The Startup Death Trap—Building Something Nobody Wants

THE LEAN LESSON

"I have an idea that’s going to change the world!"

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this.

And every time, I ask one simple question:

"Who’s your first paying customer?"

Nine times out of ten, the response is silence or a vague answer like:

• "The market needs this!"

• "Everyone will want it once they see it!"

• "It’s so unique that no one else has built it!"

Here’s the brutal truth—startups don’t fail because the product wasn’t built well. They fail because nobody wanted it in the first place.

Yet, founders fall into this trap all the time. Here’s why—and how you can avoid it.

Why Founders Fall in Love With Their Idea (And Why That’s Dangerous)

It all starts with an exciting idea. You see a problem, and suddenly, your brain sparks with a solution. You visualize a future where your product changes lives, makes millions, and earns praise from investors and customers alike.

The issue? Just because you love the idea doesn’t mean the market does.

Let me share a real example.

A founder I met was passionate about helping elderly people use smartphones. His idea? A simplified smartphone with large buttons and an easy-to-use interface.

Sounds good, right? Helping seniors with technology is a noble mission.

But when we analyzed the market, here’s what we found:

• No strong moat – Big companies like Samsung and Apple could easily copy the concept.

• Tiny market – While there were seniors who struggled with tech, most of them were comfortable using existing devices.

• No revenue potential – The founder had no clear pricing model, and most elderly users weren’t actively looking to buy a new phone.

In short, this was a passion project, not a business opportunity.

The Three-Step Reality Check to Avoid This Mistake

1. Talk to Real Customers
   If you haven’t interviewed at least 10-20 potential customers who are desperate for your solution, stop building.

Instead of assuming people want your product, ask them:

• "What’s your biggest frustration with [problem your product solves]?"

• "What solutions have you tried?"

• "Would you pay for a better solution?"

If their answers are vague, hesitant, or indifferent—you might be onto the wrong thing.

2. Test Demand Before You Build
   Would you believe me if I told you some startups make their first $10,000 before they even have a product?

It’s true. They test demand with simple strategies like:
✅ Setting up a landing page and collecting signups before building.
✅ Running pre-orders and seeing if people are willing to put down money in advance.
✅ Creating a basic prototype and letting users interact with it before committing to full development.

If no one signs up, buys, or shows enthusiasm—you just saved yourself months (or years) of wasted time.

3. Look for Early Traction, Not Just Compliments
   Friends and family will always tell you your idea is great. That doesn’t mean it will sell.

Look for real proof that people want your product:
🚀 Are they asking, "When can I buy this?"
🚀 Are they sharing it with others?
🚀 Are they willing to pay right now?

If the answer is "no," pivot fast before you waste resources.

YOUTUBE TREASURE

👉My Pick: I Build 4 Businesses in a Row