Stop Overthinking, Start Building

SDS 066: Stop Overthinking, Start Building

Hey! thank you for reading issue 066 of Startup Definition Sunday (SDS). You can read past issues here.

SDS is the only newsletter that is redefining support for Africa's emerging founders. Every other Sunday, we cut through the fundraising and ecosystem noise to bring actionable insights to 2,320 emerging founders.

Now to Today’s Issue

Let’s talk about one of the biggest traps I see first-time founders fall into: overthinking.

If you’re sitting on an idea, waiting for funding, or trying to perfect your pitch deck before you move, I hate to break it to you, you’re already behind. The best founders I’ve backed weren’t waiting. They were building, testing, and selling. They moved fast, even if it was scrappy, and that’s what got them ahead.

Here’s the truth: momentum beats perfection. Let’s dive into three actions you can take today to start building your business without waiting for anyone’s permission.

1. Build a scrappy version of your idea today

You don’t need a full engineering team or a million-dollar budget to bring your vision to life. AI-powered tools can help you create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in days, not months. Platforms like ChatGPT, Replit, Canva, WebFlow and Bubble are making it easier than ever to test your idea with minimal resources.

Even more exciting, AI is lowering the barrier to entry. You’ll be surprised what you can launch in a week with tools already at your fingertips.

💡 Action Step: Research 1–2 AI-powered tools relevant to your idea and commit to building a working prototype this week. Test it with friends, family, or early adopters. You’ll gain clarity by doing, not planning.

2. Sell to customers first, pitch to investors later

Investors don’t fund ideas. They fund traction. If you’re pitching without any user validation or revenue, you’re pitching a gamble.

Good news: you don’t need a finished product to start selling. You can:

• Build a simple landing page using Carrd or Webflow, and collect signups or pre-orders.

• Run a low-budget ad campaign on Meta Ads or X Ads.

• Or even just DM or email your target customers directly.

If someone is willing to pay for a rough version of your product, that’s proof of demand—and that’s what investors care about.

💡 Action Step: Set a goal to secure your first paying customer in the next 30 days. Even one sale validates that your solution has real value.

3. Build for a real pain point, not a “cool” idea

This is especially important in Africa’s diverse, complex markets. Too many startups chase flashy, “innovative” concepts that don’t solve real problems. But real traction comes from relevance.

Look around you at Series B+ startups that continue to raise and scale. They are solving painful problems across different industries. For you, this should give you the confidence you need to find real friction. Talk to people in your community or industry. Ask what frustrates them, what wastes their time, what they’d pay to fix.

💡 Action Step: Spend a day talking to at least 5 potential users this week. Ask about their top 2–3 daily pain points. Take notes. Solve for them, not for yourself.

My Two Pesewas

Pick one of these three actions and execute on it this week. And when you start gaining traction, share it. Share your wins. Share your lessons. Share this newsletter with a fellow founder who needs to hear this.

Remember, the market doesn’t wait for you to be ready. It rewards those who move. So stop planning and start building.

That's all for today. As always, thank you for being an engaged reader. Let me know your thoughts on this issue. I’d love to hear your experiences or tips on navigating tough decisions in leadership.

Until next time,

Jasiel

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