Entrepreneurship is often initiated by an idea and a founder who believes in it, but the journey from a concept to a successful business is complex. It requires discipline, adaptability, and commitment. It is also crucial to identify which ideas are viable and which are not. Successful founders often solve problems they have personally encountered, seize overlooked opportunities, and continuously refine their ideas.
One such successful entrepreneur is Jennifer Maman, co-founder of Matto Coffee. Inspired by the accessible coffee culture of Italy, she aimed to offer premium coffee at affordable prices in the US, which was a deviation from the industry norm. Despite the simplicity of the idea, turning it into a reality was a challenge. Matto Coffee’s strategy emphasizes a lean operational model with small storefronts and a central kitchen to maintain high quality without compromising affordability.
A similar view is shared by Les Tomlin, founder of PizzaForno, which brought automated pizzas to North America. He believes that even the best idea is useless without a proper execution plan. Therefore, the key to successful entrepreneurship lies not only in the idea but also in its execution.