Start with the Problem, Not the Solution

When it comes to starting or growing a business, the instinct for many is to leap straight into the solution. We imagine our ideal product or service, get excited about all the features, and dive into creating it. But here’s the hard truth: if you don’t start with the right problem, your brilliant solution might fall flat.

Let’s talk about why focusing on the problem first is essential—and how you can make this mindset a cornerstone of your entrepreneurial journey.

The Problem with Jumping to Solutions

Many entrepreneurs fail because they fall in love with their idea, not their customers' needs. They invest time and money building something no one asked for. Here’s what happens:

• Assumptions go unchecked. You assume you know what people need.

• Wasted resources. You create features or services that add no value.

• No market fit. You end up solving a problem that doesn’t exist—or worse, one nobody cares about.

If you’ve struggled with this in the past, you’re not alone. That’s why I created the Starting a Rural Business Guide. It’s packed with actionable steps to help you focus on identifying and solving real problems, whether you’re launching your first business or expanding an existing one.

Why Starting with the Problem Works

1. Customer-First Mindset: By focusing on the problem, you start with your potential customers' experiences. This leads to deeper insights and empathy for their struggles.

2. Efficient Use of Resources: Knowing the problem lets you zero in on creating what matters most, reducing wasted effort.

3. Flexibility to Pivot: When you understand the problem, you can tweak your solution to adapt, staying relevant as needs evolve.

How to Identify the Right Problem

1. Observe Your Market

• Look for gaps or inefficiencies in your community or industry. For example, is there a service people drive hours to access that could be brought locally?

• Use platforms like Facebook Groups or local forums to see what people are complaining about.

2. Ask Questions, Don’t Sell

• Talk to potential customers, but don’t pitch them. Instead, ask questions like:

  • "What’s the hardest part of [X] for you?"

  • "If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about [Y], what would it be?"

• Document patterns in their answers.

3. Validate the Problem

• Once you’ve identified a problem, test its significance. Is it a mild inconvenience or a major frustration? People pay to solve urgent problems, not minor annoyances.

If you’re looking for practical exercises to validate your ideas without wasting time or money, my Starting a Rural Business Guide has you covered. It includes easy-to-follow steps to test your assumptions and gather meaningful feedback.

Real-Life Example: Solving the Right Problem

Imagine you’re in a rural area where residents frequently complain about poor-quality internet. Instead of assuming the solution is to open an internet service provider (which could be expensive and unrealistic), you could focus on the real problem: reliable access to online resources. Maybe the solution is as simple as creating a local co-working space with high-speed internet.

Conclusion: Build the Bridge After You See the Gap

The most successful entrepreneurs don’t fall in love with their solutions; they fall in love with solving problems. When you start with the problem, you save time, money, and frustration. More importantly, you create something people genuinely want and need.

If you want a deeper dive into this process and a clear roadmap to start or grow your rural business, check out the Starting a Rural Business Guide. It’s designed to help you succeed step by step.

So, whether you’re starting a business from scratch or refining an existing one, remember: find the problem first. Everything else flows from there.