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How can I start my own business?

I feel depressed because i struggle to actually start a business, I feel that I can't because i have no direction, skills and struggle to learn how?

  • tldr; when i get back home i always dream of starting a little business on the side but I always waste time and never carry out with it. i always wish that I could start a little business on the side but i don't think i have the skills, I can't program do graphic design, freelance, Fiverr  or write. but i wish that i could do something. my job which is in retail hasn't given me any skills which i can start an internet business with. i am always really stressed with my job and my dream is to leave it and hopefully run my own business. but i can't do this. please help. i read all these motivational, business books such as Lean Startup and the Four hour work week and think and grown rich. after i've read them i am all powered up but there aren't step by step instructions which i can follow. all i do is plan for the future by reading. i wish i could actually do and be successful in live instead of being a disgrace. i am really angry with myself.

  • Answer:

    I think your problem might actually be caused by the scope of projects or businesses you try to take on. Misguided Thinking Your focus on a lack of skills is sort of misguided. Ask yourself: can I build a successful lemonade stand business? In all likelihood, the answer is yes. To maintain a business such as a lemonade stand takes a certain level of skill. Now I bet, when you think of a business you don't think lemonade stand but more like Facebook. This way of thinking is counterproductive. You may not be able to build a Facebook type business in terms of scale and scope but that does not mean you can't build a business. Building Your First Business In my opinion, if you really want to build your first business, first look for successful business models you have the skills to execute (don't worry about how cool/interesting the business is). Second, look for a niche audience or a new market that could benefit from this business model. Once you have these two in place, go execute. The key here is: originality is overrated. A Hypothetical Example I will give a very specific hypothetical example: if you can build a delivery service business, go start that business in an area of the country (e.g. small towns in the midwest) that is under serviced by the national corporation like FedEx and UPS. Approach local businesses and offer them better pricing, quicker delivery and incredible customer service because, unlike UPS and FedEx, you are completely focused on their area. Once you have your first business up and running, you can focus on growing the business and developing your skills as a businessman. Once you feel ready, move on to a business that is larger in scope and scale. Keep doing this and X amount of years later you look like a genius businessman. Just the advice of a budding entrepreneur.

Ipalibo Da-Wariboko at Quora Visit the source

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It sounds like you might be suffering depression--you certainly describe many of the symptoms, especially the lack of energy to pursue a goal. Perhaps you should seek treatment for the depression? Once you have the energy and drive (because starting a business is often an 18 hour a day, seven days a week endeavour), you will need to find an unmet need and figure out how you will meet it. For example, the profession of dog-walker didn't exist 30 years ago (except for a very few people in places like London, Manhattan, and Paris). I have a friend who started a dog-walking business about 10 years ago and she now has almost a dozen employees--and the only dog she walks is her own.

Karen Opas

I think you need to decide on something you want to do and then go GET the skills.  Community colleges are ideal for this.  Working and going to school will be hard, but not as hard as supporting yourself while trying to build a business will be later. If that all sounds like too much work, then going independant isnt for you.  In general entrepreneurs work twice as hard for half the reward.

Jeff Kesselman

The thing is that if you don't think positive and as has mentioned, you might be suffering depression, that's what it really looks like. When you don't believe in yourself, nobody will believe in you too. One wise man said: "If you do what you love to, then will never feel like at work" and you will ONLY be successful when you do what you like to do. There are many businesses which started as a freelance work and then have grown to a real startup. 1. Don't make your decisions when you are in a bad mood 2. https://ivannezdropa.quora.com/How-To-Discover-You-Purpose-Of-Life 3. Believe in yourself whatever you do. 4. Think positive. 5. Feel when to change the business model or the whole business itself.

Ivan Nezdropa

If you're in the UK try taking a look at these free online courses http://bit.ly/DBAuk_q 8 online courses from UCL, Cambridge Judge Business School and Founder Centric that cover everything around starting or joining a digital business, from marketing to finance, product development and building a brand - hopefully they help you to get started and learn the skills you need!

Beth Gladstone

Like all of us you have the freedom of choice in life. You need to start choosing to get up and do something about it, no one can make these choices for you, and inspiration can only help so much.Have a read through this blog: http://kuplasolutions.com/2016/02/22/innovation-guide-how-to-start-or-improve-a-business/This will help you find an idea or how you can research the ideas you already have.Once you think you have an idea of what you want to do, pursue it, even if you start of doing little things, but you have to make yourself do them, depression sometimes gets the best of us all, but once you start feeling it you have to make the choice to get up and do something, go out, take a walk, etc. Find a few quotes that inspire you, read them when you start feeling depressed.As far as skills go, the internet has a variety of content you can learn from. As Beth mentioned there are online courses you can do, but firstly decide what type of business you would like and research what type of skills you’ll need. You don’t have to have a qualification to start a business, you just need the motivation and actually sit down and start doing it.

Mandi Bester

Here is a secret that those books do not tell you.There is no formula. No step by step process. Every business is different. There is a very high failure rate 95%+ in the first five years are complete failures.You’re not an entrepreneur you’re a wantrepreneur. You want a business because it’ll bring you wealth. Guess what you read the stories of the successes. It does happen but those people are such a very small percentage.Sorry but your description of yourself says to me that you do not have the staying power to be successful. Get a job and be the best you can be at that.

Mark Rigotti

Get a job, learn a skill, find a direction, and then try to to start a business.

Jim Turner

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