Competitors Are Teachers: Learning From the Market You Enter
At some point in this journey, a new entrepreneur will proudly say to me, “No one else is doing this.” They usually expect applause. Instead, I give them the blank stare of a man who has seen too many businesses die from a total lack of competition. If nobody is doing what you are doing, […]
Finding Your Early Adopters in a Small-Town Market
Customer discovery is not just about talking to people. It is about talking to the right people. Because not everyone is ready for your idea. Some people will need five years and 14 friends convincing them before they even consider trying something new. Those are not your first customers. Your first customers are the people […]
How to Interview Your Target Market (and What to Ask)
So you have accepted the fact that you are not your customer. That is a solid first step. Now we are moving into the part where you talk to real humans and learn what they actually care about. This is called customer discovery. Not customer guessing. Not customer assuming. Real conversations with people who might […]
If You’re Not Talking to Customers, You’re Just Guessing
There is a universal truth in entrepreneurship that nobody wants to hear. You are not your customer. You might think you are. You might feel spiritually connected to them. You might even believethat everyone in the world thinks exactly like you. But unless you are planning to buy everysingle product you make… we need a […]
Should You Quit Your Day Job?
Every new entrepreneur eventually asks the same question. It usually sounds like this:“So… when do I quit my job?” to which I respond “should you quit your day job?” And I get it. You want to go all in. You want to burn the ships. You want that dramatic movie moment where you toss your […]
Is Your Business Model Profitable?
Business Models Explained: How to Know if Yours Can Make Money I love enthusiasm. I love when someone sits down with me at The Biz Foundry and starts explaining their business idea like it is the next big thing. The energy is contagious. But, right after the excitement fades and we both stop imagining you […]
Validate Your Idea Without Spending a Dime.
The Real First Step: Validate Your Idea Before You Spend a Dime You have a business idea. Maybe it hit you in the shower. Maybe it came to you while you were stuck behind a tractor on Highway 70. Either way, the excitement kicks in fast. You start imagining logos, storefronts, viral TikToks, FOX Business […]
Finding Focus: How to Avoid Overwhelm as a Small Business Owner
Luke Ramey, Entrepreneurship Coordinator at The Biz Foundry If you’re a small business owner, you know the feeling. The never-ending to-do list, the emails piling up, the constant pull in a hundred different directions. One moment your focus is on sales, the next you’re fixing a website glitch, and before you know it, you’re deep […]