6 Foolproof Steps to Build a Business from Scratch

Start Down the Path of Building a Business Yourself

Building a business might seem daunting, but breaking it down into actionable steps makes it achievable.

Let’s walk through the six steps to start a business that solves meaningful problems and builds trust with your audience.

Ready to take action?

Let’s get into it!

Step #1:

Identify a Meaningful Problem You’re Uniquely Positioned to Solve

The best businesses solve problems that matter.

These aren’t just any problems—they’re the kind of challenges that people are willing to pay for, gladly.

Start by asking yourself:

• What skills and knowledge do I already have?
• What do my friends and colleagues say I’m great at?
• What do I naturally gravitate toward on weekends or in my free time?
• What challenges have I successfully overcome in life?

Action Step:

Spend 20 minutes answering these questions. Somewhere in your responses lies your unique opportunity to help others while building a business.

Step #2: Get to Know Your Customers (and I Mean Really Know Them)

Jumping straight from an idea to a product is a mistake.

Life’s too short to build something no one wants.

Instead, immerse yourself in your target audience:

• Where do they hang out online?
• What are their hopes, fears, and goals regarding the problem you aim to solve?
• What language do they use to describe their challenges?

Action Step:

Visit forums or subreddits where your potential customers engage.

Observe their conversations. Take notes. This research will pay off in spades later.

Step #3: Create Content That Solves Problems Better Than Anyone Else

Before you sell, build trust.

The best way to do this is by creating content that genuinely helps your audience.

Remarkable content solves a problem better than anything else available, builds trust, and establishes you as an authority.

Action Step:

Think of a recent piece of content that delivered immense value to you.

Analyze why it worked—its structure, clarity, and actionable advice.

Apply those principles to the content you create.

Step #4: Get Your Content in Front of the Right People

Creating content isn’t enough.

You need to share it where your audience is already looking.

This could mean guest posting on relevant blogs, appearing on podcasts, or contributing to forums and communities.

Action Step:

Make a list of channels where your audience spends time (e.g., blogs, podcasts, social media). Start building relationships and sharing your content there.

Step #5: Build Relationships and Grow Your Audience

An engaged audience is a cornerstone of a successful business.

The best way to grow this relationship at scale?

An email list.

It’s direct, personal, and lets you stay in touch consistently.

Action Step:

Sign up for a few email lists that you enjoy.

Study what makes them compelling.

Use those insights to craft your own email strategy.

Step #6: Create and Sell Your Product

Now comes the exciting part.

With a clear understanding of your audience and a foundation of trust, you’re ready to create and sell.

Use the feedback and insights you’ve gathered to design a product that meets their needs.

Start small—an eBook, a course, or a coaching session.

Once you’ve created your product, simply let your audience know:

“Here’s something that can help you. Here’s how much it costs. Here’s where to buy it.”

Action Step:

Create a product outline.

Leverage your most popular content as a foundation to ensure you’re delivering value.

The Takeaway: Build First, Sell Later

If you’ve followed these steps, you’ve:

1. Identified a meaningful problem.
2. Immersed yourself in your audience’s world.
3. Created content that solves their problems.
4. Promoted that content authentically.
5. Built an engaged audience.

When you finally sell, it won’t feel like selling at all—it will feel like a natural extension of the value you’ve already provided.

So, what are you waiting for?

Start your journey today.

The world needs the solutions only you can offer.