A writer sits in a café, a notebook open in front of them. A steaming cup of coffee rests on the table, untouched, as they scribble down an idea. A few tables away, an entrepreneur is deep in conversation with a friend, excitedly explaining a new product concept. Two different worlds—one building a story, the other a business—but both are about to embark on the same journey. 

Step 1: The Spark of an Idea (PoC - Proof of Concept)

It all starts with an idea. The writer, buzzing with inspiration, quickly jots down a rough plot: a gripping mystery, a heartwarming romance, or perhaps an adventurous sci-fi tale. But before they dive in, they share it with a friend. “Would you read this?” they ask. The friend’s reaction is crucial. If they lean in, intrigued, the idea has potential. If they shrug, maybe it’s time to rethink.

The entrepreneur does the same. Instead of pouring months into building a product, they start by asking people: “Would you use something like this?” They describe the problem and see if it resonates. A few nods, some excited responses—that’s the green light to move forward.

This phase is the PoC—Proof of Concept. It’s not about writing the full book or building the entire business just yet. It’s about checking if the idea has life before committing fully. 

Step 2: The Rough Draft (Prototype)

Encouraged by the positive response, the writer begins typing. The first draft is messy, characters change names halfway through, the plot has holes, and the grammar? Let’s not even talk about it. But the goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. A few chapters in, they share it with beta readers. Some love it, some don’t. Their feedback shapes the next version. 

The entrepreneur takes the same approach. They build a basic version of their product—not polished, not perfect, just functional enough to demonstrate the idea. Maybe it’s a simple landing page, an early model, or a rough app. They share it with potential users. Some see the value immediately; others point out flaws. This feedback helps them refine the idea before investing more time and money.

This is the prototype stage—a rough but crucial step. It’s where ideas start turning into reality.

Step 3: The Audience Test (MVP - Minimum Viable Product)

A full-length novel takes months, sometimes years, to complete. What if no one reads it? To avoid this risk, the writer decides to publish a short story or a few chapters online. If readers engage, leave comments, and ask for more, they know they’re onto something. If there’s silence, it’s time to pivot. 

The entrepreneur thinks the same way. Instead of launching a fully developed product, they start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—a simple version with just enough features to see if people actually want it. Maybe it’s a basic app, an early prototype, or a small-scale launch. If customers respond well, they expand. If not, they tweak and improve before scaling up.

The Lesson? Test, Learn, Then Go Big 

Both writing and entrepreneurship thrive on this step-by-step approach. Instead of spending years on something that might not work, breaking the process into PoC, Prototype, and MVP allows for smarter decisions, less wasted effort, and a higher chance of success.

Every bestselling book started with a simple idea. Every successful startup began as a small test. The difference between success and failure often isn’t talent—it’s strategy. 

For those with a startup idea waiting to take shape, getting an MVP live doesn’t have to take months. With the right approach, it can be done in just a few weeks. Promact helps startups bring their ideas to life quickly, ensuring they test and validate before going all in.