One harsh truth I’ve learned is that solving a customer problem—even in a way that could make money for your business—isn’t always enough.

I’ve built products with clear market demand and potential but still failed. Why? Because product success depends on more than just the product itself. And more times than not this is a lesson that product people have to learn the hard way.

From personal failures to inspiring case studies, I’ve learned that product success requires more than just solving customer problems. Positioning, distribution, and seeking help early are essential pieces of the puzzle.

Here is what I take with me.

𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 

If you can only reach a fraction of your customers, it won’t scale. Early on, I made the mistake of creating positioning from an inside-out perspective and hit a wall. A great example of someone doing it right is TAPSTER, which repositioned from a fashion accessory to a banking solution and unlocked a whole new adoption curve. Hearing their story was inspiring.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐲. 

Even the perfect product won’t sell without the right distribution channels and aligned incentives. I’ve been there: the right product, the right customer, but no motivation for anyone to sell it. Solve this by ensuring incentives are aligned from the start—most products don’t sell themselves.

𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩. 

Mistakes are great teachers, but learning from others is faster. If I could go back in time, I’d ask for help sooner and more often. You don’t need to figure it all out on your own—this might just be the ultimate shortcut to success.

Have you ever hit any walls by not considering product as part of a bigger ecosystem? And what would you add to this list?