Draft a one-page hypothesis about the problem you want to solve, then interview five potential users using open questions. Offer a small thank-you like homemade cookies or a resource list. You will learn vocabulary, pain points, and desirable outcomes before spending money building anything.
Pair with someone in a role that interests you and offer a skills swap: they show their workflow while you help with writing, spreadsheets, or design. Observing context and constraints beats assumptions, and your helpfulness often converts into paid referrals or part-time collaboration.