How to Find the Right Support for Your Startup.

You’ve been nurturing a business idea as an aspiring entrepreneur. You’ve conducted product and market research, and now you feel prepared to test your idea with people and garner support. How do you go about executing this?

During your development phase, you’ll need to exercise prudence when testing your idea and seeking validation and support. Why? Because your idea—your vision—is like a seedling that requires careful nurturing until you gather enough information to decide whether to proceed with product development or discard it.

How do you nurture it? By building a team of supporters. While there are many kinds of support that entrepreneurs obtain for their ventures, during idea formation phase, two key areas stand out: emotional support and idea validation.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Who is your No. 1 fan? Every startup needs a team of supporters, whether it’s a team of one or a team of a dozen. The first member of that team should be you. You’re the one with the mission and the vision. On your entrepreneurial path, you will encounter unanticipated challenges, and during those moments when no one else is there, you need to be the No. 1 fan of your idea, of your dream—you need to be there emotionally and mentally for yourself: 24/7!

I’ve observed too many founders looking to others to be the No. 1 cheerleader of their dreams. When they didn’t receive the cheering they needed, they faltered. If you have a co-founder, then that individual must share your vision and core values and be your startup’s No. 2 fan. Remember, your No. 1 fan is you!

What criteria do you use to select those who will support you and validate your idea? Are you willing to talk with just anyone who will listen and give their opinion? Many people will give you free advice and input; that said, free does not mean quality input, whether it’s encouraging or questioning.

Within your friends and family circle, who can you share your idea with and enlist emotional support?
• Is the individual someone whose judgment you trust?
• Is the individual open-minded and by nature an optimist?
• Has the individual given you emotional support in the past? Is this someone who has been one of your loyal cheerleaders?

You may be drawn to individuals with different personalities in your inner friends and family circle. Not all of them may share your core values and personal outlook. If you are by nature an optimist, asking for input from a relative who is a pessimist may not be helpful. While constructive input can be valuable, a “naysayer” friend may point out all the downsides and deflate your enthusiasm, or worse, try to talk you out of starting your business.

Friends and family may also impose their own personal fears and risk-averse inclinations on you, which will not serve you well as you embark on a new journey. Think carefully about the individuals who comprise your personal landscape and select the right cheerleaders to support you emotionally.

Do not mistake emotional support for professional validation of your idea. If you have friends and family with relevant experience to give you a professional assessment of your idea, that is most fortunate. But if you don’t have closed ones with the appropriate experiences, then you need to seek out input from qualified individuals.

IDEA VALIDATION
We live in a world saturated with experts. The upside is that we have access to more specialists than ever before. The challenge lies in selecting the right individuals to support you, provide business advice, and even mentor you during your new venture. Here are some thoughts for you to consider:

First, conduct your product idea research thoroughly to ensure high-quality due diligence. Then, prepare a brief summary of your business idea and questions for the individual you plan to approach. Next, create a profile of the expert from whom you seek input and support, and begin searching for suitable candidates.

Let’s say you find an individual on LinkedIn or receive an introduction through a colleague or client. Research their background. Does their profile appeal to you? Does their expertise align with your needs? If not, avoid wasting their time and yours.

If they do appeal to you, proceed with a meeting. Do you feel at ease with this person when speaking with them in person or on Zoom? Do you feel an affinity? Do they share similar values to yours? While this is not critical, it is helpful to consider. For instance, imagine you prioritize creating a product with quality service and materials, but the individual you interviewed discusses their success, which involved unethical practices, cutting corners, and exploiting cheap labor. Is this someone whose input you want?

As you converse with them and learn more about their knowledge and approach, do you believe they possess enough understanding to provide a thorough evaluation, which may include validation or concerns about your business idea? Remain open to their constructive input. Ask questions and gather all feedback. Research their concerns afterward to either refute or bolster your business idea.

In the big picture, products and services that you create will reflect your values, vision, and execution. Your No. 1 Fan is you: 24/7! It’s best to enlist support and incorporating input from those whose values and business practices align with yours.

Once again, exercise prudence in testing your idea and obtaining validation because sharing it with the wrong individuals can set you back, and worse, derail you from your idea, and your dream. Start with smart moves by asking for positive support and qualified input from the right people.

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