01
Evaluate
Choose one idea and a first customer. Look at the need, existing alternatives and your resources. Keep facts separate from assumptions.
The EPA Cycle
Learn from a small, real test.
Startworthy connects a business decision with a practical next step. The EPA Cycle gives you a way to repeat that process as you learn.
Evaluate. Pilot. Adjust.
02
Pilot
Create a Seed Offer: a small, useful result you can deliver. Present it to possible buyers in a short First Buyer Test.
03
Adjust
Record replies, objections and payments. Decide what to keep, change or stop before investing more.
Your Seed Offer
A first offer needs to be understandable, useful and possible to deliver. Define these four things before asking someone to buy.
- Who it helps and what changes for them.
- What is included, what is left out and when it will be ready.
- A clear price, currency and payment terms.
- How many customers you can serve with your available time and resources.
The First Buyer Test
A 24–48 hour window for a small action that helps you learn, if your schedule and resources allow. You do not have to build the whole product, receive a reply, close a sale or deliver the work in that time. If preparation is still needed, schedule the test later.
- Choose one relevant person you can already reach respectfully. If you do not have that access, start by identifying a suitable channel.
- Set a spending limit, a realistic capacity and a clear offer. Do not promise work you cannot deliver.
- Present the offer. Record who responded, the questions or objections, and any actual payments.
- Review any replies when they arrive. Keep the offer, change one part or pause. Silence after 48 hours alone does not show that no one needs your offer.
One small test cannot prove broad demand or guarantee future sales. A quiet test is a reason to investigate, not a judgment about you.
The 80/20 Sales Focus Rule
As an early guideline, aim to spend about 80% of the time you can freely allocate on reaching customers, discussing offers and following up; reserve about 20% for supporting work. Adjust this to your situation and always honor delivery commitments.
This is a focus guideline, not a universal formula for results. A website or a logo can help, but does not replace a conversation with a possible customer.
Start from where you are.
Use Business Match to explore business directions or Idea Check to evaluate one idea. Get your free Business Snapshot, then request your 30-Day Action Plan.