Why Every Founder Should Be Their Own Guinea Pig (And How It Changed Everything for Me)
Stop Guessing, Start Empathizing: The Founder’s Guide to Real Impact
Why Every Founder Should Be Their Own Guinea Pig (And How It Changed Everything for Me)
What Happens When a Founder Plays Customer?
When I first started exploring AI tools and testing startup products, I didn’t just tinker with them—I dove in as if my life depended on it. I wasn’t just a founder looking to solve a problem. I was a customer, frustrated by the same glitches, elated by the same small wins, and constantly asking myself: What makes this tool work—or not work—for people like me?
This wasn’t a theoretical exercise. It was an eye-opener that fundamentally reshaped how I approach product development. Here’s what happened when I stopped thinking like a creator and started feeling like a user.
Sam Altman emphasizes the importance of creating products that users truly desire. He advises startups to
"make something people want and then figure out how to make money from it."
This approach underscores the significance of empathy in understanding and addressing user needs.
The Empathy Experiment
At first, my mission was simple: test every AI tool I could find to learn how they worked. But as I clicked, scrolled, and occasionally cursed at buggy interfaces, I started to notice patterns.
Some tools made me smile because they worked seamlessly, like magic. Others left me gritting my teeth, wondering how anyone could survive using them. This hands-on immersion didn’t just help me understand the tools—it gave me an invaluable crash course in empathy.
Empathy, I learned, isn’t just a soft skill for founders. It’s the skill. By living through the same joys and frustrations as your users, you gain insights no spreadsheet or survey can reveal.
How Empathy Shaped My Product Thinking
I Learned What Truly Matters to Users
It wasn’t the fancy features or cutting-edge tech that made a tool great—it was how easily it solved real problems. A tool’s simplicity often mattered more than its power.I Spotted the Invisible Frictions
There’s a big difference between reading about user pain points and feeling them firsthand. When I encountered confusing designs or sluggish performance, I could see exactly where frustration turned into churn.I Realized Why Small Wins Matter
Delight lives in the little things. A well-timed confirmation message or a faster-than-expected result often left me thinking, This is great—I want more. Those moments were small, but they kept me engaged.
How You Can Do It Too
If you’re building a product, immerse yourself in the user’s world. Don’t just analyze the data—be the data. Here’s how to start:
Be the First Customer
Use your product as if you’re an outsider. Experience every click, every frustration, and every moment of joy.Test the Competition
Dive into your competitors’ tools. Learn what they do better (and worse) than you. Your users will make these comparisons—so should you. Consider trying Notion or Fiverr to compare productivity platforms.Talk to Real Users
Once you’ve felt the pain points yourself, have honest conversations with your users. You’ll be amazed at how much more empathetic your questions and solutions become. Use tools like Typeform to collect user feedback or UserTesting to get direct insights.
Why This Matters More Than Ever in 2025
Today’s startups operate in an environment where tools are abundant, competition is fierce, and user expectations are sky-high. If you don’t understand your users at a deep, emotional level, someone else will—and they’ll win.
When you approach product development with empathy, you’re not just solving problems; you’re building trust, creating loyalty, and standing out in a crowded market.
Bottom Line
Success doesn’t come from having the flashiest idea or the fanciest tech—it comes from truly understanding the people you’re serving. By immersing yourself in their world, you don’t just build better products; you build something more important: a connection.
Company Spotlight
Oura: Founded in 2013 in Oulu, Finland, Oura has gained significant recognition for its health-tracking smart ring. The Oura Ring monitors various health metrics, including heart rate and skin temperature, providing users with insights such as "readiness scores" and early illness detection. Valued at over $5 billion, Oura has attracted a diverse user base, including celebrities and organizations like the NBA and the U.S. Department of Defense. Its focus on continuous health monitoring and balanced living sets it apart in the wearable technology market. WSJ
Your Turn:
What’s one product that’s made you think, Wow, they really get me? Let me know—I’d love to hear your story.