Peter Thiel
In the world of startups, it's often said that entrepreneurs should focus on creating 'painkillers' rather than 'vitamins.' This phrase, often attributed to venture capitalist Peter Thiel, illustrates the difference between essential solutions that address a pressing pain point (painkillers) and nice-to-have enhancements that don't necessarily solve a critical problem (vitamins).
As Slack co-founder Stewart Butterfield once said, "Make something people want. It's so much easier to sell something people want than to convince them they want something!" This underlines the importance of understanding your customers' needs and creating a product that addresses a real problem they're experiencing — a painkiller.
In contrast, a vitamin is a product or service that's nice to have but not essential. While vitamins can be successful, they often require more effort to sell because they don't address a specific, pressing problem.
So, when launching a startup, it can be beneficial to ask yourself: am I offering a painkiller or a vitamin? The answer can help guide your business strategy and increase your odds of success.