Product-market fit vs Founder-market fit.
Do you know what doesn’t get enough attention in the startup world? It’s this whole idea of founder-market fit. I’m convinced it’s as important as that buzzword everyone loves: product-market fit. Sure, having a product that clicks with the market is key, but let me tell you, when you don’t enjoy that at all you’ll find it very hard to move forward with it, even if it makes some money.
Let me illustrate this with my own experiences:
“My Passion Project – unprofitable” vs “That Other Project – profitable”
So, there was this other thing I worked on. Crazy part? It only took one little tweak to get it off the ground. People actually started buying what I was selling – a dream scenario, right? But here’s the kicker: I just wasn’t feeling it. It was like winning a game you never really wanted to play. Sure, we got a few customers and all, but it was like something was missing for me.
It hit me then – if I’m not all-in, if I’m not buzzing with excitement, then what’s the point? It’s not just about the market loving your product; it’s about you loving the journey too.”
Read more about how I validated the idea.
About “My Passion Project”:
I’ve been through the wringer with this one – seven big shifts, from small tweaks in how we do business to turning our whole product upside down. And guess what? I’m still not 100% sure this is ‘the one.’ But, honestly, every time I change something, I get this rush of excitement. It’s like peeling back the layers of a mystery. Sure, it’s a ton of work and there are days I feel swamped, but man, I just can’t stop.
What’s Happening So Far: Okay, so we’re not quite there yet with a perfect market fit, but it feels like I’m getting warmer with each pivot. This whole thing is a massive time eater, but it’s also super energizing. I’m learning a lot, and that’s what keeps me going.”
#1 Reimagining an existing tool
Used a tactic called “Press release from the future” where I tried to reimagine an existing tool used by my audience.
#2 Serve them a curated list of gems in a weekly newsletter.
Having a big playlist of great gems I found over the years I decided to build an audience by using a weekly newsletter.
#3 Build a prototype where people can discover a gem per day
Decided to build a web app where people can check daily to see the gem of the day.
#4 Build an editorial website where we feature the best gems out there
Showcasing the best gems out there in a beautiful editorial format. Trying to get more users.
#5 Build an interactive full-screen music player.
Showcasing the best gems out there in a more interactive format. Trying to increase retention.
#6 Build a music streaming service. Getting ambitious.
Things getting more and more ambitious. Building a fully functional streaming service emulating Spotify.
#7 More down-to-earth now. A (much) simpler music streaming service.
Things getting more and more ambitious. Building a fully functional streaming service.
#8 Building a prototype again. Now with a different biz model.
Trying to be more fun. Gamification. Need more engagement.
#9 Yet another prototype. The final one (hopefully).
This is the closest I’m getting to validate it. Promising results.
Here’s what all this has taught me: Having your heart in the game isn’t just some nice bonus; it’s absolutely key to really making it in the long run. It’s like when you love what you’re doing and it clicks with what the market wants. That’s the sweet spot.
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