Finding Problems Worth Solving — slides
Financial Literacy Club
Entrepreneurship · Lesson 1
Finding Problems Worth Solving
Great businesses start with a real problem, not a cool idea.
12-minute lesson · learnwithflc.org
Finding Problems Worth Solving · 1 / 18
Financial Literacy Club
Entrepreneurship · Lesson 1
Finding Problems Worth Solving
Great businesses start with a real problem, not a cool idea.
12-minute lesson · learnwithflc.org
Today's goals
By the end of class, you'll be able to…
- Explain why strong businesses start with a real problem
- Apply four tests to a problem: frequent, painful, already patched, reachable
- Turn an everyday complaint into a clear problem statement
Warm-up
List three things that annoyed you this week — at school, at home, or online.
Think, then write your answer.
The big idea
Finding Problems Worth Solving
Great businesses start with a real problem, not a cool idea.
Entrepreneurship · Lesson 1
Most new businesses fail because they make something nobody needs enough to pay for. The fix is to start with a problem, not a product.
Entrepreneurship · Lesson 1
An idea is "I want to make an app for students." A problem is "Students lose track of assignment deadlines and it costs them grades." Problems point you toward customers; ideas often point you toward yourself.
Entrepreneurship · Lesson 1
Good problems tend to pass a few tests:
- Frequent: it happens often, not once a year.
- Painful: it costs people time, money, stress, or status.
- Already patched: people use clumsy workarounds or pay for imperfect fixes — proof they care.
- Reachable: you can actually get in front of the people who have it.
Entrepreneurship · Lesson 1
Where to look
Listen for complaints — yours and other people's. "I wish…", "Why is it so hard to…", and "I always have to…" are clues.
See it
A problem worth solving is frequent, painful, already being patched with workarounds, and reachable — you can find the people who have it.
- 1
Frequent
It happens again and again.
- 2
Painful
It costs time, money, stress, or status.
- 3
Already patched
People use workarounds or pay for imperfect fixes.
- 4
Reachable
You can find and talk to the people who have it.
Real example
Marcus and the dirty sneakers
Marcus notices that classmates' white sneakers get scuffed fast — and that people care, especially before games, dances, and photos.
- Frequent: shoes get dirty every week.
- Painful: sneakers are expensive, and dirty ones feel embarrassing.
- Already patched: people scrub them with toothbrushes, ruin them in washing machines, or pay a shop across town.
- Reachable: his customers are in his hallways every day.
Marcus doesn't have a business yet. He has a problem that passes all four tests — a much better starting point than a random idea.
Activity · small groups · 12 min
Complaint to Opportunity
- Groups pool their warm-up complaints and pick five.
- For each, groups run the four tests: Is it frequent? Painful? Are people already patching it with a workaround? Can you reach the people who have it?
- Groups choose the strongest problem and write a one-sentence problem statement: “[Who] struggles with [what] because [why].”
- Each group shares its statement; the class names the workaround people use today.
Check for understanding · 1 of 3
Which is a problem rather than an idea?
- A"I want to start a clothing brand."
- B"Students waste 20 minutes every lunch waiting in line."
- C"Apps are a good business."
- D"I should make something with AI."
B. "Students waste 20 minutes every lunch waiting in line."
It describes a specific pain that specific people have. The others describe what the founder wants to make.
Check for understanding · 2 of 3
You find that people already use awkward workarounds for a problem, like spreadsheets or asking friends.
What does that suggest?
- AThe problem is solved, so move on.
- BPeople care enough to put in effort — a sign the problem is real.
- CNobody would ever pay for a solution.
- DYou should copy the spreadsheet.
B. People care enough to put in effort — a sign the problem is real.
Workarounds show the problem is painful enough that people already spend time or money on it.
Check for understanding · 3 of 3
A problem that happens once every few years is usually a stronger business opportunity than one that happens weekly.
- True
- False
False
Frequent problems create repeat customers and more chances to earn. Rare problems are harder to build around.
Remember
Key takeaways
- Start with a problem, not a product.
- Frequent, painful, already patched, reachable.
- Workarounds are proof people care.
- Complaints are clues.
Discuss
Talk it over
- What's a problem you or your friends deal with every week?
- Why do you think so many people start with an idea instead of a problem?
Exit ticket
Why is a workaround a good sign when you're looking for a problem to solve?
Answer on your exit ticket before you leave.
Nice work today.
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