Before spending money, run every idea through these five checks. Post your idea below using the template and the community can help poke holes in it.

1. Who pays? Name a specific customer, not “everyone”.
2. Is someone already paying for this? Competitors are a good sign: they prove demand.
3. Can you get 3 conversations this week? Message people in your target group and ask about the problem, not your solution.
4. What is the smallest paid test? A pre-sale, a one-off gig or a simple landing page.
5. Hours vs. money: estimate weekly hours and a realistic hourly result after 3 months.

Template: Idea / Target customer / How you’ll find the first 3 customers / Startup cost / Hours per week.