Zero to Traction

JDM and Cameron Law
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Zero to Traction

Startups are hard AF, risking your time, money, and reputation — and yet you’ve heard the call. You’re in. Now what? In the Zero to Traction podcast, we tackle the major challenges faced by first-time founders building scalable startups. Each episode provides tools, tips, stories, and mindset shifts to empower founders to overcome these obstacles to create companies that scale. zerototraction.substack.com

  1. The "hype or hypothesis" edition

    3D AGO

    The "hype or hypothesis" edition

    Hype is fun, but hypotheses get results. In this episode, Zero to Traction tackles the crucial difference between startup optimism and actual, testable assumptions. Hosts Josh David Miller (JDM) and Cameron Law break down how to turn your assumptions into actionable hypotheses, run meaningful experiments, and avoid the trap of just “seeing what happens.” ✅ Why hype alone won’t get you funded (or customers) ✅ The three must-have elements of a real hypothesis ✅ Why testing too many things at once is the startup equivalent of astrology ✅ How to set realistic, falsifiable targets for your experiments ✅ What to do when your data doesn’t match your expectations Plus, Cameron stays committed to Apple TV shows, JDM rediscovers his Remarkable tablet, and both hosts try to survive Startup Challenge Week with minimal existential crises. Takeaways & Highlights Hype ≠ Validation • Founders love to talk up their startup (because, duh). • But without testable hypotheses, it’s just storytelling. • Data-driven validation creates real hype that investors and customers believe. How to Write a Good Hypothesis A real hypothesis has three critical components: 1️⃣ Precision – Define who will take what action how and when. 2️⃣ Discreteness – Test one assumption at a time, or risk meaningless results. 3️⃣ Falsifiability – Make sure your hypothesis can be proven wrong, not just massaged into “success.” Why “Seeing What Happens” is for Amateurs * Running an experiment without a hypothesis is just rolling the dice. * If you don’t set a clear expected outcome, you’ll find a way to claim success no matter what. * If your test isn’t falsifiable, it’s a waste of time. Choosing the Right Target Metric * Don’t just pick a number out of thin air—tie it to your startup’s business model assumptions. * If your target is too high, you may be overconfident. * If it’s too low, you might just be trying to game the test. Frivolous Thoughts of the Week * Cameron dives into Dope Thief — a crime thriller about fake DEA agents that might be too good at their jobs. * JDM dusts off his Remarkable tablet for sketching startup concepts and giving talks with on-the-fly infographics. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zerototraction.substack.com

    19 min
  2. The "traction or distraction" edition

    MAR 12

    The "traction or distraction" edition

    Traction—it’s the holy grail of startups, but what is it, really? More importantly, what isn’t it? In this episode, Josh David Miller (JDM) and Cameron Law dive into the nitty-gritty of what traction actually means for startups. They break down why founders often mistake distractions for traction, how traction evolves through the startup lifecycle, and what investors are really looking for when they ask, “So… do you have traction?” You’ll hear: ✅ Why sales alone aren’t the ultimate proof of traction (gasp!) ✅ The Ladder of Evidence—how to proportion effort to traction signals ✅ How traction changes depending on where you are in your startup journey ✅ The difference between confirmatory data and wishful thinking ✅ A breakdown of discovery vs. validation in experimentation Plus, JDM picks fights with vanity metrics (again), Cass reigns supreme as co-host, and the guys end as they always do, with frivolous thoughts: * Cameron tries to not get distracted by philosophical TV thought experiments; and * JDM gets meta about traction, thinking through how to increase traction for… an event about traction. Resources & Links 📚 Testing Business Ideas by David Bland (for real-world traction experiments) 📢 Traction Thinking Newsletter – Subscribe here 🛠 Interested in The Traction Lab? Learn more here 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a founder who needs to hear it! 🚀 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zerototraction.substack.com

    36 min
  3. The “snarky” edition

    MAR 6

    The “snarky” edition

    In this unusually snarky episode of Zero to Traction, Cam and JDM dive into five signs that your startup idea… might be garbage. They address common pitfalls such as overestimating the market size, the dangers of comparing your idea to ‘Uber for X,’ and why verbal confirmations of interest aren’t enough. The episode also explores the importance of understanding your target market and ensuring genuine customer traction. As always, the guys end with some frivolous thoughts. Cameron becomes an NBA conspiracy theorist (but he swears he didn’t get it off Reddit), and JDM recommends a Netflix show that hooked him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zerototraction.substack.com

    34 min
  4. The “Are You Doing Reps or Just Posing?” Edition

    FEB 21

    The “Are You Doing Reps or Just Posing?” Edition

    This week, JDM and Cam are exploring the concepts of high-value versus low-value work, focusing on the importance of ‘doing reps’ — that is, running meaningful experiments and gathering data to drive real progress. They also delve into how startup founders can avoid simply ‘posing’ by making sure their actions are grounded in solid evidence. The episode includes insightful analogies from fitness and sports, emphasizing the importance of building a solid foundation before attempting to scale. And, as always, the guys end with some light-hearted frivolity: * Cam shares the insights you can gleam from his 2025 Spotify playlist * JDM endorses two very different streaming series This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zerototraction.substack.com

    33 min
  5. The “don’t practice what you don’t know” edition

    FEB 12

    The “don’t practice what you don’t know” edition

    In this episode of Zero to Traction, JDM and Cam dive into the whimsical world of Chanchitos (three-legged pigs from Chile believed to bring good luck) and traction. This week, the guys tackle the crucial topic of moving meaningfully towards success, rather than aimlessly “hustling”. They emphasize the importance of being intentional, understanding customer needs, and avoiding the pitfalls of focusing excessively on the product. If you’re a founder wanting to balance speed with purpose, this episode will resonate. Plus, don’t miss the light-hearted updates on the _Rings of Power_ series and the latest win from the Sacramento Kings. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zerototraction.substack.com

    23 min
  6. The “fire the founder” edition

    FEB 11

    The “fire the founder” edition

    Apologies for the late release! This is actually last week’s episode, which didn’t drop due to technical difficulties. But, hey — bonus! — you get two episodes this week, you lucky dogs… This week, JDM and Cam record live and in person from their podcasting studio (Cameron’s office), cracking wise as they discuss transforming a startup from founder-only to founder-led and eventually to founder-less. Learn about the intricacies of starting to scale a startup, from fundraising and sales strategies to technical and product development. As always, your feedback is encouraged. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague — it really helps us out. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zerototraction.substack.com

    35 min
  7. The “but you didn’t answer my question” edition

    JAN 29

    The “but you didn’t answer my question” edition

    Ever panic while waiting to be introduced on stage? Of course not, and neither have we! (You’ll laugh later) In this episode of Zero to Traction, JDM and Cam dive headfirst into the art of handling Q&A. But don’t turn away just yet because it’s a lot trickier than it sounds. Join us as we discuss how first-time founders can navigate the tricky waters of investor questions, pitch competitions, and more. We’ll share three critical strategies: understanding questions, keeping answers calm yet confident, and breaking down the different types of questions you’ll face — and how to address each one. All this, plus an amusing rant about bathroom cellphone etiquette and a recommendation for a historical drama on Hulu. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zerototraction.substack.com

    22 min
  8. The "if Maslow had a startup" edition

    JAN 22

    The "if Maslow had a startup" edition

    Zero to Traction is BACK, baby! JDM and Cameron Law are kicking off 2025 with a sassy bang (maybe that’s not the best phrase…). After a two-week hiatus, they’re diving headfirst into the gladiator pit of startup fundraising with the golden pyramid of pitching. (And a geeky reference to American psychologist Abraham Maslow) The goal of the hierarchy? Help you align your pitch with what investors actually care about (spoiler alert: it’s not just hockey-stick charts and buzzwords). They break down the essentials of nailing your business fundamentals, refining your communication, and—let’s be real—polishing up the rough edges (aka turds) of your startup story. And because it wouldn’t be Zero to Traction without a little chaos, the guys sprinkle in some post-holiday updates and reflections on life — Cam’s kitchen has no walls, and JDM can’t make lights work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zerototraction.substack.com

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Startups are hard AF, risking your time, money, and reputation — and yet you’ve heard the call. You’re in. Now what? In the Zero to Traction podcast, we tackle the major challenges faced by first-time founders building scalable startups. Each episode provides tools, tips, stories, and mindset shifts to empower founders to overcome these obstacles to create companies that scale. zerototraction.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    JDM and Cameron Law
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © JDM & Cameron Law
  • Show Website
    Zero to Traction

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