Product Princess Journal | Product Strategy
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in business?
A beautiful product isn't enough. The right customer makes all the difference.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in business?
Falling in love with your product before you understand your customer.
And believe me, I understand how easy that is.
I've spent 30 years as an entrepreneur, with the last 10 building product-based businesses. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that creating something you're proud of is only one piece of the puzzle.
You can have a beautiful product.
You can put your heart into every detail.
You can spend months perfecting it.
And still struggle to sell it.
Because loving what you make doesn't automatically mean there's a market willing to pay for it.
Your Excitement Isn't Market Research
When you create something, you see its potential. You know how much time, energy, and money you've invested.
But your customer doesn't see it through those same eyes.
They're wondering whether they need it, whether they want it, and whether it's worth their hard-earned money.
And sometimes, their answer isn't what you expected.
That doesn't mean you've failed. It means you have something to learn.
There's a big difference between a product people admire and a product people actually purchase.
Three Questions to Ask Before You Invest
1. Who is actually going to buy this?
Not everyone is your customer.
Get specific about who you're creating for, what matters to them, and why they would choose your product.
2. What problem does it solve, or what desire does it fulfill?
Some products make life easier. Others bring joy, create memories, or represent something meaningful.
Your job is to understand what makes your product valuable to the person buying it.
3. Have people proven they're willing to pay for it?
This one is important.
Friends and family telling you your idea is wonderful isn't the same as having paying customers.
Test your product. Start small. Listen to feedback.
And pay attention to what people actually buy.
Compliments are lovely.
Sales tell you something different.
Sometimes the Customer Will Surprise You
I've had products I thought would be incredibly successful that didn't perform the way I expected.
And I've had products that surprised me with how deeply customers connected to them.
That's one of the most fascinating parts of entrepreneurship.
You can make all the plans in the world, but sometimes the market teaches you something you never anticipated.
The important thing is being willing to listen.
Don't become so attached to your original idea that you miss what your customers are trying to tell you.
Build With Your Heart. Bring Your Business Brain.
I believe your business should be an extension of who you are.
Your creativity, your experiences, your values, and your heart all belong in what you're building.
But passion needs to work alongside practical business decisions.
Understand your customer.
Know your numbers.
Test your assumptions.
And be willing to adjust.
After 30 years of entrepreneurship, here's what I know.
You don't need everyone to love your idea. You need the right people to value it enough to buy it.
Build with your heart, absolutely.
But make sure you're bringing your business brain along for the ride. ❤️
Product Princess 👑
Your money matters. Your time matters. Your energy matters.