Scratching your own itch
Ever find yourself grumbling about an annoying issue and thinking, “Why hasn’t someone fixed this yet?”
Well, that someone could be you. Discover how your irritations are not just frustrations, but seeds for your next big business idea.
Let’s dive into how you can turn your personal problems into profitable products – just remember, it’s all about scratching the right itch!
Identifying the itch: Is it just me, or…?
First things first, how do you know if your problem is a gold mine or just a personal pet peeve? Here’s the kicker: it needs to be a real itch, something that others are also desperately scratching at.
Before you start sketching out blueprints, ask around. Talk to friends, family, and even hop onto online forums or social media. If others are nodding vigorously in agreement, bingo, you’ve got a shared itch!
Market research: Is there room for my scratch?
Alright, you’ve found a common itch, but hold your horses! Is the market already flooded with calamine lotion? A quick dive into some research can save you from reinventing the wheel.
Use tools like Google Trends, consumer reports, or even a simple search to see if there’s a solution out there that’s already soothing the masses. If there’s a gap, or the existing solutions are like using sandpaper for a backscratch, then you might be onto something.
The waiting game: Is it a fleeting itch or a chronic rash?
Sometimes, what seems like a big deal in the moment can be forgotten faster than your New Year’s resolutions. Wait a bit and see if the problem persists. If that itch keeps coming back, making you wiggle in your seat weeks or months later, it’s likely a problem worth solving.
Real-life itch scratchers: Products born from personal frustrations
- Slack – The email terminator: Tired of endless, confusing email threads, Stewart Butterfield created Slack, a communication tool that now has workplaces worldwide saying, “Email? What email?”
- Dyson vacuum cleaners – Sucking up frustration: When James Dyson got irritated by his vacuum cleaner’s diminishing performance, he didn’t just change the bag; he reinvented the vacuum, creating a bagless, cyclonic design.
- Spanx – Smoothing out the wrinkles: Sara Blakely was frustrated with visible underwear lines and uncomfortable shapewear. Her solution? Spanx, the undergarment that has smoothed its way into millions of wardrobes.
So, your everyday annoyances aren’t just things to grumble about; they could be the inspiration for your next big business venture. Remember, the key is to identify a real, shared problem, ensure there’s a gap in the market, and then go for it. Who knows, your personal itch could be the next big thing that has everyone else reaching for relief.
Scratch on!
Also read What is your problem?
