Innovate where it counts, borrow the rest
10/05/24

Innovate where it counts, borrow the rest

We’ve all heard it before—innovate or die. It’s become a mantra for creative founders and entrepreneurs, but what if that relentless chase for innovation is actually holding you back?

Yes, innovation matters, but not in every aspect of your business. The founders who thrive aren’t fixated on reinventing the wheel at every turn. Instead, they’re students of the game—borrowing what works, adapting proven systems, and then adding their unique, creative problem-solving methods with a twist.

I call this “borrowing with purpose.”

Copying isn’t a shortcut—it’s a strategy to new product ideas

Copying gets a bad rap. We’re taught that borrowing ideas is the easy way out (news flash, you’re not in grade school anymore), but in reality, it’s the smartest move you can make in creative problem solving. Why waste time and resources reinventing what’s already been proven?

Take Canva, for example. They didn’t invent graphic design tools—they borrowed the concept, simplified it, and made it accessible to everyone. Gumroad didn’t create the idea of selling digital products either, but they streamlined it for creators. These businesses didn’t waste energy trying to recreate the system—they focused their energy on making it better and turning them into innovative products.

Think of it like building a house. Contractors don’t design a new foundation for every project. The structure is there—solid and reliable. Your creativity comes alive in how you design the interiors, adding personality and style. That’s where your true vision shines.

The real secret: Understanding why it works

But here’s the key: borrowing isn’t a plug-and-play model. It’s not enough to adopt what works; you need to know why it works. Without understanding the “why,” you’re just copying—and that’s where businesses fall short.

For example, fixed-rate, unlimited design agencies have popped up overnight. Many freelancers saw the model work for others and assumed it would automatically work for them. But what they didn’t account for are the unique variables that make a business thrive—customer needs, market timing, and adapting new product ideas.

It’s not just about taking an idea and running with it. It’s about understanding its context, adapting it, and applying those insights in a way that makes sense for your audience.

Knowing when to innovate and when to borrow

After working with countless creative founders, one thing is crystal clear: innovation fatigue is real. Trying to reinvent every single aspect of your business isn’t just inefficient—it’s draining.

The most successful founders aren’t trying to innovate everywhere. They target their originality where it will create a true competitive edge—whether it’s in their innovative products, customer experience, or their messaging. These are the areas where innovation moves the needle.

For everything else? They borrow. They leverage frameworks, strategies, and systems that are already proven to work. Borrowing isn’t just efficient—it’s smart. It frees up your resources, allowing you to focus on what makes your business stand out.

Strategic borrowing as a creative tool

Borrowing isn’t about laziness or cutting corners. It’s a form of creative problem solving. By leaning on what’s already proven, you can focus on innovating in the areas that define your business and push it forward.

When you understand the “why” behind what works, you’re not copying—you’re adapting and refining, making it fit your vision and goals. The smartest success comes from balancing where you push forward and where you lean on what’s already been tested, especially when working on new product ideas.

That’s how you build a business that stands out, thrives, and scales quickly.

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