I’m coming up on five years of being an entrepreneur. Wild, right? And somewhere along the way, I accidentally became the friend people go to when they’re starting a business.
And the number one piece of advice I give - the advice that sounds unhinged, the advice I give while laughing because I barely followed it myself?
“Start a YouTube channel.”
Which is hilarious, because I am absolutely not the poster child for YouTube success.
My channel is extremely niche.
I have zero editing skills - everything is filmed in one take with medium-to-low quality audio and video. I’ve tried to improve it, but… it’s never going to look the way I want it to in my head, no matter how many hours I put into it.
And honestly?
I’m still a little embarrassed by it.
The bottom right thumbnail haunts my dreams
But here’s the thing:
It is hands-down the best business decision I’ve ever made.
My only inbound sales tool. Actually, my only sales tool, period.
And the clients who find me through YouTube?
They’re the dream clients. They arrive pre-aligned, already trusting me, and ready to work.
Even better - my top videos reveal exactly what people in my industry are struggling with. They’re a roadmap of pain points and frustrations. They tell me what to build next, what to teach next, what to create next.
It’s a scrappy, imperfect, slightly embarrassing channel… and also the clearest view I’ve ever had into what my audience actually needs.
And none of that would’ve happened if I waited until it was “ready.”
Why a Prototype Beats a Perfect Product
In supply chain, you never launch a full production run on day one.
You start with a pilot, a test run or a prototype.
Not because you lack confidence - but because real feedback only shows up once something interacts with the real world.
Ideas work the same way, you can’t perfect something you’ve never tested, and you can’t optimize something that only exists in your imagination.
You need the early, awkward version.
Before you panic, let’s pause and think about something: How do you feel when someone asks for your feedback?
The kind where someone says: “Hey, can I get your thoughts on this?”
Most of us feel really flattered to have been asked.
It creates connection. It makes us want to see them succeed.
So why do we assume we’re annoying when we ask for feedback?
Why do we think we’re burdening people instead of inviting them in?
The truth:
People love being asked! It makes them feel valued.
And once someone gives you feedback once, they become more invested when you return with updates. That’s the beginning of community - not polished final products, but the messy middle.
Let’s get some feedback!
And if you’re thinking, “What would I even share?”, here are a few starters:
A rough draft you’re writing - newsletter, caption, bio, blog post.
A habit you want to start - ask, “What would make this easier?”
A personal goal you’re avoiding - people love cheering for someone who’s trying.
A tiny side hustle idea - small ideas often become big once someone else sees the spark.
A decision you’re wrestling with - “What would you do if you were me?” is magic.
Don’t know who to share your ideal with? Respond to me! I’d be thrilled to look at a first draft.
