Hey friends 👋
Ever catch yourself nodding along to customer interviews where everyone says “yes” to your idea? Yeah, we’ve been there too.
This week we’re breaking down the classic founder trap: leading customers to tell you exactly what you want to hear. Coming fresh off our Startup Challenge (and maybe slightly sleep-deprived), we dive into the art of unbiased customer interviews using the Mom Test framework.
We play “Did they say that, or did you?” with three startup scenarios — from AI insurance tools to pet travel platforms.
No surprise… most are accidentally offering customers a “magic wand” and wondering why their beta launches flop.
Key insight: Ask about past behavior, not hypothetical interest. “Tell me about the last time you...” beats “Would you use a tool that...” every single time.
Plus, in Frivolous Thoughts: the surprising origins of origami (hint: it started in China, not Japan) and why we say “telltale signs.”
Stop building products nobody wants. Start asking better questions.
—Cameron and JDM
