Rob Walling

They emailed a question into me and I just answered it via email.

And I told them to read the mom test because they had a solution in search of a problem.

They had an idea for a product because it was an idea for a product.

And I said, what problem does this solve?

And they were like, I don't understand what you mean.

I said, go read the mom test.

And they emailed me, I just wanted to thank you for your suggestion.

I listened to the mom test and I get what you mean.

It makes more sense for a solution to a problem to become a product than forcing a product to become a solution.

I thought that was a very succinct and insightful statement of a real key to making successful B2B SaaS companies is starting with the problem.

What problem do you solve and for whom?

That's the most common question I ask when startup founders come to tell me their idea.

I say, don't tell me your idea.

Tell me what problem it solves and for whom.

And if you haven't read The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick, you're missing out.

It's a great book.

My third topic is based on a Paul Graham essay that I was reading.

while I was on vacation with my family in Mexico just a few weeks ago.

The essay is called The Right Kind of Stubborn.

And I want to read you an excerpt from that essay.