Testing First Is Worthwhile
Testing business ideas on a small scale, such as through pop-ups, pilot programs, or limited product releases, is a long-standing tradition that minimises risk and allows for invaluable learning before full-scale launch.
By starting small, businesses can gather real customer feedback, refine their products or services, and make necessary adjustments with minimal investment. This approach also helps in assessing market demand, building brand awareness, and avoiding costly mistakes, creating a more stable foundation for future growth. This is an obvious thing that most would-be entrepreneurs forget, when they get trapped in the error of thinking that not starting is better than starting small.
Dan Anton talks about testing his restaurant idea as a pop-up and the benefits he received from it: the ability to gauge customer interest and refine the menu based on real-time feedback, building a local following and brand awareness, and minimising initial financial risk before acquiring the validation and confidence to do a full-scale launch.