Proof of Concept

My outpouring of effort accomplished so much in a single day, but what was my next step? I spent days reading ebooks by other entrepreneurs and creating content for my social media platforms. But it also made me feel like I could not just narrow it down enough to move in a specific direction. I kept researching, stuck on figuring out my next step. I was trying to figure out everything I wanted to present to the public when I was ready to go live and just couldn't seem to get a handle on it.

I was reading an editorial about an online ad company and the methods they use to make their clients sucessful when I found the philosophy that cleared things up for me.

Running an effective ad does not happen by chance. It requires refining the process as you go and constant testing. Find what works, and make it better. 

That's when the obvious hit me. I was trying to refine an idea that didn't exist. How could I possibly improve it? Testing. It was the only way I could figure out the missing variables that were freezing my progress.

I needed a test run.

In a hurry to beat the sunset, I set up my mobile barista service in a dead end neighborhood. Whether I met anyone and made drinks was unimportant, I just needed to walk through the process and learn what I could from it.

The experience was valuable. First off, my rig was way too heavy and scattershot. Setting up and breaking down was stressful because I had never done it before and was not organized. The actual presentation needs streamlining, and even my bare bones service was missing key aspects like a trash can and straws. 

I did get to meet people and make drinks. I provided the service I set out to create and talked to strangers about my ideas. Not only was the response affirming and positive, it was encouraging! This was an idea that people liked and would be willing to support. My instincts were leading me in the right direction. 

 

The test run was a win for what it set out to do and then some. I got an injection of enthusiasm for what I was trying to do and a much clearer vision of what needed to happen next, now that I had gotten this far.