this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2023
1 points (100.0% liked)

Entrepreneur

0 readers
1 users here now

Rules

Please feel free to provide evidence-based best practices, share a micro-victory, discuss strategy and concepts with a frame work, ask for feedback, and create professional conversation. Treat every post as if you're at work and representing the best version of yourself.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I'm new to this sub and I've done some poking around. It seems that the unanimous advice in this sub for people looking to become an entrepreneur is 'find a problem and sell the solution'.

I'm from a poor family and I'm just a simple working folk. I've been trying to think of a way to break free from that life most of my adult years but have never found a way to make it happen.

So my question is. Since I've been trying to find a problem to solve for most of my life and failing to do so. How can I make a shift to really find that problem I can solve? It seems most people in here have businesses. What problem did you solve and how did you figure out that problem to begin with?

(page 2) 15 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] GoodyTwoKicks@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

You gotta put yourself in the shoe.

For a simple example, you live in a climate where in the winter, it snows pretty bad. So you get your snow blower out and it’s even having trouble plowing through all the snow in your driveway. So as you’re having trouble, you ponder “ how can I make this problem go away? “. Then you start brainstorming and come up with “ What if I can find a way to emit enough heat from the blower to melt some of the snow as I’m plowing? “ then boom, The Frosty Melter 3000.

Now, is a good idea? Would it sell? Maybe. But you don’t know until you actually start researching and really look into what you’re solving and who you’re solving it for.

People get hit by cars everyday, seems like. But what people don’t know is that someone invented a device that could be put on the front-end of a car and if the car detects that you’re about to hit a human being, it deploys what looks to be like an angled blanket that’s scoops the person up and possibly saves their life from being flown several feet in the street.

You think people are using that invention? Could you imagine how innovative it would’ve been if it had reached a great potential? Don’t just think outside the box, analyze it.

[–] Bon_Visions@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

My uncle, a successful entrepreneur, shared a crucial piece of advice with me during my junior high years. When I inquired about the key to success, he simply emphasized the importance of observation.

At the time, I didn't quite grasp its significance. It wasn't until I began working that I truly understood. Being observant means to closely watch and understand life and work, to identify issues within them and attempt to solve them.

While it's hard to pinpoint specific methods for problem identification, most of the issues I've discovered are based on personal experiences in life and work.

[–] MrKeys_X@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

First begin to start to identify your skills. What are you capable of making or doing? Are you good at programming? Sales? Talking? Gaming?

After step 1. Look at market opportunities near you and ask. Or simply join facebook groups and ask lots of active users: 'Love your posts! If you could start a new company, what kind of company would you start, and what problems would you solve? To whom?'

Simply ask questions, find 20 people per market, look at the problems they have, which one could you solve with your time/skills?

After this step. You now have 4 problems in 4 markets. Email/message in each market 50 companies with your solution; 'we are launching x-service, and would love the receive some feedback. And in exchange your company gets XX-discount. How much would you competitors pay for this solution?'

With just time and your specialised skill, you can do it. If you step out of your comfort zone, do not listen to advice given by those in your 'economic'/'stationary' status. They will keep you down, they mean well, but don't know better.

Be stoic, be curious. Good luck.

[–] JayGoesAnevy@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I would suggest learn marketing/selling first product will come along the way

[–] gzebe@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Finding a problem worth solving often involves identifying areas where there is a need or inefficiency. Consider your interests, experiences, and the challenges around you. Ask yourself:

  1. Passions and Interests: What topics or issues are you genuinely passionate about? Solving a problem you care deeply about can be more rewarding.

  2. Observation: Pay attention to your surroundings. What inconveniences or inefficiencies do you notice? Problems often present themselves in everyday situations.

  3. Market Research: Look into trends and emerging issues in various industries. Is there a gap or a problem that hasn't been adequately addressed?

  4. Talk to People: Engage in conversations with diverse groups of people. What challenges do they face? Real-world input can be valuable in understanding problems from different perspectives.

  5. Personal Experience: Reflect on your own experiences. Have you encountered a problem that you wished there was a solution for?

  6. Global Challenges: Consider global challenges like sustainability, healthcare, or education. Addressing significant issues can have a broad impact.

Once you've identified a potential problem, evaluate its significance, the potential impact of solving it, and whether there is a feasible solution. This process may involve researching existing solutions and understanding the needs of the target audience.

[–] oubskf@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

🤓👆👆

[–] FalseFlagAgency@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Just look at your life and the path that lies behind you.

For me, I've been running my own design company for 15 years until I realized I am – due to the experience I made – perfectly able to solve scaling / capacity problems for other creative agencies, too.

[–] hola_jeremy@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago
[–] ReliableReviewer@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Experience. I'm in logistics, and there are so many problems within that industry I have ideas about, but after starting my first company and knowing all the hard work I went through I don't have the time to do it again. Pick an industry, learn about it, after understanding the industry you will find opportunities.

For example, 15 yrs ago I worked at a mattress company. We were spending hundreds on customer returns to get the mattresses returned. I had an idea to start a company that would pick up the returned mattresses for free for the business, in exchange for letting me sell them online used. I never went through with it and now there are several of these making really good money.

Problem was the business had to spend a lot of money on these returns and it was a hassle. Solution was to alleviate that for them, saving them tens of thousands of dollar.

load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›