You’re not a free spirit, you lack discipline
- Pearl Ubani
- Feb 17, 2025
- 3 min read
Most people think starting a business is simple: buy a product, sell it, and make a profit.
By that logic, if you start a business today, you should be a millionaire in six months because, you know, all things in life are always equal, right? 👍🏾
I know, I know—excitement is a hell of a drug. You get a brilliant idea, your brain is firing off dopamine, and you’re already dreaming about your TED Talk. But here’s the problem: Ideas don’t pay the bills—execution does.
Why Skipping Research is a Bad Move
Research is a lost art, and we need to bring it back! Seriously, how are you telling me you don’t have any competition?
Are you God? Even God sef—there are other things fighting for His place in your life.
Would you get on a plane if the pilot “kinda guessed” how to fly it? No? Then why would you pour time, energy, and money into a business without understanding your market, competition, or even your own customers?
Let’s talk about some mistakes you're bound to make when you skip research:
Selling to the void – If you don’t know your target audience, you’re basically screaming into the abyss, hoping someone hears you. (Spoiler: They won’t.)
Overpricing or Underpricing – Without market research, you might price your product too high and scare people off, or too low and barely make a profit.
Getting washed out by the competition – Your competitors did their homework, but you decided to freestyle and yet you want to have an edge? lmao...okay oh.
Wasting resources – You think people want what you’re selling, but you never actually checked. Now you’re stuck with products nobody cares about after wasting time to source them.
Research First, Then Hustle
Before you drop your life savings into this business, take a beat. Here’s how you avoid becoming another “I started a business and it flopped” statistic:
1. Know Your Market
Who’s your customer? And if you’re going to say “everyone,” then just hold your mouth. You need to be more specific.
My target audience is upcoming entrepreneurs and creatives who need help understanding what actually goes on in this space.
Where do your potential customers hang out? What are they already buying? If you don’t know, start asking. Surveys, social media polls, competitor analysis—use every tool at your disposal.
2. Stalk (I Mean, Study) Your Competition
To be forewarned is to be forearmed. It’s going to be mad embarrassing when you dive headfirst after being in an echo chamber for so long without even knowing what or who you’re up against. Find businesses doing what you want to do and figure out how they’re doing it. What’s working for them? What’s missing? Can you do it better, faster, or cheaper?
3. Test Before You Invest
Before committing, run a small test. Offer a beta version, a sample product, or a pre-order campaign. If nobody bites, you just saved yourself from a costly mistake. If people love it? at least now you'll know.
4. Get the Numbers Right
A business isn’t just a passion project—it’s a money game. Research your costs, expected revenue, and profit margins. If the math ain’t mathing, then you need to sort it out before lunching anything.
If you've been stuck on pricing for a while and you need a tool to help you figure out how to price your product in literally 3 minutes, then I have something for you. I spent weeks perfecting this so you don’t have to stress over numbers. Just plug in your costs, set your price, and start making money the smart way!
And before you start crying—I know service providers are always left out, but not here! Tired of pulling prices out of thin air? 🙃 Let’s fix that so you can get paid what you’re worth without second-guessing yourself.
The Bottom Line
This is your reminder to not let your excitement to start a business outpace your preparation because I’m sure you want to make the most of it. Starting a business without research isn’t brave—it’s reckless. Your excitement is valid, but excitement alone won’t pay your bills. So, before you dive in, do the work. Learn the game. Make informed moves. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
And hey, if you’ve already made this mistake, don’t panic—just start researching now. It’s never too late to fix your strategy and turn things around.
Got a business idea but don’t know where to start? Let’s talk.
If you ever want to talk about Analysis Paralysis or any other thing that gets in the way of your creativity or entrepreneurship, don't hesitate to reach out!
Written by Pearl Ubani
Questions, feedback, or article suggestions? Email me thepearlubani@gmail.com
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