5 Hey friend! Welcome back to the Take the F.I.R.S.T. Step series—your friendly guide to going from idea to actually starting that business God laid on your heart.

If you’re new here, don’t worry. We’ve been walking through a five-step process I like to call the F.I.R.S.T. Step Method. It’s a simple and spirit-led approach I created specifically to help Christian women move from “just an idea” to launching a service-based business that’s rooted in purpose.

We’ve already covered:

• F – Find Clarity: Where we talked about praying, reflecting on your gifts and patterns, and identifying a good example of someone doing something similar to what you want to do.
  
• I – Ideate: Where you take everything you’ve observed and start putting pen to paper. Think of it as a brainstorming session where you draft the rough outline of your business—your services, your pricing, and how you might deliver them.
  

And today? We’re diving into Step 3: R – Research & Revise.
This step is so key to taking your idea from “rough sketch” to something that’s actually ready for the real world.

Why Research is So Important

Okay, so you’ve found clarity, and you’ve jotted down a lot of exciting ideas. Now it’s time to ground those ideas in real-world information.

I know what you’re thinking:
“But ChiChi, I already looked at a good example. Isn’t that enough?”

Girl, I get it. But here’s the thing—your good example probably isn’t doing exactly what you want to do. You need to dig deeper to discover things like:

• What’s going on in the industry?
  
• What are customers really looking for?
  
• What’s missing in the current market?
  
• How can you position your business uniquely?
  

That’s where research comes in. It helps you move from assumption to actual insight.

Listen To The Podcast Here

Where to Start with Your Research

Let’s keep this super practical. You don’t need to be a research expert or a tech wizard. All you need is curiosity, a notebook, and access to the internet (hello, Google!).

1. Start with Google

Go to Google and search:
“How to start [insert your specific business idea here]”

For example, if you want to become a personal stylist, you might type:
How to start a personal styling business.

You’ll get tons of articles, blog posts, YouTube videos, and maybe even free guides. Explore what’s out there—but don’t go beyond the first page of search results. Yes, you read that right.

Here’s why:
We’re avoiding analysis paralysis.
When you consume too much information, you risk overthinking and feeling stuck. So stick with page one, take notes, and move on.

2. Search for Specifics

Think beyond general “how-to” questions. Look for the nitty-gritty, like:

• Pricing models for your industry
  
• Tools or apps other people are using
  
• Marketing strategies others have tried
  
• Service delivery tips
  
• Potential problems your audience might be facing
  

If you’re starting something niche (like an international personal shopping business), tailor your searches accordingly. For example:

• “Apps for managing international personal shopping requests”
  
• “How to price international personal shopping services”
  
• “Top logistics tools for global product sourcing”
  

Being specific helps you find gold.

Don’t Forget About People

Now, here’s one part most people skip—but it’s pure gold when done right:

3. Interview Potential Customers

Don’t panic. When I say “interview,” I don’t mean sitting them down with a microphone. It’s just a friendly conversation where you ask good questions.

Here’s what to ask:

• What do they call the problem you’re trying to solve?
  
• How do they experience that problem?
  
• What kind of solution would they love?
  
• What have they tried before that didn’t work?
  
• What would make a new solution worth paying for?
  

Knowing how your potential customer describes the problem is everything. Because if you call it “X” and they call it “Y,” they won’t connect with your message—no matter how amazing your service is.

You want your future marketing to speak their language.

Who Should You Talk To?

• Friends or colleagues who match your ideal customer profile
  
• People in Facebook groups that cater to your niche
  
• Your current network—ask around!
  

Let’s say you’re starting a wardrobe styling service. You might ask a friend,
“Do you know anyone who struggles with figuring out what to wear for work every day?”
That friend might say, “Oh yeah, my coworker is always complaining about that!”

Boom. That’s a potential interview.

Be Resourceful, Not Perfect

Here’s something I want you to remember:

You were created to do hard things.

So even if this step feels tricky or overwhelming at times, don’t quit. You don’t have to know everything. You just need to be resourceful.

I love Marie Forleo’s phrase: “Everything is figureoutable.”
And as a Christian entrepreneur?
Let’s remix that a little:
Everything is figureoutable—with the help of the Holy Spirit.

That means you can say, “Holy Spirit, help me figure this out.”
And trust me—He will.

Time to Revise

After you’ve done your research and gathered insight from both the internet and real people, it’s time to go back to your ideation notes and revise.

Look at what you originally wrote down about your services, pricing, and delivery—and tweak it based on the new info you’ve learned.

Think of this as a filter. You’re keeping what works and adjusting the rest to fit your audience and your niche better.

What Should You Revise or Decide On?

Here are some key components to think about at this stage:

✅ Your Offer

• What specific services will you provide?
  
• Can you describe them clearly?
  
• Are they solving the actual problem your audience is facing?
  

✅ Your Pricing

• What price makes sense for your audience?
  
• How are others pricing similar services?
  
• What will make people feel your offer is valuable?
  

✅ How You’ll Deliver the Service

• Is it virtual or in person?
  
• Will it be a one-time service or recurring?
  
• What tools or platforms will you need?
  

✅ Your Organic Marketing Channel

You don’t need a big marketing budget to start. In fact, many businesses start with just one strong organic channel like:

• Word of mouth
  
• Instagram or TikTok
  
• A blog or podcast
  
• YouTube
  

Pick one to focus on first and go all in.

✅ Business Structure

This might feel technical, but it’s good to decide early on whether you’ll operate as:

• A Sole Proprietor
  
• An LLC
  
• A Corporation (Inc.)
  

Don’t worry too much—this can evolve as you grow. But for now, make a decision based on what makes the most sense for where you are.

✅ Your Policies

Now is also a good time to set some basic boundaries. Consider things like:

• Late fee or cancellation policy
  
• Refund policy
  
• What your clients should expect
  

Having these in place builds professionalism and gives you peace of mind.

Don’t Overthink It

A gentle reminder: This is not your final draft.

You’re just starting. You will learn more as you go. You will tweak things. You’ll grow. You’ll pivot. That’s normal.

Don’t wait until everything is “perfect” to launch. Make a decision and move forward.
Because clarity comes through action—not just thinking.

Recap: Step 3 – Research & Revise

Here’s what we covered in this step:

• Research your business idea using Google (stick to the first page!)
  
• Search for specific tools, strategies, and info related to your niche
  
• Interview at least a few potential customers to understand their needs and language
  
• Revise your initial plan using what you learned
  
• Decide on your key business components: services, pricing, delivery, structure, marketing, and basic policies
  

And most importantly…

Keep a “Holy Spirit, help me figure this out” attitude.
Everything is figureoutable when you’re led by Him.

Final Encouragement 💛

Isaiah 30:21 says,
“Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.”

God is walking this path with you. You’re not alone. And you are not behind.

So, take that next step. Keep showing up. Do your research, revise your idea, and trust that you’re getting closer to launching the business God placed in your heart.

You got this.

Book a call with me