The $100 MBA Show — Episode MBA2709
Title: Should You Start Something New?
Host: Omar Zenhom
Date: November 28, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Omar Zenhom tackles a question all entrepreneurs inevitably face: "Should you start something new?" Drawing on more than 20 years of entrepreneurship, Omar shares a five-step framework to evaluate whether a new business idea is a brilliant opportunity or simply a distraction threatening your momentum. He emphasizes the critical importance of clarity, disciplined focus, and leveraging the power of compounding progress over time. This actionable, no-fluff lesson is designed for founders who must decide between doubling down on their current path or launching a new venture.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Dilemma of New Ideas (02:30)
- Theme: Deciding whether to start a new project can either push your career to the next level or jeopardize existing progress.
- Omar: "That new idea in your head right now. It could be genius. Or it could be the fastest way to lose momentum and lose everything you built." (02:45)
2. Omar’s Five-Step Framework for Vetting New Ventures
Step 1: Check Your Why (03:30)
- Are you escaping boredom, or genuinely drawn to new impact?
- Distinguish between a fleeting urge for change and a persistent drive toward a new idea.
- Omar: “Expansions grow roots. If you have a new idea... it’s going to grow in its manifestation in your head... It won't just disappear.” (04:05)
- Only pursue ideas that linger for weeks or months—those quick urges are typically distractions.
Step 2: The 70% Rule (05:07)
- Your current business must be at least 70% optimized and able to operate largely without you before you move on.
- Quantitatively: If you’re working 40 hours/week, can you pull back to 10 and the business still runs?
- Don’t collect projects—collect progress. Ensure existing projects build wealth even as you start something new.
- Omar: “If you physically can't [step back], then you’re not ready to start something new... Get it to at least 70%. If you want to be safe, 80%.” (05:45)
Step 3: The Opportunity Cost Test (06:38)
- Every “yes” to a new idea is a “no” to something else—what will you stop or sacrifice?
- Evaluate the true cost in time, energy, relationships, and business stability.
- Omar: "Anytime you say yes to something, you are saying no to everything else." (07:23)
- Ask: What will stop happening if I pursue this new project?
Step 4: The Micro Experiment (09:51)
- Do a one-week test to validate market interest—build a one-page website, make a few posts, gauge audience reaction.
- Curiosity should be cheap. Only commit after seeing real market validation.
- Omar: "If the marketplace thinks this is not a good idea... then I’m sorry to say... it’s a terrible business idea." (10:41)
- Commitment is expensive; validate with minimal risk.
Step 5: The Alignment Check (11:40)
- Does this new venture align with the life you’re building, or is it just busywork?
- Avoid treating “being busy” as a badge of honor; focus on a fulfilling, balanced life.
- Will this new commitment force you to give up things you value (family time, hobbies, rest)?
- Omar: "A fulfilling life is a well-rounded life... So, whatever you are thinking about building, how will it impact your life, your lifestyle, the people around you...?" (12:13)
3. Personal Anecdotes: Staying Creative Without Starting Over (13:45)
- Omar shares his own struggle with shiny new ideas during WebinarNinja’s growth.
- Instead of always seeking something external, find creative renewal within existing projects (e.g., adding a YouTube channel to this podcast).
- Omar: “Creativity meant staying creative inside of the things I was already working on, so I can stay committed, so I can have momentum, so I can actually honor the things already built.” (14:22)
4. Hard Truths on Consistency, Focus, and Momentum (16:16)
- The early thrill of a new project is seductive, like “falling in love”—but real value comes from sticking out the plateaus and building depth.
- Jumping from new idea to new idea prevents lasting success (“one leg in, one leg out” is mentally and financially damaging).
- Focus drives compounding growth, like compound interest.
- Omar: “Momentum is one of the most powerful things you have in business... Focus is a multiplier.” (17:34)
- Run your new idea through all five filters; at least four must be “yes” to proceed.
5. Final Thought: The Real Source of Breakthroughs (19:12)
- Most breakthroughs come right at the edge of boredom or friction—often before you’re tempted to quit your current project.
- Freedom comes not from chasing constant newness, but from finishing and building assets that work without you.
- Omar: "Most of my wins came from ideas that came right before I quit. Every breakthrough idea hides behind some sort of boredom, some sort of friction, some sort of feeling of like, I need something different." (19:36)
- Omar: "You’ll never run out of ideas. Ideas come to us constantly as entrepreneurs, but freedom comes from finishing." (20:07)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Expansions grow roots.” (04:05)
- “Don’t collect projects, collect progress.” (05:52)
- “Focus is a multiplier.” (17:35)
- “Freedom comes from finishing.” (20:07)
Key Segment Timestamps
- 02:30 — Dilemma of new ideas: risk vs reward
- 03:30 — Framework intro & Step 1: Check Your Why
- 05:07 — Step 2: The 70% Rule
- 06:38 — Step 3: Opportunity Cost Test
- 09:51 — Step 4: Micro Experiment
- 11:40 — Step 5: Alignment Check
- 13:45 — Personal anecdotes: Creative renewal within your current venture
- 16:16 — Consistency, focus, and compound growth
- 19:12 — Final thoughts: Breakthroughs and finishing strong
Tone, Style, and Practicality
Omar keeps the episode conversational, motivational, and pragmatic. He blends personal experience with actionable frameworks—always aiming for clarity and real-world utility for business owners.
Summary Takeaway
Before starting something new, run your idea through Omar's five filters:
- Check Your Why — Is it escape or true passion?
- 70% Rule — Is your current business nearly self-sustaining?
- Opportunity Cost — What will you sacrifice?
- Micro Experiment — Test your idea with minimal risk.
- Alignment Check — Does it fit the life you want?
Choose your next move wisely: breakthrough often comes from pushing past plateaus, not starting from scratch. Finish strong, focus your efforts and remember: freedom in entrepreneurship comes from finishing what you started, not constantly chasing the new.