Is Your Startup Business Idea Any Good?

Is Your Startup Business Idea Any Good?

Whether you are still in the brainstorming stage of a startup business or if you’re already a business owner and have ideas for starting another business, the thought that crosses your mind more often than not is, “Is this even a good idea?” When coming up with business ideas, it’s easy to be optimistic and confident until someone tells you it’s not the greatest idea or you find out that a business like yours already exists.

Dreams of starting a business can be a fleeting thought, but if you really want it to work, you can definitely give it a go. Will it be easy? Not always. Will everyone love it? Probably not. However, remember the old saying, “You’ll never know until you try”? Keep that in mind as you come up with a business idea or two.

Got an Idea? Questions to Ask Yourself

Having a long list of ideas are better than none. While you may only have a few viable ideas out of the bunch, it’s a good start. When tossing around ideas, it’s important to ask yourself some questions and see if your business idea can answer them. Here are some questions to consider when planning your business:

Is Your Idea “Trending”?:

When planning a startup business, it’s wise to keep your eye on trending businesses. While not every business that starts out trending and strong is in for the long haul, it can give you a good starting point. Pay close attention to businesses that continue to trend as they grow.

Will My Business Solve a Problem?:

Think as your startup business as the scientific method (in a way). You must ask yourself a question, do your research, and come up with a conclusion. A successful business often solves a problem. Whether you are looking for a way to keep people from losing their car keys or how to decrease the number of roadway accidents, your business should solve a problem. The problem may not be yours, but you’re likely to find someone with the problem.

Are People Willing to Pay for My Business?:

Whether you’re selling a product or a service, a big question you should ask yourself is if people will pay for whatever you’re selling. These days, there are a lot of services available for no cost (which can make for tough competition), so you’ll need to determine what makes you stand out from the others.

Does it Excite You?:

Many people start up a business because they know it’s a good idea, but they only feel a little passion for it. Sure, a business may be profitable, but if your heart’s not in it, it’s not going to thrive as well as it could nor will it last. Although you have a specific audience that you’re trying to capture and excite, don’t forget about your own emotional investment. Remember, if you believe in your business idea and are excited, it’s a great starting point. Ask others what they think, take advice into consideration, but don’t let the naysayers steer you away from something you really want to do.

Can a Business Owner Be Held Liable When a Customer’s Mess Causes an Injury?

Can a Business Owner Be Held Liable When a Customer’s Mess Causes an Injury?

Business owners have a legal responsibility when it comes to maintaining a safe environment for its customers, visitors and invited guests. When a business owner fails in that responsibility, and a person is injured on the property, the owner or property manager can be held financially liable. If you are injured in a slip and fall accident at another person’s business or on their property, you must be able to prove negligence on the part of the owner before you will be able to file any type of premises liability claim. What about when a customer’s mess is what causes the injury?

Liability in a Personal Injury Accident on a Business Site

Fault in a slip and fall or injury accident at a store, restaurant, office building, theatre or other place of business does not automatically fall with the business owner. In some instances, an accident can simply be just that, an accident. If one customer leaves a mess which causes another customer to be injured, who is liable? Is it the business owner? Is it the other customer?

While the customer’s mess in this scenario may have been responsible for causing another customer injury, liability has still must be investigated. If the business owner had no knowledge of the potential hazard, or no reasonable expectation that he or she should have been aware of the danger, then the injured party has no grounds to file a lawsuit or claim against the business. If the customer who left the mess had no ill-intent behind doing so, it is unlikely that party could be held liable.

Elements Which Must Be Proven in a Premises Liability Claim

To file a premises liability claim against a negligent business owner, you must have proof of each of the following:

  • The business owner owed a duty of care to you, the injured customer
  • A breach of that duty occurred, and
  • Your injury was directly caused by the breach.

Even if you are able to prove the business owner owed a duty of care to you, and that he or she failed to fulfill that duty, you are unlikely to win your case if it is necessary to prove that the injuries were a direct result of this breach. In the case of another customer’s mess causing your injury, it would be necessary to prove that the property owner was aware of the hazard and failed to remedy it.

What to Do If You Sustained Injury at a Place of Business

The first thing to do after sustaining injury at a place of business is report the accident to the business owner or manager. Do not lay blame or admit fault, simply report the facts. If you did not receive emergency medical care at the scene of your accident, go see your doctor right away for a medical evaluation and to be treated for your injuries.

You should also hire a skilled premises liability lawyer who can answer any questions you may have, advise you of your legal rights, determine whether you have a valid premises liability claim and if so, help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.