[quote style=”boxed”]Think of simple product or service you can offer to help people save time. Everyone is busy these days and anything you can do to save their time will be a successful venture.[/quote]
Dreaming of starting your own business but looking for that extra help to get started ? This has been a common struggle for most entrepreneurs. BossAgain.com Founder Altaf Hussain realized the need and launched an online service to help aspiring entrepreneurs find business partners in their own neighborhood, build networks and get advice from industry experts.
Whether you are a stay at home mom, already work full time or plan to set up a practice, BossAgain.com lets you post a business request in search for a partner or schedule an appointment with an expert.
What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on identifying potential partners with expertise in Web Development, SEO and Business Development to join me and grow BossAgain to the next level.
Where did the idea for BossAgain.com come from?
I have seen entrepreneurs give up their dreams to start their business as they don’t have the support, right resources or partnerships they are looking for.
In addition, due to tough economic conditions most individuals look to start a business with the skills they have developed over the years but are in search of partner and advisor for a successful launch.
To help these individuals, I decided to develop a service where they can place a request to find partners in their neighborhood and also the expert advise to get started with minimal capital.
What does your typical day look like?
I start my day with CNN Money, Bloomberg News and other financial/economic news followed by responding to emails. I like reading articles on successful businesses, strategies, mergers and global markets with growth opportunities. I enjoy reading about new franchises and brainstorm their growth potential.
How do you bring ideas to life?
As we get busier every day, we all look for products or services to make our life simple. I focus on simple things and brainstorm on solutions which can be launched quickly with minimal complexity and cost.
I ask simple set of questions to narrow down an idea. If it passes the test, I start digging into the concept deeper. I spend hours sketching the plan on napkins, notepads or iPad, share with family or friends to see their reaction and visualize the market potential.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Startups with simple concepts and crazy ideas generating millions of dollars. This keeps me pushing hard to continuously brainstorm on new ideas.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
Doing the same work 9 – 5 without any challenge. I knew I would no longer be marketable if I continue to stay this course. A constant change and challenge keeps me going with fresh ideas and be innovative. I have traveled internationally to learn about new trends in the market and kept teaching in business school to stay in touch with students and new ideas.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
Find partners with different skill sets who believes in the concept and aggressively works to launch a startup. This will help start a venture with minimal capital.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Think of simple product or service you can offer to help people save time. Everyone is busy these days and anything you can do to save their time will be a successful venture.
Keep brainstorming new ideas. Think of what people do everyday and see how you can help them do it better.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
With a growing immigrant population from around the world, the market of ethnic food has grown as well. An online food delivery service of fresh, warm ethnic food of your choice to be delivered to your kids during lunch time.
Sounds like a great idea! It qualifies my test: Simple and saves time for busy parents, reduces the stress of packing and gives a sense of relief that their kids will receive fresh, warm food.
The trend is in corporate world having cafeterias serve ethnic food and similar concept can be implemented for schools across the US.
What are your favorite online tools and what do you love about them?
99Designs and Elance are the best online tools for entrepreneurs to get started with their business.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Lean Startup by Eric Ries.
If you weren’t working on BossAgain, what would you be doing?
Enjoying my family, traveling around the world and brainstorming new ideas
Three people we should follow on Twitter?
Richard Branson and Steve Case.
Who is your hero?
Steve Jobs – It is very hard for anyone to take his place. He is a true entrepreneur and has set high standards in both innovation and quality.
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Follow BossAgain on Twitter: @BossAgain
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.