In 2005, I packed up my bags, my dreams, my whole heart, and a few scribbled thoughts about starting a business idea—and moved to the United States. Why? To marry the love of my life and begin a brand new adventure. I was so giddy with excitement—think Eddie Murphy in Coming to America, minus the royal entourage.

As I settled into life in the U.S., I was fascinated by how things worked. I spent hours watching TV, soaking in everything from culture to customer service. One of my favorite pastimes? Wandering around the mall—not just for shopping, but to observe. I was intrigued by how store reps treated customers with consistent warmth and respect. It didn’t matter how you looked or what store you walked into—someone was going to greet you, smile, and ask if you needed help.

Now, to help you appreciate my awe, let’s rewind.

Shopping in Nigeria (Back in 2005)

Back then, shopping malls weren’t a thing. We had open-air markets—bustling, vibrant, and chaotic.

You’d walk through rows of vendors selling everything from food to fabric to electronics. It was hot, dusty, and crowded. Rainy days? A mess. And forget about returns—once you paid for something, that was it. No refunds. No exchanges. All sales were final.

Fast forward to the U.S., where you could buy something, change your mind, return it (with a receipt), and get your money back? I was blown away. It wasn’t just the convenience—it was the experience.

That’s when the idea sparked. That’s when I began asking: Could this be more than just a fascination? Could this be a business?

And just like that, I started learning how to find and validate a business idea by paying attention to what excited me, what people needed, and what I could do to bridge the gap.

How I Found My Business Idea

As I shared my shopping experiences with family and friends in Nigeria, they began asking me to help them buy and ship items from the U.S. They trusted my eye for deals and my ability to navigate big sales like Black Friday, Summer Clearance, and Labor Day markdowns.

I still remember buying a 3-in-1 HP Inkjet Printer at Walmart for $150. Right then, I thought, “This would cost way more in Nigeria.” That moment lit a spark. It was the beginning of my side hustle—and eventually, my full-fledged business.

So, if you’re trying to figure out how to find and validate a business idea, let me walk you through the exact questions that helped me.

3 Questions to Help You Find a Business Idea That Works

1. What is easy for you and hard for others?

What are your friends and family always asking you for help with? For me, it was U.S. shopping—finding deals, spotting quality, and getting good value.

It might be something that seems small or second-nature to you, but if people keep asking for it, it’s worth paying attention to. That might be your golden opportunity.

This is a huge part of how to find and validate a business idea—pay attention to what you’re already good at and how others respond to it.

2. What frustrates you the most?

Sometimes business ideas come from solving your own irritation. What do you wish worked better in your industry? What’s broken that you want to fix?

Many successful founders started by solving a personal pain point. You’re likely not alone in your frustration, and fixing it could lead to your breakthrough.

Frustration can be a powerful clue when you’re learning how to find and validate a business idea.

3. What are you always curious about?

What topic keeps coming up in your conversations? Do you catch yourself researching it just for fun? Is it something that lights you up and gets your wheels turning?

For me, it was teaching women how to start and grow a service-based business. That passion turned into my purpose.

You can’t afford to ignore the things that spark your energy. They might be the very clues you need when you’re figuring out how to find and validate a business idea.

How I Validated My Business Idea

Once people started asking me to shop for them regularly, I offered my personal shopping services for free to test the waters. That experience helped me:

• Understand the problem better

• Learn what people needed most

• Get feedback fast

• Test my ability to deliver real value

• Decide if this was something I wanted to scale

Soon enough, demand increased, and referrals started coming in. That’s when I began charging for the service, and people were glad to pay.

That, my friend, is what it looks like to validate a business idea in real life.

4 Simple Ways to Validate Your Business Idea

If you’re serious about learning how to find and validate a business idea, here are four practical steps to get started:

1. Talk to potential customers and ask specific questions like:

   • How would you describe this problem?

   • What are you currently doing to solve it?

   • Do you think my solution would make a difference?

   • What would you be willing to pay for a fix?

2. Offer your smallest version of the service for free to a handful of people you trust. Get feedback.

3. Charge a small fee to strangers and see if people buy. Set a number: “If 10 people say yes, I’ll move forward.”

4. Refine and relaunch. Use the feedback to improve and then launch your full offer.

Resources That Helped Me

One of my favorite books on this topic is Will It Fly? by Pat Flynn. If you want to dive deeper into how to find and validate a business idea, this book is a gem. And guess what? It comes with a free companion course!

Here are three key takeaways from the book:

• Align your business with your life goals.

• You don’t need millions—just 1000 true fans.

• Validate your idea before investing time and money.

Don’t Overthink It—Take Action

The goal isn’t to spend months “validating” and never launching. The goal is to gather just enough proof that you’re on the right track, then go.

Don’t fall into the trap of endless research and course collecting. Everything you need to start is already in your hands. That’s the real secret to how to find and validate a business idea: take action.

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.” – Dale Carnegie

You don’t need permission to start—you just need a little clarity and a whole lot of courage. Your story, your skills, and your struggles are pointing you toward a business idea that could change your life and serve others. You just need to listen.

Ready to turn your idea into a real business?

Download my free Business Clarity Blueprint and start mapping your path today!