How do you solve a problem like...

[Moe_]

..coming up with a business idea!?

I live in Baltimore and I am interested in going into business for myself. I have an MBA and have been working in the field of Financial Management for 3 years now. I know how to run the back end of a business operation. Funding for the business isn't unlimited, but is plentiful. Now, I can't think of anything to do? I guess I'm not so interested in someone telling me what business to open, but I'm certainly open to any suggestions from anyone on where to start the decision making process. Conventional wisdom says to do what you love and the money will follow, but what I love to do probably wouldn't make me much of a living (Interests include: Video Games, Mountain Biking, Running, Boating in the summer). The idea for a business doesn't have to be completely niche, although the stability that a niche company would provide as far as lack of competition would be great.

If anyone has any advice on how to begin distilling the thousands of possibilities in starting a business, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,

-Moe

[jeffreygann]

Honestly it depends on what you want out of life. I love my freedom that I have to be with my family.

[riddings]

Starting a business requires a ton of energy... So, it's going to have to be something YOU like and appreciate... something that motivates YOU... I often read business magazines to learn about what others are doing in the world, I look at advertisements and wonder, is that something I think is interesting... Opportunity is all around you, you just have to listen to the opportunities that truly get your attention... Talk to your friends - maybe they've got an idea (they'll know you better than we know you) they think you should be doing...

[vinman]

Take any field, to be successful you need to have a burning desire. AS you have an experience in financial management why can't you start a website that offers financial products and services. To begin with start a business around your passion.

[Stone]

This can be a hard question to answer and in some cases you may have to test a few things before you hit on a winner, both for profitability and what you like to do. I personally believe one of the big factors determining if you will succeed of not is building a business that is inline with your values. When I was younger all I wanted was to have my own business, I finally got there at age 22, I had my own office, employees, the title, everything I felt great and thought I was king of the world. The problem was, a short time after I soon realized that yes I did want to be in business however I value freedom reality high and that business at the time was not going to give me the freedom I desired. I have since changed business models to suit my values of freedom and I now work from home and the internet.