“I Want to Start a Business, But I Don’t Know Where to Start or What to Do” — A Beginner’s Guide
- Natalie Paquette
- Jan 12
- 3 min read
So, you’ve got the itch. That pull in your gut that says, “Maybe I could start something of my own.” But the second you say it out loud, the doubts flood in:
“But what would I even do?” “Where would I begin?” “How do people just… start a business?”
If that’s you — take a breath. You’re not alone, and the fact that you’re asking these questions means you’re already on the right path.
Let’s walk through this step by step.
1. Start With You, Not the Business
Before you dive into logos, websites, or legal stuff, ask yourself one key question:
What kind of life do I want to build?
Your business should support your goals, not run your life. Do you want something flexible and part-time? Or are you dreaming of a full-time venture that grows into a brand? Do you want to work with people, or alone behind the scenes?
Start by defining your goals, values, and lifestyle. This clarity will shape every decision moving forward.
2. Explore Your Interests, Skills, and Experiences
Not sure what kind of business to start? Start with what you know and love. Think about:
Hobbies you’re passionate about
Skills you’ve developed at work or in life
Problems you’ve solved for yourself or others
Topics you can’t stop reading or talking about
Sometimes your business idea is hiding in plain sight. For example:
Love organizing? Start a home decluttering service.
Great at baking? Sell custom cakes or teach baking classes.
Always helping friends with resumes? Launch a career coaching business.
3. Think About Problems You Can Solve
Every business exists to solve a problem — big or small.
Look around you. What do people complain about? What frustrates you? What do your friends wish existed? These are clues.
You don’t need to invent the next Uber or Shopify. Sometimes, people just want someone reliable to mow their lawn, fix their website, or walk their dog.
4. Do a Little Research (But Don’t Get Stuck Here)
Once you have a few ideas, do some quick research:
Are people already doing this? (That’s a good sign!)
What are they charging?
What do their reviews say customers love — or wish was better?
Are there gaps you could fill?
But don’t fall into the research trap. You’ll never have every answer. The goal is to gather just enough info to move forward.
5. Start Small — Like, Really Small
You don’t need a full business plan, a fancy website, or a loan to get started. Instead:
Offer your product or service to one person.
Ask for feedback.
Adjust, and try again.
The best way to start is to start small and test fast. You’ll learn more by doing than by reading for weeks.
6. File that Paperwork (Here’s where we can help!)
Once you’ve validated your idea and know you want to move forward, give us a call to take care of the admin stuff. We’ll register the business legally for you, so you can go ahead and move on to the next steps:
Set up a business bank account
Register any CRA accounts needed
Track your income and expenses
We’re here to help make this step super easy, so you aren’t struggling to figure it out all alone.
7. Surround Yourself With Support
Starting a business can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it in isolation.
Join local or online communities of entrepreneurs
Talk to friends or mentors
Ask for help when you need it
Follow creators who share honest business tips (not just the highlight reel)
Remember: no one starts with everything figured out. They start messy and learn as they go.
Final Thought: Progress Over Perfection
If you’re waiting for the perfect idea, the perfect time, or the perfect plan — you’ll be waiting forever.
Starting a business is more like building a puzzle. You don’t need all the pieces at once — just enough to begin.
You’ve already taken the first step by asking the question. Keep going. You’ve got this.
Ready to get started? Still have questions? Give us a call or set up a free consult, and we can help answer your questions or get you started!
