I think a lot of the folks visiting sites like this are in the same boat.

But let me say trying to find a 'big score' opportunity on the net or in Entrepreneur magazine is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Everyone I know that has reached a level of sales beyond $1,000,000 per year or more has started small or by accident (unless they purchased a going concern, which is another topic). And typically it has worked like this:

The entrepreneur starts small with one product or service... then at some point an explosive opportunity opens up (a key competitor closes shop, a new fad starts that causes your product or service to become a 'hot' commodity or what ever) or the entrepreneur suddenly sees another opportunity that has greater potential than what they are already in and with their experience, credit history, work force and contacts are ready and capable of running with the opportunity. I chronicled below how Bush Industries became a powerhouse in the knock-down furniture market. Previously I talked about how Kingdom Inc., www.kingdominc.com became successful selling blank audio tapes. Heck even Michael Dell (as told by Dien) started off selling collectible postage stamps through mail order and parlayed his experience in that business into his mail order computer company. All these success stories started out as different businesses or with different product lines.

Regardless, I don't think 'big opportunities' are going to slap you in the face. Big opportunities are hidden, little opportunities that are well exploited.

I think what you have to do is be willing to try different things for a while... at least until you get to the point of seeing if a real growth opportunity exists. If not, then go on to something else. If it does then do what all successful entrepreneurs do--apply maximum force so you turn this opportunity crack into a chasm. You can't dilly-dally. You can't waste time. You have to go forward with all guns a blazin.

If what you are presently doing does not offer good growth potential you should be looking at other opportunities... You're looking so hard for big scores you aren't likely to see them for what they really are... much smaller, niche opportunities.

Peter Drucker says the 'A-ha, middle of the night' type million dollar idea... isn't very likely. You are much more likely taking a mundane everyday type product or service, giving it additional value in the eyes of the consumer and turning that into a million dollar idea.

Hope this helps,

Mike Winicki

> Hello everyone. This is my second visit to
> this site (first was yesterday). I came here
> searching for ideas and direction. I have
> tried and researched many different types of
> ideas and business opportunities. I have my
> hand in many different pots. I market bird
> hangers, I am technical recruiter (for a
> living), I rehab homes and rent them, I am
> pursing waste consulting (reducing companies
> disposal bills) and I am still not happy or
> have found my niche. Some of this is related
> to my personality, which as I have become
> older (35)makes it harder for me to
> overcome. I make a okay living doing what I
> do and I have lost the ability to be patient
> enought to start small in my ventures (small
> rewards vs. big rewards). My biggest problem
> is "PATIENTS". I feel like I am so
> far behind, that I need to make a quick
> score to validate the many years of my
> pursuit for the one thing that will make me
> happy in my business endeavors. I need
> immediate gratification and I need
> direction. Someone or something that will
> show me right away if I on the right track.
> That can be in the form of money or personal
> advice. I have been on my own for a long
> time and have always been self sufficient. I
> know though that I need more and have yet to
> find that person or thing that will fill
> this void. I work from home and everyday I
> get my twin boys ready for daycare and I
> drop them off and then I have anxiety over
> what I am going to accomplish today that
> will put everything in order for me. I do
> this every day and after a few years this
> really wears on you. Will someone send me
> some seeds of widsom or something that has
> worked for them? I do not know how much
> longer I can keep chasing my tail. My
> entrep. drive is becoming a anvil around my
> neck that I can not get rid of to accomplish
> what I am trying to find. Also, don't let me
> get my copy of Inc. Mag. in the mail and
> read all about the successful businesses and
> people who run million dollar companies in
> their PJs. Then I really freak our and start
> searching for my niche in triple time. This
> is my dilemma (please excuse any
> spelling...no spell check here)

> Jake