- PPF Points
- 5,064
A few years ago, I had what I thought was a brilliant business idea—custom notebooks for students. I imagined colorful covers, motivational quotes, even personalized names on the front. I was excited and ready to spend money on printing and packaging. But one thing stopped me: What if no one wants it?
That’s when I learned about idea validation—the process of checking if people are actually willing to pay for what you plan to sell. Instead of jumping in and spending money, I decided to test the idea first.
Here’s exactly how I validated my business idea, step by step—and how you can too.
1. Talk to potential customers.
I started by asking students in my community—my younger cousins, their friends, and even people on Instagram—if they would buy customized notebooks. Many liked the idea, but said they usually preferred digital notes or cheaper options. That was my first clue.
2. Create a simple test product.
Instead of printing 100 notebooks, I designed just 5 sample covers using Canva and posted them online. I asked people to vote on their favorites and leave feedback. The most common comment was: “Can I use this for journaling instead of school?”
That told me something huge: my market wasn’t students—it was young adults who loved journaling and self-reflection.
3. Ask for small commitments.
I created a simple Google Form and offered a “pre-order” for the first batch. I didn’t ask for payment upfront—just a name and email for those interested. Within 2 days, I had over 30 people on the list. That’s when I knew: this idea has potential.
4. Check the competition.
I searched for similar products on Etsy and Instagram. I found that journal lovers often buy from small, aesthetic brands. It wasn’t an overcrowded space, and there was room for me to stand out.
5. Start small and build up.
Because I validated the idea, I only printed 20 notebooks in the beginning. They sold out in two weeks, and I used the profits to grow from there. No loans, no wasted inventory—just slow, steady progress.
Here’s the lesson:
Not every idea is worth investing in—but many are worth testing. You don’t need a big budget to validate a business idea. You just need to ask the right questions, listen to feedback, and be willing to adjust your approach.
Before you spend time and money, find a way to test the idea in a small, low-risk way. If people are interested without you forcing it, that’s a great sign. And if they’re not—that’s okay too. You’ve saved yourself the cost and stress of launching something that wouldn’t have worked.
I’m glad I didn’t print 500 notebooks right away. I’m even more glad I gave myself the space to test and learn.
So, if you have a business idea, ask yourself: Have I validated this? If not, take the time to do it—it’s one of the smartest moves you can make.
That’s when I learned about idea validation—the process of checking if people are actually willing to pay for what you plan to sell. Instead of jumping in and spending money, I decided to test the idea first.
Here’s exactly how I validated my business idea, step by step—and how you can too.
1. Talk to potential customers.
I started by asking students in my community—my younger cousins, their friends, and even people on Instagram—if they would buy customized notebooks. Many liked the idea, but said they usually preferred digital notes or cheaper options. That was my first clue.
2. Create a simple test product.
Instead of printing 100 notebooks, I designed just 5 sample covers using Canva and posted them online. I asked people to vote on their favorites and leave feedback. The most common comment was: “Can I use this for journaling instead of school?”
That told me something huge: my market wasn’t students—it was young adults who loved journaling and self-reflection.
3. Ask for small commitments.
I created a simple Google Form and offered a “pre-order” for the first batch. I didn’t ask for payment upfront—just a name and email for those interested. Within 2 days, I had over 30 people on the list. That’s when I knew: this idea has potential.
4. Check the competition.
I searched for similar products on Etsy and Instagram. I found that journal lovers often buy from small, aesthetic brands. It wasn’t an overcrowded space, and there was room for me to stand out.
5. Start small and build up.
Because I validated the idea, I only printed 20 notebooks in the beginning. They sold out in two weeks, and I used the profits to grow from there. No loans, no wasted inventory—just slow, steady progress.
Here’s the lesson:
Not every idea is worth investing in—but many are worth testing. You don’t need a big budget to validate a business idea. You just need to ask the right questions, listen to feedback, and be willing to adjust your approach.
Before you spend time and money, find a way to test the idea in a small, low-risk way. If people are interested without you forcing it, that’s a great sign. And if they’re not—that’s okay too. You’ve saved yourself the cost and stress of launching something that wouldn’t have worked.
I’m glad I didn’t print 500 notebooks right away. I’m even more glad I gave myself the space to test and learn.
So, if you have a business idea, ask yourself: Have I validated this? If not, take the time to do it—it’s one of the smartest moves you can make.