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Startup Ideas - July 2011

wesleytansey.com

21–30 of 51 posts

Re: Startup Ideas - July 2011

#22

"Does this fit me" has been a dream of mine for awhile. Imagine a world where everybody's clothes fit. Where clothing can be spontaneously gifted, and you'll be sure it fits like a glove. I think he sells himself short here. Women aren't the only people that have to hunt for a fit. I'm a tall, lanky guy. Most medium shirts are too short, and my shoulders swim in a large. Like any good scientist, I've trialled and err…

Another one is Clothes Horse. They're trying to solve this problem using machine learning: http://www.clotheshor.se/

Re: Startup Ideas - July 2011

#23
post #2

Several of these appear to already exist (such as the crowdsourced editing). Then there is your webcam deal that hits a personal pain point - anywhere sufficiently exotic will be Mega expensive to get a signal out of. Heck I'd pay for 50 webcams to be installed throughout Rocky Mountain National Park myself if it weren't that only a satellite uplink would work for most locations and a couple hundred a day adds up to…

Link?

Re: Startup Ideas - July 2011

#24

"Does this fit me" has been a dream of mine for awhile. Imagine a world where everybody's clothes fit. Where clothing can be spontaneously gifted, and you'll be sure it fits like a glove. I think he sells himself short here. Women aren't the only people that have to hunt for a fit. I'm a tall, lanky guy. Most medium shirts are too short, and my shoulders swim in a large. Like any good scientist, I've trialled and err…

Clothing seems to be a big pain point for a lot of people. I've pondered going so far as to start a clothing company that makes clothes that fit certain criteria, including doing mass customization for knits. I'm not currently in a position to seriously pursue such an idea. For now, I am just adding info to a blog and wondering where to go with this. And gather links/notes.

Re: Startup Ideas - July 2011

#25

"Does this fit me" has been a dream of mine for awhile. Imagine a world where everybody's clothes fit. Where clothing can be spontaneously gifted, and you'll be sure it fits like a glove. I think he sells himself short here. Women aren't the only people that have to hunt for a fit. I'm a tall, lanky guy. Most medium shirts are too short, and my shoulders swim in a large. Like any good scientist, I've trialled and err…

Have you considered just getting clothes that will fit? Both http://www.modasuite.com/ or http://www.indochino.com/ offer custom-tailored clothing at reasonable prices.

I have considered that, though I haven't seen these two sites before; thanks for the links. One that I've seen like this is http://www.blanklabel.com -- they even have an iPad app Dress Shirt Designer (though the springboard shortens the app name to "Dress...Designer", embarrassing).

Here's the obvious drawback: you're pretty much limited to running shoes and suits. But then, these are some of the more risky expenditures, and it's even more crucial for these items to fit than it is for your sweatshirt to fit.

Still, I can imagine a lot more money being spent on clothes if all it takes is an image and an impulse. When the clothes arrive and they fit...then you don't feel like an jerk.

Re: Startup Ideas - July 2011

#26
post #20
post #16

I'm worried that a lot of these ideas are taking Paul Graham's adage of solving simple problems a little bit too much to heart. The amount of effort that would be expanded into these ideas - and various other start-up ideas nowadays - generally appears to me to be more than it's worth. I suppose my point is that entrepreneurs are spending too much time solving mundane, every-day problems which aren't that bad as oppo…

> not everyone is going to build the next facebook... but if we don't strive for that, doesn't that eliminate the risk - and ultimately, the charm - of entrepreneurship? Or am I just bitter? First, I really wouldn't say Facebook was a big idea when it started. It was about getting Harvard students laid, with some long-shot plans about connecting the world together gradually over time. I could come up with some half-b…

Good points. I guess I'm not as concerned about entrepreneurs pursuing ideas which are inherently doomed, as much as entrepreneurs grasping for straws.

I'd like to think the idea I'm working on now has sufficient potential and charm! :-)

Re: Startup Ideas - July 2011

#27
post #3
post #2

Several of these appear to already exist (such as the crowdsourced editing). Then there is your webcam deal that hits a personal pain point - anywhere sufficiently exotic will be Mega expensive to get a signal out of. Heck I'd pay for 50 webcams to be installed throughout Rocky Mountain National Park myself if it weren't that only a satellite uplink would work for most locations and a couple hundred a day adds up to…

Sure, it would be ideal to have a webcam mounted right on top of Pike's peak, but I think that's not required. I'm sure somewhere like the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs has a sufficiently awesome view of the Rocky Mountains, though. :)

Perhaps. But if I'm more interested in checking our Bear Lake, or the summit view from Longs Peak (rather than the view of Longs Peak from 30 miles away), or some of the waterfalls along the Glacier trail, then there isn't anyplace where I can get that. And if a service ever comes along that DOES offer that I will be happy to give them a fist full of money because while I can't afford to work in or near the park, I'd love to be able to take a virtual hike when I'm stressed out.

Re: Startup Ideas - July 2011

#28
post #22

"Does this fit me" has been a dream of mine for awhile. Imagine a world where everybody's clothes fit. Where clothing can be spontaneously gifted, and you'll be sure it fits like a glove. I think he sells himself short here. Women aren't the only people that have to hunt for a fit. I'm a tall, lanky guy. Most medium shirts are too short, and my shoulders swim in a large. Like any good scientist, I've trialled and err…

Another one is Clothes Horse. They're trying to solve this problem using machine learning: http://www.clotheshor.se/

+! for Clothes Horse. They've been hosting fit parties for a while now to collect a ton of data on what fits who and are turning that into shortcuts for sizing.

Re: Startup Ideas - July 2011

#29
post #28
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Another one is Clothes Horse. They're trying to solve this problem using machine learning: http://www.clotheshor.se/

+! for Clothes Horse. They've been hosting fit parties for a while now to collect a ton of data on what fits who and are turning that into shortcuts for sizing.

Fit parties! Excellent, sounds like they're on the right track :) I bet you could lure a pretty good seed of testers by offering free beer. Even more testers by making it coed. Actually, how do you go to these parties ;)

I thought of another use for this article. It would make a good interview question: which of these products would you be most proud to be a part of?

Re: Startup Ideas - July 2011

#30
post #5

"Does this fit me" has been a dream of mine for awhile. Imagine a world where everybody's clothes fit. Where clothing can be spontaneously gifted, and you'll be sure it fits like a glove. I think he sells himself short here. Women aren't the only people that have to hunt for a fit. I'm a tall, lanky guy. Most medium shirts are too short, and my shoulders swim in a large. Like any good scientist, I've trialled and err…

Love the idea as well, even commented on the blog (something I rarely do these days). My partner and I might be interested in hacking on it too. Now if we can get tansey to do our ML~

I honestly think there's room for more than one company to make money in solving clothing pain points :) I'm glad others picked up on this idea too.
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