Step 1: Validate Your Idea (Do This First!)
- Talk to 100 potential customers (surveys, LinkedIn DMs, Reddit threads).
- Ask: “Would you pay for this? What’s your biggest pain point?”
- Avoid building anything until you confirm demand.
Step 2: Pick a Lean Startup Model
Model | Example | Best For |
---|---|---|
SaaS | AI-powered resume tool | Tech-savvy founders |
Marketplace | Eco-friendly product hub | Hustlers who love sales |
Subscription | Niche newsletter (e.g., “AI for Farmers”) | Writers/content creators |
Freemium | Free tool + paid upgrades (e.g., Canva) | UX-focused builders |
Step 3: Build an MVP (No Coding Needed!)
- No-code tools: Bubble (web apps), Carrd (landing pages), Zapier (automation).
- Example: A fitness app MVP could start as a paid WhatsApp group with daily workouts.
Step 4: Launch & Iterate
- Pre-sell (e.g., take $10 deposits for early access).
- Track metrics: Customer acquisition cost (CAC), churn rate.
- Pivot fast if needed (e.g., switch from B2C to B2B).
Step 5: Fund Your Startup (If Needed)
- Bootstrapping: Revenue-first (best for control).
- Angel Investors: Pitch with traction (e.g., $5k/month revenue).
- Grants: Apply for tech/social impact funds.
Critical Startup Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping validation (building something nobody wants).
Over-fundraising too early (losing equity unnecessarily).
Hiring too fast (stay lean for 12+ months).
Your Next Move:
- Reply with your startup idea (even vague!), and I’ll help refine it.
- Need inspiration? Try:
- “What’s one thing I’d pay to fix in my daily life?”
- “What’s a trend in 2024 that’s underserved?”
Let’s build something epic!