Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It’s a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, and it takes tremendous hard work, dedication, and tenacity to make it to the top. You need to be passionate about your business and have a clear vision of where you want to take it. You also need to be able to articulate your goals and what you’re looking to achieve. If you’re thinking about starting your own business, there are a few key questions you need to answer first:

1. What Problem Are You Solving?

As an entrepreneur, you need to be focused on solving a problem. Offering a product or service that is already on the market is not going to cut it. You will end up competing on price, which is a race to the bottom. According to Michael Chavira, Managing Partner of Axiological Solutions, you need to be able to articulate what problem you are solving and how your product or service is going to solve it in a better way than anyone else. Providing a solution to a problem is the best way to ensure that your business will be successful.

2. Who is Your Target Market?

You cannot get into business without having a target market in mind. That’s like shooting an arrow without knowing where you’re aiming. You need to have a clear understanding of who your target market is, what their needs and wants are, and how you’re going to reach them. Trying to sell to everyone is a surefire way to fail.

Ideally, you need to research the market to identify an audience and a problem that is not being solved. Once you have that, you can focus on reaching that market and solving their problem.

3. What is Your Competitive Advantage?

To be successful, you need to clearly understand your competition and what you’re doing differently to solve the problem better than they are. This is your competitive advantage. It sets you apart from the rest and gives you the edge you need to succeed. It’s essential to be able to articulate your competitive advantage so that you can communicate it to your target market.

4. What is Your Business Model?

Your business model is how you’re going to make money. There are various business models out there, and you need to choose the one that makes the most sense for your business. Do you want to charge for your product or service? If so, how much? Or are you going to generate revenue through advertising or sponsorships? There’s no right or wrong answer here, but you need to have a solid plan for making money.

5. How Much Money Do You Need to Get Started?

Starting a business takes money. There’s no way around it. You need to clearly understand how much money you need to get started and where that money will come from. Are you going to self-fund, or are you going to seek out investors? How much can you realistically expect to raise? Answering these questions will give you a better idea of whether or not starting a business is the right decision for you.

In summary, succeeding as an entrepreneur is not easy. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, it can be a gratifying experience. If you’re considering starting your own business, answer these five key questions first. They’ll help you determine if you’re on the right track and give you a better chance of success.