Build Things Money Can’t Buy
Why compete in a crowded market when you can create something entirely new? The most impactful businesses don’t just join the race—they invent it.
Think about the greatest business ideas of our time: the iPhone, Amazon, Uber, Zomato. None of these were created by tweaking existing ideas—they were born by solving problems no one else had addressed in a way that no one else had imagined.
The most impactful entrepreneurs focus on building what money can’t buy today but what people can’t live without tomorrow.
So ask yourself: Are you solving a problem, or are you just adding to the noise?
Here is my 1-1-1 breakdown On Identifying the Right Problems:
The most successful businesses don’t start with a product—they start with a problem. The iPhone wasn’t just a better phone; it was a solution to communication, music, and mobile computing all rolled into one. Uber wasn’t just a car service; it solved the problem of convenience and availability.
Take a moment to reflect: Are you focused on building something unique? Or are you competing in a market where price and convenience are your only differentiators?
→ Remember: Building something valuable starts with identifying a problem that matters.
Look around you. What frustrations do you notice in your industry or daily life? What inefficiencies or gaps are being overlooked? Great ideas come from observing the problems others ignore.
→ Do this now: Write down three specific problems you’ve noticed recently. Pick one and brainstorm solutions that could create something entirely new.
Businesses that create real value aren’t just convenient—they’re essential. They solve problems in ways that make people wonder how they ever lived without them. Is what you’re building something the world can’t live without?
The world doesn’t need another product—it needs solutions. Focus on building something that solves a problem so uniquely that it becomes irreplaceable. Because the businesses that thrive are the ones that create what can’t be bought.
Thanks for reading!
Hey! I’m Alkesh Agarwal.
An entrepreneur and investor who believes the most impactful businesses are born by solving the problems no one else dares to tackle. Let’s keep building what matters.
Want to build something truly impactful? Start here:
Read: Zero to One by Peter Thiel —A masterclass in creating businesses that solve unique problems.
Watch: This TED Talk on identifying and solving problems that matter.
Try This Tool: Miro— A visual collaboration tool to brainstorm and refine groundbreaking ideas.
