By Santiago Emilio RodriguezVargas | Tabor College, KS
Start with Problems, Not Products
The question posed by every budding entrepreneur at some point in their lives is: How can I come up with a great business idea?
Many students think they should have a purely novel or groundbreaking idea to be successful. The real fact is that the vast majority of successful businesses are based on finding solutions to real-life issues and solving them in better, more innovative ways.
For Collegiate DECA members who are about to venture into a career in business, entrepreneurship is not just about creativity; it also requires observation, judgment, and prudent implementation. The search for the next best business idea begins with recognizing the market and taking action in real life to address the problems.
Ask yourself:
- What problems do the students frequently complain about?
- What services are inconvenient or outdated?
- Where do people waste time or money?
These questions can lead to powerful insights.
Study Trends and Market Gaps
Innovation usually occurs through crossing trends. Almost all industries are being influenced by technology, sustainability and digital transformation. Examining these trends might help you identify market gaps.
According to Entrepreneur Magazine, entrepreneurs who track industry and customer behavior changes are more likely to recognize scalable opportunities (Entrepreneur Staff, 2022).
Another example is how the remote work trend highlighted the need to buy productivity tools, remote collaboration software and home offices.
DECA members already have access to business case studies, competitions and networking events. Examine new industries such as artificial intelligence, e-commerce, health tech and green energy through these experiences.
Look for gaps by asking:
- Is there a faster way to deliver this service?
- Can technology simplify this process?
- Is there an underserved audience?
When you combine trend awareness with problem-solving, ideas become more transparent and more strategic.
Validate Before You Launch
Having an idea is only the beginning. Testing the idea is what separates entrepreneurs from dreamers. Instead of investing significant time and money immediately, develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—a simple version of your idea that allows you to gather feedback and survey potential customers. Run a small pilot program. Create a prototype. This approach reduces risk and increases confidence. It also aligns with DECA’s emphasis on research, analysis and strategic thinking.
Validation helps answer critical questions:
- Customers actually want this?
- Are they willing to pay for it?
- What improvements are needed?
Feedback transforms basic ideas into strong business opportunities.
Turning Vision into Action
The next best business idea does not involve waiting for an idea. It involves documenting observations, researching trends and strategically experimenting with solutions. Since all of you are members of Collegiate DECA, you are already learning leadership, analysis and entrepreneurial skills. It is time to make use of them outside the classroom. Begin to listen to daily life problems.
Feedback
Test little ideas with confidence. Coming up with the next successful business can be the one that does not begin as a breakthrough invention, but as a simple problem to solve. The first question that will help you start your venture in the future is: What problem will you solve next?
