Jump off the cliff. Build wings on your way down.

"I Want to Start a Business, But Don't Know What to Do"

The truth is no one gives a fuck, and neither should you.

It’s no myth that traditional business plans are more of a banker’s concern than an entrepreneur's. Good news for you—you’re not a banker. Let them crunch the numbers while you focus on what truly matters: doing something people want.

The vast number of possibilities may leave you feeling overwhelmed, unsure of where to start, or paralyzed by the pressure to create the "perfect plan." You might even fall into one of the deadliest traps for aspiring entrepreneurs—falling in love with your idea before it’s even tested. But don’t worry, you don’t need to know everything before diving in.

Here’s a quick guide to help you find direction and clarity as you explore ideas for your first business.

1. What Do You Do on Weekends? Start There.

Time is precious, so don’t waste it chasing trends or trying to invent something out of thin air. Instead, dig into something you already love—something you’re passionate about or at least knowledgeable in. Sure, you can learn new skills, but remember, there are people out there who’ve been living and breathing this stuff for years. Why try to catch up when you can play to your strengths?

Take a hard look at how you spend your weekends. What hobbies or topics naturally draw you in? What do you enjoy learning about or watching videos on for fun—not for work? If you're passionate about something, odds are, other people are too. This passion is your unfair advantage; it fuels your curiosity and your drive to make something great.

So, instead of chasing the latest "hot" business idea, focus on what genuinely interests you. What you love doing in your downtime could be the seed of a business that feels less like a grind and more like a fulfilling project.

2. Don’t Just Start Small—Start Super Small

You’ve got an idea? Great! Now, don’t spend months crafting the perfect version of it in your head. The best way to validate a business is by testing it in the real world—and fast. Forget the grand vision for a moment. Your first step isn’t building the whole castle; it’s finding the quickest, cheapest way to put a brick down.

Let’s say you want to start a second-hand clothing website. Don't start with a full-fledged e-commerce platform or a warehouse of inventory. Instead, grab a marker and a piece of cardboard, and put up a sign in your front yard saying you’re selling second-hand clothes. Include your phone number and see if people text you. If you get five texts a day, that’s a sign. You’ve got potential traction.

This process is called testing your Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—the simplest version of your idea that can show you whether there’s any real demand. Don’t start small. Start super small. The faster you get feedback from the real world, the quicker you’ll know if you’re onto something.

3. Business is Everywhere—Start Where You Are.

For first-time entrepreneurs, finding a business idea often feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. But guess what? Business ideas are everywhere, and often, they’re right under your nose.

Don’t waste endless hours researching industries you’ve never been a part of or dreaming of big sectors that seem glamorous. Start with what’s around you. Have a friend who’s always complaining about a problem they can’t solve? Think back to your past jobs—was there a process that could be done more efficiently? Maybe there's something small and obvious you noticed yesterday that others are missing.

Look at your immediate surroundings, find a gap, and act on it. The goal isn’t to make everything perfect from the get-go; it’s to start something, learn from it, and grow. Treat this like a game—not a life-or-death situation.

Give yourself a week to start. Not a month, not a year—a week. Put something out there, get feedback, and iterate. Keep things simple, keep them fast, and don’t get bogged down by perfectionism.