Crackin it...

[tphetoane]

Hi Guys,

My name is Tshego and am from sunny South Africa.

I've been stuck in what I'd call a quagmire for a couple of years now and I thought I bring my questions to the world.

I've been struggling to come up with a sound business idea to get me going. I'm totally "idea less".

How did you guys know what you wanted to do and make a success of it?

Any ideas appreciated.

[Mega B]

Well do you have any interests or hobbies that can be expanded into a business,you dont mention anything for people to make suggestion on ????

[tphetoane]

Well I'm a Business Analyst by trade and would've liked to offer my services in consulting world, however,

Obstacle #1: I'm still new to the profession and experience is not on my side.
Obtsacle #2: There is no visible need in industry for this type of business.
Obstacle #3: If there was a need, my present contract with my employer prohibits me from approaching their clients which is where I'm mainly building my rapport.

[Librazoe1982]

Are you any good at consulting? What about creating business plans?

[teenbizcoach]

Hi Tshego,

Welcome to the YE forums! To answer your question I didn't find my business or purpose it found me. I was volunteering in an industry that I had absolutely no experience in but found it rather intriguing. I left my former industry after 15 years to more or less, go blindly into a new one. I have always been able to operate from my internal compass and figure things out along the way. Six mos into my new industry so far so good...I even managed to get a book written and published on the subject

As for finding your thing, your groove, your calling...It's all about what you feel, not what you believe is sound. What works for others may not work for you bc there are entirely too many variables, personally and professionally. I would piggy back on some of the thoughts of others in this thread. Think of what you really, really, really LOVE to do even if you believe there is no way you could make money. Because reality is there is a way you can make money (actually a number of them) but right now you are experiencing a mind**** because you are giving precedence to what will make you the most money vs. what is good for you (as in fulfilling). When you come to terms with what will fulfill you the other stuff is ALOT easier to figure out and definitely the answers will come before the questions. Beyond consulting, you can provide training & workshops, maybe do some speaking and perhaps even franchise YOURSELF if you so choose by coming out with a complete line of products and services created by you for your target audience.

So bottom line, choose something that is good for you...even if you don't know all the intricacies of it. BC if you love it you can figure it out easier; you will stay motivated throughout the process; when others struggle who are in it strictly for the money you will prevail; and as far as being knowledgeable...the most important thing is you should be more knowledgeable than your customer As for everyone else, it's relevant, lol.

Best wishes in your endeavors.

[DennisChang]

Hi Tshego, welcome to the forum! Perhaps you can try to gain some more experience and contacts while working in your current job, and at the same time think of what you want to do.