0:00
/
0:00
Transcript

▶️ Watch the replay: hit your next startup milestone in half the time

An experiment with live video on Substack, where I break down the 3-step formula we use at Traction Lab and elsewhere. Should I make "office hours" a regular thing?

Hey friends 👋

In this live session, I broke down a proven framework for helping startups reach their next major milestone — whether it’s fundraising, product-market fit, or profitability — in half the time.

The key? A three-legged stool approach:

1️⃣ Define the Major Milestone – Set a clear 6-18 month goal (e.g., raising a $2M seed round) and identify what needs to be true to get there.

2️⃣ Milestone-Based Progression – Break it into decision points (not just arbitrary checkpoints), each tied to key data you need to move forward. Think of it like making smart bets — only doubling down when you have the right signals.

3️⃣ Iterative Validation – Test assumptions through structured experiments, using a falsifiable hypothesis. Each test should either confirm your path or force a recalibration — keeping you from going all-in on bad assumptions.

The beauty of this system? It keeps you laser-focused, cuts wasted effort, and ensures every move you make is toward real traction.


PS: This was an experiment with hosting office hours — something I used to do regularly on YouTube before life (and having a kid) made that tricky. Substack’s livestreaming is new, so there were some technical quirks (like not knowing which microphone it used), but hey, we’re rolling with it.

🚀 Want more of these office hours? Let me know, and I’ll keep them coming!

Get more from JDM in the Substack app
Available for iOS and Android