“Do not try to do everything. Do one thing well.” – Steve Jobs
In a world that praises the big and the broad, there’s a counterintuitive approach that might just be the secret to success: starting small. It’s easy to dream of capturing vast markets, but the most successful ventures often begin with a laser focus on a narrowly defined segment.
Take, for example, Amazon. It started solely as an online bookstore. By mastering this niche, Amazon gained the expertise, customer loyalty, and resources needed to expand into the behemoth it is today. This journey from a specialized focus to market dominance illustrates the power of starting small.
Why does this approach work? Focusing on a small market allows you to understand and serve your customers deeply, creating a product or service that’s so tailored and superior that competition becomes irrelevant. It’s about becoming a big fish in a small pond before venturing into the ocean.
Action Step: Identify a niche market that you can serve better than anyone else. Consider the specific needs of this market and how your business can meet them uniquely. This focus will be your stepping stone to broader success.
Remember, dominating a small market is not the end goal, but the beginning. It’s the foundation upon which empires are built. By starting small, you can achieve the focus, mastery, and momentum needed to scale to new heights.
To learn more about dominating a narrow niche, be sure to check out our book of the week: “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel.