It doesn't matter how much it inspires you if it doesn't solve a real problem

My next business idea is simple. I'm installing a drainage system in people's window wells to avoid flooding. After the flood problems we have recently had in Colorado, I think there is a demand for a solution to this real problem. To find out, I'm going to flyer a neighborhood and see what kind of response I get. If no one responds, I know there is no demand for my solution, and I can move on to another idea without wasting months of time on infrastructure.

In the past I would have spent months setting up a website and arranging crews to do the work before seeing if there was a demand. Why? Because I was scared to ask people if they had a demand for my solution before I was ready to deliver. That fear cost me months of time I'll never get back. If you share the same fear, conquer it now and fast track your path to freedom from your job. Instead, start by answering these two questions:

1. Does your business idea solve a real problem?

2. Did you answer question #1 by asking real people to buy the solution you want to sell?

Whether you are in the middle of creating your own business or still trying to figure out what direction to go in, being able to answer both of the above questions with "Yes" before continuing to build your business will save you a ton of time and effort.

Building a business is a process. I've created 5 different businesses to date, of which 3 were failures. I could have saved 3 years of time and effort on the 3 that failed if I would have stopped to answer the two questions above at the start of the process.

How do you ask people to buy your solution if you are not ready to provide the solution yet? Easy, you ask forgiveness after the fact. Tell your prospective future client the truth. Tell them you were testing for market demand and appreciate their feedback. Let them know you will get back in touch when you are ready to solve their problem.

If you have ever tried to sell a product or service you weren't ready to deliver on, please share your experience in the comments below.