The first 90 days of your startup journey are like laying the foundation for a skyscraper.
If you get this phase right, everything you build afterward will stand firm.
But if the base is weak, you risk everything crumbling later.
Here’s how to maximize those critical early days:
1. Define Your Vision (But Stay Flexible)
- Start with clarity. Why does your startup exist?
- A well-defined vision is your north star, helping you make tough decisions.
- However, be open to pivoting based on feedback and insights.
Example: Airbnb started as a platform for renting air mattresses, but they adjusted based on user behavior to focus on full property rentals.
2. Focus on Customer Problems, Not Solutions
- Resist the temptation to build a flashy product right away.
- Spend time talking to potential customers.
- Understand their pain points deeply. Great startups solve real, painful problems.
Quick Tip: Ask customers, “What frustrates you most about [industry/problem]?”
3. Build a Simple MVP
- Your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) should address one problem well.
- It doesn’t have to be perfect; it has to work.
Checklist for an MVP:
- Solves a critical problem
- Easy to use
- Collects user feedback
Quote: Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, famously said, “If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.”
4. Assemble the Right Team
- Your team will make or break your startup.
- Look for people who share your values but bring complementary skills.
- Culture fit is essential—ensure everyone aligns with the “why” of your startup.
Pro Tip: Involve your early team in big decisions to foster ownership.
5. Set Measurable Goals
- Focus on specific, actionable milestones for the first three months.
- Examples include:
- Validate the MVP with [X] paying users.
- Secure your first partnership.
- Acquire [Y] email subscribers.
Framework to Use: Set OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to track progress and stay aligned.
6. Build Momentum with Early Wins
- Early successes create morale and credibility.
- Even small wins—like a glowing testimonial or hitting your first revenue target—are essential.
Real-World Insight: Stripe’s early win came from offering a payment solution that developers could integrate with just a few lines of code.
7. Manage Resources Wisely
- Cash is oxygen for startups. Conserve it.
- Prioritize spending on essentials like product development and customer acquisition.
Avoid: Splurging on a fancy office or non-critical hires in this stage.
8. Create Feedback Loops
- Use customer feedback to iterate on your product.
- Regularly evaluate what’s working and what’s not.
Tool Suggestion: Use NPS (Net Promoter Score) surveys to gauge customer satisfaction.
Key Takeaways →
- The first 90 days aren’t about perfection—they’re about progress.
- Stay customer-focused, build lean, and adapt quickly.
- Setting a strong foundation will prepare your startup for long-term success.
P.S. Don’t fear mistakes. They’re inevitable. The trick is to learn quickly and pivot wisely.