Is Your Business Idea Worth Pursuing?

Hey there!

First off, thank you for subscribing to Perk In Progress! In case you missed it, the first issue shared why I started this newsletter. A common theme I’ve noticed among business owners at every stage is the constant search for answers to pressing questions. While I may not have all the answers, my goal is to share what I’ve learned along the way to help you.

In this issue, I'm sharing:

• How Advyz went from idea to reality

• A step-by-step checklist to find out if your idea is worth pursuing

• Tools I’m loving right now 

🎯 BIG IDEA: IS YOUR BUSINESS IDEA WORTH PURSUING?

Here’s a Step-by-Step Checklist to Find Out

When I decided to leave my job and start my own business, I knew I needed more than just a good idea—I needed proof it was worth pursuing. Would people pay for my solution? Could I actually make money? 

Here’s the process I followed to validate my idea and how you can do the same:

1. Identify the Problem You’re Solving

A strong business idea starts with a real, meaningful problem that frustrates, wastes time, or costs money for your target audience.

How to Validate It:

• Talk to Potential Customers:
  Ask open-ended questions like, “What’s your biggest challenge with [topic]?” Avoid leading questions like, “Would you buy this?”

• Spot Patterns:
  Listen for repeated pain points. If multiple people share the same frustration, it’s likely a problem worth solving.

Experience: When I started Advyz, I noticed business owners were overwhelmed by managing operations and they wanted fast, reliable support. That recurring issue was my starting point.

2. Confirm People Will Pay for Your Solution

Having a problem to solve is great, but you need proof that solving it is valuable enough for people to pay you.

How to Validate It:

• Research Your Competition:
  Look for companies solving similar problems. This shows demand exists and can help you identify gaps to differentiate your offer.

• Pre-Sell Your Idea:
  Offer a simple version of your solution and see if people are willing to pay for it, even at a lower price. This is the ultimate test of demand.

Experience: My first client wasn’t perfect, but they paid me to solve their problem. That first “yes” validated my idea and gave me the confidence to keep going.

3. Assess Your Position to Solve the Problem

You don’t need to be an expert at everything, but you need the right tools, skills, or network to deliver a solution.

How to Validate It:

• Run a Pilot Project:
  Start small. Offer your solution to a test customer or small group and gather feedback. Did you deliver the value you promised? What needs improvement?

• Leverage Technology and Resources:
  Use tools like ChatGPT, YouTube, or industry platforms to fill knowledge gaps. These can give you a competitive edge and help you expand your expertise quickly.

Experience: ChatGPT was just taking off when I started Advyz and became my go-to source for instant insights. This helped me deliver quick value in areas beyond my immediate finance background, like marketing and sales.

4. Determine if Your Idea Can Scale

A great business idea isn’t just a one-off solution—it’s one that can grow and serve more people over time.

How to Validate It:

• Map Out Your Audience:
  Estimate how many people or businesses face this problem. Is the market big enough to sustain growth?

• Assess Operational Scalability:

  Evaluate whether your current business model can handle increased demand. Can your processes, resources, and systems scale efficiently without a significant increase in costs?

Experience: When scaling Advyz, I realized that my existing processes wouldn't sustain a larger client base. By automating tasks and leveraging technology, I was able to serve more clients without a proportional increase in workload.

The Bottom Line:

Your idea doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to solve a real problem and provide value. Start small, test as you go, and adjust based on what you learn. That’s how Advyz started, and it’s how your business can start too. 

🛠️ TOOL & RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

• Claude.ai - My go-to AI model right due to its advanced coding and creative abilities

• Monday.com - Streamline workflows and gain clear visibility across teams to make strategic decisions with confidence.

• Napkin.ai - Turn written text into straight-forward visuals to make your ideas easily understandable

• AdCreative.ai - AI generated ad banners, texts, photoshoots, and videos to elevate your marketing efforts

⭐️ BEFORE YOU GO

Question for you: What's one thing you've been putting off starting? Hit reply - I'd love to hear what's holding you back.

Have a great week, 

Gabrielle

P.S. Found this helpful? Share it with another founder who's just getting started. They can subscribe here: https://www.perkinprogress.com/