John Benzick is an example. He found the retail food industry lacking in flavor and convenience. The Carlson School of Management graduate student was a finalist in the school's Business Plan Competition last year. His advice for new business hopefuls is to look inward, not outward. From there, go to the people with knowledge, for me it was people who had similar concepts to mine.
Several avenues exist that offer help to new entrepreneurs.
Organizations such as the Small Business Development Center and Minnesota Project Innovation offer advice and sometimes seminars on the subject. Ultimately, entrepreneurship isn't rocket science, Cardozo said. If you have a good idea and appear to be competent, the money will follow.