Listening to your users can reveal a clearer purpose than the one a founder first imagines.
We began with several ways people might want to connect: love, friendship and business. In this recording, dated July 2023 in the accompanying post, I explained that love had emerged as the main interest. That was the reason I gave for concentrating on dating.
This is a decision from that stage of dua’s story. It is useful because it shows the difference between the possibilities a founder imagines and the reason people actually arrive.
Let listening to your users shape product focus
When someone uses your product, what are they hoping will happen? Ask them to describe the situation that brought them there. A particular moment or need tells you more than a general answer about whether they like the idea.
Listen for differences too. One conversation is one perspective. Look for the questions that return across conversations, and keep track of what people do as well as what they say.
Give the main purpose room
A clearer focus means deciding what receives your attention first. It can shape the way you explain the product, the experience you build and the questions you ask next.
In that interview, I also spoke about shared values and building families. Those were part of how I described the relationship mission. The practical founder question remains: if one need is becoming central, is your product making it easier to pursue, or are your other possibilities getting in the way?