You know that feeling when you walk past an empty storefront? That moment when your brain starts spinning with possibilities: “Someone should really turn this into a…” No, just me?
Well, I live in that moment. It’s my happy place. And trust me, it can be dangerous. At 23, I walked past an empty storefront in downtown Seneca, SC, thinking “someone should really open a clothing store here.” Next thing I knew, I was signing a lease and going to market in Atlanta. (Yes, really. That’s how my first business started.)
After years of being that person who can’t stop spotting business opportunities—and occasionally acting on them—I’ve learned how to turn those “someone should really” moments into actual business concepts worth building.
Here’s a peek into my process:
It Starts With the Gap
Everyone talks about “finding a gap in the market,” but here’s what that actually means: Notice what’s missing in everyday life.
For example, I was recently scrolling through TikTok and saw a video about someone who fried their RV’s electrical system with a single space heater. My heart stopped—because I was literally planning to plug in Christmas lights and decorations for our upcoming trip. No one had told us about amp limitations or electrical systems in RVs. Not the dealer, not the previous owner, no one.
And that’s when I noticed something (because that’s just how my brain works): There’s this massive gap between getting the keys to your RV and actually knowing how to use it safely. Sure, there’s technical training for mechanics and basic walk-throughs from dealers, but what’s missing is real education for RV owners—the kind that prevents you from accidentally causing thousands in damage because you didn’t know about something as simple as amp usage.
That’s a gap.
But a Gap Isn’t Enough
Here’s where most business idea lists fall short. They spot a gap and call it a day. “Start an RV education service!” Great idea, but…
- Who exactly would pay for this?
- What would make them choose this over YouTube tutorials?
- How would the business make money beyond basic training?
- What are the growth opportunities?
This is where we go from “someone should really” to “here’s how this could actually work.”
Looking Deeper
When I spot a potential opportunity like this, I start asking questions:
- Who’s Really Struggling? Not just “who might want this,” but who’s actively worried about it? In our RV education example:
- First-time RV owners terrified of making expensive mistakes
- Families who bought during the pandemic boom and still feel uncertain
- Solo travelers who need to handle everything themselves
- Seasonal RVers who forget crucial details between trips
- What’s Stopping Them? Why isn’t this problem solved already?
- Dealers are focused on sales, not education
- YouTube videos can’t answer specific questions
- Facebook groups are overwhelming and often wrong
- No standardized way to learn your specific RV
- What Would Make Them Act? What would make someone actually pay for this solution?
- Peace of mind about not damaging their investment
- Confidence in handling their RV themselves
- Clear, specific answers to their questions
- Hands-on learning with their own RV
Making It Real
This is where we get practical. A good business concept needs:
Multiple Revenue Streams
- One-on-one RV orientations
- Group workshops at campgrounds
- Digital courses for specific RV types
- Seasonal maintenance checks
- Emergency phone consultations
Growth Opportunities
- Partnerships with RV dealers
- Campground workshop circuits
- Online community membership
- RV inspection services
- Certification programs
Clear Starting Point
- Focus on one type of RV first
- Start with most common problems
- Build relationships with local dealers
- Create basic educational materials
The Final Test
Before any concept makes the cut, I ask:
- Could someone actually start this with reasonable resources?
- Are there multiple ways to make it successful?
- Does it solve a real problem people would pay to fix?
- Is there room to grow and adapt?
From Spotting to Starting
Every frustrating moment holds possibilities. But the difference between “someone should really” and a viable business concept is in the details—understanding not just what could be, but how it could work in the real world.
That’s exactly what I do: turn real problems into practical business concepts. Because sometimes you know you want to build something, you just need help seeing exactly what that something could be.
