How do you come up with the best startup idea for you? Where do you look for ideas? How do you know if a startup idea is right for you? Do you have what it takes to pull off your startup idea? Where do we start — do we rely on our passion, or look for emerging technologies, or just have an inventory of our skill sets? How many times have you been a part of a brainstorming session to think of a business idea? And yet, what has been the result of all those efforts? Getting a good startup idea is not easy. Why is it tough? Dan Andrews discusses 2 Reasons You Can’t Come Up With a Business Idea . He says, “For people who aren’t naturally born entrepreneurs, the toughest part about making the transition to the entrepreneurial lifestyle is coming up with a profitable business idea.”
He lists two reasons for this, and the first is that you confuse a ‘plan’, a.k.a. “how”, with a ‘product’, a.k.a. “ what”. The second reason is that you wait, read, network, and learn until you get a good idea. Business ideas don’t come from the back of napkins in coffee shops or from careful analysis of your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and market opportunities. But they come from experience and expertise that comes from throwing yourself at hard problems that you note. Some sources, as always, told us In the article 17 Ways to Find Startup Ideas by Rob Marsh, it says that coming up with an idea for a new business shouldn’t be hard. The article gives a list of ways to find the right idea for you. The list of sources includes things like searching Google for “Business Ideas”, turning your skills into your business, finding a co-founder with an Idea, checking a local university’s tech transfer program, and more. How to Find Great Startup Ideas, a Slideshare presentation by Startup Xpress, has an interesting presentation on how you can get great startup ideas, and gives some examples of how some of the big ideas happened using 7 important techniques. Some advice, we always heard Startup Ideation: What you need to know to get an edge, a book by Judith Zen, states that startup ideas are misunderstood and overrated, and that there is the common misconception that “if only I had a killer startup idea, I could make a fortune…
Execution matters a whole lot more than the startup idea itself. It takes a lot to pull off a startup idea, and not everyone has it in them to pull off a Facebook, a Dropbox, or a Snapchat, even if the idea fell into their laps.” Guy Kawasaki, while discussing “The Art of Innovation” at TEDxBerkeley, advises startup founders about the matter of perspective when it comes to a startup idea.
A classic example he elaborates is that of the ice business. In this example, he points out how ice ice-making business transformed over the past century from being ice harvesters to ice factories and then to refrigerators. The very interesting story about all of these curves is that none of the organizations that were ice harvesters became ice factories, and ice factories did not become refrigerator companies, because most companies define themselves in terms of what they do, not the benefits they provide. If you define yourself as we cut blocks of ice out of lakes, you remain an ice harvester. If you define yourself as we freeze water centrally, you remain an ice factory. If you define yourself as we make a mechanical gadget called a refrigerator, then you stay on the refrigerator curve. Great innovation occurs when you get to the next curve. Nat Turner, co-founder of Flatiron Health, has a different approach. He’s built a unique methodology to systematically find the next great thing without being what he calls “a visionary founder.” It’s already worked once before — with his first company, Invite Media, which sold for a reported $80 million to Google in 2010.
An article 90% of Feedback is Crap: How to Find the Next Big Startup Idea elaborates on his process: instead of just researching the idea, or talking casually with others in the relevant field, immediately began to pitch — which is a core tenant of Turner’s approach to finding great ideas. Turner’s method of investing massive amounts of time into learning about a space by pitching to knowledgeable advisors, creating lightweight but polished demos, and continually improving the process is a way of gathering useful domain expertise without accumulating the biases of working in an industry for decades. You can instead draw upon collectives of hundreds of years of cumulative experience by going out and pitching, and pitching, and pitching to get the best quality knowledge available. The only way that works There is, though, an almost sure-shot way of getting good startup ideas that will work.
This is what Paul Graham, Co-Founder of Y Combinator, says in How to Get Startup Ideas.
The very best startup ideas tend to have three things in common: they’re something the founders themselves want, that they can build, and that few others realize are worth doing. Beginning by trying to think of startup ideas is doubly dangerous: it doesn’t merely yield few good ideas; it yields bad ideas that sound plausible enough to fool you into working on them. He has some advice on two other fronts: Live in the future, then build what’s missing, and turn off the filters that usually prevent you from seeing things around. According to him, finding startup ideas is a subtle business, and that’s why you should think of starting off only if you have the time and the inclination to build things and not just because they’re interesting.
He adds, customers don’t buy products in a vacuum; they switch from something else. Customers don’t care about your solution; they care about removing obstacles in the way of achieving their goals. These obstacles or problems create space for innovation. In How to come up with startup ideas that are worth your time, Michael Deng “Turn off autopilot and be aware of what’s going on around you. Inefficiencies in the world and problems you and your friends face daily are potential opportunities. Most people hit these obstacles, groan internally, and move on. They don’t think about why these obstacles exist and whether they can be solved.” However, he warns, becoming aware is much easier said than done because it requires a fundamental change in being. Steven Johnson is a leading light of today’s interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to innovation. Johnson has to his credit many published books, including his bestselling “Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation”. In his TED Talk, Where good ideas come from, he narrates how innovations happen that make a difference to the world.  We take ideas from other people, from people we’ve learned from, from people we run into in the coffee shop, and we stitch them together into new forms, and we create something new. That’s really where innovation happens. And that means that we have to change some of our models of what innovation and deep thinking really look like. In a chaotic environment, ideas are likely to come together, where people are likely to have new, interesting, unpredictable collisions — people from different backgrounds. Science about getting innovative ideas There are some effective hacks that you can work on to increase your ability to come up with good ideas, if you have some understanding of how our brain works.
In To Come Up with a Good Idea, Start by Imagining the Worst Idea Possible, Ayse Birsel, Ayse Birsel is the co-founder of Birsel + Seck, an innovative design studio, says there are many creative tools a designer uses to think differently, but none is more counter-intuitive than “wrong thinking,” also called reverse thinking. Wrong thinking is when you intentionally think of the worst idea possible — the exact opposite of the accepted or logical solution, and work back from those to find new ways of solving old problems. One of the principles that drives this approach to innovation and discovery is that it makes you a beginner.
Being a beginner shifts our perspective and opens up our minds to possibilities. In an article, The Value of Play As a Driver of Innovation, by Farnam Street, and run by Shane Parrish, tells a story of play, and how it fits into the human experience, how it can teach us how to embrace the possibilities that can come of being frivolous. Because play is often about breaking rules and experimenting with new conventions, it turns out to be the seedbed for many innovations that ultimately develop into much sturdier and more significant forms. The pursuit of play gave us the ability to organize ourselves differently, to make connections with people we would not normally have interacted with. Why is play so powerful? When the world surprises us with something, our brains are wired to pay attention.
Play can transport us out of the realm of “things we already know” (the route to work, the importance of saving money, and of brushing our teeth) and into the realm of “things we haven’t yet figured out.” And it is here that innovation happens. In his energetic and insightful TEDx talk, What is a Thought? How the Brain Creates New Ideas , neuro-scientist Dr. Henning Beck gives insights into thought processes and tells you how you can create new ideas.  Explaining the difference between having information and having an idea or knowledge, he says,
He further elaborates, “Computers learn, but we humans understand. When we learn, we can unlearn it too. When we understand something, we cannot de-understand it again. Because re-understanding means you change the way you process information, and since processing and output are the same (unlike for computers) for humans, we understand fast, on the spot. Understanding shows you use the information to change your knowledge.” Dr. Beck’s most important practical advice is that you shouldn’t do it like a computer — harder, faster, more efficient; if you want to make use of this ability to stay creative. He has 3 specific tips that have been proven to have the potential to hack your creativity. Firstly, take a break, lose focus — if you step back, you can possibly see different things. Number two, dig into the problem deep, focus on tasks, and then step back, do something unrelated, engage with some automated routine boring thing, or just chillax, and this is when good ideas come to you. Thirdly, escape the echo chambers — if you provoke yourself, challenge your opinions, break your thinking rules, some new ideas might spark. What’s your story? How and where did you get your startup idea? Invite your friends and earn rewardsIf you enjoy Startup-Side , share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe.
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Monday, June 16, 2025
Where Startup Ideas Actually Come From
Monday, June 9, 2025
Passion Is Fuel—But Obsession Burns You Out
Why Your Startup Shouldn’t Be Your Whole Life (And How to Keep Your Head Together While Building It) So, you’re thinking about starting your own business. Maybe you’re already knee-deep in your first startup. You’re excited, hungry, and you’re willing to put in the work. But here’s the hard truth: Passion is essential, but obsession is dangerous. Let’s break down why this matters, how to spot the signs of obsession, and how to keep your head straight while chasing your dream. Passion vs. Obsession: What’s the Difference?Passion is what gets you through the late nights, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt. It’s the energy that keeps you going when things get tough. Obsession is when your startup becomes your entire world. You can’t switch off, you take every setback personally, and your self-worth is tied to your business’s ups and downs. Passion is your fuel. Obsession is your blindfold. Why Obsession Is Dangerous for Founders1. You Lose Sight of What Matters When you’re obsessed, you start making decisions to protect your ego, not your business. You ignore feedback, avoid tough conversations, and double down on ideas that aren’t working—just because you can’t admit you were wrong. 2. You Burn Out (Fast) No sleep. No hobbies. No life outside your startup. Sound familiar? Burnout is real, and it’s a killer for founders. When you’re running on empty, you’re not at your best. You make mistakes, you miss opportunities, and you lose the spark that got you started in the first place. 3. You Stifle Your Team If you’re obsessed, you micromanage. You don’t trust your team. You shut down feedback. 4. You Miss the Big Pivot Obsession makes you stubborn. You cling to your original idea, even when the market is screaming for you to change. Your Startup Is a Business, Not Your IdentityRepeat after me: Your business is something you’re building, not who you are. How to Lead With Clarity (Not Just Passion)1. Know Your Why Why are you building this thing? 2. Build a Life Outside Your Startup Work hard, but don’t forget to live. 3. Surround Yourself With People Who Challenge You Find mentors, advisors, and team members who aren’t afraid to tell you when you’re wrong. 4. Be Willing to Pivot If your idea isn’t working, change it. 5. Communicate Clearly Share your vision, your goals, and your expectations with your team. Practical Steps for Early FoundersValidate Your Idea (Without the Hype)
Build a Business Model That Works
Listen to Your Customers
Red Flags: Are You Too Obsessed?
If this sounds like you, it’s time to pause. The Science Behind Founder Well-BeingResearch consistently shows that founders who maintain a healthy work-life balance are more resilient, creative, and effective. A study published in the Journal of Business Venturing found that entrepreneurs who practice self-care and maintain strong social support networks are less likely to experience burnout and more likely to achieve long-term success. Another study from Harvard Business Review highlights that founders who separate their self-worth from their business outcomes are better equipped to handle failure and adapt to change. They’re also more likely to build teams that trust them and feel empowered to contribute. This isn’t just feel-good advice—it’s backed by data. Your well-being matters. Your relationships matter. Your life outside your startup matters. The Power of Clarity in Early-Stage StartupsClarity is the antidote to obsession. When you’re clear about your goals, your values, and your boundaries, you make better decisions. You’re less likely to get caught up in the hype or the fear of failure. Clarity also helps you communicate with your team. When everyone knows the “why” and the “what,” they can act with purpose and autonomy. This creates a culture of trust, accountability, and innovation. How to Maintain Clarity as a Founder1. Set Clear Goals Define what success looks like for your startup. 2. Define Your Values What do you stand for? 3. Create Boundaries Set limits on your work hours. 4. Practice Self-Reflection Take time to reflect on your progress, your mistakes, and your growth. The Role of Feedback in Founder GrowthFeedback is essential for any founder. Create a culture where feedback is encouraged and valued. The Importance of AdaptabilityThe startup world is unpredictable. Adaptability is a superpower for founders. How to Foster a Healthy Team CultureYour team is your biggest asset. Here’s how to foster a healthy team culture:
The Role of Coaches, Mentors and AdvisorsNo founder succeeds alone. Find mentors who challenge you, support you, and keep you accountable. The Importance of Self-Care for FoundersFounder burnout is real. Here are some simple ways to practice self-care as a founder:
The Long Game: Building for SustainabilityStartups are a marathon, not a sprint. Sustainable growth comes from clarity, adaptability, and a healthy team culture. Real Talk: What Successful Founders KnowThe best founders are passionate, but they’re not obsessed. They understand that failure is part of the journey. 12 Commandments for Wannabe and Early FoundersThese commandments are your guideposts. 1. Know Thy Why Carve your purpose in stone. Revisit it often. Let it be your compass through every storm and setback. 2. Thou Shalt Not Confuse Identity With Business You are not your startup. Your worth is not measured by your company’s success or failure. 3. Build a Life Outside the Hustle Work hard, but live fully. Cultivate hobbies, relationships, and moments of rest—they fuel inspiration and resilience. 4. Seek and Heed the Counsel of Others Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and peers who challenge you and speak truth, even when it stings. 5. Be Willing to Pivot When the market speaks, listen. Adapt your idea, your strategy, or your whole business model—pride has no place in progress. 6. Communicate With Clarity Share your vision, goals, and expectations openly. Clear communication builds trust, focus, and momentum. 7. Validate With Real Customers Test your ideas with genuine users, not just friends. Let data, not ego, guide your decisions. 8. Solve Real Problems Design for your customers, not for your own satisfaction. The best businesses serve real needs. 9. Listen More Than You Speak Let your customers shape your product. Ask open questions, absorb feedback, and iterate relentlessly. 10. Prioritize Self-Care Sleep, move, eat well, and connect with others. Your well-being is the foundation of your startup’s success. 11. Foster Trust and Empowerment Trust your team. Empower them to take ownership. A strong culture outlasts any single product or idea. 12. Reflect, Adapt, and Grow Learn from every mistake and every win. Reflection is the secret to sustainable growth and leadership. Final Thoughts: The Founder’s JourneyStarting a business is one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding things you can do. That’s why these commandments matter. Passion is your superpower. Obsession is your kryptonite. You’re more than your startup. Invite your friends and earn rewardsIf you enjoy Startup-Side , share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe.
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Where Startup Ideas Actually Come From
How do you come up with the best startup idea for you? ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏...
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