Lessons From Launching In An Unfamiliar Industry

I launched my startup in an industry I had no experience in, setting us on a 3-year hunt for product-market fit.

Here are 3 massive challenges I brought upon my co-founders & myself. They're the obvious ones, too:

1. Identifying the Ideal Customer Persona (ICP)

   We sifted through our entire vertical until we stumbled upon the right customer. This one didn't just reveal their pain points but also showed us which problems were crucial.

2. Finding a Problem Painful Enough

   Initially, we were barely scratching an itch. It took finding the ideal customer to dive deep into their more significant challenges.

3. Building a Solution in a Vacuum

   Our first attempt was a shot in the dark, built around a misunderstood problem. We had to scrap it entirely, step back and ensure we had a solid understanding of points 1 and 2 before building again.

Looking back, I see a trail of wasted time and resources.

Now, if I had a chance to do it all over again, here's what my new game plan would be:

→ Spend a Year in the Shoes of My ICP

Immersing myself in their world is key. I’d become my own customer, or get as close to them as I can be, facing those struggles head-on.

→ Find a Problem I Can Feel Enough Pain For

Being on the front line means feeling the pain personally. Each subsequent step becomes much clearer and less risky.

→ Build the Solution from the Inside

Now, I can craft a solution for my own problems while being surrounded by peers who can quickly validate my assumptions. Then, success becomes a matter of when, not if.

Those three years felt like navigating a maze blindfolded. But, it seems the 10,000-hour rule is truly non-negotiable.

What do you think? Was there a shortcut I missed, or was this path inevitable?