I am curious how this advice applies (if at all) to Viaweb? If it sounds like I am presuming, I honestly would not be surprised to hear Viaweb was solving mult

I am curious how this advice applies (if at all) to Viaweb? If it sounds like I am presuming, I honestly would not be surprised to hear Viaweb was solving multiple problems you may have encountered at the time. As a side, the most financially successful side project I started (not calling it a start-up out of respect for your definition) was a vampire themed energy drink - it did not solve a problem for me or anyone else but took advantage of a market created by the entertainment industry. The side project I am most proud of having co-started is a $20/month primary health care network for uninsured/under-insured which was the result of a personal problem - I was uninsured.