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Start businesses that solve problems – fix what’s broken!

It’s a crowded market they say….so many folks are doing the same things they say….how do you stand out….how do you develop something that’s different so that you can make money. Start businesses that solve problems! Today let’s find out what’s broken and how you can develop a business that fixes it…and let’s also talk about how to stand out in a crowded market.

Everyone bakes cupcakes…..but does everyone have gluten free cupcakes? Does everyone serve cupcakes with your own choice of frosting? There are many times I want a strawberry cupcake but with a cream cheese frosting and most people sell cupcakes as it is….with a strawberry frosting. What if I wanted to create my own cupcake using a reg base but having something else on top. What if I wanted a cupcake that was gluten free? When you think of ways to find out what’s broken you have to also incorporate ways on how you can fix that problem. If the market is crowded lots of people are wanting to spend their money! That’s how you know that you have a winning brand. Focus on what you don’t see in an everyday product and find a way to come up with a way to make it different. There are ways to do that

  • Focus on what you want in a cupcake. Do you want something healthier, a different toping, more unique flavors, etc?
  • Study your competitors and see what they aren’t doing that you can do. Maybe someone is selling gluten free but only selling basic flavors. Find a way to sell more flavors. Maybe they are selling cupcakes that look like reg cupcakes maybe you can come in and do gluten free cupcakes in a jar (I am sure that’s already out there just using these as examples)
  • focus on what you don’t see…think about someone who may be gluten free and listen to what they want and what they aren’t finding

I was a football mom…I hated being out there in the rain most days and sat in my car on days that it rained. Sure I had an umbrella if I had to get out there but what if I wanted to be out there watch the game and be in the comfort of something just for me. I saw this Weather pod on Shark tank a while ago. Great business idea to fix what was broken and appeal to sports moms or people who wanted to be prepared in all types of weather. It’s a proven concept already out there but what if you wanted to stand out and develop businesses that solve a problem ….how about a pod that actually kept you cool with a fan or one that kept you warm in the winter with it’s own built in heater. I know I would love to buy the heater one because I stay cold….do you see how you can take an idea and fix a problem by doing something different.

  • Focus on sports moms who play in all types of weathers not just the reg sports like football or basketball. What would you want as a swim mom?
  • Focus on the introverts who don’t want to talk to people what can you offer them with the weather pod
  • What about kids who want their own pod to just go outside in the backyard and have their own disney stuff on it or have something with photos on them
  • Think about what you don’t see……maybe an older grandparent who can’t do all the noise but wants to see the action…soundproof anyone

Let’s talk AirBnB…a new concept that puts people in homes around the world. Instead of staying in hotel you get to stay in the comfort of a real home! Great idea right but what if I as a photographer wanted to rent a house for a few hours to do some photos….can I do that…nope. I would have to rent for the entire day but what if someone created a house where you can rent it out for a couple of hours instead of one night. What if someone was coming in from the airport and had a layover and wanted to catch some z’ssss for just 5 hours. Is there a concept for that? So do you see how you can find what’s broken if you dig deep and create a whole new idea from something that’s already out there. Trust me every idea that someone comes up with is already there the ones who make millions just take it to a new level. Hotels first now AirBnB….not a new concept just taking it into a different direction.

  • Focus on a few hours instead of entire day. What are some things people who travel a lot might need in an AirBnB
  • Focus on what you don’t see…….most AirBnB are in the city areas but are there any in the country or areas where the housing population is low

Let’s talk one more concept…the planner. Everyone loves their planner. There are groups for these things….planner parties…my gawd its a great market but….what about the people like me who don’t like to write but want to use pretty stickers. How about someone create a planner online for those of us who want to type in stuff and use pretty pictures. I have yet to see this and that is something for the younger crowds to get into. Make it a monthly plan by having unique holidays on there, places for you to write quotes, various stickers and you can even download it to share with others. I don’t know, but the planner market is a crowded one….you can still find out what needs aren’t’ being met by the planner market and capitalize on that to make you some dough!

  • What do you want in a planner? I love planners for the stickers but I hate writing since I am use to typing all the time
  • I want something that is just as good as google calendar but with more bells and whistles
  • Focus on what you don’t see……a space online just for business owners to use. Maybe a space for more than one family member to access, a calendar for kids that is specific to chores, activities, and daily tasks that they need to do..with pretty stickers

I say all of this to say that it doesn’t matter whats proven you have to stand out from the crowd. I do brand photography…sure I can do weddings, babies, seniors, family portraits, etc. but I wanted to get into a market that wasn’t tapped yet…making stock photos for your brand and having headshots that didn’t look like your typical headshot. No I don’t have the plain white background…my headshots are more of what you do on a daily basis with some life to them. If you are a lawyer…we will do some headshots in front of a court room, do some shots of you carrying your briefcase inside your office, do some office shots of you sitting with clients. Do you like to exercise as a lawyer? Let’s do some real life shots so people can know you are a real person behind the suit. I have a lawyer who bikes to work…lets get a shot of you biking to work that speaks to the people. People want to know you aren’t a boring person and they want to know the person behind the suit. That makes for more money and more of a connection for you. Sure everyone can buy stock photos online….I provide stock photos that fit your brand with the colors that you already have in your logo. I make it unique to just you so that you don’t have to share with hundreds of other people looking for stock photos. Now let’s talk about how to stand out from the crowd….

  • Bring your voice to your brand. People hire you because they like YOU! I am fun and crazy…boring people and I don’t get along so they probably won’t like me and therefore they won’t like my work.
  • Offer more bang for your buck. How do I stand out the most? By offering more…most people do mini sessions where you get 30 min with 5 photos. I may offer 30 min and offer all the best photos that turn out great so I may take 60 photos and 30 comes out great…I will give you all 30.
  • Listen to your customers….they will tell you what you want. If they find something broken in someone else…you can be the person who fixes it. That’s how I came up with branded stock photography. I heard that a lot of people were tired of using the same stock photos for their brand and they wished that they had photos that no one else could use….that’s where I come in

Take a look at your business and find out if something is broken or something new needs to be added to your existing services. You never know what could be the next big thing from something already proven in the market.

It's a crowded market they say....so many folks are doing the same things they say....how do you stand out....how do you develop something that's different so that you can make money. Start businesses that solve problems!

27 Comments

  • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
    July 19, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    Every business owner should bookmark this and read it. Then read it again. Then read it one more time. Great stuff.

    Reply
  • Bill Sweeney
    July 19, 2017 at 3:44 pm

    This is excellent advice. The key to any good business is finding where your strengths are where everyone else’s aren’t.

    Reply
  • Catherine Sargent
    July 19, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    This is a great post. I am always looking for new ways to improve my business.

    Reply
  • Yum Yucky
    July 19, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    This is also great advice for kids who aspire to be entrepreneurs!

    Reply
  • Maureen
    July 19, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    This really is true! If you listen to the professionals on like Shark Tank or The Profit, same thing will be said. When you solve a problem, you have created a successful launch of a business. Great post!

    Reply
  • Theresa
    July 20, 2017 at 2:31 am

    You hit the nail on the head. One should always be looking for ways to improve their brand so they can stand out from the crowd. Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary?

    Reply
  • Angela Milnes
    July 20, 2017 at 4:45 am

    This is a great post. I need to ear this in mind when it comes to my blog business. It could come in handy in finding what people need from me.

    Reply
  • Kelly Hutchinson
    July 20, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    This was a great article to read if you are a business owner. I think finding your niche and then offering your set skills to your audience is key to success.

    Reply
  • My Teen Guide
    July 20, 2017 at 9:17 pm

    This is a great resource. I am keeping/bookmarking this article. Better yet, I will print it so I can have it handy to read if I finally decide to get my feet wet in the world of business and entrepreneurship.

    Reply
  • Wendy Polisi
    July 20, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    I wish I was this innovative. Honestly, I’m not that creative but maybe one day I’ll surprise myself!

    Reply
  • KiSheyna
    July 20, 2017 at 9:51 pm

    I think more of us should have entreprenuer mindsets and come up with some fix-it buisnesses. This is how people on shark tank become wealthy because of one brillant idea!

    Reply
  • Myrah Duque
    July 21, 2017 at 1:34 am

    This is indeed an eye opener for many that are either trying to start a blog or are considering rebranding.

    Reply
  • Ty
    July 21, 2017 at 3:25 am

    I think these are great tips. Often times people have an idea but don’t know where to start or what questions to ask.

    Reply
  • Annemarie LeBlanc
    July 21, 2017 at 6:13 am

    Thank for this great resource. I am sending your link over to my niece. Although she recently graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurship, the real learning begins outside the classroom. She would find tons of information in this post.

    Reply
  • Candice
    July 21, 2017 at 7:25 am

    Excellent post! I try my best to use this concept in my business (blog), especially when trying to come up with topics to write about. Same rules apply. I’m gonna bookmark this post because this is great advice and I know as I try to brainstorm products, I can use this to help me figure out what to focus on.

    Reply
  • BRIANNE
    July 21, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    These are such great tips and advice! I too think the same way.

    Reply
  • Mimi Green
    July 21, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    You are so right, the greatest products are birthed out of a need. Sometimes they are so simple I’m like why didn’t I think of it.

    Reply
  • Stacie
    July 21, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    Girl, you just broke it all the way down! This is something every business owner should read, and read again. Good stuff, Kita!

    Reply
  • Nicole
    July 21, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    I love how you give tips on how to take a concept and teach how to break it down to find out niche. I think these are some important questions that we need to ask for sure.

    Reply
  • Kasi
    July 21, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    Great tips, and so timely! I need to bookmark this and refer back to it when I do a revamp of my blog!

    Reply
  • Kenya
    July 21, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    This is a great post that entrepreneurs need to read especially when we enter those periods of self doubt we all get to. When you find a need and help to fulfill it or fix a problem you will be amazed what comes of it!

    Reply
  • Elle (CleverlyChanging)
    July 21, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Your content within this post is on point. As a business owner myself. There were a few items you mentioned that I should really adhere to.

    Reply
  • Kimberly Smith
    July 23, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Thank you for the tips. It came at a time when I needed it the most.

    Reply
  • Eva Wilson
    July 26, 2017 at 10:38 am

    This post has a lot of amazing tips! This is great for people who are really at the stage where they need to reevaluate and reenergize their business.

    Reply
  • Tata
    July 27, 2017 at 3:02 pm

    This is so true! There is room for every idea and enough of a customer base to make money. I had an idea not too long ago and a few years later I saw someone else make it. Perfect reminder for me too step it up.

    Reply
  • […] Don’t build a business based on what you love…..unless you are buying your business on your own….you need to base your business on what the consumers want […]

    Reply
  • Joie
    March 17, 2019 at 6:15 am

    Thanks for sharing this Idea about Business Branding,
    These tips eventually help your brand building strategy not too hard to set up.

    Reply

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