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my point (agreeing with yours) is just that if these startups are getting meaningful traction, they are probably 10x better in some way or through some combinat

my point (agreeing with yours) is just that if these startups are getting meaningful traction, they are probably 10x better in some way or through some combination of factors, be it being simpler, cheaper, etc. if they aren't "better" by 10x, then they're probably just nibbling at the edges of the incumbents' market and their traction isn't really worth noting. there's always a way to make sales to some small percentage of people in any market, even if your product is worse. getting some revenue traction is no proof point that you're really doing something disruptive in a major way. but to really change behavior at scale, i do believe you need to be "10x better."

7Figures2Commas 13y ago
Phrases like "meaningful traction" and "at scale" and statements like "if they aren't 'better' by 10x, then they're probably just nibbling at the edges of the incumbents' market and their traction isn't really worth noting" might sound good at a Silicon Valley mixer, but they don't really mean anything. There are lots of people who have mid-to-high six and seven-figure a year businesses who are "nibbling at the edges" of markets. To those who aren't impressed I say: don't knock it until you've tried it.
- energyboy 13y ago
  i'm not saying i'm not impressed. in fact, i think anyone who can start a business and be self-sustaining deserves praise. all i'm saying is that there is enough inefficiency in any large market to become a 7-figure business even if your product is no better than the competition. you can get customers through personal relationships who are doing you a favor and sometimes customers don't have the time to do a full evaluation of all your competitors. so, if you happen to reach them at the right time and solve their problem, even if you don't have the best solution, they still might choose your product. all i'm saying is if you want to create a truly disruptive company that can get to $100MM in sales, you do need to offer something 10x better. if you want to start a business in any given market and get to high six figures or seven figures, you just need to create something good enough and hustle. but you won't start displacing your competitors at scale if your product isn't significantly better.

7Figures2Commas 13y ago

Phrases like "meaningful traction" and "at scale" and statements like "if they aren't 'better' by 10x, then they're probably just nibbling at the edges of the incumbents' market and their traction isn't really worth noting" might sound good at a Silicon Valley mixer, but they don't really mean anything. There are lots of people who have mid-to-high six and seven-figure a year businesses who are "nibbling at the edges" of markets. To those who aren't impressed I say: don't knock it until you've tried it.

energyboy 13y ago
i'm not saying i'm not impressed. in fact, i think anyone who can start a business and be self-sustaining deserves praise. all i'm saying is that there is enough inefficiency in any large market to become a 7-figure business even if your product is no better than the competition. you can get customers through personal relationships who are doing you a favor and sometimes customers don't have the time to do a full evaluation of all your competitors. so, if you happen to reach them at the right time and solve their problem, even if you don't have the best solution, they still might choose your product. all i'm saying is if you want to create a truly disruptive company that can get to $100MM in sales, you do need to offer something 10x better. if you want to start a business in any given market and get to high six figures or seven figures, you just need to create something good enough and hustle. but you won't start displacing your competitors at scale if your product isn't significantly better.