Ask HN: Solopreneurs, how did you come up with your idea?

Was the idea completely outside your domain or did you already have some knowledge in the field?

I'm desperately trying to find an idea I can work on, taking advantage of the current ease of developing MVPs.

I'm REALLY tired of working for an idea that doesn't belong to me (aka companies), but everything I create or try to do seems like there are already dozens of other solutions doing the same thing (specially in the fields of wrapping AI).

Thoughts?

Similar here. I'm not a solopreneur, but I keep writing down ideas — a lot of them. I have a folder that says “Ideas,” and I tinker-write about the problem-solution, etc., when my mind wonders or the weekends after the digital chores.

I also tend to get lots of gotchas while walking, I use the Voice Memo in the phone to just talk to and I write it down when I'm home and in front of the computer.

I also have lots of pen-paper notebooks that I write like crazy all the time. I'm beginning to take a lot care about my "CommonPlace Notebooks" now. Earlier, I use notebooks as a temporary idea-holding medium.

Ideas often come at the intersection of problems you’ve lived through and technologies you’re comfortable using. Instead of hunting for novel ideas, ask yourself: What’s frustrating you or the people around you right now? A lot of successful solopreneurs didn’t try to build the ‘next big thing.’ They focused on niche, underserved problems that were within their skill set. Also, don't stress if there are competitors—execution beats originality. If you’re tired of AI-wrapping ideas, try exploring automation or niche SaaS tools that solve everyday business problems efficiently. The goal is to ship fast, validate fast, iterate even faster. You only need one niche that loves your solution. That’s enough to get you started.

You just have to shovel a lot of shit and eventually something will stick.

Honestly, the idea is less important...execution and marketing is what determines success.

Checkout

indiehackers.com

for lots of stories/ideas on this topic.