Ask HN: Do you have a business idea? Why haven't you tried it?
70 comments
Here's what I've started to see as my problems:
I'm very good at identifying needs, in the sense of "here's a fundamental problem, and here's some ways of addressing that problem."
However, I'm not very good at identifying ways of turning that into a profitable enterprise. Often when I think of problems and solutions, it's because others are neglecting something, and aren't even aware of the problem, so there's no motivation to pay for any solutions. That is, you'd be selling something that people don't want because they aren't even aware of the looming problem or risk they have. Later on, sure, when things fall apart, everyone wants the solution I had in mind, but at that point it's obvious and there's too much competition.
My other problem I run into I get too absorbed in my own interests and am not really motivated enough by the profitability of something, even when I know I should be more motivated by it. So here's two ideas, A and B. I'm very interested in A and see it as important, but maybe not so profitable. B is less interesting and maybe less important but more profitable. I subconsciously tend to gravitate toward A, to the thing that I see as interesting and important, but that might not garner a lot of recognition or compensation in the short-term.
I think so far I've been kind of unstrategic about where to go in life, and people have just seen me as smart and valuable enough to have around to solve problems. That's gotten me fairly far, but I've reached a point where maybe I need to be more entrepreneurial.
I've also seen enough things in my life to know that there's a ton of unpredictable social dynamics that go into these ventures, and I'm kind of burned out. Fads, corruption, etc.
What's stopping me? I think it's mostly burnout and disillusionment.
I'm very good at identifying needs, in the sense of "here's a fundamental problem, and here's some ways of addressing that problem."
However, I'm not very good at identifying ways of turning that into a profitable enterprise. Often when I think of problems and solutions, it's because others are neglecting something, and aren't even aware of the problem, so there's no motivation to pay for any solutions. That is, you'd be selling something that people don't want because they aren't even aware of the looming problem or risk they have. Later on, sure, when things fall apart, everyone wants the solution I had in mind, but at that point it's obvious and there's too much competition.
My other problem I run into I get too absorbed in my own interests and am not really motivated enough by the profitability of something, even when I know I should be more motivated by it. So here's two ideas, A and B. I'm very interested in A and see it as important, but maybe not so profitable. B is less interesting and maybe less important but more profitable. I subconsciously tend to gravitate toward A, to the thing that I see as interesting and important, but that might not garner a lot of recognition or compensation in the short-term.
I think so far I've been kind of unstrategic about where to go in life, and people have just seen me as smart and valuable enough to have around to solve problems. That's gotten me fairly far, but I've reached a point where maybe I need to be more entrepreneurial.
I've also seen enough things in my life to know that there's a ton of unpredictable social dynamics that go into these ventures, and I'm kind of burned out. Fads, corruption, etc.
What's stopping me? I think it's mostly burnout and disillusionment.
Having other business ideas that are successful that take up nearly all my time. My other good ideas just sit around gathering dust.
I have a ludicrous dream that I can find talented people and give them the ideas and money and let them go off and build something great, but I know the world doesn’t work like this. People would rather work on their own crappy ideas with no money than work on someone else's good idea backed with money.
I have a ludicrous dream that I can find talented people and give them the ideas and money and let them go off and build something great, but I know the world doesn’t work like this. People would rather work on their own crappy ideas with no money than work on someone else's good idea backed with money.
Of course it does. Isn't that what running a business is? in some instances you hire someone to execute you idea..
If only it was that simple. Startups are not successful if started by employees. You have to be 100% focused on the business and have the passion and commitment to make it work.
I don't agree. I can deliver a good CRUD app quick and cheap -- 10-20k in 2 weeks -- because I've done it so many times.
I'm not bored of it. It pays the bills. I still learn stuff all the time.
Point is, you're right in the sense that you probably want people who have good domain knowledge. However, there's nothing special about technical founders without that.
I'd even say most times their skills at getting an app out quick and fast (and good) are probably not that great, which is important for startups.
I'm not bored of it. It pays the bills. I still learn stuff all the time.
Point is, you're right in the sense that you probably want people who have good domain knowledge. However, there's nothing special about technical founders without that.
I'd even say most times their skills at getting an app out quick and fast (and good) are probably not that great, which is important for startups.
building the actual application is like 10% of starting a business, and businesses that need applications built are probably only 10% of businesses in general. let's be generous, and say it's 25% each.
i know this is impossible for you to believe.
so in other words, the aspect of 'business' that your particular skill covers is probably about 1-7% of the entire domain.
i know this is impossible for you to believe.
so in other words, the aspect of 'business' that your particular skill covers is probably about 1-7% of the entire domain.
I don't know what you're getting at. There are literally millions of applications...
The Winklevoss brothers tried this approach with Facebook ;)
If it's a good idea I might be interested. Feel free to shoot me an email. (Btw nice article on Dyson spheres.)
If I think its a good idea, and you give me equity, I wouldn't have a problem working on it.
Are you talented :)
I have thousands of ideas. I very rarely encounter ideas I haven't had before. Most ideas (including startups ideas) seem trivial to me.
Once you have thousands of ideas, you realize you can't pick just one. Then you realize they all have things in common. Then you notice a trend, general principles that apply to all of these ideas. Ultimately, you find one idea that makes the previous thousand ideas obsolete. You become obsessed with the idea, try to tell everyone about it, try to figure out where to start.
Nobody understands the idea. People actually reject it. They feel threatened. You start having doubts, you start questioning everything. You look for the meaning of life. You challenge axioms.
Ten years later, you're still thinking about this idea every day. Yet, you achieved nothing. Why?
I don't know why.
Once you have thousands of ideas, you realize you can't pick just one. Then you realize they all have things in common. Then you notice a trend, general principles that apply to all of these ideas. Ultimately, you find one idea that makes the previous thousand ideas obsolete. You become obsessed with the idea, try to tell everyone about it, try to figure out where to start.
Nobody understands the idea. People actually reject it. They feel threatened. You start having doubts, you start questioning everything. You look for the meaning of life. You challenge axioms.
Ten years later, you're still thinking about this idea every day. Yet, you achieved nothing. Why?
I don't know why.
Does anyone else have the opposite problem? I have plenty of technical skills but can not for the life of me come up with an idea.
(I've tried thinking about 'solving my own problems' and such to no avail)
(I've tried thinking about 'solving my own problems' and such to no avail)
I do the "solve your own problem" all the time. I have a list of "ideas" that I keep in a To-Do list app. I just counted and my idea list is 51 items long. Some of them are simple and some of them are complex. Many people say there's no value in an idea, it's about execution. So, maybe you don't need an idea.
Today I head this idea in a podcast... Listen to people's complaints. Do you hear the same complaint from multiple people? That's probably a good problem to solve.
Here are some idea's from my list; I doubt they will resonate, but maybe they'll get you started.
Simple Stat Recorder - Think Google Analytics (complex) meets the old school web page counter (simple). Omniture and Google have proven there's money here.
Independent Music Site - There was a site called Aimee Street that did this well. Tracks started free and then went up in price as they were purchased. Amazon bought it and shut it down. I miss it.
Search Netflix by Rating - A personal one; I want to search by rating such as NR, R, MA, PG-13, etc. I can't be the only one.
Now, go build something.
Today I head this idea in a podcast... Listen to people's complaints. Do you hear the same complaint from multiple people? That's probably a good problem to solve.
Here are some idea's from my list; I doubt they will resonate, but maybe they'll get you started.
Simple Stat Recorder - Think Google Analytics (complex) meets the old school web page counter (simple). Omniture and Google have proven there's money here.
Independent Music Site - There was a site called Aimee Street that did this well. Tracks started free and then went up in price as they were purchased. Amazon bought it and shut it down. I miss it.
Search Netflix by Rating - A personal one; I want to search by rating such as NR, R, MA, PG-13, etc. I can't be the only one.
Now, go build something.
Don't try to come up with an idea. Instead find a group of people that are into something(preferably something you are into as well) see if they have any problems or friction with the thing they are into. Try to offer them a solution for their problem. If they start to eagerly use your solution, try to generalize your solution for larger and larger groups of people.
You know, I feel like this sometimes too. For me, however, I've just got to try some things. I've been doing it for 25 years and although I make a few hundred a month on my ideas, nothing has been a big enough hit to let me walk away from my day job. I suppose I either don't know how to find the "luck" or I don't stick with the same idea long enough. I do build a lot of things though. Some of them make a little money and some of them get amazing feedback that makes it all worth it.
Build something. It doesn't have to be perfect. Hell, it doesn't even have to be good. Just get it done. Try it once, maybe you'll be hooked.
Build something. It doesn't have to be perfect. Hell, it doesn't even have to be good. Just get it done. Try it once, maybe you'll be hooked.
What's the idea?
I used to have many of those and did many of them; I noticed I always need a partner who does the business side while I do the tech. I sometimes can do both, but generally it interferes too much. Usually now it is more a social thing where I find someone with the good idea and enough business skills to complement me and then go ahead. That is not getting easier; seems many people now simply outsource the mvp, fail, think it was the idea and move on. Not enough prep, drive and engagement of the fou nder(s).
> seems many people now simply outsource the mvp, fail, think it was the idea and move on.
People have been saying this here. I've been involved in a few of these products, and you're right, they do happen.
In my experience it's just tough to run a business. The outsourced product can be great, but it is going to be an MVP. You need to focus on it.
People have been saying this here. I've been involved in a few of these products, and you're right, they do happen.
In my experience it's just tough to run a business. The outsourced product can be great, but it is going to be an MVP. You need to focus on it.
Yes, I do not mean outsourcing does not work per se; it is more the feeling you can toss a few $1000 over the wall and then start selling that is wrong. Focus is important.
Do you think many here are employees who are stopped beacuse of their employment contracts stating that anything they produce are the employer's property?
it's certainly a factor.
I have an idea in healthcare sector in India. For that i personally made a field study and went to 30 potential. I had made a decent presentation of the basic 3 features and went as a direct walk ins . Half of them were not only willing to use my "product" (which wasnt built yet) but also write a cheque for it. They were bargaining on price at that instant
This was 3 months back. I already run a growing fmcg business . It has drained me of time and resources. I cant find time to give it for this project. I am decent in marketing and especially cold calls and walk ins so i am confident to get things done. But existing commitments and ventures are making it hard for starting the project.
This was 3 months back. I already run a growing fmcg business . It has drained me of time and resources. I cant find time to give it for this project. I am decent in marketing and especially cold calls and walk ins so i am confident to get things done. But existing commitments and ventures are making it hard for starting the project.
I am 21, I have a lot of proper ideas, most for side projects, and 2-3 for real business idea which are still not very great. I think, to start building an idea we atleast should be really good at something(code/design/lead/other) and then I can do my part of the work and the others needed eventually.
I am a college student, and I am just recently starting to learn about how software is being deployed at production and about how things fit together.
As I am not good with the lead part, so I think should get better with the tech part and then I start.
I have found that the best way to be really good at something is by practically doing it. I would suggest that you start building out your business ideas despite the little coding you may have. You coding and design skills will greatly improve. It's also been the most efficient way, for me, to learn.
You may find you don't need the tech part. I've got that part but I suck at the deployment and marketing. Those, to me, are valuable skills. I enjoy that I have tech skills, but it's not enough.
Are you talking about https://www.launchrock.com/ ? I already use it to validate my ideas and run campaigns before I build it.
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Not that one; similar idea.
I'm not working right now and literally spend all my time looking for a business to start. Note I don't say idea, because I'm not trying to find a unique idea (although that would be nice). Even as far as entering an existing industry, I'm really not finding something to get into when I don't have domain knowledge / experience / passion in that. "General business" seems to be dead for new entrants. Look at Amazon, Alibaba, eBay etc ... there's really no way to start an old school wholesaling / distributor business as so many immigrants have done unless you come up with a new niche product ... My passion is to run a busy business, not any particular thing, which I have done in the past several times, but I don't know what to do now. It's a rush to start something new.
I have a few ideas but the hard time is picking which one gets my interest and time. I have a product that is almost done that gets some attention, I have another idea that is a blogging engine written in Elixir (no Phoenix, just Cowboy and Plug) that I plan to go the WP/Ghost/etc route by offering it for free but then charging for hosting.
Then I have other obligations that get in the way. I'm writing a book, doing contract work, working full time and managing a family.
Then I have other obligations that get in the way. I'm writing a book, doing contract work, working full time and managing a family.
For the past year, I've obsessed over ideas about education and credentials. I'm confident that the problems I'm interested in exist and are important.I would love the opportunity to test, refine and create my ideas. However, I am 18 and lack the skills and connections to do much more than pitch ideas to my friends or strangers on the internet.
Forget you're 18, you don't magically get the skills you need at a certain age. You get them by starting as soon as you are ready. You don't need anything else. The first steps towards your ideas may seem trivial and even too easy but it is a start and when you get chances to pitch and discuss your voice will be all the more louder for the effort you have put in on your own initiative.
> You get them by starting as soon as you are ready.
* You get them by starting. Period.
* You get them by starting. Period.
I have ideas. They seems to crop up out of nowhere. 'Why does this have to be so hard', 'Why's does this have to be this way in 2017?', etc. are some common themes among them. Well whether there's a business in there or not is a game at a different level. But i dont think ideas drive businesses. Customers do. And what drives customers towards businesses ? Their problems and pains and concerns and hopes and anger and annoyances that they can get addressed for a 'fee'. But thats just one variable in the equation, then there's regulations to meet, money to throw away at a bunch of things just to get set up, and there's competition. Put all of this together and suddenly jumping to the next idea is easier, sexier, lucrative and sensible than making a business out of it. So yeah, just ideas so far. On to the next one...
I have many ideas just like others but whats important is that I dont have a job and nobody wants to employ me in IT. Its the only thing I can do, to try smth by myself. Recently I talked to a few people on Angel website and with a few of those I was about to have a Skype interview. But didnt get any response back. And I'm not the type of guy begging for a job.
So my idea is just what my passion is, I dont even know if people will need it. This is the only time I go by the saying 'build it and they will come'.
So my idea is just what my passion is, I dont even know if people will need it. This is the only time I go by the saying 'build it and they will come'.
I have business ideas, some small scale business ideas and some tech startup ideas. The main reason I am not able to pursue anyone of them at this point is because of visa limitations. I am on H1b visa which does not allow me to start a business or startup. I have to always work for a employer who sponsored my visa. I took H1b visa and came to US because my then would be wife moved here and I had to put family first. My finances and personal situations did not allow me to start a business in India and now I am stuck because of visa restrictions.
I have never struggled to come up with ideas. Every problem to me seems to be an opportunity.
Add to that - I love building things that solve real problems. As such - for years I allowed myself to become a mini-factory of widgets built upon my ideas. It is a great way to learn new things and keep skills sharp. It often isn't a great way to make money or build a business.
When you have lots of ideas, the skills to start building things around those ideas and you enjoy doing it - it can open you up to a serious problem: all too often you end up with a product that you spent a lot of time on (it might even be a really good product) and you realize you don't have any clue how to take it to market.
Taking products to market is hard. It feels like anything that solves a real problem should take itself to market. It rarely happens that way.
If your goal is to make cool products to learn, build a portfolio, etc. then this doesn't matter. Keep doing it and maybe you get lucky and one of your products takes off on its own.
But if your goal is to start a business - I have learned that it is very productive to spend a lot of time before I build identifying how I will get the product out there.
This isn't said to discourage anyone. It's said to help you know which products to spend your time on.
The exercise is simple - pretend that you just finished your idea and it is now a product on your screen. It's beautiful and has all the awesome features and really works well. What now? If your ideas are limited to "Product Hunt", "AdWords" and "viral" there's a red flag.
When I sit back and think - I realize the many of the ideas I am most capable to take to market (due to my own network, industry, relationship with potential customers, etc.) are often the ideas I'm least excited about. These ideas usually overlap with what I do all day every day so don't seem fresh and exciting to me. They aren't as fun. They feel like work.
To be sure, taking a product to market successfully is absolutely possible. A lot of your engineering skills (repurposed) will help you in this effort to track, measure, analyze and experiment. You'll learn a ton as you do so. Just make sure that through careful consideration you are prepared to give proper respect to the challenge of product distribution, or change your expectations of outcome.
I have also found that not being greedy and secretive helps a lot. Talk openly about your ideas and be willing to bring others into projects if you see they have things to offer that you don't. The participation of others can make a massive difference in the outcome.
Add to that - I love building things that solve real problems. As such - for years I allowed myself to become a mini-factory of widgets built upon my ideas. It is a great way to learn new things and keep skills sharp. It often isn't a great way to make money or build a business.
When you have lots of ideas, the skills to start building things around those ideas and you enjoy doing it - it can open you up to a serious problem: all too often you end up with a product that you spent a lot of time on (it might even be a really good product) and you realize you don't have any clue how to take it to market.
Taking products to market is hard. It feels like anything that solves a real problem should take itself to market. It rarely happens that way.
If your goal is to make cool products to learn, build a portfolio, etc. then this doesn't matter. Keep doing it and maybe you get lucky and one of your products takes off on its own.
But if your goal is to start a business - I have learned that it is very productive to spend a lot of time before I build identifying how I will get the product out there.
This isn't said to discourage anyone. It's said to help you know which products to spend your time on.
The exercise is simple - pretend that you just finished your idea and it is now a product on your screen. It's beautiful and has all the awesome features and really works well. What now? If your ideas are limited to "Product Hunt", "AdWords" and "viral" there's a red flag.
When I sit back and think - I realize the many of the ideas I am most capable to take to market (due to my own network, industry, relationship with potential customers, etc.) are often the ideas I'm least excited about. These ideas usually overlap with what I do all day every day so don't seem fresh and exciting to me. They aren't as fun. They feel like work.
To be sure, taking a product to market successfully is absolutely possible. A lot of your engineering skills (repurposed) will help you in this effort to track, measure, analyze and experiment. You'll learn a ton as you do so. Just make sure that through careful consideration you are prepared to give proper respect to the challenge of product distribution, or change your expectations of outcome.
I have also found that not being greedy and secretive helps a lot. Talk openly about your ideas and be willing to bring others into projects if you see they have things to offer that you don't. The participation of others can make a massive difference in the outcome.
I have had several ideas over the years. I only tried to implement one of them.
What's stopping me from trying more is that last time I tried I wasted a lot of time not working for somebody else and getting paid plus a lot of my own money for infrastructure costs and contractors to develop mobile apps for my product. In the end it didn't work out and I am worried next time I'd try I'd just burn a lot of cash again.
So happy working for somebody else now and making a good salary.
What's stopping me from trying more is that last time I tried I wasted a lot of time not working for somebody else and getting paid plus a lot of my own money for infrastructure costs and contractors to develop mobile apps for my product. In the end it didn't work out and I am worried next time I'd try I'd just burn a lot of cash again.
So happy working for somebody else now and making a good salary.
People are often scared of testing their business ideas. Having this awesome idea of something that "might" work is a lot more pleasant than learning if it actually does. Most ideas fail right out of the gate - even the ideas of people who've had previous success. When I, or one my friends is excited enough to work on an idea, then the actual execution of the test is the easy part.
Time.
I have various ideas, one of which I am actively working on now, but with a full-time job and a young family, my time is rather precious.
Luckily I have a very understanding and supportive partner, who is happy for me to crack on with work in the evenings. Once my primary idea is released, I plan on scaling it up to a true business, rather than a side project. This will mean those other ideas may take a while to come to fruition!
I have various ideas, one of which I am actively working on now, but with a full-time job and a young family, my time is rather precious.
Luckily I have a very understanding and supportive partner, who is happy for me to crack on with work in the evenings. Once my primary idea is released, I plan on scaling it up to a true business, rather than a side project. This will mean those other ideas may take a while to come to fruition!
For reasons that are appropriate, I will not be taken seriously. The idea is only 1/3 software centric and can't be properly tested with prototype/at smaller scale. Also, no money. It's not that complex and I'm sure someone with the right circumstances will make the connection eventually.
I live in a foreign land.
It can be really difficult to launch a business if you're not a native. I have the tech skills I need for my idea, and I have taught myself some bits of the business side ( I happen to be a people person) but still looks like I would need a local partner.
What country might that be? Is it internet based? If so, have you considered setting up a foreign corporation? Unless there are tax laws preventing you from doing so, that would probably work for your use case.
Simple: lack of money, risk that it may not work, having good job which I'm invested in emotionally (I'm THE developer in my company, if I quit, several people will lose jobs).
I've started to make a prototype of my idea, but it will take some time before I finish it.
I've started to make a prototype of my idea, but it will take some time before I finish it.
I am focused on one idea only right now. I just launched a new version of my side project.
For all other ideas, I write them down in a journal just for this purpose.
Ideas are cheap, its the execution and focus that takes the effort in my opinion
For all other ideas, I write them down in a journal just for this purpose.
Ideas are cheap, its the execution and focus that takes the effort in my opinion
Because "credit score meet".com would probably irritate a few critics
/s
/s
I do have an idea but I'm lazy and don't like putting in work.
I have hundreds of ideas for businesses. Not all of them need to be built by me. It's the long lists of ones I say no to that allow me to test the few that interest me.
What's a "buy button for testing ideas"?
He likely means a landing page that pretends to sell the product and when people click "Buy" they are taken to a page to collect their email address and say something like "We are currently in a closed beta but will send you an email update when we are generally available." Then you can validate your idea by looking at how many people click Buy and have some sales leads ready to go when you actually launch.
^ This.
I did some bootstrap work for a client which almost went as far as to have a mini mock ecommerce store which just displayed 0 stock, but you could click the giant button to get a reminder when it's back in stock. Quick and easy idea validation, and if it's validated, you have a nice list of targeted users.
I did some bootstrap work for a client which almost went as far as to have a mini mock ecommerce store which just displayed 0 stock, but you could click the giant button to get a reminder when it's back in stock. Quick and easy idea validation, and if it's validated, you have a nice list of targeted users.
It's a buy button (really just a hyperlink) that you drop on any marketing page. It's a very simple secure order page. It tells the customer they are earlier than expected and that the product isn't quite ready yet and sends you the lead via email.
Let the world work for you.
My approximation for a solution is Crowdraising
My approximation for a solution is Crowdraising
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Money
You can probably create a simple version of your idea and test it for free. GitHub, for example, will publish pages free if you are okay with making the HTML code public (and for a static site, why wouldn't you be). Wordpress will give you a pretty simple site free too. I don't think you absolutely need money to test if an idea can get some traction.
Now, I'm not suggesting this, but I was listening to a story about Atari on a podcast the other day. They got net 60 day terms from their suppliers, built machines, and then sold them a few weeks later. The used their customers money to pay back their suppliers. Risky, for a startup, but an interesting tool they used.
Now, I'm not suggesting this, but I was listening to a story about Atari on a podcast the other day. They got net 60 day terms from their suppliers, built machines, and then sold them a few weeks later. The used their customers money to pay back their suppliers. Risky, for a startup, but an interesting tool they used.
That's a good idea
Do you have an idea?
Would you be willing to test it?
What's stopping you?