1. Define your “why”

You can start a business overnight, but having a deeper understanding of why you’re choosing this path is what will propel your business forward.

Think of your “why” as the backbone and the heartbeat of your business. It’ll allow you to feel a deeper connection and remind you why you chose this journey when both celebrations and challenges arise. Your why will be the thing you come back to as an entrepreneur, whenever you celebrate a milestone or encounter an obstacle, or go from your first customer to your 100th.

Every business owner has their own unique why because everyone has a unique story. You can even have more than one why and they may change over time. Writing it out can be an eye-opening exercise that affects the way you make decisions about your business.

Some entrepreneurs are motivated by the prospect of making money while having the freedom to carve a path that’s their own. Some entrepreneurs create a side business as a way to develop supplemental income. While others may use business as a means of expressing who they are and what they care about to the world.

Take some time to reflect on your own why and write it out below:

<aside> ⭐ [your why]

</aside>

2. Feeling stuck and still haven’t found your “why” yet?

Below are some examples of the problems (or areas of opportunity!) that starting a business can begin to solve.

<aside> <img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" alt="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" width="40px" /> “To achieve financial freedom and retire young.”

</aside>

<aside> <img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" alt="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" width="40px" /> “To create a job where I can be my own boss.”

</aside>

<aside> <img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" alt="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" width="40px" /> “To solve a problem that I’ve experienced.”

</aside>

<aside> <img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" alt="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" width="40px" /> “To make extra income to save for a big purchase”

</aside>

<aside> <img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" alt="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" width="40px" /> “To rally behind a cause I’m passionate about.”

</aside>

<aside> <img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" alt="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" width="40px" /> “To support myself and my family.”

</aside>

<aside> <img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" alt="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Vkq2a.png" width="40px" /> “To have the freedom to make my own schedule and work from where I want.”

</aside>

3. What’s your why? Fill out the phrase below:

I want to start a business to

</aside>

Products or services that relate to my interests

<aside> 🏫 [Product / Service,ex. Cooking Classes]

</aside>

<aside> 🍳 [Product / Service, ex. Cookware]

</aside>

<aside> 🥕 [Product / Service, ex. Organic Ingredients]

</aside>