Embracing the Unknown: My Weeklong Journey into "0 to 1"
Dear friends and fellow dreamers,
Last week, I dove headfirst into the enigmatic world of entrepreneurship, guided by a simple yet profound framework. The goal? To uncover a problem so compelling that people can't help but seek its solution. Here’s what unfolded, from heartaches to revelations.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Within Us All
I've always believed that each one of us harbors an entrepreneurial spirit, alongside the skills needed to nurture it. Yet, our perceptions of what's achievable often get clouded by societal norms and the fear of rejection. The fear that our endeavors might end in failure, that we might not be cut out for this path, often holds us back. But what if we’ve been looking at it all wrong?
Embarking on an entrepreneurial journey isn’t a tale of failures but a series of lessons waiting to be uncovered. Imagine yourself in an unfamiliar game, where the map is yet to be revealed. Each step, each decision, teaches you more about the terrain, the players, and the strategies that make sense in this new world.
The Project That Lit My Way
With the desire to solve a pressing problem, I set out on a project. My strategy? To immerse myself for one week, to dive deep into understanding the issue at hand, to connect with as many people as possible, and ultimately, to assess if my idea had the potential to grow into a business worth pursuing.
I turned to LinkedIn, believing that the professional world, with its constant connectivity and frequent travels, would resonate with the problem I aimed to solve. I was eager to share my journey, hoping to ignite a spark of inspiration within my network.
The Psychological Hurdles: Fear, Motivation, and the Work Ahead
The fear of rejection loomed large. Putting myself out there meant risking my reputation. What if I failed before even making a mark? Yet, what I discovered was enlightening.
Throughout this week, I faced moments of doubt and low energy. The temptation to give up, to believe I had learned enough, was ever-present. However, I held fast to my principles, reminding myself of the commitment I had made to see this through. The result? Invaluable conversations that broadened my horizon far beyond my initial expectations.
The workload was daunting. From understanding manufacturing processes to setting up a supply chain, the challenges were relentless. Yet, this deep dive into the intricacies of bringing an idea to life was nothing short of exhilarating.
The Problem
When you charge your appliances and the outlet is half way up the wall, your device is hanging down.
Solution
You do find solutions to this problem on the web. Though it didn’t reach mass market. I wondered why, is it the solution itself? Is it because the problem isn’t that much of a pain? My interviews suggested the latter.
Not my products and i am not affiliated, just to showcase what already exists.
Statistics
56 interviews each 20mins
2161 impressions of 2 posts on Linkedin
22 likes on Linkedin
1,5 hours at the sewing machine
I did create a business case as well but it is, at least in theory, a no-brainer as the potential market size is everyone with a phone.
Deciding to Let Go
Despite the intense learning and the prototypes I lovingly crafted, feedback revealed a hard truth: the problem, while real, was not pressing enough to warrant a solution now. The journey through cost calculations and potential profit margins led me to a critical decision. It was time to pivot, to explore paths with potentially higher returns.
And yet, the experience of creating my first prototypes, of learning a new skill from scratch, was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me of the essence of creation—be it a sketch, a melody, or a business idea.
What i would pivot towards
New Problem Statement:
People go back to their phones frequently to check the status of the battery charging.
I learned this insight in my interviews. Pretty much everyone was coming back frequently to check the status of the battery while charging. Even though most people charge their phones through the night, it still was an issue for most of them.
A Week of Growth, Learning, and New Beginnings
This week was more than an attempt to solve a problem; it was a journey of self-discovery, of pushing beyond my limits, and of understanding the importance of resilience, empathy, and creativity in the entrepreneurial landscape.
To those of you contemplating your own ventures, I hope my story serves as a reminder of the importance of engaging with your users, of embracing the hard work involved in truly understanding a problem, and of the value in creating tangible prototypes to bring your visions to life.
What will your project be? Let’s embark on this journey together, supporting one another as we navigate the unknown and transform our dreams into reality. I’ll take on my next project real soon!