My First Million

5 under-the-radar trends (+ our business ideas)

1670 snips
Apr 24, 2025
Steph Smith, a trend analyst who previously worked at A16Z and The Hustle, joins to share insightful business trends. They explore the growing market for hearing aids as society shifts its perception of hearing loss. The discussion highlights the decriminalization of psychedelics for mental health and the evolving job market driven by technology and AI. Smith also emphasizes the innovative intersection of nature and tech, revealing how nature-inspired designs can ignite new business ideas.
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Hearing Loss Trend's Massive Growth

  • Hearing loss is becoming a massive global issue, expected to affect 2.5 billion people by 2050.
  • Hearing aids could become as common and normalized as reading glasses in the near future.
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Sam Parr's Hearing Aid Struggle

  • Sam Parr shares his personal struggles with hearing aids, noting their poor quality and inconvenience.
  • Expensive aids and bad app experiences highlight the market's opportunity for better products.
00:00 / 00:00

Make Earplugs Cool and Functional

  • Normalize stylish and functional earplugs to reduce hearing damage, especially in loud environments.
  • Position ear protection as a cool accessory to increase adoption and awareness.
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