The Market's Opportunity

There are a million products to get lost in. The products of today’s market are more easily accessible than ever. We can virtually buy anything and have it delivered to our doorstep - sometimes in just a matter of hours. The Internet has taken convenience to a whole new level that requires some balance and discipline so convenience doesn’t become laziness.

We’re all consumers, and you have to be in order to get work done effectively. Many jobs and services are outsourced so that other work may be completed in correlation. It’s amazing how many opportunities are available to the average person with the growing world of e-commerce. Anyone, just about anywhere, can literally start a business within minutes, find a supplier, and watch their ideas take off and become reality.

The sudden increase in opportunity due to convenience and accessibility has caused the market to become saturated, leading to higher competition. This is good for consumers because products become more affordable. This can be bad for the business owner because it causes a demand to be creative, competitive, and steadily watching the market for trend changes and technology advancements.

Big corporations are taking a hit due to the average person being able to take business into his or her own hands. This doesn’t mean quality goes down, it just means that there is a better distribution of opportunity for everyone.

While most of the rudimentary and technical aspects of creation and design are taken care of by third parties, it allows the aspiring business owner an opportunity to let creativity, more than finances, take control of direction. Little overhead is required to start up a website, create a shopping cart, and start selling products. Websites like Shopify actually offer websites designed and optimized for online businesses to effortlessly begin.

The problem with the ultra-convenient world of e-commerce is that it causes demand for continuous creativity and relevance. In the past, businesses thrived upon consistency, reputation, and having a lot of money kept the businesses making money. These days, when everyone has easy access to the same resources, it can prove difficult to keep the ideas fresh, relevant, and consistent to the volatile preferences of the public and its insatiable appetite for something new and something better.

While that may sounds daunting, it shouldn’t be. Simply seeing creative ideas come into reality is way more satisfying than getting a paycheck. While money is important for living, it shouldn’t be more important than living. There are a lot of opportunities to have your book sold or have your product be available. If it doesn’t sell, then at least you had an experience in a business venture and you can keep your own products for yourself and family. There’s happiness to be found, even when there isn’t a dollar sign attached to it. Experiences, more than money, allows for personal growth and development.

For further related reading, please check out: The Extra 5%.