New Business, New Challenges. Conquer Them with Confidence.
Starting your own business is incredibly exciting, but let’s be honest: it can sometimes feel like you’re constantly putting out little fires or juggling way too many balls at once! One minute, you’re high-fiving yourself for a new client, and the next, something unexpected pops up. Perhaps a client is confused, your simple website is acting up, or your social media posts aren’t being seen.
It’s not a matter of if problems will pop up in your new business; it’s a matter of when. And when you’re just starting, you don’t have a team of experts for every little thing. The good news? You don’t need to be a seasoned detective or a business guru to figure things out. You just need a simple, clear way to tackle these issues.
Forget the frantic, “what do I do?!” moments. We’re talking about a cool, collected, three-step system that will help you move from being overwhelmed by unexpected hiccups to confidently finding solutions.
Step 1: Spotting the Real Problem (Not Just the Glitch!)
Imagine your car is making a weird new noise. You could just turn up the radio, right? That’s like putting a quick band-aid on a business problem – it might hide it for a bit, but the real issue is still there, waiting to cause a bigger headache later.
Maybe you’re not getting many responses to your new service. It’s tempting to think you need to shout louder on social media. But what if the real problem is that your offer isn’t clear, or your ideal clients don’t even know it exists? Shouting louder won’t fix those deeper issues.
This first step is about being a careful observer. You need to look beyond the obvious “glitch” and dig a little deeper to find the root cause of the issue.
Here’s your simple toolkit for finding the real problem:
Look at Your Simple Numbers: What are your basic numbers telling you? How many people are inquiring versus how many are buying? Are you seeing repeat questions from clients? Even simple counts can show you where a problem might be hiding.
Talk to Your People: Chat with your early clients, friends who support your business, or even a mentor. Ask them open-ended questions like, “What was confusing about my offer?” or “Did you understand what to do next?” Their fresh eyes can spot things you might miss.
Ask “Why?” Five Times: This simple trick helps you dig deeper. For example:
Problem: Your website isn’t getting many visitors.
Why? People aren’t finding it.
Why? It’s not showing up in Google search.
Why? We haven’t told Google clearly what it’s about.
Why? We haven’t focused on simple SEO steps yet.
Why? We weren’t sure where to start! (Aha! That’s the real problem you can fix!)
Draw Your Process: If the problem is about how you do something (like setting up your website’s SEO), quickly draw out each step. Where do things feel clunky? This can highlight where the real issue is hiding.
Symptoms vs. the Sickness: Remember, the loud car noise is a symptom; the loose part is the sickness. A client complaining about slow responses is a symptom; the sickness might be that you don’t have a clear communication routine.
Once you’ve truly spotted the real root cause, you’ve won half the battle. You’re no longer guessing; you’re aiming right at the heart of the problem.
Step 2: Brainstorming Solutions (No Idea Too Small!)
Alright, you’ve found the real problem. Now it’s time for the fun part – brainstorming! This is where you let your creativity flow freely. Don’t worry about whether an idea is “good enough” yet. The goal is to get as many possible solutions down on paper as you can.
Here’s how to make your brainstorming sessions a success, even if you’re doing it solo:
Gather Your Brainstorming Buddies: If you have friends, family, or mentors who are willing to listen and throw out ideas, that’s fantastic! Different people see different solutions. Also, take advantage of online or local Coffee and Chats for entrepreneurs or small business groups.
Embrace “Yes, And…”: If you’re brainstorming with others, encourage a positive vibe. Instead of saying, “No, that won’t work,” try, “Yes, and what if we also tried this?” It builds on ideas.
Think Simple & Think Wild: Don’t limit yourself. What’s the simplest, quickest fix you can try? What’s a crazy, out-there idea that might actually spark something brilliant?
Write Everything Down: No idea is too silly for this stage. Jot down every single thought. A seemingly “bad” idea might lead to a truly brilliant one when you look at it later.
Let Your Mind Rest: Sometimes, the best ideas pop up when you’re not actively trying to think. Go for a walk, take a shower, or do something relaxing. Let your subconscious work on the problem.
Once you have a good list of possible solutions, it’s time to figure out which one is the best fit.
Step 3: Checking Your Solution (Before You Build Big)
You’ve found the problem and brainstormed ideas. You might even have a favorite idea you’re super excited about! But before you spend a lot of time, energy, or money building it out, you need to check if it will actually work. You don’t want to build a whole new process only to find it doesn’t fix anything!
Think of this step like trying on a new outfit before you buy it. You want to make sure it fits!
Here’s your simple checklist for checking your solution:
Does it Fix the Real Problem? Go back to the main problem you found in Step 1. Does your solution actually solve that problem, or just make a symptom disappear for a little while?
Does it Solve the “Red Flags” Too? Remember those smaller signs that alerted you to the problem? Will your solution also make those disappear?
Is it Worth the Effort? Does the good outcome of applying your solution seem bigger than the time, effort, or small cost it will take to put it in place? Don’t go for a giant solution for a tiny problem.
Could It Cause New Problems? Think a little ahead. Could your solution accidentally create a different problem down the road? (e.g., a new software fixes one thing but makes another harder).
Can You Try a Small Version? If possible, try your solution on a tiny scale first. Maybe try it with just one client, or for just one week. See how it goes before you roll it out everywhere. This is how you gather real-world proof that it works.
Now, don’t get worried here. Your first idea might not be the perfect fix, and that’s totally fine! You might have to try another idea from your brainstorming list until you find the best solution for your business. That’s how learning and growth happen.
As a new entrepreneur, you are incredibly resourceful and capable. You don’t need to be an expert in everything to overcome the challenges your business throws your way. This simple three-step system – spotting the real problem, brainstorming ideas, and checking your solutions – is a practical way to gain confidence and clarity.
Trust this process, take action one step at a time, and you’ll find yourself moving from just reacting to problems to strategically conquering every obstacle. You can build a business that not only survives but truly thrives, even when you’re just starting out!
Ready to Accelerate Your Journey to Your Biggest Dreams?
While this 3-step system empowers you to tackle problems, sometimes having a fresh, expert perspective can truly fast-track your progress, especially when you’re trying to figure out the best next steps for your big vision. That’s exactly what my Business Growth Roadmap Session is all about!
In this friendly, focused session, we’ll work together to assess where your business is now, brainstorm your biggest opportunities, and map out a clear, actionable step-by-step plan to get you closer to your dreams. It’s like getting a personalized roadmap to your success, designed just for you.
If you’re ready to gain that kind of clarity and accelerate your growth, I’d love to chat. Visit https://clientportal.davisvirtualsupport.com/public/68573870f5c81c00261e3169 to learn more and book your session.
Davis Virtual Support 