How to get your startup off to a good start
Starting a startup is hard. Really hard.
But the truth is, it's hard in the same way that anything worth doing is hard: It involves lots of moving pieces, unpredictable problems, and plenty of moments where you're not sure what you're doing is going to work.
And yet, some startups do get off to a good start—those that figure out how to avoid common pitfalls and position themselves for success from the beginning.
So how do you get your startup off to a good start? In our experience, there are a few core principles you need to internalise.
These won’t guarantee success, but they’ll certainly increase your odds. And in the world of startups, where so much is uncertain, that's exactly what you want—an edge.
1. Start with the problem, not the solution
One of the biggest mistakes founders make is starting with a solution in mind, not a problem.
They come up with an idea, often something they think sounds cool, and then try to reverse-engineer a problem that fits it. That’s backwards.
The most successful startups solve a problem people genuinely care about. When you start by identifying a significant pain point, you already have an advantage because you’re solving something that’s causing people real pain or frustration.
If you’re not sure where to start, spend time talking to potential users or customers. Ask them what frustrates them, what slows them down, what they wish existed but doesn’t. Don’t assume you already know.
This isn’t easy because as humans, we tend to fall in love with our own ideas. But you need to approach this with humility—realise that what you think is less important than what your customers actually need.
2. Build something people want
Once you’ve identified a real problem, the next step is to build something people want.
This seems obvious, but many startups get it wrong by building something that sounds good on paper but doesn’t actually solve the problem in a way users appreciate.
How do you avoid this trap? The answer is simple: talk to your users constantly. Iterate based on their feedback.
It’s easy to think that you can sit in a room and figure it out on your own, but that's a recipe for failure. Instead, you need to be in close contact with your users from day one, constantly validating whether your solution is actually meeting their needs.
The phrase "build something people want" has become a cliché in the startup world, but it’s a cliché for a reason: It’s the foundation of every successful startup.
3. Launch early and often
A mistake many founders make is waiting too long to launch. They want to make sure everything is perfect before they show their product to the world.
But here’s the thing: Your product will never be perfect. Even if you wait another six months, there will still be things you want to change or improve. And while you're waiting, you're losing precious time getting real feedback from users.
The best way to get your startup off to a good start is to launch as early as possible, even if your product is incomplete.
Your goal is to learn from real users as quickly as possible. The faster you can iterate, the more likely you are to build something people truly want.
If you're not embarrassed by your first product launch, you've waited too long.
Launching early also gives you another benefit: momentum. Startups are hard to get going, but once you have momentum, it’s easier to keep going.
Every piece of feedback, every iteration, every new user adds to that momentum, making it easier to take the next step.
4. Focus on a narrow audience
When you start your startup, it’s tempting to go after a broad market. After all, if more people can use your product, that means you have more potential customers, right?
But that’s actually a mistake. When you try to appeal to everyone, you end up appealing to no one.
Instead, focus on a small, specific audience. Find a niche group of users who desperately need what you’re building, and focus on serving them really well.
These early users will give you the feedback you need to improve your product, and if they love what you’re building, they’ll become your advocates, helping you spread the word.
Starting small and focused also means you can move faster. You don’t need to worry about pleasing everyone—just the specific group you’re targeting.
That focus allows you to build something better, faster.
5. Be prepared to pivot
Most startups don't end up exactly where they started.
The best founders are willing to adapt based on what they learn. That’s why it’s so important to launch early and talk to users—because the feedback you get might tell you that you’re not solving the right problem, or that your solution isn’t as valuable as you thought.
A startup isn’t a linear journey. It’s more like navigating a maze. You’ll hit dead ends and have to backtrack. But the key is to learn quickly and change course when necessary.
That’s why being too attached to your original idea is dangerous. You have to be willing to pivot if the evidence suggests that’s what you need to do.
Final thoughts on starting a startup
Starting a startup is never easy, but by focusing on the right things early on, you give yourself a better shot at success.
Start with the problem, not the solution. Build something people genuinely want. Launch quickly and often, even if it's not perfect. Focus on a small, specific audience, and be ready to pivot when necessary.
No matter how well you prepare, there will be challenges along the way—setbacks, frustrations, and tough decisions.
But the key is to keep moving, keep learning, and stay flexible. Startups are messy, unpredictable, and often uncomfortable. Yet, it’s in this chaos that innovation happens.
The truth is, there's no guaranteed formula for success, but by following these principles, you'll dramatically increase your odds.
The path is hard, but it's worth it. Because in the end, those that succeed are the ones who were willing to navigate the mess, make tough calls, and keep improving until they built something great.
