Free library · Business Ideas
The "boring business" test: five questions before you start anything
Why the least exciting ideas often make the best first businesses.
Exciting ideas attract competition, investors and attention. Boring ideas attract customers who simply need a problem solved and will pay to have it gone. For a first business, the second group is the one you want.
Run any idea through these five questions.
1. Is someone already paying to solve this?
Existing spending is proof of demand. If people pay a cleaner, an accountant or a repair shop today, you don't have to convince anyone the problem is real.
2. Can you find your first ten customers without advertising?
If you can list ten people or businesses you could contact this week, you can test the idea for free.
3. Could you deliver it yourself this month?
Your first version should need your time, not a factory, an app or a team.
4. Does it get easier the more you do it?
Good first businesses build skill, templates and reputation, so each customer costs you less effort than the last.
5. Would you be happy doing it for three years?
Boring doesn't mean miserable. Pick a problem you are glad to get better at solving.
Scoring
Give each question a 0, 1 or 2. Anything scoring 8 or more is worth a real-world test. Anything under 5 is probably an idea you like, not a business customers need.