Entrepreneurship is often romanticized as a journey filled with groundbreaking ideas and moments of inspiration. However, the reality of being an entrepreneur is much more about problem-solving, persistence, and constant learning. This was the core message of the initial NOVA University's Haddad student acceleration journey, titled "Makers in the Making."

Led by Brian Tam, CEO of Let's Make Great!, the workshop focused on teaching aspiring entrepreneurs the essential mindsets, practices, and steps to go from idea to execution. Here's a recap of the key lessons learned.

Falling in Love with the Problem

The workshop kicked off with a quote from Ash Maurya, the author of Running Lean: "Fall in love with the problem, not the solution." If you can't talk about your problem without getting bored, this might not be the right problem for you to solve. This passion is crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Too often, entrepreneurs become attached to their initial ideas and solutions, overlooking whether the problem they aim to solve actually exists or is significant. Brian emphasized the importance of immersing yourself in understanding the problem before jumping to solutions. After all, successful entrepreneurs are problem solvers first and foremost.

The Problem is Essential

Talking about the problem is not just an academic exercise—it’s a critical step in building a successful startup. Studies show that 35% of startups fail because there’s no market need for their product. This highlights the importance of thoroughly understanding and defining the problem before creating a solution.

Problems are the building blocks of value. By deeply understanding a problem, you can develop a compelling value proposition that addresses a real pain point. Clarifying the problem early on is not only good practice but essential for the long haul. The problem slide will anchor your pitch deck when presenting to investors, customers, and potential team members. It is the core story that connects all the other elements of your business.

Ultimately, if you find yourself bored when talking about the problem, it could be a sign that you're not passionate enough about it to endure the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Find a problem that excites and challenges you, because the journey will test your commitment.

Capturing the Problem: The "Bug" Framework

A key exercise in the workshop involved a simple but powerful framework called "Capture the Bug." The idea was to treat every problem like a "bug" and break it down methodically:

What is the bug? Define the problem clearly.

Who does it affect? Identify the target group most impacted.

Where do they experience it? Describe the circumstances where the problem manifests.

How big is the problem? Estimate the scope and the number of people affected.

What are the consequences? Consider the emotional, financial, or social impact of this problem.

This framework forces entrepreneurs to dig deep into the problem they aim to solve, leading to more thoughtful and validated solutions. This is not all encompassing, but it does serve as the basis of conveying the problem's importance. Other major factors to consider include personal passion, urgency, and relevance to your audience. 

The 10-Point Startup Validation Scale

One of the workshop’s key points was a structured scale for validating a startup idea. This 10-point system helped participants understand how to gauge the level of interest and commitment from potential customers or partners.

The scale begins with low-risk, low-commitment validation, such as someone expressing interest or liking your idea, and gradually progresses to higher forms of validation, such as pre-orders, partnerships, and ultimately investment. Here's a simplified version of the scale:

This scale provides a clear roadmap for how to assess and validate an idea, helping entrepreneurs to move from casual interest to financial backing with minimal risk along the way.

The Importance of Collective Intelligence

Throughout the workshop, there was an emphasis on the power of community and feedback. Participants engaged in multiple rounds of pitching their "bugs" to peers, receiving insights, and then iterating on their ideas. This process of refining an idea through collective intelligence helped participants see the value of collaboration and openness.

By the end of the workshop, many participants had developed more refined pitches and clearer problem statements, thanks to the feedback they received from others. This practice of constantly sharing, receiving feedback, and improving is central to the entrepreneurial journey.

The Four Essential Mindsets of Entrepreneurship

During the session, Brian Tam introduced four key mindsets that every entrepreneur needs to cultivate:

Action Over Theory: Entrepreneurship is not about sitting in a classroom or endlessly researching. It’s about practicing, experimenting, and doing. To learn, you need to take action, test assumptions, and iterate based on real-world feedback.

Learning to See Opportunities: Problems are everywhere, but not everyone can recognize them as opportunities. Entrepreneurs are trained to observe inefficiencies and frustrations, turning them into potential value.

Feedback is Everything: No entrepreneur starts with all the answers. In fact, you don’t know what you don’t know, especially in the early stages. This is why gathering feedback—both good and bad—is vital for improving ideas and identifying weaknesses.

Self-Motivation: No one is going to force you to be an entrepreneur. It’s up to you to stay committed, push through challenges, and keep moving forward. Entrepreneurship is a self-driven journey, and resilience is key.

Final Reflections

The workshop concluded with a Q&A session and a reflection on what participants had learned. Many left with a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial process—realizing that it's not just about having ideas but about making them happen.

Entrepreneurship is not a linear journey; it’s filled with twists, turns, and setbacks. But by focusing on understanding real problems, acting on feedback, and staying persistent, anyone can begin to make progress as an entrepreneur.

Startup is about solving real-world problems and constantly improving yourself and your ideas. The road ahead may not be easy, but it’s filled with opportunities for those willing to embrace the journey.

_

Who is Brian Tam?

Brian Tam is the CEO of Let’s Make Great!, a consultancy dedicated to fostering thoughtful entrepreneurship. He has spoken at TEDx, PechaKucha, and F*ckUp Night, and is the author of Awrignawl Creativity. With 20+ years experience in the innovation and startup space, he’s now based in Lisbon and helps aspiring entrepreneurs to work out their ideas through hands-on coaching and advising.