Imposter syndrome can rear its ugly head when you start a business. I don’t say this lightly because I think that we’re throwing imposter syndrome around far too much (and somehow telling most women they must have it, right? No they don’t).
Anyway, detour aside, when you start a business the questions may start coming up for you: hasn’t all this been done before? Why would someone buy from you? What makes you different from all the other service providers or product creators out there? And how do you deserve that someone seeks your expertise?
At the same time, you may also hold this belief that your idea is a really good one and that you really should pursue it.
In my own experience, these things will likely co-exist until you have enough proof to convince your brain that yes, you’re on the right path, your idea is great and people want to buy from you.
To some extent you simply need to try it and tackle multiple things at once: building your product or service, while doing market research, promoting it (and yourself!), and staying open to new ideas.
One thing you will probably come across is the recommendation to analyse your competition. I think this more relevant for a product based business than a service based one.
I know, of course, that there are other career coaches out there. But there are very few career coaches that focus on data and tech who ALSO have experience working in the field and who have the focus on core skills that I have. So I don’t worry about the competition because I know that I have a niche and if what I offer isn’t the right fit for someone, then they’ll find another coach. The world is big enough for all of us.
So depending on your business, do or don’t spend time on competitor analysis. Just don’t let it stop you before you even started.
The main thing I want to say here (and there are so many things I want to say haha) is that these questions WILL enter your brain. You won’t always have answers, but knowing they’ll come can help you to prepare a response.
I hope that helps those of you who are on this entrepreneurial path.