How to Find Product-Market Fit (Without Fooling Yourself)

Founders love to sprint. Markets prefer you walk, listen, and maybe ask a few humans what they actually want. In this episode, product leader and startup advisor Shweta Agrawal joins Rina to break down why so many early-stage teams skip the fundamentals (customer discovery, focus, ICP clarity) and pay the price later. From health-tech to ed-tech to “AI for everyone” tools, Shweta shares raw stories, red flags, and the simple practices that separate wishful thinking from real traction.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode

Why Founders Keep Skipping Customer Discovery
Shweta explains why “I know the market because I am the market” is the fastest path to building something no one pays for — and how to break that pattern early.
Product-Market Fit Signals That Actually Matter
Renewals, retention, usage depth, early-adopter behavior — and why the infamous “40% Would Be Very Disappointed” test still slaps in 2025.
When (and Whether) You’re Ready for Go-to-Market
The building blocks founders overlook: ICP focus, positioning by region, partners who actually have reach, and the risks of going global before you even have 20 happy users.

Why Listen to This Episode?

In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain:

A reality check on the biggest founder blind spots (and how to avoid them).

A practical walkthrough of PMF signals that aren’t vanity metrics.

A step-by-step look at launching intentionally — not reactively.

Lessons on adapting your product for different regions, cultures, and buying habits.

Whether you’re a PM or a founder, this episode will recalibrate your instincts and help you build with confidence, not guesswork.

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