It’s sippin’ time, baby!
2 new episodes for you this week.
New episode 1: Neer Sharma shares six ideas on gamified saving, parenting, and healthy living
New episode 2: Cody Schneider is back with 8 more startup ideas, from dumb appliances to AI grant writers
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More episode insights below.
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Neer Sharma is a serial entrepreneur and product wizard who caught my eye on X.
I invited him on to sip and share his best startup ideas, and he didn’t disappoint.
From a crowdfunding platform that turns baby showers into investment opportunities to an app that rewards good financial decisions, Neer's ideas will make you look at the world around you in a different light.
We dive into:
- Why some of the best startup ideas are lurking in everyday life events
- How to make your product as addictive as your users' worst habits (but in a good way)
- The surprising power of "shareability" in product design
- And a whole lot more
Whether you're searching for your big idea or looking to supercharge your existing product, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
Full episode links: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
If you’re here for the takeaways, I have 3 big ones for you:
1. Leveraging life moments for startup ideas
Every major life event is a potential business opportunity.
From having a baby to retiring, each milestone is a potential goldmine. But most people ignore these opportunities.
Not you. Not anymore.
Here's the play: identify a life milestone, create a utility around it, and engineer a viral moment.
Neer mentioned an idea for a "Baby Fund" — essentially a crowdfunding platform for parents to invest in their child's future. By tapping into the emotionally charged event of welcoming a new child, this idea creates a perfect storm for shareability.
The genius lies in transforming a $100 gift into a "$10000 in 2055" share card – it's not just a donation, it's an investment into the child's future.
But don't stop at babies. Think broader:
- First job? How about an app that gamifies saving your first paycheck?
- Moving in together? A platform for couples to easily merge their finances.
- Retirement? An AR app that lets retirees "test drive" different lifestyles.
The possibilities are endless.
Here's how to turn life moments into startup gold:
- Identify the milestone: What major life events are people experiencing?
- Spot the pain point: What's frustrating or difficult about this moment?
- Create the solution: How can you make this experience better or easier?
- Engineer virality: How can you make your solution shareable?
Grab a coffee and jot down every life moment you can think of. Brainstorm how you could create value around each one.
The best ideas come from your own experiences. What life moment are you facing right now?
There might be a million-dollar idea hiding in there.
2. Gamification: Your secret weapon for user engagement
Quitting a bad habit is hard. But what if it felt like leveling up in a game?
Suddenly, you're not just breaking the habit – you're on a quest.
Neer shared an idea he called “Cold Turkey”, an app designed to help people quit vaping (or any habit).
The basic idea is to make quitting as addictive as vaping with gamification. Real-time counters, lives system, mini-games — it's all about that instant gratification.
And you can take it a step further by tapping into more basic human psychology triggers.
Here's how to gamify anything:
- Define your core action: What do you want users to do regularly?
- Break it down: What are the steps to achieve this action?
- Add progress indicators: Think progress bars, levels, or points.
- Create rewards: Digital badges, unlockable features, or real-world perks.
- Inject social elements: Leaderboards, team challenges, or social sharing.
The goal is to tap into what makes humans tick. We all love seeing progress, earning rewards, and a bit of friendly competition.
So, whether you're building a fitness app or a B2B SaaS platform, ask yourself:
How can I make this more engaging? How can I give users that dopamine hit that keeps them coming back?
Start small. Add a simple streak counter to your app. Track your engagement numbers. Then iterate.
Before you know it, you'll have users hooked – in a good way.
3. Building viral loops into your product DNA
The most successful products have one thing in common: they're shareable.
Neer’s idea of a “Gold Stars” app for kids is the perfect example.
Imagine an app that allows parents to reward their kids for good behavior and completing chores. It's not just a digital sticker chart. It's a family engagement tool that solves a problem (motivating kids) and creates a natural networking effect (if it works, parents will share it).
This approach turns every user into a potential ambassador for your product.
Here's how you can apply this thinking:
- Clarify the core value of your product.
- Ask: "How can users share this value with others?"
- Design features that make sharing beneficial for both the sharer and the recipient.
- Create moments of delight that users will want to tell others about.
Keep in mind: the best viral loops feel natural, not forced.
They should enhance the user experience, not detract from it. Whether it's collaborative features, shared achievements, or family-oriented tools, look for ways to make your product inherently shareable.
By building virality into your product's core functionality, you're fostering a community.
And in the world of startups, a community is your greatest asset for long-term success.
Don’t sell the tool. Sell the lifestyle, the story, the transformation.
Watch the full 56-minute episode on YouTube to hear all 6 ideas Neer shared on the pod.
Or skip straight to the juicy parts:
01:54 Startup Idea 1: Baby Fund: JustGiving for Parents
09:42 Startup Idea 2: Anti-Spend: app that gamifies saving money
22:14 Startup Idea 3: Cold Turkey: app to help people quit vaping
32:09 Startup Idea 4: Gold Stars: app for parents to motivate kids
40:09 Startup Idea 5: Personalized longevity research summaries
45:22 Startup Idea 6: Rebrand Indian health products
Cody Schneider returns with another big bundle of startup ideas and 100 insights per minute.
Seriously, this guy is an absolute machine.
From low-tech businesses with high-tech twists to cutting-edge AI applications, Cody shares his favorite hidden gems hiding in plain sight.
We’re talking:
- Why some of the best business opportunities might be right in your neighborhood
- How to leverage AI in ways most people haven't even thought of yet
- The surprising industry that's ripe for disruption (hint: it's older than you think)
- And too many more to squeeze into this list
You’ll get step-by-step breakdowns, insider tips, and practical advice you can actually use.
Trust me, you'll want to listen to this twice. Maybe three times.
Full episode links: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Here are the 3 most actionable ideas we discussed (and how you can start them):
1. Blue-collar startups
A “sweaty startup” business might seem old-school, but they work for a reason.
Cody’s first idea is to capitalize on the untapped opportunities of simple, service-based businesses like window cleaning, power washing, and lawn mowing.
They all have one thing in common: a low barrier to entry—think $150 for equipment—and constant demand.
Everyone needs these services. And the best part? The business practically markets itself when customers see those shiny windows or spotless driveways.
Here are the quick hits to get you started:
- Set up a Google My Business profile
- Optimize listing with keywords and AI-generated descriptions
- Build business citations using Fiverr freelancers
- Use indexing bots so Google sees the citations
- Consider embedding Google Maps listings on PBN networks
- Test direct mail marketing with affluent zip codes
- Create before-and-after service videos for YouTube
(Cody breaks down each step in detail starting at 01:51 in the pod)
You can start the whole operation for less than $500. And these businesses are incredibly scalable.
As word-of-mouth spreads and demand grows, so do you. Hire more workers, expand your service area, and scale as big as you like.
Focus on building a solid customer base, and a steady cash flow will follow.
2. Curated book subscription service
There's an opportunity in the book space nobody's talking about:
Curation and community.
Millions of readers, overwhelmed by choices, looking for the next book to read.
Imagine receiving personalized book recommendations from your favorite influencers each month. Or a list of niche books that every entrepreneur should read.
So, what’s the play? AI-powered personalization mixed with a human touch.
Here's the playbook:
- Use AI for personalization: Analyze reading preferences to create tailored recommendations.
- Partner with publishers: Negotiate bulk discounts and exclusive editions.
- Build a subscription platform: Create a user-friendly platform.
- Targeted marketing: Attract book readers through social media and online communities.
- Add value: Offer extras like author interviews, reading guides, or themed boxes.
(Cody and I go deep on this starting at 32:48 in the pod)
The real magic happens when a community forms around your curations. Engage with online discussions, reviews, and events to keep subscribers excited about their next delivery.
Remember, in a world of infinite choice, people crave curation. Be their literary sherpa, and they'll love you for it.
Plus, you'll be creating a valuable database of reading preferences – gold in the publishing world.
If you make it, I’ll buy it.
3. AI-powered print-on-demand mockup generator
It’s no secret print-on-demand sellers struggle with sourcing mockups.
That’s why you see the same consumer product mockups everywhere online. (Looking at you Amazon)
A tool for creating high-quality, realistic mockups fast would be a game changer for small businesses and online retailers.
Picture this: You upload a design, click a button, and out comes hyper-realistic mockups for t-shirts, mugs, phone cases — you name it. Any angle, any setting, in seconds.
But here's where it gets juicy:
Integrate this tool with popular e-commerce platforms, and you've got a sticky product that users won't be able to live without.
You could start with a freemium model to get users hooked, then upsell premium features faster than you can say "take my money."
Here’s how you do it:
- Identify popular products: Use platforms like Printify to find best-selling items and understand their aesthetic needs.
- Develop the AI: Train AI on existing images to generate high-quality mockups.
- Build a platform (or partner with a tech whiz): Create a user-friendly site where people can upload designs and receive instant mockups in various styles.
- Subscription model: Offer unlimited access to a library of mockups for a monthly fee.
- Target marketing: Focus on small businesses and retailers who need affordable, high-quality marketing materials.
(Cody explains this beautifully starting at 47:08 in the pod)
Start with one product type (t-shirts are a good bet), get a basic version out there ASAP, and iterate based on user feedback.
Functional speed and reliable visuals are everything here.
Be the one to give sellers both, and you'll be printing money faster than your tool can generate mockups.
This idea has the potential to shake up an entire industry.
I can’t believe Cody gave it away for free.
Watch the full episode on YouTube to see Cody fire off ideas and insights faster than you can keep up.
Or jump straight into the juicy parts:
01:51 Startup Idea 1: Sweaty startup
14:28 Startup Idea 2: Sweaty startup HoldCo
27:04 Startup Idea 3: Buy-it-for-life brands deal club
32:48 Startup Idea 4: Curated book subscription box
38:57 Startup Idea 5: Dumb appliances
47:08 Startup Idea 6: AI-powered print-on-demand mock up business
51:30 Startup Idea 7: Dynamic landing page generator agency
55:18 Startup Idea 8: AI grant writer
1:01:02 Startup Idea 9: Solar/wind farm
I hope these episodes get your entrepreneurial fires burning.
Forward this email to a friend or share on social media to get others thinking.
And if you have a startup idea you want to workshop with me, join me for my YouTube livestreams.
I give feedback to anyone willing to share their idea on stage. Click here to subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss out.
