How boring businesses actually begin...

Advice from Boring business millionaires..

👋 Hi and welcome to today’s edition of Venture Radar — where we uncover real businesses making real money, and break down how they do it.

We recently spoke with a businessman running three different boring businesses, generating millions in revenue. Here’s his advice on how to think and start boring businesses..

---

“Most people spend more time thinking about business ideas than actually trying them. Especially with boring businesses, they’ll spend weeks Googling “best service business to start in 2024” and never talk to a single customer. The truth is: the only way to start a boring business is to start small, scrappy, and real.

You don’t need a perfect idea. You need one real person who’s willing to pay you to fix something annoying in their life.

If you’re starting from scratch, don’t waste time trying to be original.

Start by looking around your city. What services are already being used? Lawn care. Fridge repair. Pest control. Dog poop pickup. These are all proven.

People are already paying for them. That’s a good thing. You’re not trying to invent a new problem. You’re trying to steal market share from someone who’s not doing a great job.

Here’s what to actually do:

• Pick one idea.

• Make a one-page site with your phone number.

• Call five local businesses or homeowners and offer the service.

• Make the price stupid simple.

Be honest say you're just starting out and trying to earn their trust. One yes is all you need. Deliver the work like your life depends on it. Then ask them who else you can help. Repeat. That’s how boring businesses get built one sweaty, uncomfortable interaction at a time.

Everyone wants the $100K/month story. But most of those businesses started with someone just saying yes to a job they weren’t 100% ready for, and figuring it out on the fly. That’s what real builders do. They don’t ask for permission. They look for friction, insert themselves, and don’t disappear when it gets hard.

You don’t need funding. You don’t need a cofounder. You don’t need a plan for year three. You need to show up tomorrow and fix someone’s problem. That’s how every boring business begins.”

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter. Stay tuned for more!