Finding Profitable Problems Worth Solving
A complete 60-minute framework for discovering your AI business idea
12 minutes
Opening hook + The 3 filters for profitable AI businesses
15 minutes
Your secret weapon + Live demo walkthrough
20 minutes
Research your idea + Find real validation
13 minutes
Common questions + Detailed homework checklist
In the next 60 minutes, you're going to do something most people will never do: find a REAL AI business idea that could make you money in the next 30 days.
Not some vague "I should start a business someday" craziness.
A real, specific idea that solves a hard problem people will actually pay for.
You're building with n8n and AI - No coding required. Just workflows, APIs, and artificial intelligence working together.
We're not building chatbots or generic content tools. We're hunting for hard problems in specific niches where people are ALREADY paying for solutions.
n8n + AI = Powerful Automation
The businesses that work are SIMPLE but solve PAINFUL problems. Think: 5-10 steps that save someone 5-10 hours per week. That's a $500-2000/month service right there.
Generic automation? Everyone can build it. Deep knowledge of a specific industry's workflow? That's your moat.
Pure automation anyone can replicate? Commoditized instantly. Automation that requires understanding someone's unique process? Valuable.
Simple one-click automation? Not worth paying for. Complex workflows that connect multiple systems? People pay monthly for this.
Let's dive deep into each filter...
"AI email responder"
"Marketing automation"
Anyone can build this. No competitive advantage.
"Automated RFP response system for government contractors using their past proposals + AI"
Requires niche knowledge = your moat. Understanding government contracting language, compliance requirements, and proposal structure creates defensibility.
Generic tools are commoditized instantly. Niche-specific solutions require deep domain knowledge that takes time to acquire. This is your competitive advantage.
"Social media scheduler"
Anyone can replicate instantly. No ongoing relationship needed.
"Content approval workflow for franchise owners that enforces brand guidelines + generates location-specific posts"
Requires understanding their brand voice, compliance rules, and local market dynamics. Ongoing trust relationship.
Businesses that require ongoing customization and understanding create sticky relationships. Switching costs are high when the solution is tailored to their specific process.
"Transcribe audio files"
One-click solution = not worth paying $500/month for.
"Interview intelligence: record → transcribe → extract action items → update CRM → send follow-up draft"
5-10 steps connecting multiple systems = $500-2000/month value.
The more steps you automate and systems you connect, the more time you save. Each hour saved per week = ~$50-100/month in value. A workflow saving 10 hours/week can justify $500-1000/month pricing.
5-10 workflow steps
that save someone
5-10 hours per week
=
$500-2000/month service
Simple but powerful. That's what we're hunting for. Not trying to impress engineers - trying to make money by solving real problems.
These are commodities. Anyone can build them in minutes. Zero defensibility.
These tools are already built by hundreds of competitors. ChatGPT itself can do most of these. No switching costs. Easy to replicate. Race to the bottom on pricing.
This prompt will be your AI co-founder for the next week
The next 3 slides contain the complete prompt. Copy ALL of it into ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity.
Copy this into ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro, or Perplexity (needs web search):
You are an AI Business Discovery Agent specializing in finding profitable n8n + AI automation business opportunities for beginners. Your goal is to identify problems that can be solved with automated workflows combining n8n, AI, and APIs. ## YOUR MISSION: Help this person find business opportunities that: 1. Solve painful, time-consuming problems people ALREADY pay for 2. Can be built with n8n workflows (5-15 steps, connecting multiple tools) 3. Use AI for intelligence (content generation, analysis, decision-making) 4. Are simple enough to build in 2-3 weeks but valuable enough to charge $300-2000/month 5. Are defensible against generic AI tools for 12-18+ months ## CRITICAL: You MUST use web search extensively throughout this process to: - Validate that problems actually exist (search Reddit, forums, industry sites) - Find evidence people are paying for solutions (search for competitors, service listings, Upwork rates) - Identify the specific tools/APIs used in these workflows - Discover pricing benchmarks and market size
👉 Continue to next slide...
## DISCOVERY PROCESS: ### STEP 1: DEEP CONTEXT GATHERING Ask these questions ONE AT A TIME. After EACH answer, search the web for related problems and opportunities before moving to the next question. 1. "What industry or field do you currently work in or have experience with? (If unemployed/student, what industries do you have exposure to or interest in?)" [SEARCH: "[their industry] repetitive tasks automation" "[their industry] time-consuming processes" site:reddit.com "[their industry] workflow problems"] 2. "What online communities are you active in? (Reddit, Facebook groups, Discord, industry forums, Slack communities)" [SEARCH: Visit those communities and search for: "automate" "time consuming" "manual process" "wish there was a tool"] 3. "In your work or hobbies, what tasks do you see people doing manually that take 2+ hours per week and involve multiple tools or platforms?" [SEARCH: "[specific task] automation service" "[task] how much does it cost" site:upwork.com "[task] automation"] 4. "What software tools or platforms do you use regularly? (CRM, email, spreadsheets, social media, project management, etc.)" [SEARCH: "[tool 1] + [tool 2] integration pain points" "[tool] API automation" "connect [tool A] to [tool B]"] 5. "Do you have access to any specific groups? (local businesses, parents, hobbyist communities, professional networks)" [SEARCH: "[group type] biggest challenges" "[group] paying for services" "[group] outsourcing"]
👉 Continue to next slide for validation steps...
### STEP 2: PROBLEM VALIDATION & MARKET RESEARCH For each potential problem area mentioned, search for: 1. **Problem Evidence:** - Reddit threads with complaints (search: site:reddit.com "[niche] [problem]") - Forum discussions about the pain point - YouTube videos about solving this manually 2. **Payment Evidence:** - Upwork/Fiverr listings for this service (proves people pay) - SaaS tools that partially solve this (check their pricing pages) - Agency/freelancer rates for doing this manually 3. **Technical Feasibility:** - Available APIs for the tools involved - n8n nodes that exist for these platforms - AI capabilities needed (summarization, generation, classification, etc.) ### STEP 3: n8n + AI WORKFLOW IDEATION Generate 3 business ideas. Each must: ✅ Involve 5-15 clear workflow steps ✅ Connect at least 2-3 different platforms/tools ✅ Use AI in a meaningful way (not just "add a chatbot") ✅ Solve a problem you found evidence for on the web ✅ Have proof people are already paying for solutions For each idea, provide: **IDEA NAME:** [Specific, descriptive name] **THE PROBLEM:** [2-3 sentences about the painful, time-consuming task. Include evidence from your web search with links.] **WHO PAYS FOR THIS:** [Specific evidence: "Found 47 Upwork listings averaging $X" or "Competitor SaaS tool charges $X/month with Y customers" - include links] **THE n8n + AI SOLUTION:** [Describe the 5-15 step workflow clearly:] 1. Trigger: [What starts the automation] 2. Step 2: [Action/API call] 3. Step 3: [AI processing - be specific what AI does] ... X. Final Step: [Output/delivery] **TOOLS/APIS NEEDED:** - List specific platforms/APIs with links to their API docs - Confirm n8n has nodes for these (search n8n node documentation) **WHY THIS IS AGI-RESISTANT:** [Explain why this requires niche knowledge, ongoing relationship, or complex judgment] **PRICING MODEL:** [Based on web research: "Competitors charge $X, we could charge $Y because..." or "Service providers on Upwork charge $X/hour, we automate 10 hours = $X monthly value"] **FIRST 3 CUSTOMERS:** [Specific places to find them: "Property management groups on Facebook with 5000+ members" or "LinkedIn search for 'Sales Directors at SaaS companies 50-200 employees'"] **VALIDATION LINKS:** [Provide 3-5 actual URLs from your web research proving this problem exists and people pay] **SIMPLICITY SCORE (1-10):** [How easy to build? 8+ means good for beginners] **PAIN SCORE (1-10):** [How painful is this problem?] **PAYMENT PROOF (1-10):** [How much evidence that people pay?] ### STEP 4: RANKING & RECOMMENDATION Rank all 3 ideas and explain your #1 pick based on: - Strongest payment evidence - Simplest to build with n8n + AI - Fastest path to first customer - Best defensibility ## IMPORTANT RULES: ❌ **AVOID:** Generic chatbots, simple content generation, basic email automation, social media schedulers ❌ **AVOID:** Ideas requiring custom coding or complex AI training ❌ **AVOID:** Problems without web evidence of people paying ✅ **SEEK:** Multi-step workflows connecting real business tools ✅ **SEEK:** Problems where you find Upwork listings, competitor pricing, Reddit complaints ✅ **SEEK:** Workflows that save 5+ hours/week and can charge $500+/month ✅ **SEEK:** Industries the user already understands ## SEARCH STRATEGY REMINDERS: Throughout the conversation, actively search: - Reddit: site:reddit.com "[niche] problems" "time consuming" "manual process" - Upwork/Fiverr: "[task type] automation" to see what people pay - Competitor research: "[problem] software" "[problem] service" - API availability: "[platform name] API documentation" - n8n nodes: "n8n [platform] node" --- Now begin: Introduce yourself as their AI co-founder, explain you'll be searching the web extensively, and ask the first question.
✅ That's the complete prompt! Copy all 3 parts and paste into your AI.
Narrate Your Thinking: As the AI works, explain what it's doing and why each step matters. This teaches the research methodology.
If you can't find people complaining online
OR
Evidence they're paying for solutions
👇
It's not a real problem
Don't waste time building something nobody wants. Validation FIRST, building SECOND.
site:reddit.com "[niche] pain points"site:reddit.com "[industry] time consuming"site:reddit.com "I wish there was a tool for"site:reddit.com "[job title] automate"Real complaints = real opportunities
Why bad: No niche focus, easily replicated, no moat, race to bottom pricing
Why good: Niche-specific, multi-step workflow, clear payment evidence, defensible
Example: "My idea needs to connect Google Sheets, Slack, OpenAI, and HubSpot CRM"
Google: "[platform name] API documentation"
✅ If you find official API docs → good to go
❌ If no API → find an alternative tool or skip this idea
Google: "n8n [platform name] node"
Or visit: https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/
✅ n8n has 400+ integrations
✅ Can also use HTTP Request node for any REST API
Pro Tip: If n8n doesn't have a pre-built node, but the platform has a REST API, you can still connect using n8n's HTTP Request node. It's more work but totally doable.
Online research validates the problem. Human conversations validate YOUR solution fits THEIR needs.
Just listen and take notes! Don't sell anything. This is pure research.
@ 3 minutes: "Push back on generic ideas. Tell your AI: 'That's too generic—search Reddit and find SPECIFIC complaints about this.'"
@ 7 minutes: "If your idea is just 'use AI to do X'—that's a feature, not a business. We need workflows."
@ 11 minutes: "Make sure your AI found actual Upwork listings or competitor pricing. 'People might pay' isn't good enough."
@ 15 minutes: "If stuck, tell your AI: 'Search for [my industry] + repetitive tasks on Reddit.'"
By Session 2, you MUST commit to ONE idea. Here's how to choose:
Multiple sources prove people are paying for this solution. At least 20+ Upwork listings OR a competitor with clear pricing.
You know the workflow or can learn it quickly. You have access to potential customers.
n8n + AI can realistically build it. APIs exist and n8n can connect to them.
You know where to find potential buyers. LinkedIn, Facebook groups, forums, direct outreach.
Trust your research + trust your gut
The best idea is the one you can actually execute. Don't pick the "coolest" idea - pick the one where you have the clearest path to your first 3 customers.
Use ChatGPT/Claude/Perplexity for EVERYTHING this week:
This is your new co-founder. Use it constantly! The more you use it, the faster you'll move. 🚀
A: No. Chatbots are commoditized. We need WORKFLOWS. Think: trigger → gather data → AI processes → update systems → notify humans. Multiple steps, multiple tools.
A: Perfect question for your AI co-founder! Ask it: "Search for n8n nodes for [tool name]" or "Can n8n connect [Tool A] to [Tool B]?" Use it constantly. If n8n doesn't have a pre-built node but an API exists, you can use HTTP Request node.
A: If it solves a painful problem and people are paying for it—simple is GOOD. We're not trying to impress engineers. We're trying to make money. A "simple" 6-step workflow saving 8 hours/week can command $800/month.
A: NO! Competitors validate the market. It proves people pay. You'll differentiate by: (1) Better onboarding, (2) Niche specialization, (3) Personal service, (4) Lower price initially. Competition is validation, not disqualification.
You have 7 tasks to complete. Budget 5-8 hours total.
Let's break down each task in detail...
✅ Run the full prompt from slides 12-14 with your AI
✅ Get 3 validated ideas with web evidence
✅ Save all the research links it provides
✅ Screenshot the output for reference
If not finished during session: Spend quality time on this. It's the foundation of everything.
✅ Find 3 subreddits related to your niche
✅ Search for complaints using the formulas from slide 17
✅ Screenshot 3-5 best examples of people complaining
✅ Look for phrases like: "I wish there was a tool for..." "This takes me forever..." "Does anyone know how to automate..."
Why this matters: Real complaints = real opportunity. These screenshots become your sales ammunition.
✅ Search for services related to your idea
✅ Save 3-5 listings showing rates/pricing
✅ Note: # of proposals, average price, delivery time
✅ Take screenshots for reference
This proves: (1) The problem is real, (2) People pay for solutions, (3) Here's your pricing benchmark. If you see $50/hour and 10 hours of work, that's $500 - you can charge $400/month for automation.
✅ Google: "[your solution] software" or "[your problem] automation service"
✅ Find 2-3 competitors doing something similar
✅ Screenshot their pricing pages
✅ Read their customer testimonials/case studies
✅ Note what they do well and what gaps you see
Remember: Competitors = validation. Study them to understand positioning and pricing, not to get discouraged.
✅ List every tool your workflow needs to connect
✅ Google each: "[platform] API documentation"
✅ Check: "n8n [platform] node" or visit docs.n8n.io/integrations
✅ Confirm all connections are technically possible
✅ Find them on LinkedIn, Facebook groups, or your network
✅ Ask about the problem (don't pitch yet!)
✅ Save their responses—this is gold for sales conversations later
See slide 20 for exact questions to ask.
✅ Use criteria from slide 22
✅ Trust your research + your gut
✅ Commit to building THIS ONE idea
Don't overthink it. Pick the one with the clearest path to customers.
We're not talking theory. We're designing your actual workflow. You'll walk out with a blueprint you can build in n8n.
But you MUST show up with:
You just did in 60 minutes what most people never do: found a real problem you can solve. Now go prove it's real through research and human conversations. See you in Session 2! 🚀