# LaunchDeck — Launch Checklist

## Phase 1: Validate Your Idea (Week 1)

- [ ] Picked your top business idea using the Pain + Passion + Proof filter
- [ ] Talked to at least 5 real people about your idea (NOT friends or family)
- [ ] Got at least 3 people to say "yes, I'd pay for that" — or documented why they wouldn't
- [ ] Wrote down the top 3 objections people raised (and how you'd address them)
- [ ] Settled on your first product or service offer (be specific: not "consulting" but "30-min branding session for $75")

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## Phase 2: Set Up Your Business (Week 2)

- [ ] Chose a business name — searched it on Google/Instagram to make sure it's not taken
- [ ] Set up a separate bank account (Chase, Wise, or a local credit union — parents can help)
- [ ] If selling physical products: researched your supplier and got at least 2 quotes
- [ ] If selling services: wrote your first 3 service packages with clear deliverables and prices
- [ ] Set up a simple way to get paid (Stripe link, Venmo, or PayPal — share the link or QR code)
- [ ] Created a basic logo or visual identity (Canva is free — spend 2 hours on it, then move on)

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## Phase 3: Build Your First Offer (Week 3)

- [ ] Built a minimum version of your product (MVP) — not perfect, just good enough to sell
- [ ] Wrote a 1-paragraph description of your offer that a stranger could understand in 10 seconds
- [ ] Set your price using the pricing calculator (never price based on what you "need" — price based on value)
- [ ] Created a simple way for customers to reach you (Instagram DM, WhatsApp, or a Google Form)
- [ ] Did a test run with someone you trust — paid or unpaid — to catch any major issues

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## Phase 4: Get Your First Customer (Week 4)

- [ ] Wrote and sent your first customer outreach email (or DM) — used the template from LaunchDeck
- [ ] Sent to at least 10 potential customers (people who actually have the problem you're solving)
- [ ] Tracked your outreach in a spreadsheet (who you contacted, when, what you said, if they replied)
- [ ] Closed your first sale — even if it was a friend, family member, or discounted — document it
- [ ] Asked your first customer for feedback: "What's one thing that could've been better?"

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## Phase 5: Ship and Learn (Ongoing)

- [ ] Every week: reach out to 5+ new potential customers
- [ ] Every 2 weeks: update your offer based on real feedback from real customers
- [ ] Every month: review your pricing — if everyone says it's too cheap, raise it
- [ ] Track every customer interaction in your supplier tracker or a simple notes system
- [ ] Celebrate every sale — no matter how small. The first one is the hardest.

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## Quick Wins Checklist

- [ ] Business name chosen and usable
- [ ] Payment method set up and tested
- [ ] First customer outreach sent
- [ ] First dollar earned (even if from a friend)
- [ ] Feedback collected from at least 1 real customer

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*Start at the top. Don't skip phases. Ship before you're ready.*