Three Essential Questions. What to Know When Starting a Business

Starting a business can feel both exhilarating and overwhelming. You’ve got an idea you believe in, some tools in hand, and a burning desire to make something amazing happen. But before you bolt out of the gate (trust me, I’ve been there), I want to share something I wish someone had told me during my early days of entrepreneurship.

When I started my first business, I was so eager to make it all work that I skipped over some of the most important questions. The result? A lot of unnecessary stress, a lot of chasing, and frankly, a lot of banging my head against the wall wishing I’d slowed down to think things through.

Looking back, I realize that if I had paused and honestly answered these three questions, my path would have been clearer, and my scale-up headaches far fewer. Consider these questions your compass before you set off on your entrepreneurial adventure.

Question One: What Am I Really Doing This For?

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of starting a business. Maybe you adore the idea of working for yourself or you’ve got the urge to prove you’re the one who can do it better. But peel back the layers. Why are you actually doing this?

Personal story time. Back then, if someone had forced me to answer this question, I think I might’ve stumbled upon an answer that aligned with what the Japanese call "Ikigai," roughly translated as “reason for being.” I probably could have saved myself a lot of sleepless nights trying to decode what truly motivated me.

Knowing your “why” isn’t just about sounding deep and philosophical. It’s the foundation of everything. It will keep you going on the days when the grind feels impossible and make sure your business stays authentic to who you are.

Question Two: What Is Your Desired Outcome?

This is where a lot of us stumble. If someone asked me back then, “Hey Adam, where do you see this business in five years?” I personally would have shrugged and replied, “Uh...successful?”

But what does success look like to you? Is it financial freedom? Building a team? Becoming the go-to expert in your field? Perhaps it’s simply reclaiming more control of your time.

Here’s the deal. Without a clear desired outcome in mind, you end up chasing everything. And when you’re trying to chase everything, you often catch nothing.

For example, if your outcome is financial security, you might spend more time locking down consistent contracts. If your goal is to change an industry, you’ll shift your focus to thought leadership or innovation. Knowing the endpoint helps you reverse-engineer the path.

Question Three: What Does Success Look Like to Me?

This question sounds like the last one but stay with me here. While “desired outcome” is the bigger-picture goal, this question is much more personal.

For me, early success used to feel like a trophy. I wanted to check every box and land every opportunity. But what I now know is that success is deeply individual. It might mean running a one-person operation from the comfort of your home, or maybe it’s seeing your name on the front door of a brick-and-mortar.

The clarity this question brings will make decision-making easier. That fancy new client who wants you to change everything you stand for? If it doesn’t align with your version of success, their money no longer seems worth it.

Why These Questions Matter

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about skills or a solid business plan (though, trust me, those are important, too). It’s about having a clear understanding of yourself and aligning your business with what truly matters to you.

Answering these questions won’t just make the starting phase easier; they’ll also be your north star when things get challenging. And they will get challenging. Knowing your "why," your goals, and what success really means to you is what will keep you grounded.

Your Turn

After all I’ve learned from my own entrepreneurial missteps, I’ve made it my mission to help others step into their ventures with clarity and confidence. If you’re still unsure about how to define your “why” or map out what success means for you, I’d love to help.

Book a free consultation and we’ll unpack your vision together. Don’t rush the most important part of your business. Build it on a foundation that will last.