Everyone knows the thrill of having an amazing business idea, but few of us actually make it a reality. That said, turning a great idea into a startup may be easier than you think. All you need is some free time and an idea you're truly passionate about, and you'll be able to bring your business to life. The concrete steps listed below will help you follow the path of successful entrepreneurs that came before you. Before you start planning, take a moment to designate a distraction-free area of your home for working on your business. A home office — or even just a corner in a quiet room — will help you maximize your productivity. Invest in quality office furniture like a supportive chair and a sturdy desk. Also, make use of natural light to keep your energy levels high during your work sessions!

Study the Market

As a budding entrepreneur, market research should be your best friend. Gather information about your consumers and determine whether they would actually be interested in what you have to offer. HubSpot recommends starting this research by defining your customer. Who are they? What unique challenges do they face? How can your idea help them?Research trends in your industry by analyzing existing data from various resources. Find out information about customer demand for your product or service, how many companies are already offering similar solutions to customers, and what consumers are paying for these products. Take a good look at your competition and determine what they're doing right and how you can improve on their ideas. You may discover that there is no market demand for your specific product — that's okay! This just means you'll have to tweak your idea a bit.

Test Your Ideas

Testing your idea on real people is more important than reviewing market information — this is also called primary market research. Don't worry about perfecting your product right away; get a rough prototype built or create a simple landing page to get your idea out there. Then, ask for feedback on your product from a representative sample of your target audience. Focus groups, online surveys, and phone interviews are common ways to collect consumer opinions.

Write a Business Plan

Once you've completed this important research, write a business plan. A business plan is essentially your strategy for turning your idea into something profitable. You'll also have a better chance at wooing investors if you have a solid plan in writing. Your business plan should include information about your company objective, target market, competition, budget, marketing strategies, and your projections for revenue. Ensure your projections are based on your customer feedback, not just on the success of competing companies. For more information on creating a business plan, read through this guide from Quick Sprout.

Assemble a Team

Finally, consider getting a team together to make your idea a reality. Recent research suggests that one startup founder may be better than two, so you don't necessarily need to find a business partner. However, hiring help is always a smart idea — and may even be essential if you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to your business. Plus, team members with special expertise will fill in the gaps where you are less skilled. However, you can't hire just anybody! According to Neil Patel, 23 percent of startups fail because they have the wrong team. Growing a business is a lot of work, but by no means impossible. Fear of failure prevents many people from moving forward with their ideas. Take the leap and get your idea going instead of milling over insignificant decisions and striving to perfect your product right from the start. The sooner you can get the ball rolling on your business, the better!

Article Submitted by Lucy Reed