The fastest way to fail is to build something nobody really needs.
A painkiller product solves a burning problem: customers say “I need this now”, pull out their credit card, and ask “How soon can we start?” Decisions happen fast. Teams align quickly. Value is obvious.
A vitamin product sounds interesting but isn’t urgent. Customers say “maybe later”, ask for more meetings, or need convincing. They already have a way to get by. You end up explaining why they need it—because the pain isn’t real.
If your solution requires long explanations, it’s probably a vitamin.
Great startups don’t sell vitamins. They fix pain.
Build something so necessary that not having it hurts. Customers should feel relief, not curiosity.
If you’re solving real pain, growth follows.
