Christy Wright's Proven 6-S Brainstorming Exercise for Generating Winning Business Ideas

No idea is a bad idea, emphasizes renowned business coach Christy Wright. If you're struggling to evaluate whether your concepts can launch a thriving YouEconomy venture, try her time-tested brainstorming exercise:

On a blank sheet of paper, create a six-column grid. Label the columns with these six S's: History, Skills, Strengths, Situation, Social, and Solution. In the rows to the left, jot down your business ideas—generate as many as possible without judgment. Use the categories as prompts if needed.

Once listed, evaluate each idea column by column, placing a checkmark where it aligns. Ideas matching just one S may not be ideal. Narrow to your top five with the most checks—these deserve deeper exploration.

Related: Christy Wright's Top Tips for Starting a YouEconomy Business

At her Business Idea Boot Camp seminars, Wright guides participants through this process hands-on, offering expert feedback and market viability tests for the strongest ideas.

1. History
   Draw from your personal background and life experiences. Brainstorm ideas rooted there—for instance, if your grandmother shared an unbeatable gingerbread cookie recipe, that's potential gold.
2. Skills
   Leverage your certifications, credentials, or field of study. No degree? No problem—side gigs thrive on what you already know, no MBA required.
3. Strengths
   Identify natural talents like painting or interior design. Struggle to see them? Ask a spouse or friend; we often undervalue our innate gifts.
4. Situation
   Consider current circumstances—a closing local bakery's discounted equipment, or an empty nest freeing up time for new pursuits.
5. Social
   Explore hobbies and passions you'd pursue unpaid. Not every interest scales, but uncovering them sparks opportunity.
6. Solution
   Apply problem-solving to everyday frustrations—the world's top companies often began this way.