Run surveys to better understand what your target market needs and wants. Hold focus groups to talk about your ideas and get direct feedback. This lets you gather useful insights and test your concepts before spending big time and money.

From I Want to Start a Business, but I Don't Know How, chapter 1

I had always believed that studying a master’s program in the United States was only for billionaires. However, during a meeting, I met someone whose job was to help students get into the world’s best universities. When I mentioned my dream of studying at Harvard, he told me it was possible, even without money, as long as I had the necessary intelligence. That day, my life changed.

From I Want to Start a Business, but I Don't Know How, chapter 7

Your J column is longer, and it's the same word every time. A person, a meeting, a commute. Then you haven't learned that you should start a business. You've learned that one identifiable thing is costing you a great deal, and you've now got to ask whether it's cheaper to remove that thing than to remove the whole job.

From I Want to Start a Business but I Can't Quit My Job, chapter 6: You are guessing how it will feel, and the guess is wrong

These passages come straight from the books. So, if one of them speaks to you, read the full chapter. It goes further, and it ends with a practical exercise.

In addition, these titles look at how to start a small business from different angles. Each one opens with a passage from the book. Then, pick the one closest to your situation.

• How Many Days You Have Left: Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• Money You Did Not Know Existed: Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• The Service to Product Pivot: Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• The Growth Loop: Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• The Data That Destroys the "Need Money" Myth: I Want to Start a Business but I Don't Have Money
• Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent: I Want to Start a Business but I Don't Have Money
• I Want to Start a Business but I Don't Have Money: Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• I Want to Start a Business but I Don't Have Money

Enter four numbers from your real month, in any currency. The check shows how long your savings would last and whether the business can carry you yet.

What you need to live each month

Savings you could actually use

What the business earns each month (0 if nothing yet)

Has a stranger already paid you for it?

YesNo

Check my runway.

Nothing you type leaves this page.

Finally, I Want to Start a Business, but I Don't Know How goes deeper into how to start a small business. Therefore, it is the natural next step. You can read it or listen to it in the stores below. It is also available in 13 languages.

Go to the book page. All topics.

• How to start a business.Diego Segura's books begin somewhere else: with a small test you can run this week, a first paying customer, and costs kept close to zero.
• Business ideas.Lists of business ideas are everywhere, but a list can't tell you which idea fits you.
• Online business ideas.Online business ideas look easy because the tools are cheap.
• How to become an entrepreneur.You become one the day someone pays you for something you started.