A Smart Bear · Jason Cohen
articleprinciple"I scratched my own itch" isn't good enough
2 March 2025Profit
Source excerpt
About A Smart BearThis isn't the humble-brag you think it is; The most common origin story is also common to startups that fail. But it's a start.
This is a limited feed-provided excerpt, not the full original work.
Apollo layer
What a founder can learn
Founder takeaway
Treat solving your own problem as a source of product insight, not proof of a viable business. Validate that a specific group of customers shares the problem, values a solution, and will act to obtain it.
Why it matters
Founder conviction can get a product started, but relying on personal experience alone can hide weak demand or an unclear market. External evidence helps distinguish a useful idea from a repeatable opportunity.
Put it to work
Ask five target customers: “How do you handle this problem today, what does it cost you, and what have you already tried?” Look for demonstrated effort rather than polite enthusiasm.
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