Everything you need to know about validating your business idea.

Let’s be real for a second. Have you ever had that lingering fear that no one will actually pay for your service when you finally launch your business?

Maybe you’ve thought, What if I build this whole thing and… crickets? What if no one wants it?

If that’s you, you’re not alone. Seriously—I’ve been there. And if you’re nodding your head right now, let me give you a big virtual hug because that fear is so normal. But here’s the good news: there’s a way to deal with it before you launch, so you’re not left second-guessing everything.

Let’s talk about how to validate your service-based business idea, using four simple steps. These are things you can start doing today (yep, even without a website or fancy branding). Think of them like little experiments to check if people actually want what you’re planning to offer.

Let’s dig in.

1. Talk to Real People Who Might Need Your Service

Okay, hear me out. The fancy business term for this is “market research.” But honestly? It just means having conversations with potential customers.

And no, it doesn’t have to be awkward or super formal. Think of it like a coffee chat or a quick DM convo. The goal here is to listen—to truly understand how people describe their problem, how they’re currently handling it, and how they’d feel if someone came along with a better solution (that’s you, by the way!).

Here are 5 questions you can ask that will make these conversations gold:

• “How would you describe the problem you’re facing?”
  You want to understand their language. Because if you call it “a time-management issue” but they call it “feeling totally overwhelmed and behind,” there’s already a disconnect. When you market your service, you need to speak their language—not yours.
  
• “How big of a problem is this for you, really?”
  Ask them to rate their pain level from 1 to 10. This tells you how urgent the issue feels. The higher the pain, the more likely they are to pay for a solution.
  
• “How are you currently dealing with this problem?”
  This helps you see what’s already out there—and if your service brings something fresh to the table.
  
• “If I offered this solution (describe your service briefly), would that help you?”
  You’ll get some real feedback here. They might love it, or they might suggest tweaks. Either way, it’s gold.
  
• “How much would you be willing to pay for something like this?”
  Now don’t panic here—this isn’t about setting your final price. It’s about getting a rough idea of the value people place on solving this problem.
  

👉 Hot tip: Don’t only ask your friends and family (unless they’re your ideal customers). Look around your network, coworkers, social media groups—anyone who actually needs what you’re offering.

2. Offer a Tiny Version of Your Service—for Free

Yep. Free.

Now before you roll your eyes and say, “But I’m trying to make money,” hear me out. Offering a mini version of your service for free is not about giving away all your time. It’s a strategic move.

You’re doing this to:

• Practice delivering your service
  
• Get real feedback
  
• Improve your offer
  
• Build confidence
  

Think of it like a soft launch with training wheels.

Let’s say you’re a virtual assistant who wants to help small business owners with email management. You could offer to organize the inbox of 2-3 friends who run businesses. Tell them it’s free, but in exchange, you’d love feedback. Ask what worked, what felt helpful, what could be better. Take that info and use it to improve your service.

And while they’re not paying you yet, treat them like paying clients. Deliver excellence. Why? Because it helps you create a system that works—and those people might become your first paying customers or even give you referrals.

This phase is like testing the recipe before you open the bakery.

3. Sell That Improved Tiny Version—for a Small Fee

Now we’re talking!

Once you’ve done a few free sessions or offers and gotten feedback, it’s time to start charging—just a little. Don’t overthink the price. This isn’t your full, final rate. It’s a test run with real people and real money on the table.

So how do you find those people? Here are some easy ways:

• Join Facebook groups where your ideal clients hang out (just search for keywords related to your niche)
  
• Offer your service at a “beta price” for a limited time
  
• Use your social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) to post about what you’re offering
  

Let people know this is a limited-time test offer, and you’re looking for a few people to try it out at a discounted rate in exchange for honest feedback.

Here’s an example post you can tweak:

“Hey friends! I’m offering a special version of my new [service] to 5 people who want help with [problem you solve]. I’ve been working hard on this and want to test it out before launching fully. It’s just [insert low price], and you’ll get [list what’s included]. If that sounds like something you need, send me a message!”

Boom. Simple. Clear. Actionable.

🎯 And here’s the key: Before you even post, decide what success looks like for you.
Maybe you tell yourself, If 3 people buy, I’ll take that as a YES from the market. Or maybe your goal is 10. The point is, set your own metric for validation. This gives you clarity and helps you know when it’s time to move forward confidently.

4. Try the “Validation Method” from the Book Will It Fly?

If you’re the type who likes a little structure and extra guidance, you’re going to love this.

There’s a book called Will It Fly? by Pat Flynn that walks you through a full, detailed process to validate a business idea—before you invest time, money, or energy into building it. It’s especially helpful if you’ve tried other businesses in the past that didn’t work out (🙋🏽‍♀️ same here).

In this book, Pat breaks down:

• How to understand your audience deeply
  
• Ways to test demand for your service before launching
  
• How to get feedback without being awkward
  
• And so much more
  

So if you want a deeper dive into this whole validation thing, I highly recommend grabbing a copy. It’ll give you even more tools to confidently say, Yes, this idea has legs.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Fear Keep You Stuck in “Validation Mode”

Look, validating your business idea is important—but don’t get stuck there forever.

You don’t need 1,000 people to say yes. You just need a few real humans to show interest, share feedback, and give you the smallest sign that you’re on the right track. That’s what we call small but meaningful evidence. And once you get that, it’s time to go all in.

Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered:

1. Talk to potential customers. Ask the right questions and listen deeply.
   
2. Offer a tiny version of your service for free to get feedback.
   
3. Sell your improved mini service for a small fee to real strangers.
   
4. Use the validation method from Will It Fly? for a step-by-step approach.
   

Remember what Jesus said in Luke 14:28—“But don’t begin until you count the cost.”
Yes, plan. Yes, be wise. But after you’ve counted the cost… step out in faith.

You were called to this business idea for a reason. And even if 100 people are already doing something similar, the clients assigned to you are still waiting to be served—by you.

So don’t keep them waiting. 💛

You’ve got this. Go validate your idea… and then start that business.

P.S.
Want some encouragement and accountability along the way? There’s an amazing Facebook community I created just for Christian women starting service-based businesses. It’s completely free and filled with women on the same journey as you. Come hang out with us—you’ll find support, clarity, and maybe even your next business bestie. 💬

Ready to take the leap? Start today.