Love the problem, not the idea: How real founders stay focused

Learning goal

Too many Filipino founders get attached to their “big idea” before talking to a single user.
They spend months building features nobody asked for.

But here’s the truth: ideas evolve. Problems stay real.
When you stay obsessed with the problem, your solution can change, but your startup still moves forward.

Why it matters

1. Ideas are cheap. Problems are priceless.
   Everyone has ideas. Very few are grounded in real pain.
   The best startup founders don’t start by asking, “is this cool?”
   They ask, “why does this need to exist?”

2. Real problems don’t need convincing
   If you’re forcing people to understand why your idea matters, it might not.
   When you find a painful, real-world problem, people instantly get it.
   They lean in. They nod. They say, “yes, that’s my life.”

3. Be flexible with your solution
   What you start with is rarely what you end up with.
   Great startups evolve because they listen. They test early, prototype fast, and pivot without ego.
   When you love the problem, not the product, you’re free to change the path without losing direction.

4. The 3-problem test
   Before you build anything, answer these:

• Who has this problem?

• How are they solving it now?

• What happens if the problem isn’t solved?
  If you can’t answer all three, pause. You’re not ready to build yet.

5. Examples from real founders
   Grab didn’t start as Southeast Asia’s super app.
   They began with one focused problem: unsafe and unreliable transport.
   Solve one real pain first. Everything else can grow from there.

Quick checklist

• Talked to real people, not just assumed

• Clear about who feels the pain and why

• Open to pivoting the solution if needed

• Resisted the urge to build before validating

• Solving one focused, specific problem, not everything at once

What to do next / StellarPH tip

Before you fall in love with your idea, talk to 5 people who have the problem.
Ask: “what’s the hardest part of this?” and “how are you dealing with it now?”

We’ll help you fall in love with the right thing.