Design Thinking Meets Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Nick McEvily

What happens when the worlds of design and entrepreneurship collide? For Nick McEvily , a product designer turned entrepreneur, this has meant creating solutions that not only work but resonate deeply with the people who use them. In part one of our conversation on Founders Unplugged Nick shares how his design background and customer-centric approach have shaped his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons other founders can learn from his experiences.

The Power of Design Thinking

Nick’s roots in design began at Cornell University, where he studied human-centred design. This foundation allowed him to examine design through multiple lenses—product, interior, and even urban planning—giving him a holistic perspective on how design impacts human behaviour. As he transitioned into entrepreneurship, Nick discovered that a designer's problem-solving mindset aligns closely with a founder's instincts.

“Designers and entrepreneurs both look for problems and have just enough ego to think they can solve them,” Nick said. But where many entrepreneurs stumble is failing to fully understand the people they aim to serve. This is where Nick’s obsession with listening to customers plays a pivotal role.

Lessons for Founders: Listening as a Superpower

Nick has a clear mantra: stay close to your customers. “Once you lose touch with your customers, you’ve lost touch with your business,” he explained. Whether through user interviews, surveys, or informal conversations, understanding customer needs isn’t just a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process.

One of Nick’s biggest takeaways is avoiding leading questions in customer research. “Many founders are natural salespeople, but that same skill can lead them to bias customer feedback unintentionally,” he noted. By adopting a more scientific approach—seeking to disprove rather than confirm assumptions—founders can uncover more reliable insights.

The Balance Between Ego and Data

Nick believes that great founders balance intuition with data. While gut instincts are invaluable, especially in early-stage ventures, they must be tempered by solid research. As Nick puts it, “Even intuition rests on data points. Your track record and credibility as a leader are built on the outcomes of your decisions.”

This balance also requires humility—something Nick sees as a rare but crucial trait among entrepreneurs. The willingness to admit when an idea isn’t working, pivot when necessary, and ask for input from others can make all the difference between success and failure.

Applying Design Thinking to Your Startup

For founders looking to embrace design thinking, Nick offers a practical takeaway: treat product-market fit as an ongoing process, not a destination. “There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for success,” he said. “What you need is a toolkit—a set of methods and approaches you can adapt based on the challenges in front of you.”

By blending empathy, curiosity, and adaptability, founders can create products that solve problems and resonate deeply with their users.

Listen to the Full Conversation

Nick McEvily’s insights are a masterclass in combining design and entrepreneurship to create impactful businesses. To hear more about his journey, including his foray into the water industry and his thoughts on building sustainable startups, check out part one of our conversation on Founders Unplugged.

Subscribe on your favourite platform to stay updated when part two drops—and learn how Nick’s latest venture is making waves in Mexico’s water market.