TOPIC: If the why is right, then everything else follows...

These days, starting a business is everyone’s dream. But more often than not, people start with the wrong foot, asking themselves the wrong questions and they usually end up failing.

If you want to be successful long term and if you want to build a sustainable business, you really need to figure out your why – Why do I want to start a business? Why do I want to get into this particular industry? And if the why is right, then everything else follows – growth, profit, success, happiness, and self-worth.

Just to give you a hint, money should never be the reason why you start a business. Remember, there is no amount of money that is ever going to make you happy - it can help you a lot, but it’s not there to make you happy. 

Now that we’ve established the wrong why, what are the right reasons to start a business?

First of all, you should choose an area that you’re good at, that you’re passionate about, and then ask yourself if that particular industry is going to be around 50 years from now, because there is no point in investing time, energy and money into a field that’s going to be outdated five years from now.

Secondly, does your business helps people solve their problems? The most successful leaders had that question in mind when they started their companies, and they all found a way to be of service, to offer products that benefit people. For example, think of Amazon – the reason why it became so successful is because they eliminated a lot of time wasted on physically searching for a product you need. They thought of online shopping when everyone else was opening physical stores.

Last but not least, in order to have a successful business, your why has to be around innovation and creativity. You have to offer something that people really want or need, and you have to deliver more than your client expects. This way, not only your customers will come back for more, but they will also recommend you to friends, family, co-workers, etc. and they will help you grow your business organically.

If you want to learn more about how to choose the right business for you and how to start with the right foot, listen to Value Driven Podcast, a show with amazing people that share their values and their experiences.