What begins as an everyday challenge can often spark groundbreaking innovation. In this article, business owners and founders reveal how they turned common problems into successful ventures. From a simple pressure washing job that blossomed into a thriving business, to automating project creation for process improvement, these twenty stories show how the most unlikely moments can lead to extraordinary breakthroughs. Get inspired by these insightful journeys and discover how routine obstacles can become the foundation for game-changing ideas.
- Turned Pressure Washing Job Into Thriving Business
- Created Brokee to Improve Tech Hiring Process
- Developed AI Model to Write Like Humans
- Digitalized Car Auctions for Transparency
- Launched Phyla for Gentle Acne Solutions
- Founded TimeCharge for Convenient EV Charging
- Improved Legal Client Communication with LaGrande Marketing
- Created Font-Size Toggle for Better Readability
- Built Spectup for Seamless Pitch Deck Creation
- Founded Simply Noted for Handwritten Notes
- Solved Email Deliverability Issues with New Company
- Applied PQ Framework for Mental Fitness Coaching
- Created Rise for a Better Job Search
- Founded OYFJ for Sustainable Lifestyles
- Built BetterContact for Streamlined Contact Management
- Developed Peer-to-Peer Marketplace for Expert Advice
- Launched Ergonomic Chair Brand from Personal Frustration
- Developed AI Talent Mapping for Quality Hiring
- Created Risotto to Streamline IT Tasks
- Automated Project Creation to Improve Processes
Turned Pressure Washing Job Into Thriving Business
Three years ago, I unexpectedly entered the pressure washing industry when a contractor friend offered me some work. At the time, I was struggling to make ends meet and jumped at the opportunity. Little did I know that this simple job would spark an idea that would transform my life and career.
While pressure washing my first few properties, I noticed a recurring issue: many homeowners were hesitant to hire professional cleaning services due to concerns about damage to their property and the environment. This realization prompted me to think critically about how I could address these concerns and revolutionize the industry.
I spent countless hours researching eco-friendly cleaning solutions and innovative techniques that would effectively clean surfaces without causing harm. Through trial and error, I developed a unique approach that combined cutting-edge technology with environmentally conscious practices. This method not only produced superior results but also alleviated homeowners’ worries about potential damage.
Innovation in our industry isn’t just about cleaning better; it’s about cleaning smarter and more responsibly.
As word spread about our effective and eco-friendly services, demand skyrocketed. What started as a simple side job quickly evolved into a thriving business. We expanded our services to include commercial properties, restaurant hood cleaning, and window washing, always maintaining our commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
Today, my company stands as a testament to how a common problem can lead to a groundbreaking business solution. By addressing the concerns of hesitant homeowners, we’ve not only created a successful company but also raised the bar for the entire industry.
Success in business often comes from solving problems others overlook. It’s about turning everyday challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.
Dana Thurmond, Owner, Surface Kingz
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Created Brokee to Improve Tech Hiring Process
A routine problem that sparked the idea for Brokee came from my deep frustration with the hiring process in tech. As a DevOps engineer and later as someone responsible for hiring others, I constantly encountered the same issues: resumes didn’t tell the full story, interviews were time-consuming, and even after hours of screening, it was hard to tell if a candidate could actually do the job.
One particularly frustrating moment was when I spent weeks reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and assigning technical take-home tests—only to realize that the most promising candidate on paper couldn’t handle real-world tasks. It wasn’t just a waste of time for me—it was also a demoralizing experience for the candidate. I thought, “There has to be a better way to evaluate technical skills.”
That’s when I realized the hiring process needed a practical, hands-on approach to truly assess engineers’ abilities. The idea for Brokee was born. I envisioned a platform where candidates could demonstrate their skills through real-world tasks in environments that mimic actual work scenarios, and where companies could save time and reduce hiring risks by focusing on what candidates can do—not what their resumes say.
Turning frustration into opportunity, I worked on building a platform that combines my technical expertise with the needs I saw in hiring. Now, Brokee helps engineers showcase their abilities and allows companies to hire confidently, knowing they’ve found the right fit. It’s rewarding to see how solving my own hiring challenges has now become a solution for so many others.
Maksym Lushpenko, Founder, Brokee
Developed AI Model to Write Like Humans
As soon as ChatGPT came out, I started using it extensively. It seemed amazing. There was nothing like it. That is until I realized it had a particular writing style that I quickly picked up on. I thought, “maybe I can just prompt it to be different.” Change the prompt, ask it to write in a different type of way, tell it what to do and what not to do! Unfortunately, it didn’t really work. Changing the prompting style would make slight alterations, but there were still noticeable patterns that the AI exhibited. This led me to think that other people would notice this too.
So I started talking to some people online and I met the individuals who would become my co-founders in my current startup. Turns out they noticed the same thing! Our idea: create an AI model that writes like a human. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s actually a really big problem. And now with more people using ChatGPT than ever before, tons of people have started recognizing that ChatGPT kind of writes like a robot. But initially people told me that my startup idea was stupid. However, within the first month of launching a wait list, we had nearly a hundred thousand signups, and within six months of launching the platform, we got over 2 million users.
It’s been 18 months now and we have over 11 million users today. I think the biggest breakthroughs and the best solutions come from understanding a problem that is either widespread or will become widespread. Think about your day-to-day life. What is the hardest or most annoying part of your day? What is the most annoying part of the software you use? What are some of the main problems? How could they be better? These are all questions that can lead to breakthrough business concepts. Now if you don’t have any of these realizations, talk to people and ask people. Target a niche—let’s say financial advisors—and ask them what software they use. Ask them what the hardest part of their day is, what they wish was easier—find a consistent pattern and boom: you have a breakthrough business idea.
From my personal experience, I would say that really thinking about the technology you use today and the processes that you have to go through contain the golden-nuggets you need for a breakthrough business concept!
Devan Leos, co-founder & CCO, Undetectable AI
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Digitalized Car Auctions for Transparency
8 years ago, I was ready to buy my first car. I shopped around, and I was shocked at how shady the used car market was. Sellers weren’t transparent, and I checked more than 20 cars from private sellers. Some lied about their car accident history, while others tried to cover up the mileage to make their cars more appealing. It was a nightmare until I learned I could buy a car from a car leasing company. They offered clear car maintenance protocols and clean documentation and were upfront about everything. Unlike private sellers, the company cared more about its reputation than a one-time sale.
That’s when I got the idea to digitalize the business. I built my site with an aggregator of car auctions from different companies with useful filters and functionality. My personal struggle led to my business idea, and now, I have thousands of happy clients who use leasing auctions as their preferred market for used cars. I changed their mindset about used cars and met their needs in the comfort of their home.
Filip Sevostianov, Managing Director & Founder, eCarsTrade
Launched Phyla for Gentle Acne Solutions
As someone who routinely struggled with persistent acne, this inspired the concept behind Phyla. Like many, I found myself frustrated by conventional acne treatments that were often harsh, drying, and ineffective. This personal problem led me to research alternative methods that would target acne at its root without compromising skin health. During this process, a partner and I researched and implemented bacteriophage technology—natural, microbiome-friendly viruses that target harmful acne-causing bacteria.
Seeing its potential, I turned this breakthrough into Phyla, a skincare line centered around microbiome-friendly products powered by phages. This innovative approach solves my skincare concerns and fills a gap in the market for gentle, science-driven acne solutions. By revolutionizing a common frustration into a business idea, we’ve been able to help others achieve healthier, clearer skin without the negative side effects of traditional treatments.
Neil Giugno, CEO, Phyla
Founded TimeCharge for Convenient EV Charging
When I bought my dream car—a Tesla Model 3—I was thrilled to finally be part of the EV movement. But once the excitement settled, I quickly encountered a routine issue: charging was often inconvenient and time-consuming. What I initially thought would be a smooth transition to sustainable driving became challenging, as finding accessible, quick charging didn’t fit neatly into my busy schedule.
This frustration sparked an idea. I realized that if I, an EV enthusiast, found charging to be tedious, many others probably felt the same. I saw an opportunity to create something that could solve this problem: a charging network designed to integrate seamlessly into people’s daily lives. That’s when I founded TimeCharge.
TimeCharge was built to simplify the EV experience by offering safe, reliable and stress-free EV charging stations. And we needed to do that on a whole new approach, with Franchising!
My personal struggle with charging led directly to TimeCharge’s mission. We’re focused on making EVs a practical, easy choice, accelerating the shift to sustainable transportation by ensuring the infrastructure fits smoothly into drivers’ routines. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most routine problems lead to the most transformative ideas.
Christian Belloso, Co-Founder & CEO, TimeCharge
Improved Legal Client Communication with LaGrande Marketing
If you’ve ever struggled to get straight answers from a service provider, you know how frustrating that can be. That’s exactly the routine problem that sparked a major idea for me. A few years ago, I needed legal assistance for my own business, but every time I tried to get updates on my case or understand the next steps, it felt like pulling teeth. I kept thinking, “Why is this so hard? How come there isn’t an easier way to keep clients informed?”
That’s when it hit me. I saw an opportunity to help law firms improve their client communication and engagement. If I could create a marketing and communication service that was specifically built to handle the needs of law firms, we could make it easier for clients to stay in the loop while helping lawyers strengthen relationships with their clients. This concept led to the foundation of LaGrande Marketing, a digital marketing agency focused exclusively on helping law firms manage their online presence and client communications.
Turning this idea into a business meant building out services that directly address the pain points I’d experienced firsthand. We developed strategies that focus on clear, regular client updates through email and social media, making sure firms could communicate proactively. We as well added reputation management and SEO strategies so law firms could reach potential clients more effectively. This simple but powerful change transformed how our clients operate and helped us establish a reputation as a go-to agency for law firms that want to stay connected and build trust with their clients.
What started as my personal frustration turned into a business concept that continues to drive our success. We took a routine problem and used it to create a service that adds value to both law firms and their clients. And honestly, I think that’s what makes the work we do so rewarding.
Mushfiq Sarker, Chief Executive Officer, LaGrande Marketing
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Created Font-Size Toggle for Better Readability
One of my breakthrough ideas came from something as mundane as adjusting font sizes on my own website. I was frustrated with how often I’d tweak font settings to look right on mobile only to find they looked awkward on desktop, or vice versa. Rather than seeing it as a limitation, I saw a real opportunity. That’s where the idea for a customizable font-size toggle for desktop and mobile specifically was born. This feature allows users to adjust font sizes based on the device without extra steps-a simple but impactful solution for enhancing readability.
By focusing on these seemingly small frustrations, I realized that others might share the same pain point, and I developed this into a practical tool that now benefits countless website creators using Spark Plugin. This taught me that sometimes the most powerful solutions come from solving your own routine challenges.
Rasmus Myhrberg, Founder & CEO, Spark Plugin
Built Spectup for Seamless Pitch Deck Creation
I distinctly remember one morning when I was juggling multiple startup projects and drowning in an ocean of spreadsheets. It was one of those chaotic days where my coffee barely had time to cool before I needed another. As I sifted through endless data, trying to piece together a coherent narrative for a client’s pitch, I realized how inefficiently I was navigating all the information. That’s when the light bulb flickered on—startups often face this exact challenge but in a much larger context. They need a seamless way to tell their story to investors, combining financial data with compelling narratives.
This realization spurred the initial concept for spectup. What if we could offer a service that effortlessly integrated these elements, taking the cumbersome task of pitch deck creation off the founders’ hands? It was both a leap and a calculated step into the unknown. In those early days, spectup’s services were all about crafting crisp, compelling decks that effectively told a founder’s entire story, from financials to future vision.
I gathered insights from my network, a blend of experienced folks from Deloitte and spirited entrepreneurs, to hone this service. With each project, we tweaked our approach, learning what worked and what didn’t. We transformed what started as a personal headache into a solution for countless others, evolving with the market’s needs. Today, that initial spark has expanded into a full-fledged suite of services, addressing not just storytelling but also broader fundraising strategies and networking needs, turning a routine frustration into an opportunity that countless startups now benefit from.
Niclas Schlopsna, Managing Consultant and CEO, spectup
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Founded Simply Noted for Handwritten Notes
The inspiration for my business stemmed from a routine yet deeply personal problem: the challenge of maintaining meaningful connections in a world dominated by digital communication. After leaving my career as a professional football player and moving into sales, I realized how often personal touch was sacrificed for convenience in business relationships. Emails and texts lacked the emotional weight needed to build trust and loyalty.
One day, after struggling to stand out in my own sales outreach, I thought about the power of a handwritten note. It’s a simple gesture that instantly conveys thoughtfulness and sincerity, but it’s time-intensive. That’s when the idea hit me—what if technology could mimic the authenticity of a handwritten note at scale?
I started researching robotic technology and handwriting replication. With a clear vision, I built a platform where businesses and individuals can send authentic, personalized handwritten notes effortlessly. By solving a personal pain point, I created a solution that resonated with countless professionals and business owners looking to nurture meaningful relationships in a fast-paced world. Turning a small problem into Simply Noted was all about seeing the opportunity in simplicity.
Rick Elmore, CEO, Simply Noted
Solved Email Deliverability Issues with New Company
A pivotal moment in my entrepreneurial journey came when I encountered email deliverability issues while scaling a marketing campaign. A huge chunk of our emails landed in the spam folder, jeopardizing revenue and communication. At first, I tried conventional means such as changing email providers and tweaking content to resolve the issue, but nothing worked. The more I tried to fix the issue, the more it persisted which made me realize how widespread and underserved this problem was in the email marketing industry.
The breakthrough came when I decided to analyze the intricate technicalities of email infrastructure such as DNS records, deliverability algorithms and sender reputation. I learned that many businesses faced a similar issue but lacked the technical expertise to resolve it. What started as an effort to fix my own problem evolved into a full-scale company that I own and run. Turning this problem into an opportunity required a technical approach with emphasis on automation. Since then, I have created a wide range of tools that diagnose email deliverability issues and guide marketers through the necessary fixes.
Vladislav Podolyako, Founder and CEO, Folderly
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Applied PQ Framework for Mental Fitness Coaching
I know I’m not the only one who has struggled to execute well-thought-out strategies or make lasting changes. I saw this struggle often in my founder CEO coaching clients, too.
Despite our best efforts, we’d waste energy on repeated starts. We were stuck in cycles of stress and frustration as we tried to find solutions. Over time, this drain undermined self-confidence, eroded self-esteem, and even damaged relationships.
This issue led me to a breakthrough: I realized that much of this struggle was due to self-sabotage. I tested various methods to address it, including limiting-belief coaching and hypnotherapy.
Only when I applied the Positive Intelligence (PQ) framework did I see real, lasting change. It was a powerful way to improve my mental fitness.
PQ helped me uncover my “Inner Saboteurs” and the lies they used to hijack my mind. Practicing PQ strengthened my “mental muscles.” It helped me reset my brain and shift to creative mode.
Within weeks, I noticed that my self-awareness, presence, and focus had improved. My automatic reactions transformed from negative to constructive, positive responses. It was like upgrading both my brain’s “software” and “hardware.” It let me shift from a limiting, fixed mindset to a positive growth mindset and inner peace.
It was a transformative experience. So, I became certified as a Mental Fitness Coach to bring the PQ framework to my clients. It has been a breakthrough solution.
Adding mental fitness to my coaching has 10x’d my ability to help clients think, feel, and lead better. As a result, my clients have gained similar traction and better outcomes. They now achieve bigger goals with greater ease and flow.
Virpi Tervonen, Coaching Partner to Founder CEOs, RealRelevantResults.com
Created Rise for a Better Job Search
I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs in my career, and the experience always left me feeling overwhelmed, lonely, and honestly, defeated. That frustration was the spark behind Rise—I wanted to create a job search platform that didn’t feel sterile or transactional like traditional job boards. Everyone ties so much of their identity and success to their work, and the job search is something nearly everyone experiences, so why make it miserable?
With Rise, we flipped the script. We designed it to feel like a warm, welcoming host where candidates are our guests. We aim to guide them, introduce them to opportunities, and be that helpful friend they need in their career journey. That sense of connection and care is baked into everything we do—and it’s a big reason why Rise resonates so strongly with our community.
Vivian Chen, Founder & CEO, Rise
Founded OYFJ for Sustainable Lifestyles
I had arguably the most routine life problem: feeling dissatisfied. I wanted more flexibility, more money, and most importantly more freedom. I knew I wasn’t alone, so I set out to understand why people stay at jobs that no longer meet their needs. Two answers became clear pretty quickly: fear (what if I fail?) and being beholden to debt systems (mortgages, loans, credit card debt—a myriad of financial concerns which made individuals risk averse). The opportunity was clear—If I could provide a foolproof path for individuals to responsibly pursue and achieve a sustainable lifestyle that aligned with their interests, then I could revolutionize the concept of work.
From this realization, Own Your Future Journey (OYFJ) was born. OYFJ empowers individuals with the tools and support needed to live their best life on their own terms. It’s not magic. It requires a lot of work and discipline, and in the short term may also require sacrifice. On the plus side, there’s a difference between work and working towards something. One leaves you burned out, and one leaves you fired up. We are so excited to continue this journey firing up and inspiring true liberty.
Patricia Bailey, Founder, Own Your Future Journey
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Built BetterContact for Streamlined Contact Management
A routine problem I faced was managing the overwhelming amount of contacts and data I had to sift through for business development. I was constantly juggling multiple spreadsheets, CRM systems, and subscriptions to track potential leads and important contacts, which took up a lot of time and led to a lot of inefficiencies. One day, I realized that this problem wasn’t unique to me—it was something many businesses struggled with. That’s when the idea for our business was born: a single platform that streamlines contact management by integrating data from over 20 sources into one easily accessible, verified database.
Instead of continuing to battle with inefficient tools, I saw an opportunity to create a solution that could help not just me, but countless others. The breakthrough came from realizing that automating this process could save time and reduce errors, allowing businesses to focus on what truly matters—connecting with the right people. From there, we built BetterContact to do the heavy lifting, providing businesses with a more effective way to access quality sales data without the need for multiple subscriptions.
Roman Hipp, Co-founder, BetterContact
Developed Peer-to-Peer Marketplace for Expert Advice
There was a time when I was searching for the best air fryers in the market but I struggled to find any credible reviews—most seemed fake, unvetted, or sponsored. I was very frustrated but also realized how valuable it would be to connect with a verified expert who could provide an unbiased opinion and guide me to the right choice. That “aha” moment sparked the idea of creating a peer-to-peer marketplace to connect customers with real experts via real-time chat for personalized, 1-on-1 assistance. We launched the platform, and while we’re still growing the business, the concept has resonated strongly with early beta users.
Abhi Godara, Founder & CEO, Venturz
Launched Ergonomic Chair Brand from Personal Frustration
Once, I struggled so long to choose an ergonomic chair for home use that I ended up becoming an expert in the field. I went on to pursue formal education in ergonomics and launched my own ergonomic chair brand, along with a multi-brand online store for ergonomic seating. Sometimes, it’s not the routine itself that inspires a startup but the frustration of not being able to streamline it.
Taras Kosik, Ergonomist, CTO, Gravitonus
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Developed AI Talent Mapping for Quality Hiring
The inception of my tech startup, Muoro.io, took place when I observed a severe issue during my stint in North America.
I noticed that with quantity comes the challenge of quality. There is a “massive” skill gap-an elephant in the room that hardly anyone wants to address.
Having been in the industry for almost a decade, I’d seen other major issues emerge as well:
- Big MNCs consume all the good engineers.
- Leaving little to none for small- to medium-sized enterprises.
To bridge this gap, we developed our AI-powered talent mapping software to help tech startups and large enterprises find the top 3% of tech talent within 72 hours.
Our AI-powered talent mapping software isn’t just about joining the AI trend.
Here’s how it pairs each project with the right tech talent, ensuring companies achieve the best results by matching candidates precisely to project needs:
Associate:
- Skilled in core tech stack basics
- Solid understanding of frameworks and professional tools
- Best suited for well-defined tasks and support roles
Pro:
- Experienced across multiple projects and tech stacks
- Works independently on moderate-scale projects
- Adds value through reliable execution and team collaboration
Expert
- Highly specialized with advanced knowledge
- Extensive experience on large, high-impact projects
- Ideal for high-stakes projects requiring leadership and problem-solving
Vyom Bhardwaj, Founder, Muoro
Created Risotto to Streamline IT Tasks
The startup accelerator we went through, Y-Combinator, recommends that the best problems to solve as an entrepreneur are things you have direct experience with. My co-founder and I both have an IT background and we saw firsthand the painful process of IT agents answering the same questions every day and getting bogged down with routine tasks like managing software access for employees.
We created Risotto to solve this exact problem and help give IT leaders time back to focus on more important things. I think we never would have been accepted into Y Combinator and given a chance to solve this big problem if we hadn’t started with something we had personal exposure to and felt passionately about!
Aron Solberg, Co-founder & CEO, Risotto
Automated Project Creation to Improve Processes
One of the main routines we have is evaluating our processes to identify areas of improvement. Being a company that specializes in automations, we try to apply the concepts we preach to our own business. This routine is a pretty simple one where we create tasks in our project management software when we think our existing process could be improved by automation—for both productivity and consistency.
The improvement we made was in the creation of a project in Zoho Projects when a deal is marked as closed and won in our Zoho CRM account. It is such a simple idea, but we had not ever been asked to do it before. We ended up coming up with several variations on this automation that have improved our processes.
This was a breakthrough for us because it is such a widely applicable process improvement. I immediately knew a few past and current clients who could use this automation. However, this is such a simple setup that it does not require a big retainer agreement or project. So I realized it was a great way to re-engage those past clients into buying hours packages with us because I wasn’t just trying to “sell them” on working with us. Instead, I was offering a specific value to those past clients. This turned out to help us win back 3 past clients with ease.
Now we are applying this strategy to other past clients.
Candice Deriso, Business Owner, Beckmann Collaborative, LLC
