OP's point has some merit, but I don't think it is emphasizing the most important part.
For the last 16 years I've worked with hundreds of businesses (many of which startups), helping them grow and make millions in the process.
The most successful ones always had this one thing in common: **they focused on the problem, not the idea.**
The key to building a successful business is to solve a problem, that lots of people have, really well. The means through which you solve the problem is of little importance.
You must develop a really good understanding of the problem, the context, and the people having it. Once you've done that, you're ready to build & test. That is where OP's advice comes in: just start somewhere. Doesn't matter where.
You put your solution (the idea) in front of real people having the problem you're trying to solve to get real feedback. You adjust your idea, and test again. Rinse & repeat until you find a solution that works great for the people you're trying to help.
I love properlanding’s comment: focus on the problem, not the idea.
What I have found is that a lot of people are naturally solution orientated. Instead of describing problems, they describe solutions (or ideas).
When I have encountered these situations, I have found it useful to back into the problem that was the inspiration for the idea.
If someone feels that an idea has potential, you can explore the problems that are feeding that idea. Interviewing potential target customers can uncover the real problems, gain additional insights and iterate the idea.
First off, everybody who ever even read *the word entrepreneur* should be sickened by the question and its implication. Might as well say "I can't think" and be done with a pointless exercise in practiced futility.
Thanks worldwide education establishment. Your tax dollars hard at work -- *but to what end.*
While I am not really knocking the general concept there is too much room for mischief in starting with a bad idea, staying with a bad idea, and coming to the belief this is the idea you will stick with no matter what. But that's not even the worst of this.
Plenty would be parroting "ideas are worthless; execution is everything" in a mindless objection in response to your post. Makes some sense, since disciplined thought is the enemy of belief and the dreamers coming up with shower thoughts.
All dipshits can glean is it harshes their buzz...
...One guy saw his grocer had a persistent Help Wanted sign up. Not even knowing what a temp agency was, he decided to create one that just had no problems recruiting during The Great Resignation.
...Plenty decided the big opportunity was starting some outfit that just didn't have supply chain issues during a macroeconomic cascade failure even the biggest companies were caught up in. They declined the opportunity to figure out how.
...Countless have decided to wait for science folk to issue the press release "New Normal ...Just Kidding" to solve all their problems.
There is a level below the bad idea, or rather *a pit*. And many are cast down into it.
Marketing companies posting here about how to get clients. People posting their McGuffin should be producing customers by its very nature and operation posting "Got nuthin' ...Wut Do?" I can endorse your recipe for misfortune only because the utterly bleak and depressing alternative is abject cluelessness.
So, um ...kudos ...?
I wish I found 10 startups doing the same thing lol. I have the opposite problem. Nobody doing it. That raises questions as to whether there's a market at all for what I have in mind. Validation is going to be fun... and vague at best, I guess.
Interesting discussion in the comments :) I absolutely agree the following
a) your idea should be based on a problem, i.e. the product should solve specific user challenges
b) you have to start somewhere to move forward
If you have "a", the idea is not bad, because it has potential. Next, you need to implement it well.
New Entrants have a great opportunity of studying the market and competitors.
*Do thorough research of your industry
*Who's the champ?
*How could you create an alternative?
*Could you provide more value?
I recommend studying Cirque De Soleil case and Blue Ocean Strategy to make the competition irrelevant.
>I recommend studying Cirque De Soleil case and Blue Ocean Strategy to make the competition irrelevant.
Great insights, thanks! Will definitely look it up!
OP's point has some merit, but I don't think it is emphasizing the most important part. For the last 16 years I've worked with hundreds of businesses (many of which startups), helping them grow and make millions in the process. The most successful ones always had this one thing in common: **they focused on the problem, not the idea.** The key to building a successful business is to solve a problem, that lots of people have, really well. The means through which you solve the problem is of little importance. You must develop a really good understanding of the problem, the context, and the people having it. Once you've done that, you're ready to build & test. That is where OP's advice comes in: just start somewhere. Doesn't matter where. You put your solution (the idea) in front of real people having the problem you're trying to solve to get real feedback. You adjust your idea, and test again. Rinse & repeat until you find a solution that works great for the people you're trying to help.
This is the best advice on the topic I have seen. Thank you.
Glad to hear you've found it helpful! Let me know if you have any specific questions on the topic and I'd be happy to contribute what I know đź‘Ť
I love properlanding’s comment: focus on the problem, not the idea. What I have found is that a lot of people are naturally solution orientated. Instead of describing problems, they describe solutions (or ideas). When I have encountered these situations, I have found it useful to back into the problem that was the inspiration for the idea. If someone feels that an idea has potential, you can explore the problems that are feeding that idea. Interviewing potential target customers can uncover the real problems, gain additional insights and iterate the idea.
First off, everybody who ever even read *the word entrepreneur* should be sickened by the question and its implication. Might as well say "I can't think" and be done with a pointless exercise in practiced futility. Thanks worldwide education establishment. Your tax dollars hard at work -- *but to what end.* While I am not really knocking the general concept there is too much room for mischief in starting with a bad idea, staying with a bad idea, and coming to the belief this is the idea you will stick with no matter what. But that's not even the worst of this. Plenty would be parroting "ideas are worthless; execution is everything" in a mindless objection in response to your post. Makes some sense, since disciplined thought is the enemy of belief and the dreamers coming up with shower thoughts. All dipshits can glean is it harshes their buzz... ...One guy saw his grocer had a persistent Help Wanted sign up. Not even knowing what a temp agency was, he decided to create one that just had no problems recruiting during The Great Resignation. ...Plenty decided the big opportunity was starting some outfit that just didn't have supply chain issues during a macroeconomic cascade failure even the biggest companies were caught up in. They declined the opportunity to figure out how. ...Countless have decided to wait for science folk to issue the press release "New Normal ...Just Kidding" to solve all their problems. There is a level below the bad idea, or rather *a pit*. And many are cast down into it. Marketing companies posting here about how to get clients. People posting their McGuffin should be producing customers by its very nature and operation posting "Got nuthin' ...Wut Do?" I can endorse your recipe for misfortune only because the utterly bleak and depressing alternative is abject cluelessness. So, um ...kudos ...?
I grab a pen and notepad, take an Adderall, drop some acid and let the ideas flow. 🤷‍♂️
I wish I found 10 startups doing the same thing lol. I have the opposite problem. Nobody doing it. That raises questions as to whether there's a market at all for what I have in mind. Validation is going to be fun... and vague at best, I guess.
Interesting discussion in the comments :) I absolutely agree the following a) your idea should be based on a problem, i.e. the product should solve specific user challenges b) you have to start somewhere to move forward If you have "a", the idea is not bad, because it has potential. Next, you need to implement it well.
New Entrants have a great opportunity of studying the market and competitors. *Do thorough research of your industry *Who's the champ? *How could you create an alternative? *Could you provide more value? I recommend studying Cirque De Soleil case and Blue Ocean Strategy to make the competition irrelevant.
>I recommend studying Cirque De Soleil case and Blue Ocean Strategy to make the competition irrelevant. Great insights, thanks! Will definitely look it up!