Hi Sir, I am 35 years old. have 12 plus years of experience in Corporate. Draw a 6 digit salary but my work is not give me satisfaction. Wanted to start something on my own, so started an import export business. Did some course to know how it works..Now I do not have a product or unsure where would be my starting point to get into business. Could you please provide any suggestions..

Ans: Ari - its not possible for me to suggest what you should do. Please look within and around you for possibilities. And do some work in the procurement or sales and marketing to get more idea abt what sells in the market and make key customer contacts.

Ans: Starting a new business is a significant decision, and it should align with your skills, interests, and financial capabilities. Since you have extensive experience in sales and marketing and have prepared numerous projects for companies, you have a strong background that can be leveraged to your advantage. Here are some steps to help you decide which business to start:

Self-Assessment:

Reflect on your passions, interests, and hobbies. Starting a business in a field you are passionate about can be more fulfilling.
Consider your strengths and skills, including your sales and marketing expertise.
Evaluate your financial situation and determine your budget for starting a business.
Market Research:

Conduct market research to identify industries and niches that have growth potential and align with your expertise.
Look for gaps or unmet needs in the market that your skills and experience can address.
Identify Opportunities:

Consider opportunities in your local area or industries that are experiencing growth.
Explore the possibility of consulting or offering services based on your expertise in sales and marketing.
Business Plan:

Develop a detailed business plan that outlines your business idea, target market, competition, financial projections, and marketing strategy.
Assess the feasibility and potential profitability of your business idea.
Networking:

Leverage your professional network and industry contacts to explore potential partnerships or collaborations.
Seek advice from mentors or experienced entrepreneurs who can provide valuable insights.
Validate Your Idea:

Before fully committing, consider testing your business idea on a smaller scale or conducting a pilot project to validate demand.
Evaluate Risk Tolerance:

Assess your risk tolerance and consider how comfortable you are with the potential challenges and uncertainties of entrepreneurship.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations:

Research the legal and regulatory requirements for starting a business in your area, including licenses, permits, and taxes.
Start Small:

It's often advisable to start small and gradually scale your business as you gain experience and confidence.
Seek Professional Advice:

Consult with business advisors, accountants, and legal experts to ensure you have a solid foundation for your business.
Ultimately, the business you choose to start should align with your skills, interests, and goals. Given your background in sales and marketing, you may consider starting a consulting firm or offering marketing services to small businesses. Remember that entrepreneurship can be challenging, but with the right planning and dedication, it can also be a rewarding journey.

Ans: I have suggested approaches to take with respect to identifying and validating business ideas to previous Rediff users. Kindly go through the same. There are several opportunities but you need to focus on those which are
1) relevant to your experience, expertise,network, passion,
2) take into account finance available or that can be organised by you, plus
3) offer growing prospects.
Pharma and healthcare itself is such a growing industry India from manufacturing to diagnostics to sales and marketing to exports and more.

Ans: Have you identified the products or services that you wish to import or export? Or the countries from/ to? You would want to create a business plan based on this.

It is important to have relevant experience so that you have an established network of suppliers, customers, bankers etc to support you.

All the best

Ans: Look around yourself. Find a problem that is big enough, and that you can solve. Understand how much money people are willing to pay for the problem to get sorted and what will it cost you to solve the problem. If there is money to be made, you have a business idea