When the worlds of tech entrepreneurship and social media influencers overlap, we find ourselves exactly where we are today: hunting for the next big and profitable idea. As someone who consumes a steady diet of social media in the tech entrepreneurship space, I know this game all too well. For the past few years, I’ve explored hundreds of ideas, watched countless YouTube videos about SaaS businesses, and tuned in to many podcasts on this topic. Occasionally I even document my ideas here for fun.
Yet, after immersing myself in this world, I’ve come to a somewhat surprising conclusion: The obsession with finding the perfect idea is actually counterproductive. Let me explain why
The unicorn idea doesn’t exist
We all know the allure of the perfect idea: a unicorn that’s rare and wildly profitable. But here’s the thing, it doesn’t exist. And even if it does, the odds of stumbling upon it are nearly zero.
But let’s say you do find that mythical unicorn. How would you recognize it? And even if you do, will you have the resources, skills, and stamina to execute it successfully?
The hunt for the perfect idea can keep you in a loop of brainstorming instead of building. And that’s where most of us get stuck — waiting for a perfect moment that will never come.
It is not about the idea
It is about the execution.
Take grocery stores, for example. They exist in every city and serve the same fundamental purpose. There’s no mystery or novelty in the concept. And yet, we see thriving grocery chains all around us, each slightly different in their approach: item selection, prices, store ambiance, employee training, and convenience etc.
The success of these stores isn’t based on a unique idea but rather on how they execute that idea.
Note: even in a space as crowded as groceries, there’s room for niches. Gas stations and convenience stores, for instance, overlap with major grocery chains in terms of inventory but focus on speed and accessibility over variety and price. 💡
Validated ideas can fail
It’s tempting to think that if an idea is validated, it’s foolproof. But that’s far from reality. The Defunct Supermarkets of the United States page lists 128 failed grocery chains. And that doesn’t even include the countless “mom and pop” stores that quietly shut their doors.
Many businesses fail despite having solid ideas because execution is everything. Each defunct store had its own reasons for closing — poor management, misaligned strategy, or bad timing — but the point remains: even good ideas can fail without the right execution.
There is no perfect idea (and that’s okay)
The dream of a perfect idea out there, waiting for you, is a myth. There isn’t one. But there is a good-enough idea for you (yes, you). That idea will align with your skills, interests, and experiences. The only way to find it is through trial and error. You need to start.
Your first idea might not work. In fact, it’s likely it won’t. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t to hit a home run on your first swing. The goal is to take action, learn, and adapt.
Start and pivot
When you act on an idea, you gain real-world experience in that space. You’ll discover why something isn’t working, or maybe even realize you’re not the right person to bring it to life. More importantly, you’ll meet people, join communities, and uncover new opportunities you didn’t even know existed.
Ideas are just seeds. As you nurture them through execution, they evolve. And when they don’t grow the way you expected, you pivot. The ability to change course isn’t a failure, it’s a necessary part of entrepreneurship.
The mindset shift (from endlessly ideating to actively executing) is what inspired me to write this post. My hope is that this post will encourage you to start right away.
TL;DR
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect idea to start, here’s the truth: it doesn’t exist. Stop chasing unicorns and start building. The key to success lies not in what you plan but in what you do.
Sources and inspiration
- gemma. (March 3, 2020). Fruit display in supermarket grocery store. https://unsplash.com/photos/yellow-and-red-apples-on-black-plastic-crate-stpjHJGqZyw
