You're starting

Tell us your story.

Share what feels true. Skip anything that doesn't fit yet. We'll write back with what we see.

Grounded in Effectuation (Sarasvathy, 2001) — start with what you have, build with who's willing.

Before you start

This form asks about you, not about a business idea. You do not need one. If you have an idea already, that is fine too — these questions still apply.

Everything you write here goes into a prompt you will paste into an AI tool at the end. The AI can only work with what you give it. Specific, concrete answers produce a plan you can act on. Vague answers produce generic advice.

Takes about ten minutes. Skip anything you cannot answer — blanks are useful information too.

Let's start with hello

About you

So we know who we're writing to.

Your name*Email address*Where you're basedCity and state, or ZIP code. Used to make the plan geographically relevant. Generalized before anything is sent to an AI tool.

Principle 01 — Bird in hand

Your means

Expert entrepreneurs don't start with a goal — they start with three things they already have. Tell us yours.

Who you are*Roles, identities, and lived experience that shape how you see problems. Useful: 'former ICU nurse, first-generation immigrant, mother of two, church deacon.' Less useful: 'entrepreneur.'What you knowSpecific skills, credentials, and hard-won knowledge. Useful: 'eight years running email campaigns for nonprofits, know how HHS grant cycles work, fluent in Spanish.' Less useful: 'marketing.'Whom you knowActual people and groups you could call this week. Useful: 'three pastors who run wellness programs, my old team at the county health department, a cousin who owns a salon.' Less useful: 'my professional network.'

Principle 02 — Affordable loss

What you can afford to lose

Not 'how much do I expect to make.' What could you walk away from without it hurting? Knowing this lets you act without waiting to be sure.

Money you could let go ofA real number and a real timeframe — the amount you could lose entirely without changing your life. Useful: '$1,500 over six months.' Less useful: 'not much.'Time you could giveHours per week you can protect, honestly. Useful: 'six hours, mostly evenings and Sunday afternoons.' Less useful: 'whenever I can.'

Principle 03 — Crazy quilt

Who you've started talking to

Ventures aren't built alone. The people who say yes early help you decide what to build next.

Conversations you've startedWho you have already talked to about this and what they said. Useful: 'talked to two salon owners — both said they would pay for bilingual social media help.' Less useful: 'a few people.' If none yet, leave blank.Real commitments you've receivedAnything real that someone has promised — money, time, an introduction, a signature. Useful: 'one pastor verbally agreed to a paid quarterly series.' Less useful: 'people seem interested.' If none yet, leave blank.

Principle 04 — Lemonade

Surprises so far

Things you didn't plan for — good or bad — are often the most useful raw material.

Contingencies, setbacks, or unexpected openingsAnything unexpected — good or bad — that has changed your thinking. Useful: 'got laid off, which freed up time but cut income.' Less useful: 'nothing much.'

Principle 05 — Pilot in the plane

What feels most uncertain

We'll help you focus on what you can shape, instead of what you can't predict.

What you can't control or predict right nowThe specific question keeping you stuck. Useful: 'whether I can charge enough for this to replace my income.' Less useful: 'everything.'

One last look: are your answers specific enough that a stranger could act on them? The more concrete you were, the better your plan will be.

Free. We'll personalize an overview from what you shared. No payment, no spam.