Hey there 👋,

Welcome to my very first newsletter post! I’m thrilled to have you here 💜.

Today, I want to dive into two super important lessons for anyone thinking about starting a business. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just dreaming about your first venture, these insights can make a huge difference.

1. Validate Your Idea ASAP: Get three people to pay you for your idea as soon as possible. Yes, you heard that right—three real paying customers.
2. Don’t Overthink It: Just get started. Seriously, the process is simpler than you think.

People tend to overcomplicate things, but trust me, it’s all about talking to people and solving their problems. To give you a clearer picture, I’ll share a snippet from my favorite book of 2024, "The Million Dollar Weekend" by Noah Kagan. I can’t recommend this book enough, and I’ve added a link at the end of this email for you to check it out.

The "Dreamer" Path

Picture this: You have a brilliant idea for a dog walking app. Here’s how most folks, or as Noah Kagan calls them, "Wantrepreneurs," would approach it:

1. Spend hours brainstorming and coming up with clever names.
2. Drop $100 hiring a cousin to design a cool logo.
3. Set up an LLC.
4. Watch countless YouTube videos about apps, programming, business, and, of course, dogs.
5. Consider a developer bootcamp, only to realize coding is hard.
6. Buy a domain name for the snazzy website you’ll eventually build.
7. Look into hiring a developer on Upwork and get sticker shock.
8. Give up. Again.

Sound familiar? It’s the classic case of getting caught up in the details without ever validating if people actually want what you’re offering.

The "Doer" Path

Now, let’s flip the script:

1. Call or text three dog owners you know and ask if they’d pay you to walk their dogs.
2. Discover none of them have issues with dog walking but need dog sitters when they travel.
3. Ask for their next travel dates and secure a deposit. They pay. Jackpot.

See the difference? Instead of getting lost in the weeds, you’re directly engaging with potential customers and solving a real problem they have.

Why Customer First Wins

With the "Dreamer" Path, you’re on a never-ending path of spending time and money without knowing if your business idea has legs. On the other hand, the "Doer" Path is all about validation. You have an idea, you pitch it, they say no, but then they tell you what they actually need—and they pay you for it.

So, the next time you have a business idea, remember these steps. Talk to people, understand their problems, and offer a solution they’re willing to pay for.

I hope you found this helpful! I’d love to hear your thoughts or any experiences you’ve had with starting a business. And don’t forget to check out "The Million Dollar Weekend" by Noah Kagan for more inspiration.

P.S. Here’s the link to the book.

Happy reading!

See you next week!