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A lesson from my 72 year old uncle - listen to the market

r/Entrepreneur
8/15/2025

Content Summary

The post discusses the importance of listening to the market rather than sticking rigidly to an initial business vision. The author shares how his 72-year-old uncle built a successful niche business by responding to customer needs, not grand plans. The author is launching a coaching program focused on leadership and communication skills, emphasizing testing, learning, and pivoting based on market feedback. The discussion highlights the value of being adaptable, focusing on real customer problems, and starting small to validate ideas before scaling.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinion emphasizes the importance of adapting to market demands, testing ideas early, and being willing to pivot. Many commenters agree that the market will guide the direction of a business if entrepreneurs are open to listening and adjusting. Some debate whether this approach is common sense or if it's more about mindset and discipline. Others highlight the risks of ignoring customer feedback or overcomplicating solutions. There's also a general consensus that starting small and iterating is key to long-term success.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
[No specific SaaS tools mentioned][N/A][N/A][N/A]

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Lack of clear understanding of market demand
  • Difficulty in identifying the right customer base
  • Fear of pivoting from initial vision
  • Need for scalable and effective communication solutions

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating a product or service that truly meets customer needs
  • Testing and iterating quickly based on feedback
  • Balancing personal vision with market demands
  • Building trust and credibility with customers

Potential Solutions:

  • Launching a minimum viable product (MVP) to test the market
  • Listening to customer feedback and adapting accordingly
  • Focusing on solving immediate pain points rather than long-term visions
  • Using iterative development to refine offerings based on real-world use

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Testing ideas early and often
  • Being open to pivoting based on customer feedback
  • Focusing on solving real problems for customers
  • Starting small and scaling gradually

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging personal networks and referrals
  • Using customer testimonials and success stories
  • Engaging with communities and forums related to the target audience

Monetization & Product:

  • Starting with a simple offering and expanding as demand grows
  • Prioritizing features that solve immediate pain points over complex, untested solutions
  • Avoiding over-engineering products before validating demand

User Engagement:

  • Building relationships through direct interaction with customers
  • Encouraging feedback and using it to improve the product
  • Creating value through consistent, useful content and support