discovering start-up ideas

[MisterMcJib]

How do you guys think of/discover/brainstorm ideas for starting a business around? What are some useful methods that have worked for you in the past? How do you induce inspiration?

[andrewrichardgale]

my inspiration is walking around everyday and seeing opportunity everywhere...

[dvduval]

What a person told me a long time ago even before the internet was popular was to drive around and look at different businesses, and see which ones I liked, and then think about how I could do what they are doing but better. I think the internet should be viewed the same way.

[MisterMcJib]

my inspiration is walking around everyday and seeing opportunity everywhere...

ohhh, so I should be looking for opportunities...shit, that one never crossed my mind

thanks for the replies guys, keep em coming

[andrewrichardgale]

haha well its just like, when i see a retail store thats empty i think about things they could be doing to attract customers, especially at like a mall and stuff, they could setup fashion shows, and all these other things to attract customers but they dont so there business is failing but i always think well if that were my business i would have it packed

[Squandered Halfpints]

Ask various people/yourself questions.................
I am constantly searching for problems, and then I'll start brainstorming solutions. Go talk to a business owner, or even a friend, and ask them - what things do you get frustrated with, what do you usually have trouble doing/finding, etc. What do you hate doing? What do you love doing - is there anything that would make it better.

If companies that have solutions to these problems exist, how come this person hasn't heard of it. What type of marketing is the company using, whos their target market - is there another market they aren't focusing on, how big is that market, is it profitable, what are they doing wrong/right or could they be doing things better???????????????? I could go on and on, but you get the point. Just keep asking questions and searching for solutions. If a problem still exist, theres is a market for the solution. And there isn't any shortage of problems. People are always whining, bitching, complaining about something... we usually try to ignore it, but just maybe they could be your entrepreneurial key.

[mbrand2222]

If you're wanting to go local, look around the community and see what there is truly a need for. For example: I wanted to buy a car and realized that I had to drive a really long way to find a dealer. I thought about starting my own dealership. Unfortunately before I could gather the means to do that, someone else had already started one.... but now we at least have a close dealership. What are some things that you drive quite a distance to buy? Maybe the thought of those needs will allow you to fill a niche in your own area. Best wishes!

[MistaDobalina]

I smoke 2 joints in the morning and smoke 2 joints at night. i smoke 2 joints in times of peace and 2 in time of war. i smoke 2 joints before i smoke 2 joints, and then i smoke 2 more. Kidding

I find that having a clear head helps a lot when brainstorming and/or studying. There are also these things called binaural beats (yes google that shit) that actually help my brain focus a lot.

And yeah, asking about and listening to other people's ideas always works.