You're not screwed by competition; it's validation. Learn from competitors by identifying what their customers love and what they lack. Reach out to those customers for insights. Remember, e-commerce can accommodate many players—don't let one competitor deter you from building your product and gaining traction.
For a unique Tokyo experience, stay at local hotels like Yoko Hotel, visit Tsukiji Fish Market for fresh seafood, and check out traditional knives at Aritsugu. Take a day trip to Kamakura for historic temples and try a vegetarian meal prepared by monks at Kou Myou Ji.
For stunning views of downtown Seattle, visit Kerry Park in Queen Anne. Take a day trip to Snoqualmie Falls, and for a budget-friendly boat cruise, opt for the King County Water Taxi. In West Seattle, enjoy a secret home-style Italian meal at La Rustica.
Howard Schultz's "Pour Your Heart Into It" highlights Starbucks' inspiration from Italian cafes as community hubs. However, the reality is that Starbucks resembles a gift shop filled with overpriced coffee trinkets rather than a genuine gathering place, raising the question of why we need nearly 20,000 of these establishments.
Joe Heitzeberg is a tech entrepreneur and former CEO of Crowd Cow, which he grew to over $50 million in revenue. He co-founded Madrona Venture Labs and has invested in startups like Skilljar. Currently on leave for family reasons, he advises AI startups and organizes the AI Tinkerers community.