💡 How to Stop Guessing & Start Building Something People Want

Most founders think they have a “brilliant idea.” Few actually validate it.

This Notion-based exercise will help you verify demand, define your persona, and avoid pouring months of effort into something no one needs.

This worksheet is built for execution.

⚠️ How to Use This Exercise

✅ Duplicate this Notion page into your workspace (or download for Google Docs).

✅ Fill in the blanks with your own insights. Use the “Lead Magnet Marketplace” example for inspiration.

✅ Check the resource links at each step to help with research, communities, or interviews.

By the end, you’ll either be confident in your idea or see a clear reason to pivot before wasting time building.

Step 1: Persona Hypothesis

Goal: Identify exactly who your solution is for and why they need it.

<aside> 🖊️

Useful Links for Step 1:

• The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick: https://momtestbook.com
• YC Co-Founder Matching (if you’re missing a partner): https://www.ycombinator.com/cofounder-matching
• Upwork for short-term skill gaps: https://upwork.com </aside>

1.1 Persona Snapshot

Action: Describe your ideal user with 2–3 lines about their role, environment, pains.

Your Turn:

**Persona Name**: ...

**Persona Role/Context**: ...

**Biggest Pain Points:...**
1) ...
2) ...
3) ...

Example (Lead Magnet Marketplace):