Business Idea

Do you want to start your own business but don’t yet have the right business proposition? We’ll show you how to find it.

What is a business proposition?

The business proposition describes the solution your company offers and the problem it solves. That’s because to sell your product or service successfully, there must be demand for it.

Real-life examples from our consultations:

Online shop with products from Asia
The company owner has strong roots in Asia and noticed that many popular products were not available in Switzerland. She identified the problem and created an online shop with these products in Switzerland as the solution.

Nutritional advice
This founder was employed and had been studying the subject of nutrition in depth in his free time out of personal interest. It got to the point where his co-workers began asking him for advice. He realised he was meeting a need and turned it into a business. He now offers his services as an independent nutritional advisor.

When they are searching for a business proposition, however, many founders often find themselves at a loss – either because they don’t have one yet, because they are hung up on one idea or because they think that their proposition has to fulfil an entirely new concept. We can put your mind at rest, especially about the last point. A business proposition doesn’t always have to be entirely new or innovative for it to work. But what it does need is motivation, good planning and time.

It is often the case that you only have a vague idea that has not yet taken shape. You may also have an idea, but discard it, and a new one comes along in its place. This is normal and no reason to throw in the towel. The good news is that there are several ways to find the right business proposition.

This is how you go about brainstorming the right idea

We will show you in this section which methods can help you find your business proposition. Please note that not all of these methods will help you achieve your personal goal. But what’s important is not to put any pressure on yourself and to discover the method that suits you best. Play the role of a researcher and join us on the hunt for business propositions.

Self-reflection

Your business proposition has to be the right one for you. Sometimes it helps to take a look at yourself. You should then take a step back and ask yourself the following questions:

What am I good at?
What do I find interesting?
Why do I want to start my own business?

Explore trends and competition

Investigate what is currently popular, in demand or trendy. Try to answer the following questions when researching current trends:

What is it that makes this concept/company so successful?
Why does the concept work?
Is there something I could adapt or maybe do better?

It is important to understand that trends are constantly evolving, changing and adapting to the needs of the customers. The zukunftsinstitut.de platform has a very good and accurate explanation of the trends (in all areas of life) that we will encounter in the next few years. It’s worth taking a look at it.

Shine a light on your daily life

The objective here is to identify a potential “pain point” – and then to try to solve it as well. An example: You want to eat more healthily, but you don't have time to cook. That’s a problem you’ve identified in your personal daily life. Solution: You start a company that specialises in healthy meals with home delivery. Start searching and looking at the problems you encounter regularly in your daily life. Ask yourself why these problems exist and how inconvenient they are on a daily basis. Based on this, you can then start thinking about how you can solve this problem with your own company.

Talk with friends and family

Just talk with friends or family about their challenges. This will help you gather new insights and ideas, or gain perspectives that you may not have thought about before. To stop you from losing the new ideas straight away, it’s worthwhile creating a mind map or carrying a small notebook with you.

Googling

Taking a look at existing business models can also help. Look closely at which ones relate to what you’re interested in. This will help you work out who their target customers are, what ranges of products or services they offer and how they deliver them. You may find some areas of overlap with your own. But that doesn’t matter. Because you don’t always have to reinvent the wheel.

10 promising business ideas

You can start your own business in any field. As long as you offer a product or service for which there is a demand, you can become successful. Below are some business ideas to inspire you:

1. Craftsman

A business idea as a craftsman can be diverse. For example, you could specialize in renovation work or focus on a specific area such as electrical installations, plumbing work or carpentry. As a craftsman, you have the opportunity to use your craftsmanship and offer individual solutions for the needs of your customers.

2. Coach

As a coach, you have the opportunity to support people in different areas of their lives and help them achieve their goals. For example, you could specialize as a business coach, life coach, health coach, or career coach. It is important to bring your own expertise and experience in the particular area and offer customized coaching programs.

3. Cosmetician

In the cosmetics industry, there are many opportunities to start your own business. For example, you could open your own cosmetic studio and offer various treatments such as facials, manicures, pedicures, or hair removal. You could also develop and sell your own cosmetic line or go to customers' homes as a mobile beautician.

4. Consulting

Consulting is another promising field of business that offers many opportunities. As a consultant, you can use your knowledge and expertise in a particular field to help businesses or individuals with their challenges. For example, you could specialize as a business consultant, marketing consultant, financial consultant or human resources consultant. It is essential to offer individual solutions and develop tailor-made strategies to meet the needs and goals of your clients. Through sound analysis and advice, you can help your clients achieve their goals and be successful.

5. Electrician

As an electrician, you could specialize in electrical installations, repairs, or maintenance. You could start your own electrical business and offer services such as installing lighting systems, electrical outlets or security systems. In doing so, it's important to have the necessary expertise and certifications to provide high-quality work.

6. Trade

One business area that offers many opportunities is trading. As an entrepreneur in commerce, you can offer products or services that are in high demand. You can specialize in different areas and find your own niche. An example of a successful business idea in commerce is building an online store. You could focus on specific products from a certain area, for example fashion, electronics, jewelry or household goods. It is crucial to offer products that are popular in your target group and offer added value. You could also develop your own brand and sell your products under your own label.

7. Photographer

As a photographer, you have the opportunity to capture moments and create memories for your customers. For example, you could specialize in wedding photography, portrait photography, product photography or event photography. It's important to have good equipment and creative ideas to create unique images.

8. Restaurant

Opening a restaurant requires passion for good food and hospitality. You could specialize in a particular cuisine or offer a diverse menu. It's critical to use high-quality ingredients and create a pleasant ambiance to delight your guests.

9. Agency

As an agency, you could offer various services, such as marketing, PR, event management or design. You could specialize in certain industries or target groups and develop tailor-made solutions for your clients. It is important to have an experienced team and good contacts to be successful.

10. Online shop

An online store gives you the opportunity to sell products or services online. For example, you could offer clothing, jewelry, electronics or handmade products. It is essential to have a user-friendly website, good logistics and effective customer service to satisfy your customers.

If you are satisfied with your business idea, the next step is a structured market analysis.