Business Idea Validation: Why Feedback From Friends Can Kill Your Idea
- David Wilson
- Aug 14
- 2 min read
“Friends… how many of us have them?”
Whodini dropped that line back in 1984, and it’s still true today — especially if you’re chasing a business idea.
When you finally share your idea with friends, you’ll probably hear:
“That’s awesome, you should totally do it!”
It feels good. But here’s the problem: encouragement isn’t the same as business idea validation.
Your friends want to support you, not poke holes in your plan. And while that love is valuable, it won’t tell you whether your idea will actually work in the real world.
That’s where validation comes in — getting real, objective feedback from the people who might actually buy from you.
1. Friends Mean Well — But That’s the Problem
Your inner circle wants to protect you. They don’t want to be the person who says, “That won’t work.” So instead, they smile, nod, and say, “Go for it!”
That’s great for your confidence. But it’s terrible data. Validation needs honesty, not comfort.
2. Familiarity Creates Blind Spots
Friends know you. They know your skills, your hustle, your big heart. That means they’re not looking at your idea as a customer. They’re looking at it as someone who already believes in you.
Bias isn’t bad — but it isn’t business validation either.
3. Real Customers Ask Real Questions
A friend will ask: “When are you launching?”
A customer will ask: “How much does it cost, and why is it better than what I’m using now?”
See the difference? One is excitement. The other is a buying decision. And only one pays the bills.
4. How to Do Real Business Idea Validation
If you want to know whether your idea has legs, skip the family dinner feedback loop and try this instead:
Talk to your target audience (people who have the problem you’re solving)
Ask about pain, not products — what frustrates them most?
Offer a tiny test (a mockup, a landing page, or a one-on-one service)
Watch behavior, not words — would they pay, click, or sign up?
Validation isn’t about getting compliments. It’s about getting proof.
5. Shortcut the Guesswork
This is exactly why LaunchLens exists.
For $99, you get:
✅ A 30-minute clarity session
✅ An objective roadmap
✅ The truth about whether your idea is ready — or not
Think of it as the friend who cares enough to tell you the hard stuff… but also gives you the next step forward.
Your friends will always root for you — and that’s a gift. But when it comes to your business, you need more than applause. You need clarity, confidence, and validation that comes from the people who might actually buy.
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