How to Choose Which Idea to Pursue: Lessons from Coffee & Concepts

The sun streamed through the painted windows of CoHo this week as our Coffee & Concepts group gathered to discuss the eternal question: How do I know which idea to pursue?

It was Susan* who sparked the conversation, sharing her challenge of juggling multiple ideas and wondering which one to focus on. Her question lit up the room, and soon, we were diving into some deep insights.

Phil kicked off the discussion by encouraging Susan to explore multiple paths. "Wander down different paths and see what doors open," he advised. Phil believes in the value of experimentation—sometimes, you just need to take the first step and wade into the unknown.

Next came the practical perspective. I shared that while passion is essential, you need to consider which ideas will actually make money. It’s important to ask yourself, How will this idea sustain itself? Can it generate enough revenue to support my goals? While creativity is key, we also need to think about financial viability.

Heather followed up by emphasizing the power of intuition. "Trust your gut and lean into your intuition," she said. She reminded us that even if an idea doesn’t fully work out, it doesn’t mean the whole thing is a failure. "Sometimes, you just need to tweak and adjust," echoed Gavin, reinforcing the notion that refinement is part of the process.

The collective wisdom of the group left us all with a few key takeaways: The best idea isn’t always obvious at first. Whether it’s joy, market gaps, or financial potential that draws you in, the key is being open to exploration and willing to adjust along the way.

Your next big idea could be just around the corner.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure which direction to take, you’re not alone. That’s what our Coffee & Concepts sessions are all about—sharing ideas, getting feedback, and supporting each other in the process.

We can’t wait to see what unfolds at the next one!

*name changed