Start Small, Start Smart mini-series — Edition #1

Hey there fellow side hustler!

If you had just $100 and two weeks to prove your idea has legs, what would you do?
Most people skip straight to logos, websites, and big plans — only to discover later that nobody wanted what they built.

Todays edition fixes that.

In the next few minutes, you’ll learn a simple, fast, low-cost method to validate any side hustle idea — without overbuilding or overspending. This is the same framework creators, freelancers, and founders use to avoid months of wasted effort.

If you’re willing to run a tiny experiment, you can save yourself enormous time, energy, and stress.

Let’s begin.

Validation isn’t about perfection — it’s about evidence.

Before you invest hours into learning tools, designing assets, or building offers, you want to answer one key question:

Not something they “like.”
Not something they “think is cool.”
Something they’re willing to move toward — with time, email, attention, or money.

The $100 Validation Plan gives you quick, concrete signals so you can:

Think of it as proof of concept for aspiring creators.

Step 1:

Your goal is to confirm that real people experience the problem your idea solves.

Ask 3 questions to 10–20 people who fit your target audience:

Look for patterns, not perfection.
If you hear the same frustrations repeatedly: signal found.

Cost: $0
Time: 1–2 days

Step 2:

Turn your idea into a simple explanation that people can react to.

Your 1-page should include:

Think clear, not clever.
If someone can understand your offer without asking questions, you’re winning.

Cost: $0
Time: 1–2 hours

Step 3:

You’re testing whether people care enough to opt in.

Options:

If 10–25 people join the interest list within a few days?
That's real signal.

Cost: $0–$29
Time: 1–2 days

Step 4:

This is where your $100 cap comes into play.

Run a small test using:

You’re not optimizing.
You’re discovering whether the idea attracts clicks, signups, or messages.

Spend just $5–$10/day for 3–5 days.

Strong signal indicators:

Cost: $20–$50
Time: 3–5 days

Step 5:

The ultimate validation: someone pays.

You’re not building the full product. You’re offering a pre-sale, deposit, or founder's rate.

Examples:

Even 1–3 pre-orders is a win.

Cost: $0
Time: 1–2 days

You’re validated if you have:

✔️ 10–20 people confirming the problem
✔️ A 1-page concept people understand
✔️ A waitlist of at least 10–25 people
✔️ A few DMs or questions from genuinely interested prospects
✔️ Optional: 1–3 pre-sales

If your idea hits even three of these signals, you’re good to build the tiny version.

If not, you refine and rerun the test — still within the $100 cap.

Here’s the suggested schedule:

Days 1–3: Problem Test
Day 4: Build 1-Page Concept
Days 5–7: Create Waitlist + Share with audience
Days 8–10: (Optional) Micro-Ad Test
Days 11–14: Pre-sale or Founder’s Beta

By the end, you’ll know with confidence if your idea has traction — without wasting months on guesswork.

Most creators delay their launch because they think validation is expensive, complicated, or requires a huge audience.

It doesn’t.

You can get answers quickly.
You can reduce risk dramatically.
You can build something real from a tiny test.

And once your idea is validated?
Everything else becomes easier.

You don’t need to build a perfect offer to see whether an idea will work — you just need a small, structured experiment. The $100 Validation Plan keeps you focused on evidence, action, and tiny wins that build momentum.

Your next breakthrough doesn’t start with a big launch.
It starts with a tiny test.

Side Hustle Quest
Your guide to low-cost, high-impact side hustle strategies