Too many startups chase problems not worth solving.
One of my favourite problem frameworks shows which to chase.
❌ Small Infrequent
Example: Chewing gum under your shoe
Obviously it's a problem. But nobody is wearing shoe condoms to prevent it. The problem is not big enough, nor frequent enough, to be worthwhile to prevent.
✅ Small, Frequent problems
Example: Sending a text message (Problem: distance between two people)
Not being able to send 1 text message is not an issue. But all those WhatsApp messages over time together amount to something we consider very valuable.
✅ Big, Infrequent problems
Example: Buying a house → Getting a realtor
Indeed, the problem is not owning the house you want. But, most people only buy a home once every 10 years. Infrequent? Yes. Big? Yes. There is a business in this.
🚀 Big, Frequent Problems
Example: Getting to work
Hardest category to think of an example for. But, most people, multiple days a week need to get to work. Otherwise, we starve to death and don't have a home. Yikes. Therefore, people buy a car of (thousands to ten thousands of euros) to get to work. That signals important problem.
Do you have a better example for big, frequent problems?
Disclaimer:
Big-Small, Frequent-Infrequent is extremely subjective and these examples are not perfect. Let me know in the comments if you disagree!
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