by Hadassah Jacobs

The other day, a fellow entrepreneur messaged me on LinkedIn with a simple, pointed question:

“How does your VALIDATE Framework… actually work?”

It stopped me—not because I didn’t have an answer, but because it brought me back to why I built this framework in the first place.

Most founders skip validation. They leap into building mode—buying domains, hiring designers, or creating social media accounts—without ever asking the essential question:

👉 Is this idea worth building, and am I the one to build it?

I created the VALIDATE Framework to stress-test early-stage ideas before significant time, money, or energy is spent. It’s a clear process to evaluate both your idea and your readiness to bring it to life.

Yesterday, a couple at a business meetup, I attended, asked, “What are the first steps to validate our idea to impact investors?”

Oddly, no one had an answer—so I offered mine.

But something happened: when I heard the niche they were targeting, I realized that validating an idea isn’t just about getting general interest from friends and family—it’s about testing your concept within the sector you’re entering.

And more importantly, it’s about being honest with yourself:

Do I understand what it will take—and am I ready to do it?

Let’s break down the framework, step by step:

🔍 The VALIDATE Framework

✅ V – Vision Check

What is your deeper why—and what problem are you solving, and why does it matter to you?

The best ideas are personal. They're connected to something you care deeply about. They don’t start with, “What’s trending?” They start with, “What change do I want to create?”

Start by asking:

•  Why this idea?
•  What problem am I solving—and who experiences it?
•  Why is solving this problem meaningful to me?
•  Does this align with my long-term goals and values?

This step creates alignment between your vision, values, and venture. That alignment becomes your resilience when things get hard—and they will.

🎯 A – Audience Clarity

Who exactly are you building this for—and what is their real pain point?

Most ideas fail because they try to solve problems for “everyone.” You must niche down to the first group of people your idea is for.

We go beyond surface demographics and dig into emotional needs and behavioral triggers. What’s the urgency behind their problem? What keeps them up at night?

This clarity becomes the core of your messaging, your product design, and your strategy.

🧪 L – Lean Test

Can you test your idea—and get someone to pay you for it—within 72 hours?

This is where the rubber meets the road.

A Lean Test isn’t a logo or a survey—it’s about proving demand. Can you get at least three people to give you money for your idea within 72 hours?

This doesn’t mean you need to deliver the service right away. But it does mean someone is willing to pay to reserve it, secure access, or show real buy-in.

Here’s a real-world example:

A client of mine had an idea for a home organization service—not just decluttering, but creating a system with ongoing accountability. Instead of building a website or designing a logo, she simply asked friends:

“If I start a service that helps you organize your house and keep it organized with a system and regular check-ins, would that be helpful to you?”

When they said yes, she followed up with:

“Would you be willing to put down $50 today toward this service? I’ll be launching within the month, and I’ll apply that $50 to whichever plan you choose when we talk next week.”

Three people paid within 48 hours.

She didn’t guess if the idea would work—she proved it.

That’s the goal:

✅ Real offer
✅ Real money
✅ Real interest

Think about your idea. Could you:

•  Ask for a $50 deposit toward your future service?
•  Offer a pre-order for your product?
•  Sell tickets to a beta workshop or mini-course?

If not, your idea may still be in the “curious concept” phase—not the validated offer phase.

Bottom line: If people won’t pay, it’s not validated.

Your goal isn’t compliments. It’s commitment.

🔁 I – Iterate

What’s resonating? What’s not?

Early feedback is creative fuel. Too many founders fall in love with their first version. We treat ideas like drafts—meant to be sharpened, shaped, and strengthened.

Ask: What are people saying yes to? What’s confusing? What messaging landed?

📊 D – Data-Driven Decisions

What gets measured, gets momentum.

Your gut can guide you—but data grounds you. Identify real validation metrics:

•  Click-through rates
•  Email sign-ups
•  Purchase intent
•  Customer discovery interviews

This isn’t about vanity metrics. It’s about proof of traction.

👥 A – Assets & Audience-Building

Are you growing your following while refining your offer?

Build while you build. Whether it’s a newsletter, a community, or a behind-the-scenes Instagram story—bring people in early.

Early believers become your first buyers, referrers, and testimonials.

⏱️ T – Timing & Traction

Is this the right time to launch—and are you gaining momentum?

There’s no such thing as a perfect time to start a business. Life will always be busy. But that doesn’t mean any time is the right time either.

Here’s the hard truth:

Building a business requires sacrifice—and a lot of it.

If your personal life is in chaos, if you’re constantly overwhelmed, or if you struggle to carve out focused time for your idea, you need to ask some honest questions:

•  Is the timing right—for me?
•  Is my mindset aligned with my vision?
•  Can I realistically commit the energy this idea deserves?

Because traction doesn’t just come from the market—it comes from you.
Your momentum is directly tied to your input and consistency.

And if the answer is no, that’s not failure—it’s wisdom.

Sometimes the most strategic move isn’t to push through, but to pause with intention. Put your idea on the shelf—but don’t abandon it. Use this time to:

•  Develop the mindset and resilience you’ll need to lead.
•  Build the skillsets that turn chaos into clarity.
•  Learn how to create systems that protect your focus and fuel your creativity.

Timing isn’t just about market readiness—it’s about your readiness. 

And when you’re aligned internally, the external traction will follow.

🚀 E – Execution & Effort Check (The “What Will It Take?” Test)

Here’s the truth most people avoid:

You may have a great idea—but do you understand what it will take to bring it to life?

Validation isn’t just about the idea—it’s about the initiator.

Ask yourself:

•  How much focused time will this require?
•  Am I prepared for the investment—both physical and financial?
•  Can I stay resilient through confusion, feedback, and iteration?

Two things must get a passing grade:

✅ Is your idea saleable?
✅ Are you ready to do what it takes?

🔚 Final Thoughts

Your idea deserves a real shot. But you need more than inspiration. You need:

•  A clear vision
•  A real audience
•  A lean test
•  Honest feedback
•  Data
•  Community
•  Market timing
•  And the will to execute

The VALIDATE Framework isn’t just about testing ideas.
It’s about testing readiness.
And that’s what makes it work.

✨ Want to VALIDATE Your Idea?

Book an introductory $25 Strategy Session and get:

✅ A custom 72-Hour Validation Map
✅ The "What Will It Take" Checklist
✅ Your First Audience Clarity Guide

👉 Click Here To Book Your Introductory Strategy Session