Empathy might help you find and understand their problems; the problem seems to be how to finance the solution. When selling to a well-to-do middle-class professional, you're probably competing for cash that would otherwise go to purchase some toy or extra night out. When selling to the working-class, you're often competing against rent and food.
Essentially, how to sell to someone who has no discretionary income?
I grew up in an underserved community and in poverty, so this is a situation that is near and dear to my heart.
I am also an advocate of internet privacy and against big companies selling my data to 3rd parties, but I believe a trade off is needed here.
Google and Facebook are free, but they sell your data to advertisers and 3rd parties in exchange for your usage, I would imagine that a startup that caters to those without discretionary income would need a similar business model, at least in the early stages.
Maybe, but who has a particular desire for the data of people without discretionary income?
The advertisers that buy Google/Facebook data (or more accurately consume that data when buying ad space) are trying to target potential buyers, typically those with disposable income.
I fear that the businesses that would want the data on lower income earners would be payday lenders and the like which is not an appealing prospect.
> Maybe, but who has a particular desire for the data of people without discretionary income?
That's the big question, maybe government agencies and other non-profits who want to connect with these underserved communities, unfortunately, I'm not sure how feasible that is.
Essentially, how to sell to someone who has no discretionary income?