Make Business Simple Again, With These 3 Business Owner Tips

I run my business from a sailboat.

That is my version of paradise. For the last 7 years, I've been building businesses and I've realized that we can make business extremely complicated or simple. This applies to an online business, or a service-based business. (like being an independent insurance adjuster)

These are the 3 simple (but effective) pieces of advice I'd give anyone who is starting or running a business.

Advice #1: Identify Your Ideal Customer

If you know who you want to serve, life is much easier.

You can simply talk with that person or to people like that person. They can share where they are at and what they are struggling with. You can ask follow-up questions to get to know them better.

Knowing your customer is a unique advantage in business.

Advice #2: Discover Their Biggest Problem

Look for the big thing that stands in the way of what they want.

Often, your ideal customer won't be able to identify it directly. That is why talking with them is so important. Through getting to know your ideal customer, you can usually spot the big obstacle in their way.

Once you do this, the picture becomes clear.

Advice #3: Find a Way to Solve It

This makes or breaks you.

If you've identified a problem that your ideal customer has, solve it. It's easier said than done, but eliminating the obstacle in your customer's life is a slam dunk way to start a business. You may have to try several versions of solving it, but you are farther than 99% of all new businesses.

Honestly, I wish someone had told me these 3 things earlier in my career. (they probably did and I didn't listen)

Find your customer, their problem, and solve it.