If you're a founder dealing with why user research feels impossible at the start, stop what you're doing and read this. Seriously.
I wrote this guide for founders who feel stuck with user research. It’s a straightforward approach that helped me move quickly and get real results, even without a big data science team.
What I've Learned From 45 Companies
After investing in 200+ startups and running two companies to successful exits, I've developed a pretty clear picture of what works with why user research feels impossible at the start.
The biggest misconception is that you need to you should focus on one thing and do it exceptionally well. That's backwards. The companies that win are the ones that most founders overthink this and underspend on execution.
I remember sitting with the Anthropic team early on and discussing how they thought about why user research feels impossible at the start. Their approach was counterintuitive but brilliant.
The Framework That Actually Works
I'm going to share the exact framework I use when evaluating why user research feels impossible at the start. It's not complicated, but it requires discipline.
Step 1: the market doesn't care about your roadmap This is where most people go wrong. They skip this step entirely and jump straight to execution. Don't do that.
Step 2: timing is everything in this game Once you have the foundation right, this becomes much easier. I've watched founders struggle with this for months when the answer was staring them in the face.
Step 3: Iterate relentlessly Nothing works perfectly the first time. The companies in my portfolio that nail why user research feels impossible at the start are the ones that treat it as an ongoing process, not a one-time project.
Why Most Approaches Fail
Let me be direct: about 70% of the approaches I see to why user research feels impossible at the start are fundamentally flawed. Not slightly off. Fundamentally flawed.
The root cause is usually one of three things:
- Copying what big companies do without understanding why they do it. What works for Google doesn't work for a 10-person startup.
- Over-engineering the solution when a simple approach would work better. I've seen teams spend six months building something that could have been done in two weeks.
- Ignoring the human element. Technology is the easy part. Getting people to actually use it is where the real challenge lives.
Real Talk: What Actually Matters
I'm going to cut through the noise and tell you what actually matters when it comes to why user research feels impossible at the start.
First, execution speed beats perfection. Every time. I've never seen a company fail because they moved too fast on why user research feels impossible at the start. I've seen plenty fail because they moved too slow.
Second, measure everything. If you can't measure it, you can't improve it. Set up tracking from day one, even if it's basic.
Third, talk to your users. This sounds obvious but you'd be amazed how many founders build their why user research feels impossible at the start strategy in a vacuum. Get out of the building. Talk to real people.
This connects to broader themes around user research ai, cold start problem, innovation that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
What's Next
The world of why user research feels impossible at the start is moving fast. What worked last year might not work next year. That's both the challenge and the opportunity.
My advice: stay curious, stay humble, and stay close to the people who are actually doing the work. Read less thought leadership and do more experiments. Talk to fewer consultants and more practitioners.
And if you're a founder building in this space, remember that the best time to get why user research feels impossible at the start right is before you need to. Don't wait for a crisis to force your hand.
I'll keep sharing what I learn. This stuff matters too much to keep to myself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has this view evolved over time?
My thinking on most topics has changed significantly over the years. Early in my career, I held many conventional views that experience proved wrong. I try to update my beliefs when the evidence changes.
How can I apply this thinking to my own situation?
Start by identifying the core principle behind the opinion, not the specific example. Then ask yourself: does this principle apply to my context? If yes, test it in a small, low-risk way before going all in.
Do all experts agree with this view?
No, and that's fine. The best ideas in business are often contrarian. I share my perspective based on my experience and data, but I encourage you to seek out opposing viewpoints and form your own conclusions.
What's the most common pushback you get on this?
People often push back by citing exceptions or edge cases. And they're usually right that exceptions exist. But building a strategy around exceptions rather than patterns is a losing game for most founders.