Ideation and iteration

“Speak about your startup company or business idea to at least 2 new people every day.” This was advice from the startup incubator Facilitator who mentored me, and I’ve had a few. On a quick count, this could be a total number of 9 Facilitators. This number grows when I add the number of Founders in the scale-up phase who contributed to these incubation programmes as guest speakers.

Are you a believer? I am.

Let me ask you: “How often have you had an idea for a B2B business idea that was followed promptly by a voice in your head or heart that went “don’t tell anyone until you start making money yourself” or “don’t tell anyone because someone will steal your idea?”

Now, if you believe that it’s right to keep your cards close to your chest, then you couldn’t be more wrong. You’re doing yourself a disservice and making your journey all that much harder and longer to get to the goal. Here’s a little challenge you could do in just a few minutes: Search for prototypes of your idea on the internet.

I can assure you that someone has thought of it or even went as far as developed or developing a prototype for your idea. The difference between them and you…. the hard work to turn your idea into a business…landing that first paying customer. In one word #energy

I spoke to someone yesterday. I went the “cold call on LinkedIn” route. I was blown away… as I always am by the other person’s response, the quality of the conversation and the path that the conversation leads me to. I am very interested in #studententrepreneurship initiatives. Today I’m taking the hint and pointer that came from this LinkedIn conversation that I just mentioned. If you’re in the #studententreprenuership space or circles or you’re as curious as I am then let’s connect and talk about synergy and how Clevr can contribute to the #studententrepreneurship iniatives on campus’. I’m the Founder of @startclevr you see, so I believe that financial management is as key for tertiary students as it is for student entrepreneurs. Check out my landing page and don’t forget to watch the video www.clevr.strikingly.com

Don’t be afraid. Keep talking. People do listen. Even perfect strangers listen if you’re courageous enough to take the first step.

The intention for this post is less about #marketvalidation and more about the levels of courage and the resilience that you need to cultivate when you decide to brave the elements out there in the world of “starting a business”.

There’ll be days that are electric! There’ll be days that you feel very proud of your idea or your work even when you don’t have a prototype for your idea but…behold the down days.

There’ll be down days and days that are discouraging. On these days, and especially these days, talk to 2 new people.