Get All Access for $5/mo

How to Find the Right Idea for Your Side Hustle Use this method to start generating ideas that align with your passion and skills.

By Kim Perell Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Morsa Images | Getty Images

There's nothing I'm more passionate about than helping entrepreneurs find success. I've worked with countless individuals interested in starting their own business or side hustle, and there's one other BIG question I continually get – and I bet it's not what you'd think it is. (At least, it isn't what I thought it would be!)

The question that keeps emerging in one way or another is this:

"How do I find the right idea?"

So many ambitious, self-motivated, and intelligent people have a desire to start something new but they are convinced that in order to be successful, they need a big, impressive idea.

To find out that exactly is holding people back, I spent significant time researching this challenge. That's when a pattern started to emerge.

Through my conversations with aspiring entrepreneurs, I identified three groups of people who are trying to figure out how to find the right idea.

Do any of these sound like you?

1. The Shaky Dreamer

Shaky dreamers feel like they don't have an idea, but they actually do. And usually, it's a very good idea. But they just don't have enough belief or confidence that their idea is good enough to be the idea they should pursue.

They are often looking for some external confirmation or go-ahead before moving forward and aren't sure how to judge whether an idea is good enough to pursue or not. Sadly, they also doubt whether they are capable enough in their abilities to pursue their idea or not.

Related: 4 Tips for Launching a Business While Working From Home

If you're a shaky dreamer, it's time to start moving forward. You can be confident to move forward with your idea if most of the following things are true about it:

  • It allows you to do something you love (or at least really like)
  • It puts one of your superpowers, talents or strengths to work
  • There is market demand for it
  • It solves a problem
  • It has the potential to generate revenue (i.e, people will pay for it)

If you've done the research and you know most of these things are true for your idea, you should push your fears aside and start.

2. The Idea Machine

Idea machines don't just have one idea – they have a million and one ideas. Their challenge is narrowing down their interests and committing to just one idea for long enough to really see it through.

Related: 'Today Show' Host Al Roker On How He Balances His Many Side Hustles

If you're an idea machine, it's time to just choose one and really go after it. That doesn't mean none of your other ideas will never see the light of day – you've just got to choose which will be the FIRST idea you tackle.

Here's how I suggest going about the process of narrowing down your ideas.

  • Make a list of all of your ideas.
  • Narrow the list down to the three ideas you feel most drawn to.
  • Do some market research.
  • Choose one idea.
  • Take action.

I often see people paralyzed trying to find THE ONE or THE BEST idea. You will never be 100% certain. Find the one you feel most connected or you are drawn to and START there. The only way to know which one of your ideas will be the most successful is to try them.

3. The Hopeful Founder

Hopeful founders know they want to start something, but they really have no idea what to do. They haven't yet figured out what sort of business would be best suited to their talents, interests, and skills.

Related: 5 Ways To Avoid Burnout Working As A Hybrid-Entrepreneur

In order to come up with the right idea, you'll have to do some serious self-reflection about who you are, what you love to do, and what you're awesome at. Then, do some research!

Here are a few ways to start generating some ideas before narrowing it down to just one:

  • Ask around. Do you have friends or family members who started a business? Ask them how their idea first came to them.
  • Brainstorm. Get out a pen and paper and let your ideas flow, without judgment.
  • Identify your strengths and passions. One of the best ways to find a match is to focus on leveraging your experience, strengths, and passions. List 5 things you are good at and passionate about. If you need some help, reach out to those closest to you and ask them what they think your strengths are…what do they value about you?
  • Solve a problem. Many great products and services arose from someone who had a problem and wanted to solve it for themselves or others. When you solve a real problem people are facing, you know there will be demand for your product/service.
  • Iterate, don't innovate. A lot of hopeful founders tend to think an idea has to be a 100% original stroke of genius no one had ever thought of in order to be worth pursuing. Of course, that's simply not true. My advice is iterate, don't innovate.

Want to learn more about how to find the right idea for your side hustle?

The Side Hustle Accelerator program developed by our VIP expert Kim Perell is full of amazing content including a hand-picked directory of 100+ Side Hustles you can start today! This step-by-step program was built for anyone ready to start their side hustle. Get started today and take advantage of this huge discount.

Kim Perell

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® VIP

CEO of Perell Ventures

Kim Perell is an award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, CEO, and angel investor, who has made headlines for her transformative story of a startup entrepreneur to a leading tech CEO and prominent angel investor. Laid off from her dream job out of college, Kim started her first company from her kitchen table; going from broke to a multi-millionaire by the time she was 30, and selling her last company for $235 million.  Kim has been named one of AdAge’s Marketing Technology Trailblazers, Business Insider's Most Powerful Women in Mobile Advertising, Adweek’s Women Trailblazers, a John Maxwell Transformational Leader, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and an Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Association of Female Executives.  Kim’s passion is to help aspiring entrepreneurs achieve success and is an early stage angel investor in over 90 startups, 18 of which have successfully been acquired by some of the largest Fortune 500 companies. Kim’s first book, The Execution Factor, The One Skill That Drives Success, is a national bestseller, designed to help others achieve success in business and life by mastering execution.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Growing a Business

How to Build Effective Collaborative Business Relationships — Your Step-by-Step Guide

Use this structured framework to form successful partnerships, manage risks and create lasting value for all stakeholders involved.

Business News

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon Isn't Worried About AI Taking Over Jobs — Here's Why

Dimon said AI was part of the next wave of tech innovation.

Marketing

Free Webinar | November 20: How to Avoid 3 Costly and Common Marketing Mistakes

Join our webinar on 11/20 with author and business coach Darcy Juarez to learn simple, budget-friendly marketing strategies that will attract clients and grow your business fast. Register now!

Business Plans

How to Master Your Strategic Planning As You Prepare Your Business for 2025

Here's how to best think about strategic planning, communication rhythms and maintaining alignment for consistent growth as you plan for next year.

Business News

Daniel Lubetzky Took Kind Snacks From Idea to $5 Billion. Here's His Best Advice For Anyone Who Wants to Start a Business.

In an interview with Entrepreneur, Kind Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky tells aspiring business owners not to follow someone else's path to success — even his.

Marketing

9 Key Tips to Help You Get the Most Out of Your Link-Building Efforts

Here's a quick guide that will help you identify the scams and get the best value for your money.