I have quite a few business ideas. I've even written them in a journal. I've even gone as far as investigating the cost to start-up. Each business idea is on several sheets of paper. Having gone to school for Culinary and Business, I have a general idea of how to run a business.
What makes a business Sucessful?
1. Obsession/Passion/Drive; You need to be like a little kid in a candy shop. A little kid will never want to leave a candy shop. All the colors, shapes, sizes, and flavors makes a candy shop like heaven for a little kid. Add in toys, and you'll have a hella time getting that little kid out. So be a little kid.
2. Being present; Being present and talking to customers, and cracking the whip to the lazy employees. The things people do when they know their boss isn't watching. . . Oh come on, you know what YOU do. There are a select few people that are self-driven. Those people are hard to find.
3. Money; Without it you can't do anything. Whether it's from investors or your own, you need it to start and grow. Money is what it took to start you (being conceived haha) and it's what it took to grow you.
4. Advertisement; You can't expect to start a business out in the middle of the forest or mountaintops and expect people to naturally come to you. You'll be lucky if you see someone wandering along. Name, address, and phone number should be top of the advertisement. Make it simple for everyone. Next, what are you selling? Lastly, offer discounts. Unless the customer is a billionaire, Every person loves a discount. Hell, even billionaires love discounts When millions are involved.
5. Lastly, know what you're getting into and how much work it is before you start. You don't need a degree to start a business. But if you don't do the research it'll feel like a ton of bricks just fell on you. You've got taxes, codes, inspectors, town approvals, town, county, state, and federal laws and there are a lot of laws, insurances, and so much more.