Often, the best advice seems simple or even obvious… but only once you’ve gained enough experience to appreciate it. That’s why mentorship is so valuable: a mentor with a track record can see beyond the immediate situation.

From I Want to Start a Business, but I Don't Know How, chapter 10

Picture business as a jungle. A rabbit, a turtle, and a giraffe team up to survive. Each brings unique skills: speed, toughness, tall vision. Together they’re unbeatable. Likewise, mixing talents in your startup can smash challenges solo players cannot.

From I Want to Start a Business, but I Don't Know How, chapter 2

Write every fear you still have about starting on its own card. All of them: the money, the time, the family, the idea, the law, the street, your nerves, what you'd lose by waiting. Do not filter anything out. If it's in your head, it goes on a card.

From I Want to Start a Business but I'm a Coward, chapter 11: Beginning while afraid

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 startup ideas for students from different angles. Each one opens with a passage from the book. Then, pick the one closest to your situation.

• Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• The First Dollar: Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• Why You Will Price Too Low: Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• I Want to Start a Business
• The Data That Destroys the "Need Money" Myth: Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• The Bird in Hand: You Already Have What You Need: Get Paid Before You Spend a Cent
• Keep Your Salary, Build Your Business: The Employed Person's Guide to Testing a Startup Before You Quit
• The Employed Entrepreneur: How to Test a Business Without Losing Your Job

Pick the fear that stops you, then answer three quick questions. The result tells you whether this fear is giving you facts or just noise.

The fear that stops me

Losing my savingsFailing in front of people I knowLosing the security of my jobNot being good enoughGetting into debtLetting my family down

Honestly, how likely is it to happen?

50%

If it happened, could you recover within two years?

YesNo

Could you test it this month without spending much?

YesNo

Check my fear.

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Finally, I Want to Start a Business, but I Don't Know How goes deeper into startup ideas for students. 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.