The world loves a good problem solver. We celebrate the people who swoop in, diagnose the issue, and fix it with the precision of a surgeon. But here’s the thing—problems are like viruses. They mutate. The moment you solve one, another pops up, often nastier and more complex than the last. So, if all an entrepreneur does is solve problems, they’re already behind.
Let’s get straight to it: Entrepreneurs are basically those people who look at a problem and think, “How can I make this someone else’s headache while also making money?”
Some say they’re problem solvers. Others say they’re solution creators.
But let’s be real—problems evolve faster than your phone’s battery percentage on 1%, so what does that make them? Adaptable hustlers with a caffeine addiction.
The “Solving Problems” Theory
Entrepreneurs see problems like a gamer sees a side quest—optional, annoying, but necessary to level up.
Example: People were tired of waiting for taxis, so someone went, “What if we let random strangers pick you up in their personal cars?” Boom. Uber. Now the problem isn’t waiting—it’s explaining why your driver is making five detours for “shortcuts.”
The “Creating Solutions” Hype
On the flip side, some entrepreneurs aren’t solving anything. They’re just throwing solutions at the universe, hoping one sticks.
Example: Did anyone really need a $700 juicer that only works with custom fruit packets? No. But some genius convinced people that squeezing an orange with your own hands was so last century.
But Wait… Problems EVOLVE
Here’s the kicker: Solving one problem usually creates five new ones. Welcome to business!
- Social media was supposed to connect us. Now we have influencers selling miracle weight-loss teas that definitely contain sadness.
- AI was supposed to make life easier. Now we’re all refreshing ChatGPT, hoping it doesn’t gaslight us.
- Cryptocurrency was supposed to decentralize money. Now your uncle won’t stop talking about the dip.
Entrepreneurs don’t really solve problems or create solutions—they manage chaos with a smile (and sometimes a TED Talk).
The Difference Between Fixing and Shaping
Entrepreneurs who focus on solving problems are often stuck in the now. They’re reactive, responding to market shifts as they come. Solution creators, on the other hand, shape markets before the problems even appear.
Steve Jobs didn’t wait for customers to complain about the inconvenience of physical keyboards—he preemptively created the iPhone. Netflix didn’t just improve DVD rentals; it saw where the industry was heading and disrupted itself with streaming before Blockbuster even knew it was dying.
So What’s the Truth?
Entrepreneurs aren’t just problem solvers or solution creators. They’re opportunists in disguise. They sniff out gaps, slap a price tag on them, and convince you that your life was incomplete without their product. And guess what? You buy it anyway.
So, whether they’re solving problems or creating solutions, the only real question is: Are you paying for it?
Because if you are, congrats! You just funded the next big problem they’ll pretend to solve.
Welcome to capitalism.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
If you want to be a good entrepreneur, solve problems. If you want to be a great entrepreneur, create solutions so robust they redefine the game entirely.
- Problem solvers react. Solution creators predict.
- Problem solvers optimize. Solution creators revolutionize.
- Problem solvers fix. Solution creators future-proof.
The future belongs to those who don’t just chase problems—but build worlds where they barely exist.
Disclaimer: Read at Your Own Risk
This essay contains dangerously high levels of sarcasm, existential dilemmas, and uncomfortable truths about entrepreneurship. Side effects may include questioning your business model, laughing uncomfortably at your past mistakes, and realizing that problems never actually get solved—just rebranded.
If you’re a visionary startup founder, a seasoned CEO, or just someone who once thought about opening a lemonade stand, don’t take this personally (or do—it’s your call). No investors, tech bros, or overworked interns were harmed in the making of this piece, though a few egos might be.
Proceed with caution. Or don’t. Either way, the problems will still be there.
