Where to find an idea? Your own problem.
If you’re wondering where to get a good idea for a start-up, side hustle, or your current business, pay attention to your own problems or pain points.
It’s often that entrepreneurs will say, “I just couldn’t find (fill in the blank),” or “I needed (fill in the blank),” so they built it for themselves.
Clif Bar – Gary Erickson couldn’t stomach eating another Power Bar while on a long bike ride and was inspired to create a better energy bar.
Patagonia – Yvon Chouinard needed better quality climbing gear for his exploits in the wild.
Slack – Slack was birthed from the failed exploits of a gaming company, having built a productivity and communication tool to solve an internal need for team communication; the company pivoted and released the Slack platform instead in 2013 and just went public this year.
SoulCycle – Founders Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice couldn’t find a spinning class that provided the experience they were seeking, so they created it themselves.
TRX - Randy Hetrick, a Navy SEAL, needed a workout system that could work anywhere.
Spanx – Sara Blakely needed undergarments that didn’t create seams. She’s now a self-made billionaire.
Honest Company – Jessica Alba couldn’t find safe products for her family.
So, if you’re searching for an idea consider:
Keeping a “bug list” of what bothers you that could use a new solution.
Asking yourself what you can’t find to solve a problem you have.
Considering what you need that isn’t served well by products on the market today.
Your best source of an innovative idea could be in your mind right now!
It just might take paying attention and understanding your own needs, wants, and desires that are unmet.
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