From pain in the neck to big idea

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Looking for a “big idea”? Start off by seeking a solution to one of your own problems. See, chances are others are feeling the same pain. Find a cure and these fellow sufferers will pay up for it.

Case in point: Bird in Hand. Unlike traditional shoulder bags, which experts say cause neck and back pain, Bird in Hand bags are designed to be clutched or carried in the crook of the arm.

Bird in Hand founder and designer Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff had her eureka moment when she forgot her shoulder bag on a business trip and was forced to carry a clutch for seven days. By the time she got home, her persistent and nagging shoulder and neck pain was gone. Several hundred “research” bags later, Rachel hit upon the formula for the perfect bag, and Bird in Hand was born.

It’s the same technique we’ve used for our products. Basecamp started because managing projects was a pain in the neck for us. Writeboard started because collaborating on text was a pain in the neck for us. No pain, no gain.

This, again, reflects the philosphy behind a new wave of online business trend. The market is penetrated where niches exist. Be ware to my own big idea as well. The smaller the USP(Unique Selling Point) is, the easier it can be operated to shine.