Been making moves
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve really dug myself into a hole with this new venture. It’s definitely taking up a lot of my time and mental space, but you know what? I’m okay with that. It’s giving me a much-needed distraction from other things going on, and honestly, it feels good to be so focused on something I care about.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what I’ve been up to:
Watching a lot of YouTube videos from Y Combinator about MVPs (shoutout to their library—it’s gold!).
Creating wireframes using Balsamiq. It's like playing with digital blueprints, and honestly, I’m loving it.
Researching what I believe the tech stack should be. (I may not be a developer, but I’m learning to speak their language!)
Conducting a survey—it's still live, by the way, if anyone wants to take it. So far, I’ve got about 115 responses, which feels like a small victory. It’s funny how, when I’m out and about talking to people about the idea, their faces light up, and I immediately send them the survey. Who knows what will come of it, but that’s okay. The process of putting the idea out there and getting feedback feels just as important as the idea itself.
Learning that there are so many no-code options out there. It’s been eye-opening to see how much I can accomplish without needing to dive headfirst into coding. These tools are perfect for getting something functional off the ground, and they’re making the process way less intimidating.
On top of all that, I’ve also built out a robust financial model. It’s just how my brain works—I need to be able to see the inputs and outputs from end to end. Not only does it make me feel more excited about the potential of what I’m building, but it also helps me understand how everything is interconnected, right down to the depths of the statement of cashflows.
Another highlight of this journey has been connecting with amazing people from all kinds of backgrounds. Almost everyone I talk to says, “Let me know if you need any help.” And trust me, I will! Those conversations have been inspiring and a great reminder that building something new is as much about the community you create as it is about the product itself.
Next on my to-do list is meeting with some software developer friends. I need to understand the process a bit more—what it takes to build this thing and where I might need support. If I’m honest, I’ll probably need to start looking for a technical co-founder at some point, but I’m not rushing it. For now, it’s about meeting the right people, talking about the vision, and getting buy-in while keeping the wheels turning on everything else.
Speaking of vision, let me share the ultimate goal: I want to lower the barrier of entry for people who are curious about skiing and snowboarding. I’ve been lucky enough to fall in love with the mountains because someone curated an experience that made it easy for me to get started. Now, I want to pay it forward. There are so many people out there who could be into it—who want to be into it—but just don’t know where to start. My hope is that this venture can help them take that first step.
For me, success right now isn’t about having all the answers or a perfect plan. It’s about meeting as many people as I can, talking about the idea, and staying focused on the goal of launching an MVP before February. Small steps, one day at a time.