Finding Problems in Your Community
The best startup ideas don't come from trying to think of "the next big thing." They come from deeply understanding problems that real people face every day. In this lesson, you'll learn systematic ways to discover problems worth solving.
Quick Check
Why problems first?
Why is it better to start with problems rather than solutions?
Why Start with Problems?
Many first-time entrepreneurs fall in love with a solution before understanding the problem. They think of a cool app, build it, and wonder why no one uses it.
Key Concept
Successful startups solve real problems for real people. The bigger and more painful the problem, the more valuable the solution.
Where to Find Problems
1. Your Own Life
The problems you experience firsthand are your best starting point. You understand them deeply and feel the pain directly.
The best problems to solve are the ones you have yourself. You'll understand them better, and you'll be more motivated to solve them.— Paul Graham, Y Combinator
Rank Problem Sources
Match each problem source with how valuable it typically is for founders:
2. Your Community
Your family, friends, school, and neighborhood are rich sources of problems. Your immigrant community may face unique challenges that mainstream solutions don't address:
- Language barriers in accessing services
- Navigating unfamiliar systems (healthcare, banking, education)
- Finding culturally appropriate products or services
- Career challenges unique to your community
Problem Discovery Scenario
What's the most entrepreneurial response?
🌟 Excellent Problem Recognition!
This is exactly how Remitly was born! The founder noticed immigrants struggling with remittance fees and built a $7B+ company. Your aunt's problem could be shared by millions of people worldwide.
👍 Good instinct!
Sharing helps others, but you're missing the bigger opportunity. If this problem affects your family, it probably affects thousands of other immigrant families too.
💡 Missed Opportunity
You solved the problem, but didn't recognize the entrepreneurial potential. Whenever you find yourself building a workaround, ask: "Who else has this problem?"
The 5 Whys Technique
When you spot a problem, don't stop at the surface. Dig deeper using the "5 Whys" technique:
Example: The 5 Whys in Action
Problem: Students are stressed about college applications.
Why #1: They don't know if they're doing the right things.
Why #2: College advice is confusing and contradictory.
Why #3: Most advice comes from people who applied decades ago.
Why #4: The process has changed dramatically.
Why #5: No easy way for recent applicants to share what worked.
Root Problem: Students lack access to relevant, up-to-date advice from peers.
Practice the 5 Whys
AnalysisPick a problem you've noticed and dig deeper with 5 Whys:
Example 5 Whys
Problem: I waste 30 minutes every morning deciding what to eat.
Why #1: I open the fridge and nothing looks appealing.
Why #2: I buy random groceries without a meal plan.
Why #3: I don't know what I want to eat for the week ahead.
Why #4: Planning meals feels overwhelming with so many options.
Why #5: There's no easy system that suggests meals based on my preferences and what's on sale.
Root Problem: People need personalized, simple meal planning that reduces decision fatigue and connects to grocery shopping.
Problem Interview Basics
The best way to understand problems is to talk to people. Here's how:
Complete the Interview Framework
During problem interviews, your job is to more than you talk. Never your solution—focus only on understanding the .
Good Interview Questions
- "Tell me about the last time you experienced [problem]."
- "What's the hardest part about [situation]?"
- "What have you tried to solve this?"
- "How often does this happen?"
Interview Question Check
Which question should you AVOID in problem interviews?
What Makes a Good Problem?
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Painful | People actively complain and seek solutions |
| Frequent | Happens regularly, not just once in a while |
| Urgent | People want to solve it now, not "someday" |
| Expensive | Costs time, money, or emotional energy |
| Widespread | Many people have this problem |
Problem Discovery Challenge
DiscoveryList 9 problems in three categories, then rate each 1-5 on how painful, frequent, and urgent they are:
Example Problem Discovery
My Personal Problems:
1. Can't find parking at school (Pain: 4, Frequency: 5, Urgency: 4)
2. Lose track of assignment due dates (Pain: 5, Frequency: 4, Urgency: 5)
3. Hard to split bills with roommates (Pain: 3, Frequency: 3, Urgency: 2)
Problems Others Complain About:
1. Parents struggle with school communication apps (Pain: 4, Frequency: 5, Urgency: 3)
2. Friends can't find internships without connections (Pain: 5, Frequency: 4, Urgency: 4)
3. Neighbors don't know about local events (Pain: 2, Frequency: 3, Urgency: 1)
Community Problems:
1. New immigrants struggle with credit building (Pain: 5, Frequency: 4, Urgency: 5)
2. Language barriers at medical appointments (Pain: 5, Frequency: 3, Urgency: 5)
3. Finding culturally familiar food in suburbs (Pain: 3, Frequency: 4, Urgency: 2)
Most Promising: Internships without connections—high pain, affects millions of first-gen students, and they're actively searching for solutions (willingness to pay).
Plan Your First Interviews
ActionPlan how you'll validate your most promising problem by talking to real people:
Example Interview Plan
Problem: First-gen students can't find internships without family connections
Who I'll interview:
1. My friend Sarah who's been applying with no luck
2. Students at the first-gen club meeting Tuesday
3. Career counselor who works with first-gen students
Where: Coffee shop, club meeting, career center office hours
Questions:
1. "Tell me about your last internship search—walk me through it."
2. "What was the hardest part of the process?"
3. "How did you find opportunities to apply to?"
4. "Did you feel like you had the same resources as other students?"
5. "What have you tried that didn't work?"
Timeline: Complete all 3 interviews by this weekend
Constraint Puzzle: 1 Week, Multiple Problems
You've identified 6 potential problems. Choose which to investigate deeper—you can't do everything!
🎯 Key Takeaways
- Start with problems, not solutions—validate demand first
- Your own life and community are the best sources for problems
- Use the 5 Whys to dig from symptoms to root causes
- In problem interviews, listen more than you talk—never pitch
- Good problems are painful, frequent, urgent, expensive, and widespread