How I’d Start My Own Business as a Student or Professional

🚀 Starting a business isn’t just about launching a product—it’s about solving a problem, creating value, and building something that reflects your vision. Here’s how I’d approach it, step by step.

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1. 🎯 Clarify the Problem You’re Solving

Every business begins with a need. I ask myself:

• What problem am I passionate about solving?
• Who experiences this problem most deeply?
• Can I solve it better, faster, or more meaningfully than existing options?

For GarudNetra, it was about creating a culturally resonant, wearable smart device that served real-world needs in surveillance and safety.

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2. 🧠 Validate the Idea Early

Before building anything, I test the waters:

• Talk to potential users—students, professionals, local communities.
• Create a simple prototype or sketch.
• Ask: “Would you use this? Why or why not?”

Feedback is gold. It helps me refine the idea before investing time or money.

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3. 📚 Learn the Basics of Business

Even as a designer or engineer, I need to understand:

• Value proposition: What makes my product unique?
• Revenue model: How will I earn? Subscription, one-time sale, freemium?
• Cost structure: What are my fixed and variable expenses?

🛠️ Tools I use:

• Lean Canvas – for mapping out the business model
• Startup India Learning Program – free modules on entrepreneurship

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4. 🧰 Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

I don’t wait for perfection. I build a basic version that:

• Demonstrates the core functionality
• Solves the main problem
• Can be tested with real users

For students, this could be a digital mockup, a working prototype, or even a service model run manually.

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5. 📣 Share It with the World

Marketing isn’t just ads—it’s storytelling.

I use:

• Social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
• Campus networks: Student clubs, faculty showcases
• Online platforms: Product Hunt, IndieHackers

I tell the story of why I built it—not just what it does.

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6. 💸 Explore Funding Options

Even small ventures need resources. I explore:

• Bootstrapping: Using my own savings or income
• Grants and competitions: Startup India Seed Fund
• Crowdfunding: Ketto or Wishberry
• Angel investors: Once I have traction and clarity

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7. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Build a Team (Even If It’s Just One Other Person)

I look for collaborators who:

• Complement my skills
• Share my vision
• Are willing to grow together

Even a two-person team can achieve incredible momentum.

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8. 📈 Keep Iterating and Learning

I treat my business like a living design project:

• Collect feedback constantly
• Improve based on real-world use
• Stay open to pivoting

I also keep learning—through podcasts, books, and mentors.

🎧 Recommended:

• The Founder's Journal
• Masters of Scale

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🔗 Resources to Get Started

Here are some platforms I recommend for Indian students and professionals:

Platform	Purpose
Startup India	Government support, funding, learning
YourStory	Startup stories, news, inspiration
T-Hub	Incubation and mentoring
NASSCOM 10,000 Startups	Tech startup support
Coursera Entrepreneurship Courses	Learn business fundamentals

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✨ Final Thoughts

Starting a business isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to ask the right questions, take bold steps, and learn as you go. Whether you’re a student with a sketchbook or a professional with a side hustle, your idea deserves a chance to grow.