The Seed.

How to Market Test a New Idea the Right Way (And Who Should Be at the Table) If you’re thinking about adding something new—a product, a service, a program, a nonprofit initiative, or even expanding what you already have—this is the pause you need before you spend money, announce anything publicly, or build yourself into a corner. Because here’s the truth most people learn the hard way: You can’t build in isolation. But you also can’t invite everyone to the table. That’s where people get tripped up. They either build alone and hope it works, or they ask everyone they know and end up overwhelmed, discouraged, and confused. Market testing done well is neither of those things. Market Testing Is About Information — Not Approval Let’s clear something up first. Market testing is not: Polling Instagram and letting strangers decide your future Asking people who’ve never bought from you what you should sell Looking for validation that your idea is “good” Market testing is: Asking whether a real problem exists Understanding if your idea solves that problem Learning how people experience, understand, and value what you’re building You’re not asking Should I do this? You’re asking If I do this, does it solve something real for someone real? That distinction matters. Because the moment you ask the wrong people the wrong questions, your confidence takes a hit—not because the idea is bad, but because the feedback is irrelevant. You Need Two Circles — And They Serve Different Purposes Most people skip this part entirely. You don’t need “everyone’s opinion.” You need two intentional circles. The Inner Circle These are the people already invested in you and your mission. They: Know your work Understand your audience Care enough to be honest Can tell you when something doesn’t fit Your inner circle helps you answer questions like: Is this aligned with what I already do? Does this make sense based on my audience? What am I not seeing? These are not hype people. They’re also not dream killers. They’re grounded truth-tellers. Examples: For nonprofits: board leadership, long-time volunteers, trusted donors, community partners For businesses/services: existing clients, members, advisors, collaborators, people who’ve already purchased from you If you skip your inner circle, you risk building something that looks good—but doesn’t actually fit. The Outer Circle Your outer circle comes later. These people represent your broader market. They’re less emotionally invested, which makes their feedback incredibly valuable at the right stage. Outer circle feedback helps answer: Would someone pay for this? Do they understand it quickly? Does it solve something urgent or meaningful? Outer circle feedback is about validation, not design. Stop Asking People — Start Assigning Hats Here’s where this gets practical. Instead of thinking in terms of people, think in terms of roles. One person can wear more than one hat—but no one should wear them all. The 5 Hats You Need at the Table 1. The Vision Hat (You) This is your mission, your why, your non-negotiables. No one else gets to decide this. 2. The Reality Hat This person asks: How will this actually work? What does this require operationally? What’s the time and energy cost? They protect you from burnout—even when it feels uncomfortable. 3. The Market Hat This person understands: Buyer behavior Attention spans Messaging clarity They help translate your idea into something the world can understand. 4. The Financial Hat This person looks at: Breakeven points Risk Sustainability This hat is especially important for nonprofits and service-based businesses. 5. The User Hat This is lived experience. Someone who would actually use what you’re creating. This is where assumptions get challenged—in the best way. The mistake? Asking one person to wear all five hats. That’s too much weight—and it skews feedback fast. What You Must Do Before You Build Anything No matter what you’re launching, do these five things first: Define the problem clearly If you can’t say it in one sentence, you’re not ready. Identify who it’s for — and who it’s not This protects you from scope creep and burnout. Test with conversation, not commitment Listen for patterns, not praise. Run a low-risk pilot Small group. Limited time. Clear boundaries. Evaluate before expanding What worked? What drained you? What surprised you? Market testing is about learning before scaling. Your idea doesn’t need more opinions. It needs the right people, at the right time, wearing the right hats. That’s how you protect both the work—and yourself. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only Time & Productivity Session — focused on implementation, not theory. And if you’re craving connection, accountability, and honest conversations about building something that lasts, you’ll find that inside The Patch, the Dandelion-Inc membership. Because staying in the game? That’s the work — and it’s enough.