So you’ve got a business idea but now what?
Starting a business can feel like standing at the bottom of a mountain with no map. Should you build a product? Talk to customers? Write a business plan? If you’re overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Most first-time founders feel this way. The trick isn’t to do everything at once, it’s to do the right things in the right order.
At GrowthApp, we’ve helped early-stage entrepreneurs move from “idea in head” to “live in market.” This 10-step checklist will help you do just that.
✅ Step 1: Clarify Your Idea
Before you build anything, define what you’re solving. Is it a painkiller or a vitamin? Can you explain it in one sentence to a friend? If not, you’re not ready yet.
Tip: Use GrowthApp’s simple idea validation recommendations to write your value prop clearly and test your assumptions.
✅ Step 2: Identify Your Customer
Every great startup starts with a clear customer in mind. Be specific. Instead of “young professionals,” say “remote marketers aged 25–35 who hate Zoom fatigue.”
✅ Step 3: Validate the Problem
Don’t build yet. Talk to 5–10 real people in your target group. Ask open-ended questions. What frustrates them? What tools do they use today? Is your idea something they’d actually pay for?
✅ Step 4: Sketch the MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
Your MVP isn’t a full product. It’s the fastest, simplest way to test whether your solution solves the problem. A landing page? A Notion doc? A chatbot? Start small.
GrowthApp Insight: We help you generate a startup-specific roadmap so you know what MVP to build for your customer type.
✅ Step 5: Make a Simple Growth Plan
You don’t need a 30-page document. You need a 1-page snapshot: what you’re solving, who it’s for, how you’ll reach them, and how you’ll make money.
We help you do that inside GrowthApp—no MBA required. Try GrowthApp.co free.
✅ Step 6: Start Talking About It
Build in public. Post on LinkedIn, TikTok, or Instagram. Don’t worry about perfection. Let people follow your journey and you’ll attract early supporters.
✅ Step 7: Set Up Basic Systems
Get a way to track tasks (hint: GrowthApp has one), save links, and start gathering emails. These systems grow with you.
✅ Step 8: Launch Before You’re Ready
Seriously. Waiting until it’s perfect is a trap. Launch it to 5 friends. Then 10 beta users. Get it into the world.
✅ Step 9: Get Feedback, Iterate
Your first version will not be right. That’s cool. What matters is speed of learning. Track what’s working, what’s not, and update accordingly.
✅ Step 10: Stay Consistent
Starting is easy. Sticking with it when no one’s watching? That’s where most give up. Use GrowthApp's task manager to stay accountable to your own goals, every day.
Final Thoughts
Starting a business doesn’t have to be chaotic. With structure, focus, and the right tools, anyone can build something real. GrowthApp is your founder-first companion, guiding you through every step, and giving you the confidence to keep going.
👉 Want a startup growth plan tailored to your idea? Try GrowthApp.co free.
Author: Guido Picus
Linkedin My book: Maverick Soul
Guido Picus is CEO of GrowthApp.co, helping first-time founders turn ideas into real businesses. He’s a serial entrepreneur with 20+ years of startup and marketing experience, including a successful exit to Deloitte Digital.
