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Entrepreneurial Ideas Generate From The Same Place...

This is a “random thoughts” post.  Skip over it if you feel the need.
It’s my blog… this is what’s on my mind today.

I frequently get asked “entrepreneurial questions” from my close friends, and even from random people. 
People are seeking advice and direction, especially in today’s economic climate. 
Everyone wants to come up with that one great idea that will set them for life.

There’s no magic formula.  Unfortunately. 

It started, for me, by adopting a creative way of thinking, which was instilled by my parents.  They tought us kids to look for opportunities in everything, to think creatively and to strive to be business owners.  This was a great advantage growing up… I had aspirations of business ownership even at a young age.

Today, if you have entrepreneurial aspirations, it’s not too late.  But you have to look around to find opportunities.

I can help you out:  Don’t start dreaming up random things… it typically won’t work out.  Don’t jump into something you have no passion for, knowledge of, or desire to talk about every day.

Most recently, I’ve  had 2 good friends tell me they are tired of the “day to day” and that they want to own their own business (2 separate friends… 2 separate occasions).

Now, here is what drives me crazy:

BOTH friends, are so incredibly talented in a specific field/hobby, that the answer is a no-brainer.  (I’m being vague to keep this anonymous in case they are reading) 

For example: 
If I say MUSIC — everyone thinks of this friend.  If I say COOKING, everyone thinks of this friend.  If I say CARPENTRY, or ART, or PHOTOGRAPHY — people immediately think of this friend. 

Do you have friends like this?
It’s nerve-racking to see such amazing talent go to waste.

Sometimes the answer is right in front of you. 
You have to LOVE what you are doing and you have to be GOOD at it.

Start the process by listing the things that you LOVE.  What would your dream career be? 
“My dream career would be doing ____________ all day long.”
Find something you are passionate about.

Now, list the things that you are good at.  List things that you are BEST at.
Does anything from the 2 lists overlap?

I don’t want to ruin your ideas — but if you hate shoes — then you shouldn’t own a shoe store. 
MAKING MONEY will only take you so far… that’s not the big motivator.

YOUR PASSIONS and INTERESTS will take you farther.

You will put more work into a venture that you LOVE, as opposed to one that is all about money.

ANYTHING can turn into a business. 
Writing your thoughts down each day can be a business (a blog).
People blog about shoes, sports, gossip… it’s all important.
Do you know more about a topic than anyone?  Blog about it.  People will notice.

Something else that I was tought by my dad:

“To find a great idea, it’s always best to be involved in something already.”

It’s hard to find an improvement to a copy machine if you don’t work with copiers every day. 
Once you dive into a job, or a field, you can start to look around and see opportunities — just keep looking.

While working for my dad at his trucking company (after college… no direction) — I noticed the need for warehousing in the area.  I bought a large warehouse and it was successful.

Sometimes, it IS that simple — head in a direction — look around for opportunities.

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To sum it all up:

1. If you are incredible at something, and you love it — do that.  Sometimes people miss this completely.
2. It’s easier to come up with ideas if you are involved in a job or a field already.
3.  Find something you LOVE — don’t dream up ideas just for money.
4.  Pray about it — ask for some direction.  I know this rubs many people the wrong way — but it has helped me.

the biggie:

5.  Strive for something greater than just a career.    Money is fine, but it wont make you happy.  Even doing something you love won’t make you happy. 
Be part of something bigger than yourself.
Make each day count by working towards the big picture.
Strive to raise money for a charity. 
Do something that gives your venture a purpose — something other than just making money.

For me, the day to day is more than waking up — making money for MYSELF, going to bed — repeating.

Be part of something bigger than yourself.

-  Moving Forward

-  Aron

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