How to Start a Business You Know Nothing About and Succeed

I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of people who start businesses in industries they knew nothing about.

It sounds risky, even a little reckless. But when you look closely, many of those “outsiders” actually become the ones who disrupt industries, build fresh ideas, and succeed in surprising ways.

The truth is, you don’t need to be an expert to start a business. In fact, coming in with zero preconceived notions can be an advantage—you’re not bound by “the way things have always been done.”

What matters most is your willingness to learn fast, surround yourself with the right people, and stay persistent when things get messy.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a business in a field you know nothing about, here’s how to actually do it—and not just survive, but succeed.

Step 1: Shift Your Mindset From “Expert” to “Explorer”

When you step into an unfamiliar industry, you can’t pretend you know it all—and you don’t have to. Think of yourself as an explorer. Your job is to get curious, ask questions, and learn quickly.

Instead of feeling insecure about what you don’t know, see it as a chance to build a fresh perspective. Some of the biggest breakthroughs happen when someone looks at an industry from the outside and asks, “Why is it done this way?”

Action tip: Start with research, but don’t stop at Google searches. Read industry reports, listen to podcasts, and join online communities where practitioners hang out. The more voices you expose yourself to, the faster you’ll understand the landscape.

Step 2: Identify Problems Before Products

It’s tempting to jump straight into creating something. But before you pick a product or service, take time to understand the problems people actually face in that industry. Businesses succeed when they solve real problems—not just when they sell something flashy.

For example, if you’re starting a coffee shop without ever working in one, don’t obsess over the menu right away.

Spend time observing what frustrates customers in other shops. Is it the long wait times? The lack of comfortable seating? The confusing loyalty programs?

Action tip: Talk to potential customers. Ask open-ended questions about their frustrations. Your lack of expertise can actually make your questions more genuine—you’re not stuck assuming what matters.

Step 3: Learn the Language of the Industry

Every industry has its own shorthand, inside jokes, and acronyms. If you don’t understand the basics, you’ll always feel like an outsider.

The good news is, you don’t need to be fluent overnight—you just need to learn enough to hold conversations and make smart decisions.

How to learn quickly:

• Read beginner-friendly guides and glossaries.

• Follow industry experts on LinkedIn or Twitter.

• Ask “dumb” questions early. It’s better to ask now than make costly mistakes later.

I once had a friend who jumped into real estate without knowing what “escrow” meant. Instead of pretending, she asked every agent she met until she fully understood. That humility saved her from legal headaches down the road.

Step 4: Borrow Expertise Instead of Building It All Yourself

You don’t need to become an expert in every part of your new business—you just need to know how to find the experts.

Think of yourself as a conductor. The musicians (your team, contractors, advisors) bring the technical skill. Your role is to guide, coordinate, and make sure the music sounds good together.

Ways to borrow expertise:

• Hire smart: Bring in people with experience you don’t have.

• Find mentors: Many seasoned professionals love to share their knowledge if you show respect and genuine curiosity.

• Partner strategically: If you’re starting a food business but know nothing about supply chains, partner with someone who does.

Step 5: Start Small and Test Quickly

When you’re new to an industry, it’s easy to waste time perfecting things before testing them. Don’t. The longer you delay, the more you risk building something nobody wants.

Instead, run small, cheap experiments. If you’re starting an online store, launch with five products, not fifty. If you’re opening a service business, try offering a pilot version to a few clients first.

Testing keeps you from betting everything on assumptions. You’ll learn what works—and just as importantly, what doesn’t—before it costs too much.

Step 6: Build Credibility Along the Way

One of the hardest parts of starting a business in an industry you don’t know is earning trust. Customers, suppliers, and even employees may wonder, “Why should we take you seriously?”

You build credibility by showing commitment and delivering results, not by pretending you know everything. Share what you’re learning. Celebrate small wins. Be transparent about the journey. People respect honesty more than forced expertise.

Over time, your consistency will outweigh your lack of background.

Step 7: Stay Resilient When Things Get Hard

Let’s be honest—it will be harder than you expect. You’ll feel overwhelmed. You’ll make mistakes. Some people may even doubt you out loud.

But this is where persistence pays off. Success rarely comes from having all the answers upfront. It comes from staying in the game long enough to figure things out.

I like to think of it this way: the first year in a new business is less about “winning big” and more about “not giving up.” If you can survive the messy middle, you’ll put yourself in a position to thrive later.

FAQs

Do I really need experience in an industry before starting a business?

No. Experience helps, but it’s not the only path. What matters more is your ability to learn, adapt, and find people who complement your weaknesses.

How do I avoid looking like an amateur?

Be honest about what you don’t know, but back it up with action. When people see you putting in the work, asking smart questions, and delivering on promises, they’ll respect you—even if you’re new.

What if I completely fail?

Failure is possible, but it’s also one of the best ways to learn. Many successful entrepreneurs failed in their first few businesses. The key is to take what you learn and apply it next time.

Isn’t this too risky?

Any business is risky. The real risk isn’t starting something you don’t know—it’s refusing to learn as you go. If you stay curious and adaptable, you reduce that risk every step of the way.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business in an industry you know nothing about can feel intimidating, but it’s far from impossible. In fact, your lack of experience might just be your biggest asset if it helps you see opportunities others overlook.

At the end of the day, you don’t need to know everything—you just need to know how to learn, how to ask for help, and how to keep going when it gets hard.

So here’s my question for you: What’s one industry you’ve always been curious about—but never thought you could actually build a business in?