How I Tested That

David J Bland
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
How I Tested That

Testing your ideas against reality can be challenging. Not everything will go as planned. It’s about keeping an open mind, having a clear hypothesis and running multiple tests to see if you have enough directional evidence to keep going. This is the How I Tested That Podcast, where David J Bland connects with entrepreneurs and innovators who had the courage to test their ideas with real people, in the market, with sometimes surprising results. Join us as we explore the ups and downs of experimentation… together.

  1. OCT 16

    Jeff Gothelf & Josh Seiden | How We Tested Training Programs

    In this conversation, Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden discuss their journey in scaling their training business, focusing on the assumptions, risks, and testing methods they are employing.  They share insights on the importance of community building, the challenges of filling workshops, and the balance between qualitative and quantitative success metrics.  The discussion highlights the significance of cold outreach, learning from past experiments, and navigating uncertainty in entrepreneurship.

    35 min

  2. OCT 2

    Eddy Connors | How I Tested Goodie Bag

    Eddy Connors, co-founder of Goodie Bag, shares his journey of creating a digital marketplace that connects consumers to local retail shops to purchase unsold food at a discounted price.  The idea for Goodie Bag came from Eddy's gap year in Indonesia, where he witnessed the impact of plastic pollution and the need for sustainable solutions.  Goodie Bag aims to reduce food waste, provide affordable options for consumers, and support local businesses. Eddy emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of both partners and customers and continuously iterating to provide more value to the community.

    32 min

  3. SEP 18

    Victoria Sakal | How I Tested Growth at Wonder

    Victoria shares her journey from working at big consulting firms to joining a company as it was being completely overhauled and reborn to survive and thrive post-AI. Wonder helps entrepreneurs and small businesses with desk research by providing them with curated information and insights. They navigate the risks of the rapidly evolving AI landscape and focus on the desirability, viability, and feasibility of their solution. They aim to be the go-to choice for their audience by offering expertise, credibility, and a comprehensive solution.  Victoria emphasizes the importance of curiosity and asking the right questions in the research process. Victoria discusses the process of conducting desk research and how her company uses AI to provide valuable insights to clients. She emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and desires through constant contact and conversations.  She also talks about the challenges of testing and refining solutions, as well as the risks and uncertainties of working in the AI space.  Overall, Wonder aims to simplify and aggregate information for clients, helping them make informed decisions.

    44 min

  4. SEP 4

    Ali Jiwani | How I Tested AI Powered Education

    Ali Jiwani shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting a food delivery platform to building Slay School, a personalized learning platform.  He discusses how he used data to predict success in his previous ventures and how he applied those insights to Slay School.  Ali explains his approach to acquiring early customers through Reddit and Discord, and the importance of quick feedback loops.  He also talks about the challenges of pricing and the vision for Slay School to revolutionize education by providing personalized learning paths for students.

    36 min

  5. AUG 21

    Marc Wandler | How I Tested Upcycled Barley Flour

    Marc Wandler, the co-founder of Susgrainable, shares his journey of turning beer waste into sustainable flour and baked goods.  He started the business as a student project and quickly learned from rapid feedback cycles. By sampling the product at farmers markets and cafes, he honed in on his target market and gained valuable customer feedback. He also leveraged media opportunities to generate buzz and attract customers.  However, the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges, and Marc had to adapt by observing the market and focusing on food service partnerships. Despite the difficulties, he remained committed to his vision and continued to innovate. Susgrainable was born out of the university and focused on learning about consumer packaged goods and non-dilutive funding opportunities.  They secured non-dilutive money to build the foundation of the business and focused on scaling their flower production.  They conducted A/B tests and gathered consumer feedback to inform their product development and packaging decisions. They also explored collaborations and partnerships to expand their impact.  The next six months will be focused on managing risks, navigating potential partnerships and investments, and continuing to build towards their vision of creating impact through sustainability.

    43 min

  6. AUG 7

    Maura Mitchell | How I Tested Women Led Micro Businesses

    Maura Mitchell, a lawyer and MBA, shares her work at the Women's Business Development Center, helping micro businesses test their assumptions and scale. She guides entrepreneurs through a process of testing their early ideas using the Lean Startup Method and the business model canvas.  Mitchell emphasizes the importance of market research and customer discovery interviews to validate assumptions and find product-market fit. She also highlights the value of accountability and mentorship in helping entrepreneurs navigate the early stages of their businesses.  Mitchell's work includes supporting a retail incubator and coaching and education businesses. She envisions expanding her impact by providing connections and facilitating collaboration among entrepreneurs.

    32 min

  7. JUL 24

    Janna Bastow | How I Tested Pricing Packages

    In this conversation, Janna Bastow, founder of ProdPad, shares her insights on testing pricing and packaging strategies. She discusses the importance of understanding the different roles and decision-makers in B2B purchasing, as well as the challenges of navigating the procurement process.  Janna also talks about the evolution of pricing at ProdPad and the lessons learned from testing different packages and pricing structures. She highlights the value of customer feedback and the use of AI in product management.  Overall, Janna emphasizes the need for product managers to focus on the core aspects of their role and leverage technology to automate repetitive tasks.

    36 min

  8. JUL 10

    Andi Plantenberg | How I Tested A Mission To the Moon

    In this conversation, David J Bland interviews Andi Plantenberg about her experience with testing and experimentation, particularly in the context of NASA missions.  They discuss the importance of testing early stage ideas, the challenges of navigating a culture of perfection and safety, and the need for fluidity and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.  Andi shares insights from her work with NASA, including the use of simulated mission control rooms and the iterative design of software.  She also emphasizes the importance of systems thinking and the need to address complex problems in a holistic way.  Overall, the conversation highlights the value of experimentation in driving innovation and addressing the pressing challenges of our time.

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Testing your ideas against reality can be challenging. Not everything will go as planned. It’s about keeping an open mind, having a clear hypothesis and running multiple tests to see if you have enough directional evidence to keep going. This is the How I Tested That Podcast, where David J Bland connects with entrepreneurs and innovators who had the courage to test their ideas with real people, in the market, with sometimes surprising results. Join us as we explore the ups and downs of experimentation… together.

Information

  • Creator
    David J Bland
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Precoil, LLC
  • Show Website
    How I Tested That

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