New Business – Where to Start
The Real First Step (It’s Not What You Think)
Everyone tells you to write a business plan. Create financial projections. Research your market. Build a website. Register your company.
But here’s what actually matters first: Can you explain your idea to someone in one sentence?
Not your elevator pitch. Not your value proposition. Just: “I want to help people do X because Y is a real problem.”
If you can’t do that clearly, everything else is just busywork.
Start With the Problem You Actually Understand
The best businesses come from problems you’ve personally faced. The pie maker who was tired of terrible pub food. The dog owner who couldn’t find a safe place to let their pet run free. The parent who couldn’t find decent childcare.
Don’t start with:
- What’s trending
- What might make money
- What you think people want
Start with:
- What frustrates you personally
- What you wish existed
- What you’ve complained about to friends
The “Is This Actually a Business?” Test
Before you spend a penny, answer these:
- Would you pay for this solution yourself? (Be honest)
- Do you know at least 5 other people who would pay for it?
- Can you deliver it without massive upfront investment?
- Will people still need this in 5 years?
If you answered no to any of these, that’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. But it means you need to think harder about whether this is a viable business or just a good idea.
What You Actually Need to Start
Week 1-2:
- Talk to 10 people about the problem (not your solution)
- Find out how they currently deal with it
- Ask what they’d pay for a better way
Week 3-4:
- Create the simplest possible version of your solution
- Test it with 3-5 people
- Charge something, even if it’s just $1
Week 5-6:
- Improve based on feedback
- Find your first paying customer
- Figure out how to deliver consistently
Everything else – the logo, the business cards, the perfect website – comes after you’ve proven people will actually pay for what you’re offering.
The Number 9 Wire Approach
Kiwis are famous for making things work with whatever’s on hand. Apply that to your business:
- Use free tools until you outgrow them
- Test your idea before you invest heavily
- Build relationships before you build systems
- Solve problems with creativity, not just money
When You’re Ready for Help
If you’ve got this far and you’re stuck, that’s normal. Sometimes you just need someone who’s been there to look at what you’re building and say “try this” or “avoid that.”
That’s where conversations matter more than courses.
