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Business leaders are always looking for new ways to make their brands stand out. There are opportunities everywhere, but the most significant ones usually come up when you identify a personal, specific and often ignored pain point.
It was the alcohol flush effect for me, which is also known as the “Asian glow.” I’ve had this issue for a long time but quickly discovered that I wasn’t the only one. That event changed everything and set the stage for what would become an incredible venture.
If you want to boost your sales by solving a real problem, let me share how identifying a specific pain point in the market transformed my journey — and how it can totally do the same for you.
Related: How to Thrive in Niche Markets
How my personal struggle became a business idea
Like many in the Asian community, I’ve dealt with alcohol flush reactions all my life. The redness, the heat, the discomfort — it was all too familiar. What started as an occasional nuisance quickly became something that shaped how I navigated social settings. Events with friends and colleagues were filled with awkward excuses about why I didn’t want another drink or why I’d have to sit this one out.
Alcohol flush reaction can really take a toll on confidence, making social events feel more like a challenge than a good time. #FOMO is real. The more I connected with people, the more I saw how common this issue really is — and still, it felt like no one was stepping up to deal with it. A lightbulb moment hit me. This is the pain point that no one’s talking about, but everyone’s dealing with.
The thought wasn’t just about creating another product. I wanted to solve something personal and real for people who were experiencing the same thing I was.
Related: How to Identify the Pain Points That Make Customers Decide What They’re Going to Buy
Validate the market
Before jumping in, I had to prove that this issue was as significant as it appeared. I kicked things off by diving into real conversations with people around me — friends, family, acquaintances and even total strangers in online communities. Their responses were absolutely eye-opening. The feelings of frustration, embarrassment and a strong desire for a solution were definitely shared among everyone, particularly in the Asian community.
Building a connection with potential clients is extremely crucial for anyone ready to launch their own business. Identifying a problem is just the first step; validating that others share the same viewpoint is a whole different level. Conversations are your first step toward validation.
I kept pushing forward. I jumped into online forums, social media threads and community groups where people were on the hunt for solutions to alcohol flush. I was honestly taken aback — so many of the solutions being thrown around were just quick fixes or completely ineffective. This made it obvious that people were craving something better and more innovative.
Don’t rely solely on assumptions or bursts of emotions. Step out, talk to people and listen. If you keep hearing the same frustration, chances are you’ve stumbled upon a genuine pain point that’s totally worth addressing.
Validating your idea through a mix of personal outreach, data and continuous market analysis guarantees that you are addressing a subject matter that people really care about. It’s what takes your business idea from “just another product” to something people are actively seeking and will most likely patronize.
Build a product around a real problem
Once I understood the scale of the problem, the next step was to build a product that actually worked. However, I didn’t want the solution to be just another quick fix. I wanted a solution that addressed the underlying issue and truly helped people who dealt with alcohol flush regularly.
Research revealed that the alcohol flush reaction is caused by a deficiency in an enzyme called ALDH2, which is responsible for breaking down alcohol in the body. Lack of this enzyme results in harmful byproducts accumulating that aggravate redness and discomfort. To validate further, I conducted market research using surveys and explored health data related to alcohol metabolism in people of Asian descent. I also closely monitored online conversations about the flush reaction.
From this, we developed a product specifically designed to target this reaction. Remember, it is not always about what you’re making — how you position the product or service matters, too. In my case, people needed to know that alcohol flush wasn’t something they just had to live with and, more importantly, that there was a real solution available to help.
Related: The Step-By-Step Guide to Finding Your Niche and Target Market
Create a strategy that resonates
Having a great product is only half the battle — you need to communicate that solution in a way that resonates with your audience. My team focused on educating people first and foremost. Many didn’t even know why they were getting the flush reaction. So, our strategy was to inform and empower.
Your social media campaigns on TikTok, Instagram or any other relevant platform are essential for this. In addition to showing what the product could do, we also shared real stories of people who were finally able to enjoy social events without worrying about turning red after a drink. That authenticity and relatability will make people feel connected to your brand.
Instead of selling a product, sell a solution. Address a real pain point that people could relate to. Combining education and relatability significantly helps build trust with your audience quickly.
Own your niche
One of the biggest challenges of building in a niche market is the fear that it’s already too crowded. But the thing is, most of the products claiming to help with a specific pain point weren’t actually solving the problem. They were temporary fixes, or they weren’t designed with this specific issue in mind. That gave us an opportunity.
Focus on creating a high-quality, targeted solution that addresses the pain point directly. We focused on the problem we set out to solve and avoided the trap of trying to do too much. We didn’t need to appeal to everyone. We needed to serve the people who were struggling with alcohol flush and looking for something real.
You don’t have to worry about oversaturation if your product stands out by actually solving the problem better than anything else on the market. Focus on quality, stay true to your niche and your audience will find you.
Related: Is Focusing On a Specific Niche Really That Important?
Why solving niche problems works
Any company wanting to see explosive sales must first know the real issues consumers are dealing with and provide a workable solution. Finding your niche is determining a problem nobody else is solving and making that the heart of your business.
Though it turned out to be a pain point for many others as well, the alcohol flush reaction was personal to me. Dealing with that challenge made me realize that actual success is all about listening to your community, capturing their needs and producing a product or service that actually makes their lives better.
Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to have an impact should not hesitate to focus on a distinct, overlooked challenge. That’s where real opportunities lie.