How can I start my own business?

The short answer: start small, start simple, start now.

The long answer: every business begins with a clear problem you can solve. Think about what people already ask you for help with: your skills, your ideas, your approach.

From there:

1. Write down your idea in one paragraph. Then refine it down to one sentence.

2. Define the “W” - Questions: who it helps and how. When and Where. What and How Much.

3. Create the smallest possible version of your offer - this could be a digital service, a product sample, or a single consulting session.

4. Test it with real people and gather feedback.

5. Refine, improve, and repeat.

You don’t need a fancy brand or website to begin. You need clarity, consistency, and a willingness to learn from each step.

Remember: businesses grow by solving problems - not by being perfect.

I don’t have a university degree. Can I still launch a successful business?

Absolutely.

A degree can help you understand theory, but success in business comes from execution.
Some of the most successful entrepreneurs I know never finished university, but they built strong networks, stayed curious, and learned as they went.

Focus on:

• Building real-world experience

• Learning marketing, sales, and customer psychology

• Surrounding yourself with supportive mentors and peers

• Staying humble and continuously educating yourself (books, podcasts, courses, people)

Your mindset, not your diploma, determines how far your business can go.

I started my business successfully, but now it stagnated. What can I do?

This is more common than you think. Growth plateaus are part of every business journey.

Here’s how to break through the stagnation phase:

1. Revisit your audience. Are their needs changing? Are you still solving the right problem?

2. Audit your offer. Is your product or service still aligned with your audience’s goals?

3. Check your marketing channels. Are you showing up consistently where your audience spends time?

4. Seek outside perspective. Sometimes you’re too close to your business to see what’s missing. A business mentor or peer review can bring clarity.

5. Focus on systems. Streamline repetitive tasks so you can focus on creative or strategic work again.

Stagnation isn’t failure, it’s a signal for change. Use it as a turning point.

How can I start my business without an existing customer base and only a small budget?

It’s possible, but you’ll need creativity and persistence.

Start with what you already have:

• Your skills

• Your time

• Your story

• Your network (even if small)

• your experience

Here’s how:

1. Start local. Offer your service to people you already know. Word of mouth builds your first base.

2. Use free tools. You don’t need paid ads yet. start with organic social media, email lists, and partnerships.

3. Collaborate. Offer your service to a complementary business and share audiences.

4. Focus on testimonials. One happy customer can be your best marketing campaign.

Start small, learn fast and reinvest small profits - that’s how sustainable growth begins.

How and where do I advertise my services or products?

Where you advertise depends entirely on who your customers are and where they spend time online.

Here’s a simple roadmap:

1. Define your audience. Be clear about age, location, interests, and habits.

2. Start with organic growth. Create useful, honest content that helps people, this builds trust and visibility.

3. Leverage social platforms.

   • Instagram & TikTok → lifestyle and visual brands

   • LinkedIn → B2B, professional services

   • Pinterest → products, design, travel, wellness

4. Collaborate or guest post. Reach new audiences through shared visibility.

5. Test small paid ads once you understand what message works organically.

Marketing is simply sharing your value, repeatedly and authentically.