease the pain , the best business ideas come from looking at it problem first, then solution. Too many companies try and solve a problem that is not there!

When I graduated I spent about a month just making note of various life problems , most of them have either been solved or cant be solved. But it was one of the most frustraiting things of all which started me off. I lost my Iphone in a taxi and it got me thinking about how we can protect our stuff against loss and I came up with a very cool way to get back our lost items (google "TagBak")

If you want to start a business, keep your eyes peels for problems which need solving and you will hopefully find a winning idea!

 

[filtuh.com]

Determination and fighting spirit accounts for so much. I do a martial art, and have seen experienced black-belt level practitioners beaten by rank 'amateurs' who wanted the win badly enough. But without a plan and some research, you'll waste that effort.

Use this time whilst you're working to prototype and refine your idea. Research it as far as you're able - do as much admin research now as possible. Read marketing books, business startup books. Look for opportunities where you currently work if you hav expertise or industry knowledge in the sector. YOu don't have to be innovative, in fact it can be harder to get people onto new ideas (just look at the link in my signature - we're scratching heads on the best way to convey the concept and hook people) than it is to find something being done badly and then do it right. There is no substitute for excellence...(but it can take a hell of a lot of work).

 

[JamieM]

Desire first for me.

Just keep looking for opportunities, you will find them. Then Just Do It.

 

[2012]

the desire to start for me, most people in my family are self employed, so that had a impact.

 

[90DC]

Desire for me.

It was always going to happen, my first two jobs i had whilst at college, i started my first in October and finished my second in March. I've had five jobs (One voluntary whilst setting up) and to be honest, i found that nobody respected the work i put in. I'd see other people take their time and avoid doing the "W" word, whilst i was the one determined to be better than them. I left my first four jobs because i fell out with somebody who'd tell me to do what they were supposed to be doing, or they'd pull me up on the tiniest thing.

So i was there, feeling as i was the only person working (Other than the management) and i looked down on the rest of the people, as if that was their purpose in life, shop floor staff, front of house staff etc. (I didn't mean that in a snobby way, i just mean, they had no aspirations and would probably always be there. I come from a background where you have to fight for everything until you get it. These people had no clout, it's as though they had given up the second they were given the job)

Desire always. To rise above and set my own standards, own goals and bloody well achieve them.

 

[CSBob]

Definitely the desire. I spent the first few years after school working for a succession of complete <censored> and came to the (rather misguided) conclusion that there are only two kinds of people in this world - those being humped, and those doing the humping. I quickly decided which group I didn't want to belong to.

That was well over two decades ago, and I haven't worked for anyone else since.

I have however learned that there are actually three types of people in the world. I like to believe that I belong to the third group.

 

[jelly3]

I truly cant remember a time when I didnt want to be my own boss even when I was at school.

For me it was growing up in a family of business owners that did it I suspect, being an employee just didnt seem an option.

I felt the same, and was also surrounded by self-employed family members or company directors, but being employed was the easy option from the get-go.
The more money you spend on a certain lifestyle the more money you need to maintain the lifestyle. You get used to the lack of risk associated with a comfortable job.

Or someone delibrately, (a partner), tries to put you off. And then tells you 'i told you so,' when the first business goes t***up.

For me it is more important to be my own boss, or own the company, that happens to employ me. And make my own mark rather than being (Belinda Gates), although I would be extremely happy if that were to happen.

 

[oldeagleeye]

There is an old saying that women find successful businesmen sexy. Could it be the old testorone that drives entrepreneurs. It could be - but I am not talking about nuts and bolts here or dare I say it the number of screws - if you forgive the pun.

What I mean is the sparkle in the eye when half an opportunity comes along. The excitement of the chase delving into the research to see if you can make the concept work. Many wannabe entrepreneurs find that bit boring. I call it the 'jazz'.

And in fact most real entrepreneurs feel the jazz everyday. I go to my local shops. I notice that Iceland is buzzing and only just manage to get my delivery in. There is a Somerfield next door now rebranded Co-op. They are so slow they are down to one till and it isn't all about pricing. It is about staff training.

Iceland staff are paid no more than their counterparts next door yet they are always chirpy. Always highly professional while still being friendly. As for the Co-op. The boredom and complete indiffernce to customers service hits you smack in the face. In fact I choose to walk nearly 200 yards around the block to buy my ciggies rather than get annoyed by going in there.

The point is - COULD there be an oppotunity to set-up shop offering supermarkets 2 - 4 hrs on-site customers service refresher course. There just might possibly be. They certainly got the spondolix in the bank and the need for such courses.

We have a new one of those £1 everything shops open up a few months ago just a few doors up from my usual 'cheap Jacks' store. Are the 2 bros that own it worried. No.

They have had their shop for over 15 years and had got complacent. Now however there was competition afoot and the boys have literally got the 'Jazz ' again and without being imodest I can say I am pleased to have helped them.

Since Wollies closed opposite there is quite a long haul and hasle of getting to Romford market to buy what were 2 of Woolies best sellers - pillers and duvets. I suggested they get them in. Result instead of earning a few pence on a £1 sale they are earning quids a pop. They got socks and other bits in too now and not only are they competing they are prospering.

Result 2 happy bros and a buzzing shop because those guys got the 'Jazz'

The bottom line is - and I have said this time and time again in this forum. To spot opportunities - to feel the jazz all around you then you have to get out there.

Getting up in the morning tired thru boredom sitting in your jimjams all day ain't going to get you nowhere.

Now a Note for Gemma.

Will you stop all this negative thinking now. YOU haven't failed. You just drove up a one way street with a suitcase of catalogue seconds that no-one wanted to buy. Throw them away and the suitcase with it.

Time to turn around. Switch the radio on loud and listen to the jazz and if you follow on from the idea I gave you all your need in future is a big cardboard box and if you deliver just 2 a day full of the goodies your end up with £500 quid a week in your back pocket. Mind you. Once your got the Jazz who knows how succsfull you could become. Queen of Themes perhaps.

BTW. I'll dig the poster out for you

Rob

 

[bdw]

My business was started through necessity. I was working for a company that was going down the tubes. I knew I would be paid off eventually and I was almost 53 at the time. Because of the ageism that is rife in the UK and despite having lots of qualifications and experience I could not get a job anywhere.

I decided that I would have to do it myself so I volunteered for a severance package and went into self employment. Nine years later at the age of 61 I have a far more comfortable lifestyle. I could probably have built on my success but at my age I don't have the drive (or the need) so my only regret is that I did not stop 'working for the man' when I was a bit younger.

 

[90DC]

My business was started through necessity. I was working for a company that was going down the tubes. I knew I would be paid off eventually and I was almost 53 at the time. Because of the ageism that is rife in the UK and despite having lots of qualifications and experience I could not get a job anywhere.

I decided that I would have to do it myself so I volunteered for a severance package and went into self employment. Nine years later at the age of 61 I have a far more comfortable lifestyle. I could probably have built on my success but at my age I don't have the drive (or the need) so my only regret is that I did not stop 'working for the man' when I was a bit younger.

I just have to quote this. Ageism affects everyone. Nobody would employ me when the "Recession" came in. Possibly assuming that because i was only 18/19 at the time, that i was after a short fix. It hurt, knowing that each job application i made took around an hour, and i was doing 40 a week (Average).

 

[Christine Hough]

I always wanted to run things myself and even when working for a mulinational my happiest times was when I was in charge of an area.

However it was my husband who had the idea.

Together we have made it work, but he still works elsewhere too. I am itching for the day he can leave and work full time for Hofnote leaving me to go and start something new even if part time. He would now be so much better for the business as it is time for a real musician whereas I was the person to get things going.

 

[deniser]

I think I must be the only one who is different and had the idea first, then pursued it quite obsessively until I drove myself out of my job and full time into my business. But I guess I always had the thought that it would be nice to work for myself in the back of my mind but it wasn't the overriding factor.

 

[ADW]

The whole thing about clocking in and out did my head in.... and yet, here I am doing pretty much the same thing (allbeit at a higher level)

Would be so much better to have a great idea first I think. And then dump the rat race??

You still clock in when you have your own business...... you just never clock out.

Loads of people have ideas that will make them "millions". Very few ever follow the opportunities through. The desire is the key factor for most. Sometimes it is who you know/ right time, right place, luck, neccesity as mentioned earlier in the thread. I don't think there is any "one size fits all" scenario for getting into business, just find what works for you and go for it.

 

[petiquette]

I'd always had the desire to run my own business but never had an idea that felt right to me, until one night when I woke up at 3am with a really clear vision of what I wanted to do in my head.

I was working at the time, so started researching and planning, then a couple of months later found out the company I was working for was going down the pan. It would be the second time in 3 years that I'd been made redundant and would get a fair chunk of redundancy, so thought what better time to jump in feet first.

My site's been up and running for nine months now, and my one regret is that I hadn't come up with the idea sooner!

 

[Christine Hough]

You still clock in when you have your own business...... you just never clock out.

Ah, but its a labour of love !!??

 

[danielmeade]

I'm a real ideas guy, rarely a day goes by where I haven't had a new idea come to my head. Naturally after a bit of thought most of these ideas are dismissed as, let's just not say very good ideas.

I get excited mostly by two things in business, spotting a gap in the market, and taking an opportunity to provide a service better then what already exists.

 

[ups47]

Desire definitely seems to be the motivating force for most.

The whole clocking on/off thing has nothing to do with not wanting to work, it has more to do with the concept of someone telling you when you have to be somewhere and how long you have to stay. I have happily worked all hours on my own projects, to the point that I totally lose track of time.That is the difference between working for someone else and working for yourself (I believe)

Working in an industry (teaching) that is comfortable in terms of hours and pay is a definite negative when it comes to setting up on your own. If it was really unpleasant or really badly paid I think it would be much easier to take a bit of a risk.

A friend of mine said, only yesterday, that the best way to ensure you really give yourself the chance to start up and run a successful business is to take a massive leap, chuck your 'safe' job in and completely absorb yourself in your new business venture. That way, when it's sink or swim, you have no choice but to commit 150%

Duncan Banatyne says the same thing in his 'Change Your Life' book. He almost promises anyone who is being paid under £30,000 that, within a year of leaving their safe job, they'll be earning more than before. Working harder, yes, but I have no problem with that!

Not sure I'm actually that brave tho

 

[bdw]

I have happily worked all hours on my own projects, to the point that I totally lose track of time.That is the difference between working for someone else and working for yourself (I believe)

I agree. Depending on what you are doing it often does not seem like work when you are doing it for yourself.

The problem with chucking it all in and going for it is that you need money to live on while the business is created. The gurus seldom address this minor detail.

 

[chiggs]

I had the idea first-it was literally a chance comment that gave me an idea for a product that I thought would work.
As I went further with the research to see if anything was already out there like it (it wasn't!) and to see how I could make it, I thought the idea was too good not to take further, and so really 'fell into' running a business.
I love it though, and although my lack of business experience (I previously worked as an Air Stewardess!) has meant it's been a huge learning curve, 5 years on I'm still very pleased I took the plunge

 

[HLSSolutions]

I think a lot of the problem is in this country we are often "programmed" that we have to go out and get a steady job working for somebody else. Unless you have family or friends who are successfully running businesses, it is often a huge decision to give up the security of a job and set up on your own, and one that is very easy to talk yourself out of!

Once you have decided this is the route you want to take you need to be very committed and have the desire and determination to make it succeed. The best business idea is often led by your own strengths and weaknesses, by taking something you are good at, or enjoy, as the starting point for your new business and look for opportunities and gaps in the marketplace that you can exploit. You do not need to reinvent the wheel for a new business, some of the most successful businesses are ones that are simply in the right location, or even just set up at the right time.

I gave up an extremely well paid job to set up my own software company supplying holiday letting agents with software, I have had no regrets and look forward to every morning when I get to start work for the day.

Good luck with the venture, once you have made the decision you are going to start a business, it is amazing how often you will then start to notice the business opportunities that may have been in front of you all along.

Ian