Blueprints for Digital Entrepreneurship

Ryan Haylett

I think one of the most overlooked skills in entrepreneurship is just being able to spot a real market gap.

Ryan Haylett

Like, not just “oh, I wish this app existed,” but actually seeing where there’s friction, inefficiency, or just a pain point that’s not being solved well.

Ryan Haylett

Look at what Melanie Perkins did with Canva. She saw how clunky and inaccessible traditional design tools were for non-designers, and she didn’t try to out-Photoshop Photoshop, she made something that was dead simple and approachable.

Ryan Haylett

That’s a billion-dollar SaaS company now, just from seeing that gap.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, and it’s funny, because sometimes those gaps are hiding in plain sight. You don’t need to invent a new technology, you just need to listen to what people are complaining about. I always tell people, if you hear the same complaint three times from different people, that’s a signal.

Dave Rowley

Melanie Perkins didn’t have a background in Silicon Valley, she just paid attention to what teachers and students were struggling with. That’s the kind of market research that’s way more valuable than just reading trend reports.

Ryan Haylett

Totally. And for us at Modularity, that’s kind of how Modularity Maker came about. AI gave us the ability to create websites at a price that is a no brainer for any business, and done in record time. Need a website by EOD? We got you.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, and I think that’s where a lot of people get tripped up. They think they need to be the next Steve Jobs or whatever, but really, it’s about being a good listener and having the discipline to validate your assumptions.

Dave Rowley

Do the research, talk to real people, and don’t just build in a vacuum. I mean, you can use frameworks—like the lean startup approach, or even just basic customer interviews—to figure out if your idea actually solves a real problem.

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. And, you know, there’s so much data out there now, Google Trends, social media, even just reading through Reddit threads or niche forums. You can spot patterns if you’re paying attention.

Ryan Haylett

But you gotta be willing to challenge your own assumptions, too. Sometimes the thing you think is a great idea is just... not. And that’s okay. The key is to keep iterating until you find that real gap.

Dave Rowley

And don’t be afraid to go niche, either. Some of the best digital businesses started by serving a really specific audience. Once you get traction there, you can always expand. But if you try to be everything to everyone from day one, you’re just gonna get lost in the noise.

Ryan Haylett

Once you’ve found that gap, the next step is figuring out how to actually build something that solves it—without burning through your life savings or spending two years coding in your mom's basement.

Dave Rowley

That’s where technology comes in. These days, you’ve got low-code and no-code platforms, open-source tools, cloud services... it’s never been easier to launch something quickly and test it in the real world.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, and honestly, I think a lot of people still underestimate how powerful those tools are. You don’t need to be a hardcore developer to get started. You can use something like WordPress with Modularity Maker to get a product out there and start getting feedback.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, and I’ve seen that firsthand with small businesses. I’ve helped clients launch with open-source solutions—WordPress, Ghost, even headless CMS setups—so they’re not locked into some proprietary system. It keeps costs down, and it means they can scale or pivot as they grow. And with cloud services, you don’t have to worry about servers or infrastructure. You focus on building value for your users.

Ryan Haylett

And the other thing is, you can automate so much now. Marketing automation, analytics, even customer support with chatbots. It’s not about replacing people, it’s about freeing up your time so you can focus on the stuff that actually moves the needle. I mean, we use a mix of open-source and SaaS tools at Modularity, and it lets us punch way above our weight class.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, and don’t forget about community, too. Open-source isn’t just about free software, it’s about tapping into a network of people who are solving similar problems. You can learn from others, contribute back, and avoid reinventing the wheel. That’s a huge advantage, especially when you’re just starting out and resources are tight.

Ryan Haylett

Absolutely. And, you know, the barrier to entry is so much lower now. You don’t need a huge team or a ton of capital to get started. You just need to be resourceful and willing to learn. The tools are out there—you just have to use them.

Ryan Haylett

The true test lies in implementing ideas effectively—a hurdle for many. Let's look at the book that influenced me the most on my entrepreneurial journey, The Four Hour Work Week, which revolutionized conventional views on productivity with the DEAL framework:

Ryan Haylett

Definition, Elimination, Automation, Liberation, this remains an essential toolkit for success in today’s digital economy.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, I remember when you first told me about it, I was a little skeptical. Like, “Four hours? Come on.” But it’s not really about working less, it’s about working smarter, right?

Ryan Haylett

Exactly. So, the first step is Definition—getting really clear on what you actually want. Not “I want to make more money,” but what kind of life do you want? What are your non-negotiables?

Ryan Haylett

The book really pushes you to challenge the whole idea of deferring happiness until retirement. Like, why wait until you’re 65 to start living? Set specific goals, figure out what excites you, and build your business around that.

Dave Rowley

Yeah, and then Elimination is all about cutting out the noise. The 80/20 rule—focus on the 20% of tasks that give you 80% of the results. And Parkinson’s Law—work expands to fill the time you give it.

Ryan Haylett

So, if you give yourself less time, you’ll get more done.

Dave Rowley

And then Automation—this is where digital tools really shine. You can set up systems to handle repetitive stuff, whether it’s using virtual assistants, automating your email marketing, or even just batching your tasks.

Ryan Haylett

The goal is to get your business running without you having to touch every single thing. That’s how you free up time for the stuff that matters—or just to take a break and recharge.

Dave Rowley

And then Liberation, right? That’s the dream—being able to work from anywhere, on your own terms. Whether that’s negotiating remote work, or building a business that’s location-independent. I like the idea of mini-retirements, too. Instead of waiting for some big payoff at the end, you take breaks along the way, travel, try new things. It’s a mindset shift, but it’s so important if you want to avoid burnout.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, and honestly, it’s not about being lazy or doing less. It’s about being intentional. If you can define what you want, cut out the distractions, automate the boring stuff, and give yourself the freedom to live how you want—that’s the real win. And it’s totally doable, especially with the tools and opportunities we have now.

Dave Rowley

So, let’s say you’ve found your market, built your platform, and you’re running things efficiently, now comes the hard part:

Dave Rowley

scaling your business.

Dave Rowley

It’s one thing to get a business off the ground, but growing it sustainably is a whole different challenge. You’ve got to think about business models: subscriptions, marketplaces, whatever fits your audience and product.

Dave Rowley

But you also have to watch out for things like platform dependency. If you build your whole business on top of someone else’s platform, you’re always at risk if they change the rules or raise their fees.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, and cybersecurity is a big one, too. As we talked about in our cybersecurity episode, the more you grow, the more you become a target. You’ve got to take data privacy seriously, use best practices, and stay on top of the latest threats. It’s not just about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting your customers’ trust.

Dave Rowley

And then there’s product-market fit. You can have the best tech in the world, but if you’re not solving a real problem for real people, it’s not going to scale. Hiten Shah talks about this a lot—keep iterating, keep talking to your users, and don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t working. And look at what Whitney Wolfe Herd did with Bumble—she found a unique angle in a crowded market, focused on user experience, and built a massive business by really understanding her audience.

Ryan Haylett

Yeah, and I think the key is to stay agile. The digital landscape changes fast—new competitors, new regulations, new tech. You’ve got to be willing to adapt, keep learning, and not get too comfortable. And don’t try to do it all yourself. Build a team, leverage partnerships, and use the right tools to scale without burning out.

Dave Rowley

And if you’re listening and you want help navigating all this, that’s literally what we do at Modularity. Head over to modularity.us, get a quote, and let’s see how we can help you grow your business in the digital world. There’s never been a better time to build something online, but you don’t have to do it alone.