Here’s a question that readers always throw at us:
Go take the leap. Photo credit: AFP
I am a teacher/OFW/work at home mom/accountant etc. etc. and I’m planning to set up my own business. What business should I get into?People are all the time looking for that great, perfect, amazing business idea that will turn them into a successful entrepreneur. An entrepreneur myself, I understand the question perfectly and the burning need behind it. They may not know it, but people who ask this question aren’t really looking for a hot product or service to sell. They are looking for something that will inspire them to turn their backs on a boring 8-to-5 job that brings them all the security they need. Or an idea that will move them to turn the world upside down so they can shell out the money needed as capital. They are looking for an idea that will push them to take the big leap Sliders-style into a parallel universe they know nothing about. I just stumbled on a one-liner from master marketer Seth Godin that jumped from the webpage to me as I was chewing on some ideas for this blog post.
“Ideas are easy. Doing stuff is hard.”It’s true. Ideas are everywhere! Entrepinoy for example is amazing. There’s something almost hypnotic about reading one good business idea every day. The Philippine Daily Inquirer every Monday has inspiring articles on how small businesses thrive and survive. Just imagine how many great minds there are in this world. As of July 2007, there are 6.7 billion people on Earth. What are the chances that your one big idea is not being considered by someone half across the globe? Doing stuff is the hard part. Acting on that idea, gearing up for production, learning the ropes, preparing for mistakes, planning and executing and selling, selling, selling – these are the stuff a good business is built on. There are guidelines that will help, however. A P125 book printed on newsprint by the Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation and the popular GoNegosyo book with classy photos that sells for P280 at National Bookstore have the same recommendations. GoNegosyo of course makes it easier to understand :-) .
It says: Look for market opportunity by finding a business that answers a need. Ask yourself if you have the capability to fill that need. Find out if this activity is something you are passionate about.Market opportunity, capability and passion, writes Andy Ferreria in the foreword, must exist together like a tripod. Passion is particularly important. Successful entrepreneurs have been known to develop capabilities along the way. Entrepreneurs have been known to make their own opportunities. But passion…that’s something else. With the risks inherent in entrepreneurship, a small business will easily turn into drudgery if it’s not wrapped around something you are passionate about. That one big idea is out there, somewhere. Go find it and more importantly – do something about it.
Go take the leap. Photo credit: AFP
Gone were the days that in order to access all these business ideas and information, one has to go through gov't agencies, NGO's, libraries, actual business location, talk to people concerned, etc. just to get the needed information.
With the popularity of internet nowadays, even farmers or anybody from far flung areas can readily access information anything about business ideas, from the small and simplest one to big and complicated ideas. All it takes is just a click of a mouse. And it's all for free.
...iM sO iNtErEStEd oF diZ..
Leo, you're right. Information is a great tool to level the playing field. It allows dreamers to become doers.
i need someone who can advice me on what small business i can do to make ends meet.. im a tapunan sa pamilya and my sister pledged to help me she wanted me to open a junkshop which i liked yet due to competion the junkshop owners who i approuch to ask are witholding info from me.. i also wanted to continue with my backyard biz anyone pls help me by giving me advice and info tnx 09184925881 thanks
Our business partners start their own livelihood projects right from the comfort of their homes with minimal start-up capital of less than P10,000. Under our partnership, we operate as franchise with no franchise fees. Each dealer is attached to a distributor in his/her area where he/she gets the supplies. The area of operation of each of the network participant is defined and protected as long as he/she remains active.
They are not required to use our brand name but are encouraged to introduce and use their own brand names.
We are into food business providing instant premixes with those who have steamers or ovens at home. No high space rentals to pay and with just a lbor help from members of the family.
We allow partners to use our premix recipes for puto spl, cuchinta, puto pao, bibingkits, sapin-sapin, maja-maja, tikoy, brownies, pancakes, choco crinkles, and many others.
You may get help and advice from us at 564-9031 or 564-2759 or 09196256440 or email us at micscomm@yahoo.com
We also have DVDs and VCDs of the free cooking demo and marketing tutorials available at reasonable prices. You may also burn them for your friends.
Is Twitter all it is cracked up to be as far as making money with it is concerned? I would like to try and build a Twitter base.
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