FREE FOUNDING EDITION · REGISTER BY 12 OCT 2026
Want to start a business but don't know how to take the first step?
You don’t need to quit your job or have everything figured out. Start by choosing one idea and finding out whether it’s worth pursuing.
DON’T BUILD IT YET. VALIDATE. is a free 11-step challenge with an editable Excel workbook to help you choose an idea, test its biggest assumption, and decide your next move.
Includes the Excel workbook, challenge emails, and behind-the-scenes notes from my own validation process.
TOO MANY IDEAS, TOO LITTLE ACTION.
Maybe you keep switching between ideas.
Maybe you have one you love, but no clue where to start.
Or maybe you’ve already secured the Instagram handle. Practically a CEO. Still haven’t spoken to a potential customer, huh?
You don’t need to commit to building the whole business today.
You need to answer a smaller question:
Is this idea worth taking further?
This challenge gives you a practical way to find out.
Here’s what you get:
★ An editable Excel workbook
A place to compare your ideas, plan a test, record what happens, and decide what to do next.
★ Emails to guide you through the challenge
Each step gives you something concrete to work on, so you can turn “I should really start” into an actual next action.
★ My own process, including the awkward bits
I’ll share how I’m applying the same framework to one of my ideas. What I’m testing, what I’m learning, and what makes me reconsider.
START YOUR BUSINESS IN 2027.
FROM “MAYBE ONE DAY” TO YOUR FIRST REAL TEST.
11 practical steps to help you:
★ CHOOSE WHAT’S WORTH EXPLORING.
Compare your ideas against your time, skills, and budget. Pick one to test.
★ TEST BEFORE YOU GO ALL IN.
Find the assumption that matters most and design a small experiment around it.
★ KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT.
Use what you learn to decide whether to keep going, change direction, or move on.
FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT A BUSINESS, NOT JUST A BUSINESS IDEA.
This is for you if you:
keep switching between ideas without testing any of them.
want to explore a side project while protecting your income.
have started building but haven’t checked your biggest assumptions.
want practical structure without the “just believe in yourself” speech.
I’m not just teaching this.
I’m doing it too.
Hi, I’m Anna, a former Head of Business Development in tech, entrepreneur, and community builder.
Before leaving my role to build my own ventures, I prepared a financial safety net, built a network, and worked through my options. Now I’m sharing the process I use to test ideas before committing more time and money to them.
During the challenge, you’ll also receive private email notes on how I’m applying the same process to one of my own ideas. And yes, this challenge is part of validating the workbook itself.
Why is it free?
This is the Founding Edition.
I want aspiring founders to use it, tell me where they get stuck, and help me understand what needs improving before I sell the revised version.
Register by 12 October to get this edition free and keep your downloaded copy.
After the challenge, the revised workbook will be paid.
A few things worth knowing
The challenge officially runs from 1 September to 12 October 2026. You can join at any point during that time and download the workbook for free.
To accompany you, I’ll send 2-3 emails a week sharing how I’m validating my own idea, what I’m learning, and what’s making me rethink things. I’ll also share posts and additional video content on LinkedIn and Instagram to guide you through the process.
Follow along as we go or work at your own pace. Joining late? You can still get started and keep your downloaded workbook after the challenge ends.
No workbook can promise that. This helps you design tests and assess evidence. One experiment usually tells you about one assumption, not the entire business.
Yes. The Reality Check helps you plan around your available time, money, and responsibilities.
You can work through the planning steps in short sessions. Running the experiment takes longer and depends on the test you choose. Officially, we finish the challenge on the 12th of October.
An editable Excel workbook (.xlsx), challenge emails, and notes from my own validation process. Google Sheets compatibility is not currently guaranteed.
Yes. Download the Founding Edition during the challenge and keep your copy.
DON'T BUILD IT YET. VALIDATE.
And take the first step towards your own business.
Join my newsletter and get the free challenge and Excel workbook. During the challenge, you’ll receive 2–3 emails a week.
Afterwards, I’ll send occasional business tips, educational resources and offers for my products and services. Unsubscribe at any time. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.