- The Gumption Gazette
- Posts
- Stop overcomplicating: the simple way to start your business
Stop overcomplicating: the simple way to start your business
You don't need a revolutionary idea - just start with what you know
Colleen Kochannek
September 01, 2024
In partnership with
A Note From Colleen
Hi, friend.
Probably one of the top questions I get is, “Colleen. What can I sell?”
What I can tell you is this: you’re likely overthinking ‘the whole business idea concept”.
You’ve got it built up in your head like you need to build some new rocket that will take people to Mars when, in fact, you need to think about what people want to know how to do for themselves.
I’ve outlined where to find your business idea and how to build your first product below.
It’s super simple…
Thanks for being here.
Cheers,
Colleen Kochannek, Publisher
*This publication may include affiliate links and links to products I sell. If you click and buy, I may earn revenue and/or commission.
BUSINESS IDEAS FOR BEGINNERS: STOP OVERTHINKING AND START PACKAGING WHAT YOU KNOW
You’ve spent years honing your skills, solving problems, and mastering tasks, yet the idea of starting a business leaves you feeling overwhelmed. Sound familiar? You’re not alone, but here's the truth: you might be overthinking it.
Many new entrepreneurs get stuck in the mindset that a business idea must be entirely original, complex, or innovative. This leads to analysis paralysis, where you get so caught up trying to find the 'perfect' idea that you never actually get started.
But here's the thing: most successful businesses aren't built on never-before-seen ideas. They’re built on doing something familiar but in a way that others value.
For example, consider popular services like dog walking or meal prep or home organization. These aren’t groundbreaking ideas, but people who need them are more than willing to pay for the convenience.
Find Your Idea: Start with What You Know
Begin by asking yourself:
What am I good at?
What do people come to me for advice on?
What am I known for?
It might be something as straightforward as organizing a closet, creating a weekly meal plan, or even navigating difficult conversations.
Think about those times when your friends would ask for help with something, and you’d naturally have the answer. Or recall how friends introduce you: “This is Colleen. She’s a whiz at ____________.”
That’s your sweet spot.
Focus on One Solution
When you first start packaging your know-how, it’s tempting to try and share everything you know. But here’s the key: your first product should focus on one specific solution. By narrowing your focus, you make it easier for your audience to see the value and take action.
For example, instead of teaching every aspect of bread-making, teach your method for creating the perfect sourdough starter. Dive deep into ONE area, making your product easily consumable and actionable. Your audience gets a quick win and will be back for more.
How to Find Your Focus
Ask yourself, "What’s the one thing I could teach that would make a big difference to someone?"
Think about:
The foundational skill
The most essential step in your process
The very first step someone would need to take
Choose something you know inside and out, making it easier to create your product, and ensuring your customers find it hugely valuable.
For example, if you’re great at photography, instead of teaching an entire course on photography basics, you might focus on "How to Take Stunning Portraits with Natural Light." This laser focus helps your audience achieve a specific result, which builds their confidence—and yours.
The Benefits of Starting with One Focus
Starting with one focused solution doesn’t limit you; it actually sets you up for future success. You can always expand your product line later. Beginning with a focused product allows you to test the waters, gather feedback, and refine your approach without feeling overwhelmed.
Document Your Process: Start Building Your Product
Every task, skill, or area of know-how has a process behind it. It could be a step-by-step approach to gardening, a method for managing time, or a technique for making the perfect sourdough starter. The key is to break down what you do into micro, nitty-gritty, manageable steps.
My business coach often talks about the “Teach an alien to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich” concept. You need to capture ALL the details and assume nothing. You can’t just say, “Grab a jar of peanut butter from the kitchen cabinet,” because the alien may not know what a kitchen cabinet is or what a jar of peanut butter looks like.
The amount of detail might feel silly, but remember that your product is guiding someone (who is totally new) through a brand new task or process. Write your process down step-by-step, with nitty-gritty detail. Then, work through your own process from a beginner’s perspective, or ask a friend to try it out. Were they able to accomplish the ONE thing you promise in this product? Fill in any gaps, remove unnecessary detail (that might confuse), and that’s the content of your product.
For example, if you’re great at decluttering, your process might include assessing the space, categorizing items, deciding what to keep, and organizing what's left.
Build Your Product: Keep It Simple
Once you’ve identified your process, you can package it in a way that others can use. Keep it simple!
I recommend creating your first product as a straightforward digital downloadable PDF file.
Build the content in a Google Doc (or Microsoft Word).
Create a professional cover in Canva and download it.
Attach the cover as the first page in your document.
Name your file clearly—something like The Perfect Sourdough Starter (remember: clear over clever).
Save the file as a PDF—THIS IS YOUR FIRST PRODUCT.
It’s really that simple.
I’m feeling a bit retrospective these days, brought on by a big (and hard) decision this week. I have a few thoughts on why our relationships change, but would love yours, too.
As we get older, it’s common to notice shifts in our social circles. Friends we once saw every weekend might now be people we only connect with a few times a year, and new friendships can emerge in the most unexpected places. But why does this happen? Is it because we change, or because they do? Or is it simply that life’s seasons pull us in different directions, leading us to seek different connections?
1. We Change, Priorities Change
One of the most significant factors is that we change—our values, priorities, and even interests evolve as we go through different life experiences. When we’re younger, our circle is often made through proximity: roommates, coworkers, and such…
As we get older, we gravitate towards people with similar values and priorities. Friends with the same hobby or work experience (online entrepreneurs, I see you!)
2. Others Change, Too
The people around us change. They get into a new season, too, or have experiences that take them in different directions. Friends who once shared similar life paths might take different turns. Perhaps they’ve moved to a new city. A natural distance happens and maintaining a friendship is a lot of work.
3. New Season, New People
A new season of life brings new opportunities to meet different people. As we enter our 3rd Act, we might find ourselves drawn to individuals who inspire us, who share similar goals, or who are navigating similar challenges. I know my circle changed… a lot… when I became a widow.
Whether it’s through a new hobby, a big life transaction, or simply being more selective about how we spend our time, we begin to curate our social circle more intentionally. This doesn’t mean we discard old friendships, but rather that we make space for new connections that align with where we are now.
4. The Circle of Life (Hakuna Matata, Baby…)
A shift in social circles is just a natural part of life. We change, seasons change and so do our relationships. What once was essential can fade into the background to make room for new experiences and people.
I guess I am feeling a bit pensive after having to make a huge decision this week that felt like losing my last security blanket.
Understanding that things ‘just change because they do sometimes’ brings me some peace of mind, rather than just feeling like it’s a big loss. It’s not necessarily about losing touch with people, but rather about evolving alongside the journey we’re all on.
What do you think?
UNSUBSCRIBE FROM EMAILS
Does this sound familiar? You open your inbox, and the first thing you do is delete a bunch of emails without even opening them.
Quick Win: Instead of just deleting, spend 5 minutes each morning unsubscribing from those emails you never read. It’s a small investment that will lead to a cleaner inbox—and fewer distractions in the long run. Imagine the bliss of opening your inbox and only seeing what truly matters
RESOURCES
[TWO TIME SENSITIVE OPPORTUNITIES]
Are you curious about starting a subscription-based business? You’ll want to check this out.
My friend, Melissa Lanz, has an incredible story. Melissa makes her mark selling the subscription-based product called The Fresh 20... to the tune of millions.
Now, Melissa wants to teach us how to do the same. She's already guided thousands of people in creating their own successful subscriptions, memberships, and online courses.
Melissa’s offering us TWO upcoming events (the first is free and time-sensitive):
1. REVENUE ON REPEAT FREE workshop: Melissa’s proven system for a profitable subscription or membership.
Details:
“Revenue on Repeat: 7 Golden Rules for Profitable Subscriptions and Memberships"
In this power-packed hour, you'll learn:
Melissa's 7 golden rules that can transform your business model
How to turn your expertise into a recurring revenue stream
Proven strategies for attracting and retaining loyal subscribers
Solutions to common subscription model challenges
Available Dates:
Friday, August 23rd 10AM Pacific
Tuesday, August 27th 9AM Pacific
Friday, September 6th 10 AM Pacific - Still available
Melissa is hosting a special 3-day virtual workshop called The Subscription Lab - in September. It's a fast-track program designed to help you launch your very own recurring revenue stream - without getting bogged down in complicated tech.
In just three days, you'll learn Melissa's Subscription Success Formula and leave with a concrete plan to put your expertise to work for you. The best part? You can participate from anywhere in the world, right from the comfort of your own home or office.
MORE RESOURCES
If you’re looking for some inspiration for what you could do as an online business; or, want a quick reference for how the whole process works I have two items for you to check out:
AND WHAT ABOUT THIS… WANT TO STAY UP TO DATE?
If you're frustrated by one-sided reporting, our 5-minute newsletter is the missing piece. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you comprehensive, unbiased news—free from political agendas. Stay informed with factual coverage on the topics that matter.
Questions and suggestions for admin. Simply Hit REPLY to this email or email us at: [email protected]
Reply