How can you find ideas when first considering starting a small business? This common question has some very interesting answers. The best one I heard was regarding car mascots/badges.
Luxurious sports car marques like Lambourghini and Ferrari are subject to frequent theft of their badges and bonnet mascots. To replace them is an expensive business, costing in excess of $400 (apparently). Imagine the irritation this gives sports car owners.
This is a true story told by Michael Campbell, the Internet guru whose advice to wannabe traders online has long been a source of quality advice. He went on to tell how he had some authentic marques and badges made up, and found they sold for a good price whilst remaining considerably cheaper than the dealers "genuine parts".
This is a great story about how to find something to build a business on. It involves a need, scarcity of supply, competitive price and repeat business. I cannot think of a better example of how to do it. Now it is up to you to find the right products for starting a small business.
The internet is so easy to get the attention of exact markets, finding keyword phrases and building pages for them is the way to start. There is no shortage of free material about SEO (search engine optimisation) and no shortage of people who will sub contract the work for you.
Starting a small business is another excellent site with lots of advice for the start up entrepreneur, it covers both "dirt world" and online business ventures. Try these two sites to get you going!