CHAPTER 11 · PART 3 OF 3
How to Validate Your Business Idea: Discover What Customers Really Want!
WISELY SHARE…
Discover what your customers truly want, what they're excited to buy + how to turn those discoveries into wonderful business opportunities!
🦋 What If Your Customers Could Help You Discover Your Next Wonderful Opportunity?
Well, my wise friend, imagine you’ve discovered a business idea that makes you feel wonderfully excited!
Perhaps it’s a product you’ve always dreamed of creating.
Maybe it’s a service that brings together your talents, knowledge + experience.
Or perhaps you’ve recognized an opportunity to introduce something new – or make something even better – in the business you already own.
You can almost picture it, can’t you?
Your wonderful new offer, ready for customers to discover.
And perhaps you’re already imagining how exciting it will feel when someone makes that first purchase!
But before you begin bringing everything to life, there’s something I’d love to share with you.
Some of the most valuable discoveries about your business can come from the very people you’re hoping to serve.
You see, throughout my years of working with + evaluating businesses, I’ve learned just how much we can discover when we look beyond what we think customers will love – and begin exploring what they actually value, choose + purchase.
Sometimes, customers confirm that an idea has wonderful potential.
Sometimes, they reveal an unexpected need, a different preference or an opportunity to make something even better.
And occasionally, they help us recognize a completely new possibility we hadn’t considered!
And that’s where some of the most wonderful business opportunities begin! 🦋
And here’s something even more exciting.
You can begin making these discoveries before you’ve invested heavily in bringing your idea to life!
Rather than relying on imagination alone, you can explore genuine customer interest, learn what people value + discover what might inspire them to buy.
In business, we call this validating your business idea.
And although that may sound a little technical, the principle is wonderfully simple.
Business idea validation means gathering real evidence that customers want what you’re considering offering – and discovering what could make them willing to buy it.
You might begin by exploring what people already purchase, listening to their questions or introducing a simple version of your offer to see how they respond.
But here’s what I particularly love about this process.
You’re not simply looking for a yes or no. You’re discovering how to shape an opportunity into something even more valuable for the people you want to serve.
Whether you’re preparing to launch your first online boutique, developing a new product or improving an offer you’ve been selling for years, these discoveries can help you make your next business decisions with greater understanding + confidence.
So, shall we explore how to learn from your customers – and discover just how much potential your idea might hold? 🦋
✨ What Do Customers Really Think of Your Idea?
Have you ever shared an exciting idea with someone and heard those wonderful words:
“Oh, I LOVE that!”
It feels fantastic, doesn’t it?
And perhaps you’ve experienced something similar in your own business. A customer admires a product, compliments your work or tells you how much they love something you’ve created.
Those moments are encouraging. And they can tell us something valuable about what catches people’s attention.
But there’s another question I always love to explore.
What makes someone go from loving an idea to actually wanting to BUY it?
You see, customers may admire many wonderful things. But when they decide to make a purchase, they’re making a choice about what matters enough to them to spend their money on. And that choice can teach us so much!
💛 Discover What Makes Your Offer Worth Choosing
Imagine you’re thinking about creating a collection of beautiful, personalized gifts.
You share your idea with a few people, and everyone tells you how lovely it sounds.
Wonderful!
But as you begin exploring what customers actually purchase, you discover something interesting.
Perhaps they’re especially excited about gifts that can be personalized for a special occasion.
Maybe they love the idea of having several beautifully coordinated items already selected for them.
Or perhaps what they value most is being able to find a thoughtful, meaningful gift without spending hours searching.
Suddenly, you’re discovering much more than whether people like personalized gifts.
You’re learning what could make YOUR particular offer especially valuable to them.
And those discoveries could influence everything from the products you select to how you present, personalize, package + deliver them.
The same principle applies to services.
Imagine you’re considering offering personal styling consultations.
People may love the idea of receiving professional styling advice. But perhaps what excites them most is the possibility of creating a wardrobe that makes getting dressed easier every morning.
That insight could help you shape a service around the result your customers truly want – not simply the consultation itself.
And if you already own a business, you have an especially interesting opportunity.
Your customers may already be showing you what they value through the products they purchase, the questions they ask, the services they return for + the recommendations they share.
Sometimes, the next wonderful opportunity is already revealing itself through the customers you serve today!
The wisest business opportunity isn't simply one that could succeed.
It's one whose success helps you create the future you truly want.
🔎 Look Beyond Compliments. Discover Genuine Interest.
Now, I certainly wouldn’t dismiss a lovely compliment!
Customer enthusiasm can be the beginning of a wonderful conversation.
But when we’re evaluating a business opportunity, we want to discover more.
We want to understand what people are looking for, which choices they’re making + what could inspire them to purchase our offer.
And there are different ways to recognize that interest.
Someone asking thoughtful questions about your product may be showing curiosity.
Someone comparing options, asking about availability or wanting to know how to purchase may be showing stronger interest.
And when someone actually places an order, books a service or makes a meaningful purchasing commitment, we have something particularly valuable:
Real evidence that a customer is willing to invest in what we’re offering.
Of course, one purchase doesn’t tell us everything about how large an opportunity might become. But each genuine customer response gives us something useful to learn from.
And that’s the wonderful thing about validating a business idea.
We’re not simply asking people whether they like what we’ve imagined.
We’re discovering what they value, what motivates their choices + how we can create an offer they’re genuinely excited to buy.
Which brings us to the next exciting question:
How can you begin making these discoveries for YOUR own business idea?
Let’s explore three wise ways to find out! 🦋
💛 Three Wise Ways to Discover What Customers Want
Now that you know why genuine customer interest matters, let’s explore how you can begin discovering it!
And here’s some wonderful news.
You don’t need an elaborate research project to start learning what customers truly value.
There are valuable clues all around us – in the choices people make, the questions they ask + the ways they respond when something catches their interest.
The key is knowing what to look for.
🔎 1. Look at What Customers Are Already Choosing
One of the most interesting places to begin is with what people are already buying.
After all, when customers spend their money on something, they’re showing us that they find value in it.
Imagine you’re considering creating a digital collection of meal-planning guides.
You love the idea of helping busy families make everyday meals easier, but you’re wondering which type of guide might be especially appealing.
Rather than guessing, you could begin exploring what’s already available.
Which meal-planning products seem popular? What features do customers appreciate? What questions appear repeatedly in reviews or discussions?
Perhaps you discover that customers especially value plans that include ready-made grocery lists.
Or maybe they’re looking for meals that use fewer ingredients, accommodate particular dietary preferences or make planning an entire week feel wonderfully simple.
These observations can help you recognize what people are looking for – and where you might create something especially useful.
And here’s an important distinction.
Seeing that people buy similar products can help you recognize an existing market. Discovering why they choose them can help you shape YOUR opportunity.
You aren’t simply looking for something to copy.
You’re learning what customers value so you can develop an offer that brings something meaningful of your own.
And if you already have an online boutique, you may have an even more valuable place to begin: your own customer activity.
Explore which products customers purchase most often, which offers encourage repeat purchases + which items they frequently buy together.
You may discover an opportunity to introduce a complementary product, create a thoughtful collection or make a popular offer even more appealing.
💬 2. Listen to What Customers Are Telling You
Sometimes, the most valuable business insights begin with a simple conversation.
Imagine you’re considering offering a service to help small business owners organize their digital files, documents + everyday workflows.
You might initially think your customers are looking for better organization.
And perhaps they are!
But when you begin asking thoughtful questions, you may discover that what they really want is to spend less time searching for information, avoid repeating tasks + feel more in control of their working day.
That changes how you might present your service, doesn’t it?
Instead of focusing entirely on organizing folders and documents, you could shape your offer around creating simpler, more efficient daily workflows.
The service may be similar, but your understanding of what makes it valuable becomes much clearer.
So, what should you ask?
Rather than beginning with, “Would you buy my service?” try exploring your customers’ actual experiences.
You might ask:
- “What’s the most frustrating part of managing this today?”
- “How are you handling it right now?”
- “What have you already tried?”
- “If you could make one part of this easier, what would it be?”
Notice how these questions invite people to share real experiences rather than simply offer an opinion about your idea.
And that’s important!
People can be wonderfully encouraging when we share something we’re excited about. But learning what they already do, need + value gives us much more useful information.
You may also discover valuable insights without arranging a formal conversation.
Pay attention to the questions customers ask before purchasing, the feedback they share afterward + the requests you hear repeatedly.
Sometimes, your customers are already telling you what they’d love you to offer next. You simply need to recognize the opportunity!
✨ 3. Let Customers Experience Your Idea
Now comes a particularly exciting possibility.
What if you could introduce a small version of your idea and begin learning from genuine customer responses?
You don’t necessarily need to develop an entire collection, create a comprehensive course or launch every variation of a service before exploring interest.
Sometimes, a thoughtfully prepared first offer can teach you a great deal.
Imagine you own an online boutique selling beautiful home accessories.
You’ve noticed customers showing interest in thoughtfully coordinated pieces, and you’re considering introducing seasonal home-decor collections.
Rather than developing an extensive new range immediately, you might begin with one beautifully curated collection.
You could present it to customers, invite them to explore the details + make it available for purchase.
Then pay attention to what happens.
Which pieces attract interest? What questions do customers ask? Do they purchase individual items or prefer the complete collection? Are they interested in additional colors, styles or occasions?
Their responses could help you refine the collection, develop complementary offers + decide what to introduce next.
The same approach can work for many types of businesses.
If you’re creating a digital course, you might begin with a paid introductory workshop focused on one valuable outcome.
If you’re developing a consulting service, you could introduce a clearly defined starter package.
If you’re designing physical products, you might offer a small initial collection or take preorders when you’re ready to fulfill them.
The possibilities will depend on your particular business, but the principle remains the same.
Give customers a genuine opportunity to choose your offer – and learn from what they do.
A thoughtful question can reveal interest.
A request for more information can reveal curiosity.
But a purchase, paid booking or meaningful commitment can provide stronger evidence that people value your offer enough to invest in it.
And each discovery can help you decide what to develop, improve or explore next.
🦋 Every Discovery Brings New Possibilities
Isn’t it exciting to think about what you might learn?
Perhaps you’ll discover a customer preference you hadn’t considered, recognize an opportunity to improve something you already offer or find inspiration for an entirely new product or service.
And the wonderful thing is, you can begin wherever you are in your business journey.
Whether you’re exploring your very first idea or already serving customers through your online boutique, every meaningful discovery can help you recognize new possibilities + make wiser decisions about what comes next.
Your customers' choices can tell you what they value. Their experiences can help you understand why. And their response to your offer can help you discover what to do next.
So, how can you begin putting these discoveries to work for YOUR business?
I’ve prepared a little Wise Guide to help you explore the questions worth asking – and recognize the opportunities your customers may be revealing! 🦋
Your Wise Customer Discovery Guide 🦋
Now, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a little guide you could return to whenever you’re exploring a new business idea – or discovering ways to make an existing offer even better?
Well, my wise friend, I’ve prepared just that for you!
Your Wise Customer Discovery Guide brings together six thoughtful questions to help you explore what customers genuinely want, recognize meaningful buying interest + discover how you could make your offer even more valuable.
And remember, you don’t need to have all the answers before you begin.
The exciting part is discovering what you can learn!
Your Wise Discovery
💛 Your Customers
A Question Worth Exploring
Who would genuinely value this offer? Think about the people you’re hoping to serve. What are they trying to accomplish, enjoy, improve or make easier? Look for specific needs + desires rather than assuming everyone will want the same thing.
Your Wise Discovery
🔎 Existing Choices
A Question Worth Exploring
What are these customers already buying or using? Explore the products, services + solutions they currently choose. What do they appreciate, what do they purchase repeatedly + what might they wish were different?
Your Wise Discovery
💬 Customer Conversations
A Question Worth Exploring
What can you learn from their real experiences? Ask how customers handle the need today, what they’ve tried + what matters most to them. Pay particular attention to specific examples rather than general compliments or predictions.
Your Wise Discovery
💰 Genuine Buying Interest
A Question Worth Exploring
What shows that customers may be willing to buy? Notice requests for prices, availability or purchasing details – and distinguish these from stronger evidence such as actual orders, paid bookings or meaningful commitments.
Your Wise Discovery
✨ Your First Offer
A Question Worth Exploring
What’s one thoughtful way to introduce your idea? Consider a small collection, introductory service, paid workshop or another manageable offer that lets customers make a real choice while you learn from their response.
Your Wise Discovery
🌱 Your Next Opportunity
A Question Worth Exploring
What are your discoveries inviting you to explore next? Look for patterns in customer choices, questions + purchases. Could you improve your offer, adjust its presentation, introduce a variation or develop something complementary?
✨ What Have You Discovered?
Perhaps you’ve recognized a customer need you hadn’t considered.
Maybe you’ve discovered what makes an existing offer especially appealing – or identified a simple way to explore genuine buying interest.
Or perhaps your customers have inspired an entirely new possibility!
Whatever you’ve discovered, you’re learning something valuable that can help you shape your next Wise Step.
And because these questions can be useful long after you’ve finished reading this chapter, I’ve also prepared a little guide you can keep + return to whenever another exciting opportunity comes along.
No signup required. Just a little Wise resource to help you explore your wonderful possibilities! 🦋
Angela's Wise Perspective - Your Customers May Reveal an Opportunity You Never Imagined
There’s something I’ve learned throughout my years of evaluating, advising + developing businesses that I’d love you to remember.
The business opportunity you begin exploring isn’t always the most valuable opportunity you’ll ultimately discover.
Sometimes, what initially appears to be a small customer preference can reveal an exciting possibility for an entirely new offer.
Other times, it can show you how to make something you’re already selling more appealing, more convenient or more valuable to your customers.
And occasionally, it can inspire you to rethink how you present, combine or deliver your products + services.
Let me give you an example.
Imagine you own a boutique offering beautiful handmade candles.
Your candles are selling wonderfully, and customers frequently purchase them as gifts.
As you pay attention to their questions + purchasing choices, you begin noticing something interesting.
Customers aren’t simply looking for candles.
Many are looking for a thoughtful, ready-to-give gift for someone special.
Now, imagine what you could do with that discovery!
You might create beautifully packaged gift collections, offer personalized messages or introduce complementary products that turn a lovely candle into an especially meaningful gift.
And perhaps you discover that certain occasions inspire customers to purchase again + again.
Suddenly, you’re no longer looking only at how to sell more candles.
You’re recognizing an opportunity to serve an important customer desire in a more complete + valuable way.
And that distinction can make a wonderful difference to how you develop your business.
Because when you understand what customers are truly trying to accomplish, you can begin imagining possibilities that extend beyond the individual product or service you originally had in mind.
Of course, not every customer suggestion deserves to become a new offer. Part of making wise business decisions is recognizing which discoveries reveal meaningful opportunities – and which are simply individual preferences.
That’s why I encourage you to look for patterns in what customers value, choose + purchase, and to explore promising possibilities before committing significant resources.
But don’t overlook the exciting potential of what those discoveries can reveal!
Sometimes, the greatest value of testing an idea isn't discovering whether customers will buy it. It's discovering what could make the opportunity even better.
The opportunity you discover tomorrow may be even more wonderful than the idea you’re exploring today.
And sometimes, your customers are the very people who help you recognize it! 🦋
💫👟 Your Next Wise Step: Make One Wonderful Customer Discovery!
Well, my wise friend, now it’s your turn to discover something exciting!
Think about one product, service or business idea you’d love to explore.
Perhaps it’s something you’ve been dreaming of creating. Maybe it’s a new addition to your online boutique—or an offer you’d love to make even better.
What could you discover about the customers who might love it?
Here’s your next little Wise Step.
Choose ONE thing you’d love to learn about your customers – and ONE simple way to find out.
You might:
- 🔎 Explore what they’re already buying. Look at customer reviews, popular offers or purchasing patterns to discover what people value.
- 💬 Ask one thoughtful question. Find out how potential customers currently meet a need, what they wish were easier or what they’ve already tried.
- ✨ Explore a real buying opportunity. If you’re ready, introduce a small offer, pilot or sample collection and see how customers respond when they have the opportunity to purchase.
Then take a moment to reflect.
What did you discover? And what wonderful possibility might that discovery reveal?
Perhaps you’ll find a new way to delight your customers, an opportunity to improve your offer or a promising idea worth exploring further.
You don’t need to figure everything out today.
Just begin with one meaningful discovery – and let it inspire your next Wise Step.
Because sometimes, one little discovery can open the door to a wonderfully big opportunity! 🦋
🎥 Let's Explore This Together! REPLACE IMAGE N LINK
Everyone says they LOVE your business idea. But will anyone actually BUY it?
Well, my wise friend, that’s a question worth exploring BEFORE investing too much time, money + effort!
Come join me for Wise eDynasty Session 11, where we’ll meet an imaginary guitar teacher with a wonderful idea for a complete online course.
But when she begins discovering what potential customers genuinely want, something surprising happens!
We’ll explore how a few thoughtful questions – and one small opportunity to test real customer interest – could reveal a very different place to begin.
And perhaps you’ll discover something especially exciting for YOUR business, too:
Your first idea doesn’t have to be your FINAL idea!
I’d LOVE to explore this with you! 🦋
Prefer to listen or watch somewhere else? [Listen to the Audio Edition 
]. Or, Watch on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Well, my wise friend, isn’t it exciting to think about what your next discovery could become?
Perhaps a simple idea will grow into a product your customers absolutely love.
Maybe something you’ve already created will inspire a wonderful new collection, service or business opportunity.
Or perhaps you’ll discover an entirely new direction you hadn’t imagined!
And with every thoughtful discovery + wise decision, you’re doing more than developing something to sell.
You’re creating possibilities for the business – and the life – you dream of building.
Because that’s what I hope you’ll always remember about your Wise eDynasty Journey.
It’s not simply about selling products or services online.
It’s about creating something meaningful, valuable + profitable that supports your ambitions, your freedom + the life you love.
Ready to Explore What Your Own Wise eDynasty Could Become? 💫
If you’re dreaming of starting an online business – or you’d love to take an existing business in an exciting new direction – I’d love to invite you to begin your Wise eDynasty Journey with me.
Start with my FREE Wise Mini Masterclass, where I’ll introduce you to the possibilities of building your own online business + show you how the Wise eDynasty Journey can help you bring your dreams to life.
And until we meet again, keep dreaming, discovering + taking those little Wise Steps toward the future you envision.
Build wisely · Live freely · Love the life your eDynasty makes possible.
With Love And Hope For Your Wisest Success,
Angela van Hoeven
Wise Mama, Wife, Founder, CEO, & Creator of eDynasties
Angela van Hoeven
Wise Mama, Wife, Founder, CEO, & Creator of eDynasties
Ch. 10 · How to Choose What to Sell Online
Ch. 12 · Create an Offer Customers Love