Launch Month: Learn, Pop-In, Pivot
Mike Hoffmann
Vending Machine Expert
Master the art of fast-tracking your startup in just 30 days by learning key strategies for market adaptation, networking, and strategic action.
First 30 Days: Overview & Mindset
Anthony enrolled on September 27 and was laid off two days later.
He treated the program like night school and binged modules for 3–4 nights. He replayed the pop-in video ~100 times with a “consume, then act” mindset.
Day-One Actions & Pipeline Setup
On day one he printed 35 flyers at FedEx to use as business cards. He launched pop-ins, meeting property and operations managers. Every contact went into a Google Sheet to drive follow-ups and touches.
Early Mistakes & Fast Pivots
Desk research overweighted employee counts and missed WFH patterns. A paid “370-unit” lead was actually 10 buildings of 37 units—messy ops. He stopped pre-placing equipment and switched to parking-lot tests.
Community, Calls, and Mentorship
Anthony joined Wednesday community calls to ask, share, and learn. He networked with a local operator running 4 sites and ~$10k/month. Staying vocal accelerated his curve—failure was not an option.
Playbook & Next Steps
Checklist for Past Self
Watch modules at night; execute next morning, every time. Use flyers and pop-ins to seed pipeline; rigorously qualify leads. Avoid multi-building traps; trust parking-lot reality over desk work.
Weekly Habits That Compound
Show up on the calls and keep networking locally. Log field reps, track pivots, and document learning. Let launch-month execution build momentum.
What’s Next
Define a “banger” site with objective KPIs and walk-throughs. Run a 10-minute validation routine before any commitment. Break down two early wins step-by-step so others can replicate.
Complete the following exercises:
1. Reflect on a recent project or idea where you had to adapt quickly based on feedback. Consider how you could have used more real-world testing to validate your assumptions before proceeding. Write a short paragraph on how this approach might change your future strategies.
2. Create a simple outreach plan for a hypothetical business launch. Include steps for initial contact, follow-ups, and community engagement. Focus on building a robust network and pipeline from day one, illustrating how you will use tools like flyers and digital databases to maintain connections.
QUIZ
1. What is a key strategy for adapting quickly in a startup's first month?
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Leave your comments and questions below.
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