Pre-Launch Strategy

Before you jump into building, take a moment to think. The questions below aren meant to help you clarify what matters to you, what kind of company you want to build, and how you can make a meaningful impact. Set aside 30 minutes, grab a pen, and reflect honestly.

1. What does success mean to you?

Entrepreneurship is hard. There are easier ways to make money. So why are you choosing this path? What would make you feel fulfilled in your career, your lifestyle, and the impact you leave behind?

2. As a company, what does success look like?

Some companies want to grow into unicorns, go public, and dominate their markets (think Facebook). Others want to invest time in perfecting their craft and creating sustainable supply chains that will last for generations (think Patagonia). Others want to bring a product into the market, prove it’s utility, and be acquired by an incumbent that can scale it (think Burt’s Bees).

For the most part these paths to success are neither good nor bad, but they are very different. Depending on the path you’re on, you will need to make very different decisions. So, what do you want your young startup to grow up to be?

3. Who are you here to serve?

Think about real people, not abstract templates. Think about someone you know personally, whose hopes and dreams and struggles are very real. Design your company around making their life better.

4. What is your irresistible offer?

What offer will be so good they’ll think “I’d be crazy not to do this”?

5. How will you over deliver?

Beyond the offer itself, how can you surprise and delight your customers? Where can you go further than they expect?

6. Who do you need on your team in order to succeed?

Make a list of the knowledge and skills your startup will need to succeed.

Make a list of your own knowledge, skills, strengths and weaknesses.

Highlight gaps between what you have and what you need. Start looking for people who fill the gaps.

7. In one year, where do you want to be?

This is where we start to transition from strategy to tactics. Describe where you want to be in a year for each of the categories below. Then, use this to start setting stepping stone goals to get from here to there. 

• Product development

• Finances & cashflow 

• Customer impact

• Team size and dynamic 

Ready to turn reflection into action? Schedule a Strategy Session and leave with clarity, focus, and a concrete plan for your next moves.