The Beginnings of the Beginnings: How to Come Up with Your First Business Idea
Learn how to turn your spark of an idea into a real business. This guide walks you through the very first steps of starting a business and generating actionable ideas.
Robert Millan
11/6/20252 min read
The Beginnings of the Beginnings: How to Come Up with Your First Business Idea
Starting a business doesn’t happen overnight. Before there are logos, websites, or products, there’s an idea. The challenge is not just coming up with a random thought, but finding a business idea that is both exciting to you and potentially profitable.
ENLYTIQ is here to guide you through this first step, keeping it realistic, actionable, and full of resources that can help you turn a spark into something concrete.
1. Look for Problems You Want to Solve
The best business ideas often come from problems you’ve personally experienced. Ask yourself: what frustrates me every day? What could be better? Where do I see inefficiencies that need fixing? By starting with real problems, you’re increasing the likelihood that others have the same pain points — and that your solution will be valuable.
Recommended tool: Perplexity.ai — an AI research tool that helps you explore problems in your industry and analyze gaps in the market.
2. Combine Interests With Skills
Your idea doesn’t need to be completely original, but it should fit your unique combination of skills and passions. Think about what you’re good at, what you enjoy, and how that could translate into a product or service. A great idea is often the intersection of something you love, something you’re skilled at, and something people are willing to pay for.
Recommended tool: ChatGPT — brainstorm business concepts and get creative prompts tailored to your personal interests and abilities.
3. Research the Market Before You Commit
Even if your idea feels brilliant, you need to make sure there’s demand. Research competitors, look at trends, and identify potential customer bases. This early research prevents wasted time and resources later on. Pay attention to what’s working, what isn’t, and where you can offer something unique.
Recommended tool: Peruse SEMrush — a powerful platform to research competitors, analyze trends, and see what’s working in your target market.
4. Test Ideas Quickly With Minimal Risk
Once you have a few ideas, the key is to test them without building a full business yet. Create landing pages, run small ads, or even just ask potential customers what they think. The goal is to validate your concept early. The faster you know whether an idea resonates, the sooner you can either commit or pivot.
Recommended tool: Carrd — a simple website builder that lets you test landing pages or simple business concepts without heavy investment.
5. Keep a Notebook of Ideas
Business ideas rarely appear fully formed. Keep a notebook or digital document where you jot down every potential thought, no matter how small. Over time, these fragments can come together into a real, actionable plan. Even the smallest idea today could turn into a startup tomorrow. Consistency and reflection are key.
Recommended tool: Notion — a versatile workspace for organizing ideas, creating boards, and tracking your brainstorming progress over time.
Final Thoughts: Your First Step Matters
The beginnings of a business start long before funding, websites, or marketing campaigns. They start with curiosity, observation, and reflection. By focusing on problems, leveraging your skills, researching the market, testing concepts, and keeping track of your ideas, you set a foundation that increases your chances of success.
Remember, no idea is too small to explore — it’s the process that counts. And with the right tools at your side, you’ll move from a thought in your head to a business with a future.