Founders of startups often find the inspiration for the product they provide through personal experience. When founders are also innovators, they look at annoying problems in a different way than many people. Instead of asking “why doesn’t someone fix that” they ask questions to more deeply consider the problem.
Questions like… Is this really a problem? Who else has this problem? Has anyone solved this yet? If I was to solve this, who should I collaborate with? What do I need to know to solve the problem? How will I know if other people find the solution valuable? Is it a solution people will pay to have?
Tejal Shah’s experience and frustration with identifying a preschool for her son began a journey of questions that led her to creating Kidadmit. If you are a parent in search of a preschool and want to simplify the finding and applying process, or if you are a preschool wishing to better manage the application process, Kidadmit is for you.
I had the pleasure of talking with Tejal about her experiences as an innovator and entrepreneur. Her tips involve many useful insights for innovators:
- innovation begins with experience and observation – deeply understand the issues before proposing solutions
- always be getting feedback and learning more – carry an idea notebook to record your insights
- understand the intricacies of the problem yourself – don’t outsource the learning process
- creating the product involves collaboration – what you don’t know shouldn’t stop your progress
- stay connected – participate in networks to share ideas and continue learning
- watch out for assumptions that are wrong – customers can think differently than you do
- have a good support system – there are many highs and lows to deal with as an innovator and founder
The primary responsibilities for an organization are product management and innovation. They deliver value to customers. They're also exciting responsibilities for those properly equipped. That is my job - equipping product managers and innovators. 