Chris Guillebeau On How To Change The World
Chris Guillebeau is a blogger, an entrepreneur, a best-selling author and a speaker. He is also one of the few people who have visited every single country in the world. Mind you, he was able to do this before turning 35. How many is that? He points to UN data according to which there are 193 countries out there.
He’s author of several books, including Born for This which came out earlier in 2016.
- Your book “$100 Startup” suggests that everyone can start a successful business even with no experience and capital. What do you think are the main factors for a business to succeed?
The most important factor is value — how does the business help people? That’s what aspiring entrepreneurs should focus on more than anything else. Aside from that, most people we found in our research of 1,500 case studies were a) curious, and b) willing to take action quickly, as opposed to waiting and planning for a long period of time.
- What are the most important questions one should ask themselves when evaluating what kind of a business to start?
How will this idea change the world, or at least improve the lives of customers? Why will people care about this idea enough to spend money on it? Of all the ideas I chould pursue at this time, which is more important?
Those are good starting points.
- You talk about the importance of psychographic data as the new demographics. What should entrepreneurs take into consideration in this context?
What I mean by psychographic data is essentially a new way of thinking about target markets. In the past, target markets were considered primarily in demographic terms: groups such as women aged 30–35 with a university degree, senior citizens who have recently retired, and so on.
These days, many products and services don’t need to market in such an exclusive manner. Instead, they can market to people of all ages and backgrounds based on shared ideals, values, and interests. This is a huge shift! New entrepreneurs should think carefully about whom they are serving and how these people will be helped. Everything else revolves around those answers.
- You haven’t stopped traveling the world in the past years, you write books, run businesses and interact with people all the time. What is your current mission in life, what drives you and keeps you going?
I’m very motivated by results and positive impact. I enjoy hearing stories of how the work I do makes a difference in someone’s life. Of course, I realize that they are the ones who took action, and perhaps they were already in a place where they were open to change before encountering my work — but again, I’m glad that it helps in some way.
- Is it fair to say you have transitioned form the more value-driven AONC to the more practical $100 Startup? Has there been any change in your value system or is it just a natural continuation of your work?
No, I don’t see value-driven and practical as opposites, and I’ve always tried to put both perspectives forward. However, it’s certainly true that the work has become more specific over time, which does help more with the practical aspect.
It’s also true that I have a long way to go in refining and spreading the message, so hopefully it will continue to evolve and improve. I learn from my readers every day and I am very grateful for their partnership.
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