Turn your passion into profit.

Many people have asked us across the years how to turn their idea into a business, and shared their fears — which I came to realise are common stoppers for going from idea to execution. I chose to mention some of them here, as they can be the push you need to start your own business.

How can I find the right idea? The bad news, which is also good news, is that you can't. Because ideas are nothing. Everyone has thousands of ideas a day — if all of them were to succeed, we would all be successful. For an idea to be worth anything, it must answer two things: 1) it has to answer a problem, so don't ask what your idea is, ask what solution you are offering and what problem it solves; 2) it is all about execution — don't stand there trying to perfect the idea in your head, go get started and you will perfect it as you go.

I am passionate about something. Can it become a business? This does look like a good start. To strive at something, we have to be passionate about it. Looking at professionals' pasts, we often find that what they offer today is an answer to what they needed when they were younger. If there is something you are passionate about, most likely you are good at it — you have questioned it, done it over and over, long enough to become good. Now ask yourself: how can the world benefit from your passion? What solution would you be offering if you turned it into a business?

I have a great idea but I am afraid to talk about it — what if people steal it? If you keep your idea to yourself, you won't get started, and you will keep postponing due to fear. If the idea solves a problem, someone will soon enough think of a similar one and execute it, without you sharing it. Instead of keeping it inside, go out there and ask people for feedback — starting with those you trust and admire. You have much more to learn from these conversations than from silence.

Get started. The time is now. To your success.