283: Business Validation Traps

The Bootstrapped Founder

01/05/24

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20m

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Founders often listen to the wrong signals when validating their businesses. Let's dive into common validation traps today.

I see three major traps indie hackers have to face: 1) confusing users with customers, 2) getting a bit too much support from our founder peers, and 3) listening to the wrong segments of our user base.

Why do we listen to the wrong people? Founder optimism! We have a built-in confirmation bias — otherwise, we'd never do something as stupid as building our own business... Here's why we fall prey to it, how it works, and how we can escape the trap.

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/business-validation-traps/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/283-business-validation-traps

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

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Previous Episode

282: Kevon Cheung — Embracing Vulnerability in Startup Culture

January 3, 2024

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55m

Kevon Cheung (@MeetKevon) is an expert builder-in-public. The moment his life pivoted with the birth of his daughter is where our conversation begins, and it's a profound one. As we traverse Kevon's journey, we uncover the raw intricacies of aligning one's personal mission with one's entrepreneurial spirit. He bares the soul of his SaaS venture, giving us a real-world look at the trials of founding a company while emphasizing the critical role of a financial safety net. This is a story about authenticity, sharing the highs and lows of business creation and the impactful legacy that transparency can bring.

Kevon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeetKevon

00:00:00 Building in Public
00:13:59 Course Creation and Building Community Challenges
00:19:55 Building in Public Challenges and Misconceptions
00:28:52 Defining and Exploring Building in Public
00:32:30 Building in Public — again and again
00:41:44 Building Authentic Self Representation

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/kevon-cheung-embracing-vulnerability-in-startup-culture/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/282-kevon-cheung-embracing-vulnerability-in-startup-culture

The video: https://youtu.be/UDRD66f_fQ4

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Next Episode

284: Kasey Jones — The Art of Strategic Self-Revelation in the Digital Age

January 10, 2024

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49m

Kasey Jones (@ABetterJones) is a maven in the realm of authentic online identity.

As an entrepreneur who has weathered the storm of digital exposure, Kasey joins me to dismantle the barriers of vulnerability and self-doubt that so often plague professionals as they carve their space in the social media landscape.

In a world where sharing too little leaves you invisible and sharing too much can overwhelm, Kasey walks me through the art of strategic self-revelation. If you're grappling with imposter syndrome or hesitant to share your personal journey for professional impact, this conversation is for you. Kasey opens up about her own highs and lows, including a failed NFT project, to showcase the transformative power of embracing our entire narrative online.

Tune in for an episode that promises to embolden you to craft a personal brand that resonates with authenticity, fosters community, and propels personal growth.

Kasey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ABetterJones

00:00:00 Overcoming Fear, Building Personal Platform
00:07:42 Social Media
00:19:18 Sharing Lessons and Vulnerability on Social Media
00:29:11 Recognizing Failure, Healing, and Vulnerability
00:36:49 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Growth
00:41:12 Building Relationships and Sharing Unique Experiences

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/kasey-jones-the-art-of-strategic-self-revelation-in-the-digital-age/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/284-kasey-jones-the-art-of-strategic-self-revelation-in-the-digital-age

The video: https://youtu.be/ILpRrH0bpHo

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com