QUESTION: What is the biggest misunderstanding that people have about starting a business?
ANSWER: Most people think that you have to be innovative when, in fact, you really have to be imitative. Find people who have already succeeded at doing what you want to do, and imitate them.
When you try to be innovative you double your work. As an innovator, you first have to convince people that they need your innovation and then you have to convince them to buy that innovation from you. Use imitation to start and establish your business and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to be innovative later, with a lot less risk.
You may think that opening a diet center for overweight pets is a great idea, but if you can’t find anyone in the history of mankind who has ever succeeded at this business, be careful. The more mainstream your business idea, the easier it will be to find successful businesses to clone and to become successful yourself.
