What to do if you are struggling to find a unique startup idea #startups #podcast
Michael (host), Dalton (host)
In this episode of Dalton + Michael, featuring Michael and Dalton, What to do if you are struggling to find a unique startup idea #startups #podcast explores how to pursue startups when you struggle to generate ideas Not everyone is naturally suited to be the person who originates startup ideas, even in an exciting tech environment.
How to pursue startups when you struggle to generate ideas
Not everyone is naturally suited to be the person who originates startup ideas, even in an exciting tech environment.
If you strongly struggle with generating unique ideas, it is perfectly valid to work at an existing company and still participate in building meaningful products.
A practical alternative is partnering with someone who is strong at ideation while you contribute through execution, operations, or other strengths.
The conversation reframes startup involvement as a spectrum of roles, not a single founder-archetype requirement.
Key Takeaways
You don’t have to be the “idea person” to belong in startups.
They emphasize that startup participation isn’t limited to those who invent the concept; many valuable contributors join after the core idea exists.
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Choosing a job over founding can be a healthy, respectable path.
If ideation is a persistent blocker, working somewhere else still lets you build, learn, and be part of innovative efforts without forcing a founder role.
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Find complementary partners rather than forcing solo ideation.
They suggest pairing with someone “weird” (strong at unconventional ideas) while you focus on the areas where you add the most value.
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Society (and companies) need diverse roles, not one personality type.
Dalton notes that if everyone tried to operate like an eccentric idea-generator, things wouldn’t function well—teams require different temperaments and skills.
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Self-awareness about your strengths can guide your startup strategy.
Michael shares he wouldn’t have contributed to certain ideation (“camera on Justin’s head”), illustrating that recognizing limits can lead to better role selection.
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Execution is a legitimate entry point into the startup world.
Their examples imply that joining a project after the idea stage—then executing well—can be just as impactful as originating the concept.
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Notable Quotes
“Not everyone is cut out to be the person coming up with the idea.”
— Michael
“If you really, really, really struggle to come up with unique ideas—it's totally okay to go work somewhere.”
— Dalton
“Not everyone has to be like a weird shaman that comes up with strange ideas.”
— Dalton
“Maybe you should work with someone who's weird. And they should come up with the idea.”
— Michael
“Everyone interested in startups doesn't have to be the person who comes up with the idea.”
— Michael
Questions Answered in This Episode
What are concrete roles in early-stage startups that don’t require being the primary idea generator (e.g., ops, sales, product, engineering)?
Not everyone is naturally suited to be the person who originates startup ideas, even in an exciting tech environment.
Get the full analysis with uListen AI
How can someone who struggles with ideation evaluate whether they should join a startup versus work at a larger company first?
If you strongly struggle with generating unique ideas, it is perfectly valid to work at an existing company and still participate in building meaningful products.
Get the full analysis with uListen AI
What are practical ways to find and vet a co-founder who is strong at ideation without becoming dependent on them?
A practical alternative is partnering with someone who is strong at ideation while you contribute through execution, operations, or other strengths.
Get the full analysis with uListen AI
Where’s the line between “I’m not the idea person” and “I haven’t practiced ideation enough yet”?
The conversation reframes startup involvement as a spectrum of roles, not a single founder-archetype requirement.
Get the full analysis with uListen AI
What skills should a non-idea founder develop to be an equal partner (ownership, product sense, distribution, hiring, fundraising)?
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Transcript Preview
There are a lot of people who are watching this video who are probably thinking, "Is the startup world right for me?" I find it awkward to say that, like even though this is an exciting time for tech, not everyone is cut out for this.
Yeah.
Not everyone is cut out to be the person coming up with the idea.
I don't know. What i- what should you do if you're having too hard of a problem? If it's your dream, you should totally try to start a company, and I would never... I would feel really bad if I ever said something that made people question themselves or feel bad in these videos we're making, 'cause we're making them because we're trying to-
Yeah
... to help people. But if you really, really, really struggle to come up with unique ideas-
Yeah
... it's totally okay to go work somewhere [laughs]
There. Yes.
Like, and you still get to be part of-
That's true
... you still get to be part of things.
Yes.
Like, not everyone has to be like a weird shaman that comes up with strange ideas.
[laughs]
Like, it's okay. [laughs]
Yeah. Yeah.
And, and when you think about it, society wouldn't work if, if everyone like thought that way.
[laughs] Well, I love that point, 'cause also maybe you should work with someone who's weird.
Yeah.
And they should come up with the idea. I mean, that, that's what I did. [laughs]
[laughs] That's true. You just kinda were along for the ride-
Yeah
... for the, on the ideation part.
Yeah, exactly.
You're like, "I guess that's what you guys wanna do."
Yeah. I would've not helped in the ideation process of putting a camera on Justin's head. [laughs]
[laughs]
I would've not contributed at all. So you can work somewhere, you can join with someone. M- this is maybe an interesting point, like everyone interested in startups doesn't have to be the person who comes up with the idea.
Yeah.
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