Build in domains where you have deep personal experience solving problems
Domain knowledge from real experience gives you unique insight into user pain points that developers without that background will miss. This reduces product-market fit risk and accelerates finding the right features.
When to use
When choosing between multiple potential markets or product ideas, especially as a non-technical founder using AI tools
Don't do this
Chasing trendy markets or building 'solutions looking for problems' in domains you don't understand
9 Founders Who Did This
After 10-12 failed projects in unfamiliar domains (AI video generators, job automation), he built in Amazon selling where he had years of experience. He knew exactly what data sellers needed and why existing tools failed.
Encountered the problem himself when trying to analyze spending from PDF bank statements - coding the solution was harder than expected
Alex personally tried creating faceless videos daily, experienced firsthand that consistency and daily ideation were difficult to maintain, validated pain before building
As back-end engineering manager, struggled to hire Go developers—job postings only got 5-7 applicants because online learning platforms pushed learners toward front-end
Narrowed product ideas to API products because backend development was his core skill as a server-side developer. Focused only on what he could build well.
Both Casey and Ted wore metal wedding rings but constantly lost them during workouts, golf, and other activities. They searched for silicone alternatives and found the product category didn't exist.
Working as a software developer, observed that building admin panel UIs from scratch was repetitive and time-consuming on every project, with few ready-to-use solutions available
Only builds products he would use himself as a founder. Exclusively targets B2B markets where he has deep personal experience. Killed consumer app approach entirely
Rick spent 5 years at Square building identity, fraud, and risk products across multiple business lines. Charles led identity teams at Dropbox. This deep personal experience shaped the entire product vision.