Need a bit of advice and motivation

[pquinter]

Hi,
I am a third year at UCLA. I have been wanting to start my own business since I can remember. I have always brought out this entrepreneurial spirit when I was younger and needed money for something I wanted. The problem is that I have no idea how to start. I can not think of any new and unique ideas, and most of my ideas would require a large capital (like a fastfood restaurant idea). In order to open my mind I decided to travel abroad for a semester, and so I am currently in Spain. I have traveled throughout Africa and Europe, trying to network and see if I can discover an idea. But so far I have been unsuccessful. I don't know what to do, and it makes me stress out. My goal is to start something as soon as I come back to the US in February because I know that withing a year and a half when I graduate and begin working (most likely at Deloitte), it will be much harder to start a business. If you could please give me some advice. Anything will be much appreciated.

Thank you!

[fthom]

First off, don't stress about it! Starting a new business should be an exciting and optimistic process - not a stressful one!

My recommendation would be that you sit down and begin to write all your ideas onto a piece of paper....just let them all pour out. When noting your ideas think about what you're good at and what you enjoy and try to combine those into your business ideas. Think about businesses you know of that you'd like to run, then think how could you do what they do, but better/cheaper!

I hope that's of some help. Best of luck with it!! :-)