Ask HN: How to find viable product or service ideas for small business

[jman1]

My objective is to work for myself and eventually turn that into a sustainable business, but I am having a hard time trying to figure out what exactly are the next steps in order to move towards my objective. My current perspective is one of trying to find a idea for a product or service as starting point. Do I need a different perspective ? or Just not thinking hard enough on what product or service to build ? Thanks for your help !

[nhm]

Paul Graham wrote a post about ideas he'd like to see: http://ycombinator.com/ideas.html.

My advice is to get out and about in your community, and find real problems. Then make something which solves (part of) that. Even better if it's a problem for you. It can be hard to stick with a project if you aren't using it yourself.

Here's another great blog post, with a checklist to go through when an idea starts to form: http://rowansimpson.com/2011/10/23/from-idea-to-impact/

[jman1]

Awesome links!

[trez]

Thinking might help but the most important point is to talk with some groups of people. Listen carefully to them, understand what they need and build that for them.