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Every idea in this newsletter is yours to claim. Start the year strong, tackle a resolution, and turn one of these into something big—no permission needed! Check out all of the past idea newsletters here

Here’s what we’ve got for you today.

• Daily Idea - Accountability Made Social

• New Year, New Ideas Lessons from the OGs

Buddy Up, Crush Goals Together

The One Liner
Find your goal buddy. Stick to it.

The 140 Character Tweet (or X) Version
80% of resolutions fail. Build an app that matches accountability buddies for fitness, habits, or skills. Stick together, win together.

The Longer Story Version - Build This

Every January, people say, “New Year, new me.” By February, they’re back on the couch eating chips. Why? Because motivation fades, and no one’s there to call them out.

Here’s the fix: Build an app that connects people with accountability buddies. You log your New Year’s resolution—run a marathon, quit smoking, learn to cook—and the app pairs you with someone chasing the same goal. You track progress together, share wins, and give each other a push when you’re slacking.

Why This Needs To Exist?

80% of New Year’s resolutions fail. Why? Lack of accountability. People are great at starting but terrible at staying consistent.

The self-improvement market is worth $13 billion, but it’s crowded with solo tools—trackers, courses, apps. None of them address the root issue: Humans need connection. The buddy system is simple, powerful, and proven to work.

This isn’t just about sticking to goals—it’s about creating a network effect. Accountability buddies turn into accountability squads. Friends invite friends, and the app becomes the place for self-improvement.

How To Built It

Step 1: MVP it.

• Goal Matching: A quick quiz matches users based on their goal and commitment level (light, medium, beast mode).

• Progress Tracking: A simple dashboard where users log updates.

• Notifications: Nudges to check in or celebrate wins.

Step 2: Go-to-market like a ninja.

• Start with colleges and corporate wellness programs. These groups already want to improve, and the social accountability hook is perfect for them.

• Use TikTok and Instagram to showcase success stories—turn “goal buddies” into the next viral hashtag.

Step 3: Freemium FTW.

• Free gets you in. Paid unlocks perks: personal coaching, advanced analytics, and expert-led workshops.

If you nail the user experience and community vibe, this could be Strava for life goals. Social, scalable, and sticky. Build it, and you’re not just helping people hit their resolutions—you’re changing the way they grow.

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New Year, New Ideas: Steal These Startup Lessons

Here are some startups that help others crush it with New Year’s Resolutions—study why they work, steal the lessons, and spin them into your next big idea.

1. ClassPass
   What it is: Made trying new workouts as easy as picking a playlist on Spotify.
   Lesson: People hate commitment but love options. Find something where "try before you buy" unlocks the door.

2. Pressed Juicery
   What it is: Bottled health in a way that’s sexy and easy to grab on the go.
   Lesson: Take something aspirational (but hard) and make it feel effortless. Convenience wins every time.

3. Duolingo
   What it is: Turned learning a language into a daily dopamine hit.
   Lesson: Add a little game and a lot of streaks. People will keep coming back if you make it fun to win.

4. YNAB (You Need A Budget)
   What it is: Made the scary world of money feel like leveling up in a video game.
   Lesson: Take something people avoid and flip it into something they want to do. Clarity beats confusion.

5. Talkspace
   What it is: Put therapy in your pocket—no couch required.
   Lesson: People want help, but they don’t want hassle. Meet them where they are and remove all the excuses.

One More Meme