Solve the Boring Problem First

When most people think about starting a business, their first instinct is almost always the same:

“What can I invent that doesn’t exist yet — something everyone will love?”

Wrong approach.

Especially for first-time founders, the better question is:
“What problem already exists that I can solve better than anyone else?”

Forget trying to reinvent fire. Look for smoke — and bring a hose.

The biggest wins often come from solving the most boring, unsexy, overlooked issues. Why?
Because boring problems tend to be universal. And if they’re still around, chances are no one’s solved them well enough yet.

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Opportunity Looks Like Frustration

Here’s the cheat code:
What frustrates you?

What slows you down, wastes your time, drains your energy?

That’s your goldmine. If it’s a problem for you, it’s a problem for others.
Solve it well — and they’ll gladly pay to make it go away.

For example: I recently tried to get some Nexubis merch printed.
What should’ve been fun turned into a tragicomedy of bad UX, worse communication, and “enquire now” buttons straight from 2006.

One simple print job = endless emails, expensive test runs, and zero clarity.

Why not streamline that experience?

Upload a design → view a live 3D mockup → select material → approve → print.
Boom. Solved. Scalable. Someone build this, please.

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That “boring” problem you solved?

It might just be the thing that funds your fantasy idea later.

That’s how Elon Musk did it.
He didn’t start with Mars.

He started with online banking — first Zip2, then X.com, which became PayPal.
Not exactly sci-fi stuff. But it worked. And it sold. And when it did?

He had the funds to say:
“Cool. Now I want to build electric cars and reusable rockets.”

Start simple.
Solve real friction.
Then go full Bond villain if that’s your thing.

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Why the Sexy Idea Might Flop

If you’re chasing the next big thing — the next AI-generated, crypto-integrated, subscription-based coffee machine… ask yourself:

Are you solving a problem people know they have?

If not, you’re going to spend all your time (and money) trying to convince people it matters.

Building a better mousetrap is easier when people already hate mice.
It’s harder when you’re inventing the concept of “rodent anxiety” just to justify your business model.

Solve something people already need fixed.

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If You Already Run a Business — Look Closer

Already running a company?
Great. You’ve got a front-row seat to a bunch of broken systems.

Start paying attention to the things that piss you off internally.
The tools that suck. The partners that underdeliver. The workflows that make you want to commit a small crime.

Every frustration is a potential business.

If you’ve felt the pain, others will too.
That’s called market validation — and it’s free.

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Final Word

Opportunity isn’t hiding.

It’s everywhere. But it rarely looks like a shiny idea.

More often, it looks like:

• An annoying process
  
• A broken system
  
• A clunky tool
  
• A customer complaint
  
  

Solve the boring problem first.
Do it well.
Build trust, generate cash flow, and stack wins.

Then — and only then — go build your moonshot.

You’ll be ready.