--- title: Big Idea Center Blog | Joanna Sutton description: "Do you have a #pittbigidea come to the Big Idea Center and stay in touch with us to hear the latest from our blog." --- [Skip to main content](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/author/joanna-sutton#main) [wordpress](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/) Menu Close - [About](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/) - [Why Us](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/why-us/) - [Staff](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Notable Alumni](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/notable-alumni/) - [Programs](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/) - [How We Help](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/how-we-help/) - [Pitt x CMU Global Entrepreneurship Week](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/pitt-x-cmu-global-entrepreneurship-week/) - [She Innovates](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/she-innovates/) - [Big Idea Blitz](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/big-idea-blitz/) - [Start Smart Series](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/start-smart-series/) - [Big Idea Competition](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/randall-family-big-idea-competition/) - [Blast Furnace](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/blast-furnace/) - [The Forge](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/the-forge/) - [Team Finder](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/team-finder/) - [Post a Team Request](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/post-a-team-request/) - [Entrepreneurs in Residence](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/eirs-student-programs/) - [Events](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter) - [Get Started](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/big-idea-get-started) Search for: Search [Big Idea Center](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/) ##### Connect with Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pittbigidea/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pittbigidea) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pittbigidea/) Search for: Search Research Sites Pitt Research (main) Research Computing Research Protections Sponsored Programs Trade Compliance - [About](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/) - [Why Us](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/why-us/) - [Staff](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Notable Alumni](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/notable-alumni/) - [Programs](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/) - [How We Help](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/how-we-help/) - [Global Entrepreneurship Week](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/signature-programs/gew/) - [Big Idea Blitz](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/big-idea-blitz/) - [Start Smart Legal Series](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/start-smart-series/) - [Big Idea Competition](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/signature-programs/big-idea-competition/) - [Blast Furnace](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/blast-furnace/) - [The Forge](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/the-forge/) - [Team Finder](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/team-finder/) - [Post a Team Request](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/post-a-team-request/) - [Entrepreneurs in Residence](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/eirs-student-programs/) - [Events](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter) - [Get Started](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/big-idea-get-started) # Blog ## [5 Important Characteristics That Your Big Idea Must Have](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/5-important-characteristics-that-your-big-idea-must-have) [![New Product](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/5%20Characteristics%20That%20Your%20Big%20Idea%20Must%20Have.png)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/5-important-characteristics-that-your-big-idea-must-have) Jul 14, 2021 7:45:00 AM Big ideas come at the intersection of a problem that people want to have solved and an easy-to-implement solution. The solution is an equal, but often overlooked, element of this intersection. It is important for a solution to really work for the customer, and you need to spend just as much time testing your solution as you did validating your problem. If people want a problem solved, they will find their way to the best solution (and you want that to be yours!). [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/5-important-characteristics-that-your-big-idea-must-have) ## [Get to Know our Entrepreneur in Residence, Joanna Sutton!](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/g2k-joannasutton) [![](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/Joanna.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/g2k-joannasutton) Aug 24, 2020 7:45:00 AM What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? I have always had an innate desire to make things better. Simpler, quicker, easier. I have personal satisfaction in making improvements in any and all aspects of life. I spent much of my career in a large, multi-national corporation. While I had many opportunities to influence process and outcomes there, at times it can be a difficult and long process to make even the smallest improvement. I am happy when I am in control of my own destiny. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/g2k-joannasutton) ## [The 4 Principles of Entrepreneurship](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/the-four-principles-of-entrepreneurship) [![](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/Puzzle%20Pieces.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/the-four-principles-of-entrepreneurship) Jan 31, 2020 9:20:10 AM The most important realization for every entrepreneur is understanding “how business gets done”. Just as there are laws of physics and engineering principles, there are fundamentals at work in the business world too. Most of these fundamentals are rooted in very basic human behaviors. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/the-four-principles-of-entrepreneurship) ## [What about your Big Idea? - Joanna Sutton, Entrepreneur in Residence](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/what-about-your-big-idea-joanna-sutton-entrepreneur-in-residence) [![](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/image-6.png)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/what-about-your-big-idea-joanna-sutton-entrepreneur-in-residence) Apr 9, 2019 4:17:25 PM There is a paradox in innovation. Many new products fail. Studies by Nielsen and Harvard Business School estimate this to be between 85% and 95%. At the same time, a 2016 study by Lab42 showed that 84% of people say it is important to buy from innovative companies and nearly 70% of people expect innovation to improve society. As a coach and mentor to student innovators, students often ask, “Do you think my idea is a good one?” [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/what-about-your-big-idea-joanna-sutton-entrepreneur-in-residence) - [«](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/author/joanna-sutton/page/1) - [‹](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/author/joanna-sutton/page/0) - [1](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/author/joanna-sutton/page/1) - [›](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/author/joanna-sutton/page/0) - [»](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/author/joanna-sutton/page/1) ### RECENT POSTS ### SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG [wordpress](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/) wordpress Loeffler Building 3601 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA Phone:[412-624-3150](tel:+14126243150) ##### Big Idea Center - [About](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/) - [Why Us](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/why-us/) - [Staff](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Notable Alumni](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/notable-alumni/) - [Programs](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/) - [How We Help](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/how-we-help/) - [Pitt x CMU Global Entrepreneurship Week](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/pitt-x-cmu-global-entrepreneurship-week/) - [She Innovates](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/she-innovates/) - [Big Idea Blitz](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/big-idea-blitz/) - [Start Smart Series](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/start-smart-series/) - [Randall Family Big Idea Competition](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/randall-family-big-idea-competition/) - [Innovation Living Learning Community](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/innovation-living-learning-community/) - [Blast Furnace](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/blast-furnace/) - [The Forge](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/the-forge/) - [Team Finder](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/team-finder/) - [Post a Team Request](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/post-a-team-request/) - [Entrepreneurs in Residence](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/eirs/) - [Events](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter?__hstc=124543445.e72feb13dd81a75ad4e1704f986e8a6b.1610571552025.1611244601814.1611250908768.18&__hssc=124543445.5.1611250908768&__hsfp=2160776202) ##### Pitt Research Offices - [Pitt Research (main)](https://oep.pitt.edu/) - [Research Computing](https://svcresearch.pitt.edu/research-offices/office-research-computing) - [Research Protections](https://svcresearch.pitt.edu/research-offices/office-research-protections) - [Sponsored Programs](https://svcresearch.pitt.edu/research-offices/office-sponsored-programs) - [Trade Compliance](https://svcresearch.pitt.edu/research-offices/office-trade-compliance) ##### Connect with Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pittbigidea/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pittbigidea) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pittbigidea/) #### WE ARE PART OF ![wordpress](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/wp-content/themes/boxpress/assets/img/dist/footer-graphic-type.png) Copyright © 2026 wordpress. 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