You’ve got a business idea that won’t leave your head. Maybe it hit you in the shower, over coffee, or during another frustrating 9-to-5 meeting. You’re excited—and maybe even convinced it’s “the one.” But before you pour your savings, time, and energy into launching, there’s one question to answer:
Is this idea actually worth pursuing?
Successful entrepreneurs don’t just chase passion. They validate demand. They test before they launch. And they protect themselves from wasting months (or years) on something that nobody wants.
Contents
- 1. Don’t Skip the Step Most People Ignore
- 2. Define the Problem You’re Solving
- 3. Talk to Real People (Not Just Your Inner Circle)
- 4. Build a Simple Prototype or MVP
- 5. Set Up a Pre-Sale or Waitlist Page
- 6. Crunch the Numbers (Even If It’s Just a Napkin Sketch)
- 7. Protect Yourself Before You Scale
- Test, Validate, Then Launch
1. Don’t Skip the Step Most People Ignore
Most new businesses fail—not because the founders didn’t work hard or didn’t care—but because they created something people didn’t need or want to pay for. And unfortunately, passion alone doesn’t pay the bills.
What validation is NOT:
- Asking friends and family if they “like your idea”
- Getting excited about a cool domain name
- Thinking, “I’d use this—so other people must want it too”
Validation is about proving there’s real demand—with actual people, real conversations, and early transactions (even if small).
2. Define the Problem You’re Solving
All great businesses solve a problem. Before you test your solution, get crystal clear on the pain point you’re addressing.
Ask yourself:
- What problem does this product or service solve?
- Who experiences this problem most frequently?
- How are they solving it now (or not)?
- Why are existing solutions falling short?
Too many founders start with “I want to sell X,” instead of “I’m helping people with Y.” Shift your mindset—and your messaging—to the pain point.
3. Talk to Real People (Not Just Your Inner Circle)
Nothing beats real-world feedback. Before you spend a dollar on branding, talk to potential customers. Your goal? Listen. Learn. Observe.
How to get started:
- Join online communities (Facebook groups, Reddit, Discord) related to your niche
- Message people in your target market and offer to chat or send a short survey
- Ask open-ended questions about their pain points, frustrations, and current habits
- Look for patterns—words that come up repeatedly, problems they keep mentioning
Record or write down what you hear. This language will shape your future marketing and offers.
4. Build a Simple Prototype or MVP
You don’t need to build the whole thing before testing. In fact, it’s better if you don’t. Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—a simple version of your offering that allows you to measure interest and get feedback.
MVP Ideas by Business Type:
- Service-based business: Offer a beta package to a small group at a discounted rate in exchange for testimonials
- Product-based business: Sell a small batch or handmade version before investing in manufacturing
- Digital product/course: Launch a workshop or PDF version to test interest before building a full course
- App or tech: Create mockups, clickable demos, or even just a waitlist landing page
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s traction.
5. Set Up a Pre-Sale or Waitlist Page
Nothing validates demand like someone pulling out their wallet. A pre-sale is one of the fastest ways to test your idea’s earning potential—even before it exists.
What to include on a pre-sale or waitlist landing page:
- A clear description of the problem and your solution
- A simple visual or mockup (even just a screenshot)
- Early bird pricing, bonuses, or access for early adopters
- A checkout or email sign-up form to collect interest
Use tools like Carrd, Leadpages, or even a Notion page to launch quickly. Promote the page on social media, in online groups, or via email to gauge actual interest.
Important: If people hesitate to pay, that’s valuable feedback—not failure.
6. Crunch the Numbers (Even If It’s Just a Napkin Sketch)
You don’t need a full-blown business plan. But you do need to understand if the idea is financially viable.
Start with the basics:
- How much will it cost to produce/deliver?
- How much can you reasonably charge?
- How many customers would you need to hit your monthly income goal?
- Are there enough people who fit your target market?
If your costs outweigh your pricing—or you’d need thousands of customers to break even—it may be time to tweak the model or niche down.
7. Protect Yourself Before You Scale
Once your idea gains traction and you’re making real money—or even just planning to—it’s time to get your legal and financial house in order.
Forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company) is one of the best early steps you can take. It provides:
- Liability protection: Your personal assets are separate from your business activity
- Credibility: Customers, vendors, and platforms treat you more seriously
- Tax flexibility: Start as a pass-through entity or elect S-Corp status as you grow
- Financial structure: Open a business bank account and manage income cleanly
If you’re taking pre-orders, forming an LLC gives you a clear name and entity to process transactions, sign contracts, and build your brand. You can file it yourself or use a formation service to simplify the process.
Test, Validate, Then Launch
Your idea might be brilliant. But you won’t know until you put it in front of people who need it—and ask them to commit.
Skip the guesswork. Validate before you build. And when you start seeing interest, protect your momentum with the right business structure and systems.
