Ok, so I have this idea...

As business owners and entrepreneurs we all have ideas.  Its what we do with those ideas that dictates the level of success that we ultimately achieve.  In an ideal world, all of our ideas could be turned into profit.  But the reality is far from that.  However, the truth is that it only takes one great idea to form the building blocks of a successful business model.  So how to you extrapolate the hundreds of other ideas you may have, and throw all of the chips at just one? Well I'm not 100 percent sure I know the answer, but here is what I do know.  For the last few years there has been media buzz regarding the dangers associated with wire bbq cleaning tools.  Many subsequent articles were published with first hand accounts of people ingesting the tiny wires, and the trauma that ensued.  Around that time some box stores started selling imported wooden cleaning tools marketed as a safe alternative.  The idea seemed to be catching on.  As an avid grill enthusiast, I was intrigued. After some discussion with key players on my team at Logoworks, we started to concoct a plan to bring our own version to the promotional market.  As a Canadian metal goods and jewellery manufacturer, we wondered if straying into wood products had any logic?  However we decided to take the leap. The ultimate business model went like this; The product should be Canadian made, and of good quality wood.  We chose white cedar due to its natural rot resistance, and ease of use.  We chose to develop an in house process of manufacturing to maintain full control over production and quality.  This involved a lot of research and some capital investments.  We decided to market our new product through our traditional promotional distributor base. And we needed a name....The Grill Paddle!  Fast forward 7 months and Grill Paddles account for over half of our sales.  We have expanded production several times to accommodate the influx, and have created four full time jobs and counting.  So to conclude, I suppose the formula would then be this;  Take an idea that you have a personal connection to.  Something that you are passionate about.  The idea must appeal to the masses.  Find something that most people could use or would need or want?  Figure out how to make it, and then make people aware that it is missing in their lives.  Then kindly fill the void, and thank them.