I didn’t follow the traditional path. Building a successful AI company took a lot of mistakes and some good breaks. Here are 7 lessons I learned that you won’t find in any textbook.
The Framework That Actually Works
Here is a simple framework for evaluating user research. It's not complicated, but it requires discipline.
Step 1: timing is everything in this game
This is where most people go wrong. They skip this step entirely and jump straight to execution. Don't do that.
Step 2: the data tells a different story than your gut
Once you have the foundation right, this becomes much easier. I've watched founders struggle with this for months when the answer was staring them in the face.
Step 3: Iterate relentlessly
Nothing works perfectly the first time. The companies that get user research right treat it as an ongoing process, not a one-time project.
What I've Learned From 110 Companies
Across 234 angel investments, including Anthropic, a few patterns in user research come up again and again.
The founders who handle user research well understand that customer feedback is the only metric that matters.
Real Talk: What Actually Matters
Here is what actually matters in user research.
First, execution speed beats perfection. Every time. Companies rarely fail because they moved too fast on user research. Many fail because they moved too slowly.
Second, measure everything. If you can't measure it, you can't improve it. Set up tracking from day one, even if it's basic.
Third, talk to your users. It sounds obvious, but many founders make decisions about user research in a vacuum. Get out of the building. Talk to real people.
This connects to broader themes around user research ai, product discovery, innovation that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
Final Thoughts
There are no shortcuts in user research, but there are smarter paths.
The strongest teams treat user research as a competitive advantage, not a checkbox. They invest in it early, measure it obsessively, and never stop improving.
If you're just getting started with user research, don't be intimidated. Everyone starts somewhere. The key is to start with the right mindset and the right framework, and then execute like your company depends on it. Because it probably does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Can I implement all of these at once?
I'd strongly recommend against it. Pick the 2-3 items that resonate most with your current situation and focus there. Trying to do everything simultaneously is a recipe for doing nothing well.
Q:Are these recommendations still relevant in 2026?
Absolutely. While specific tools and tactics change, the underlying principles remain consistent. I update my thinking regularly based on what I'm seeing in the market and across my portfolio companies.
Q:Which item on this list has the highest impact?
It depends on your stage and context, but in my experience, the items near the top of the list tend to have the broadest applicability. That said, sometimes the less obvious items create the biggest breakthroughs for specific situations.
Q:How do I know which items apply to my situation?
Start by honestly assessing where your biggest bottleneck is right now. The items that address that specific constraint will give you the highest return on your time and energy.