Business start ups: Challenges and Opportunities

 Brewing Ideas at Brookdale Café

In the small town of Brookdale, three friends—Emily, Jake, and Sophie— met at their favorite coffee shop, dreaming about the future.

Emily had worked in a corporate office for years, but she longed for freedom and independence. “I want to be my own boss,” she often said. She loved baking and imagined running her own cozy café where she could set her own schedule and express her creativity.

Jake had a sharp eye for opportunity. He noticed there wasn’t a single mobile repair shop in town. People had to drive to the next city to fix a cracked screen. “There’s clearly a gap in the market,” he said. “If I open a shop here, I’ll be solving a real problem.”

Sophie, on the other hand, had always been passionate about handmade jewellery. She wanted to turn her hobby into a business and sell her designs online. “Why not make money doing what I love?” she smiled.

All three of them also wanted to earn more than a regular job offered, and Jake had an extra reason—he hoped to eventually create jobs for others in the community. Emily liked the idea of building something she could pass on to her children one day.

As they sipped their coffee, Sophie said, “Different reasons, same dream—to build something that’s truly ours.”

And that’s how their entrepreneurial journey began—with purpose, passion, and a desire for something more.

 Questions for group discussion/Critical Thinking Questions

a)     Each friend had a different reason for starting a business. How do personal goals and motivations influence the type of business someone chooses to start?

b)    What challenges might each character face in turning their idea into a successful business, and how could they prepare for them?

c)     If you were one of the three friends, which business would you choose to start and why? What would be your main motivation?

Reasons for Starting a Business

Reasons for starting a business [FREEDOMS]

F – Financial independence

R – Resolve a problem

E – Escape the 9-to-5

E – Empower others with jobs

D – Do what you love (Passion)

O – Own your time (Flexibility)

M – Make your own decisions (Be your own boss)

S – Secure a legacy (Build wealth)

 F – Financial Independence

Many people start a business to take control of their income. Instead of relying on a monthly salary, they want the chance to earn more as their business grows.

Example: Emma started a home-based cupcake business. Within a year, her profits were higher than her old office job’s salary.

 R – Resolve a Problem

Some entrepreneurs notice a problem in everyday life and build a business to solve it. Their goal is to help others and make money doing it.

Example: Jake saw that many elderly neighbours struggled with shopping, so he launched a local grocery delivery service just for them.

 E – Escape the 9-to-5

People often feel stuck in regular jobs with fixed hours. Starting a business can give them the freedom to work in their own style.

Example: Sophie left her desk job to become a freelance photographer, working on projects she loves, at times that suit her.

 E – Empower Others with Jobs

Business owners can create job opportunities for others, especially within their community.

Example: Ben opened a small coffee shop and hired two local teenagers, helping them earn part-time income while studying.

 D – Do What You Love

Turning a hobby into a business allows people to enjoy their work every day. Passion fuels persistence.

Example: Olivia always loved crafts, so she started selling handmade candles online.

 O – Own Your Time (Flexibility)

Running your own business means setting your own schedule and balancing work with personal life.

Example: Tom, a dad of three, launched an online tech support service so he could work from home and spend more time with his family.

 M – Make Your Own Decisions

Entrepreneurs enjoy making decisions without needing permission from a manager or boss.

Example: Lucy runs a boutique clothing brand and decides on styles, pricing, and promotions herself.

 S – Secure a Legacy (Build Wealth)

Some people want to build something long-lasting—for their family or their future.

Example: The Harris family started a homemade jam business, which is now run by the next generation.