Week #8: Start small

This week I'll try something new. I'll review my progress and plans by looking at my Kanban board publicly. Here are the tasks I've gotten done this week:

I had two tasks in focus: writing an article about LCP, and releasing my first Shopify theme on the landing page of my website and on Gumroad. All done.

Getting things done and fear

The reason behind releasing Coffee World was to wrap up the first milestone of my Shopify journey.

On the whiteboard in my room, I wrote, "Escape corporate by creating my first Shopify theme"— and it was time to close this task. I figured putting the theme on the landing page and on Gumroad is an elegant way of checking this milestone.

I've set out on a mission to build a Shopify theme

8 weeks later my theme is on my website and Gumroad

Learning and writing about performance

The reason behind writing an article about performance optimization was probably fear of the unknown. I've subconsciously chosen a subject that I have domain expertise in - web development -which also delays real contact with real customers.

I don't mind finishing this task, because I indeed have learned a lot, and it still builds my portfolio. I'm sure it adds to the impression I make, has SEO values, and the know-how will come in handy down the road.

But strategically it wasn't strategically the right choice. Here's why.

As an entrepreneur, your goal should be to help people. Start by helping one.

I've read in numerous books that as an entrepreneur, you really should start by helping one person first. Then the second one, then the third one. As you get feedback and see actual results in the shape of happy, satisfied people (not even customers at this point), you can improve on your services and build your business.

It seems obvious, so why emphasize it?

Well, when enthusiastic people like me launch into something, they tend to focus on the wrong things. The brand, the sustainability, the strategy, growth, and distribution... these are all exciting topics! They, however, matter more for mature businesses than they matter for beginners.

I started building the wrong thing

This trap is what I've fallen into. I've already built a portfolio website for myself that offers 3 services already. 3 services! That's crazy for someone who hasn't built one production Shopify store yet.

Better yet, out of the 3, I've also chosen the last service to start building up. Performance optimization. Not setting up a new store, not creating a custom theme... performance optimization!

Many emotions were involved in this decision: fear, comfort, curiosity... It's fine.

As a matter of fact, this is exactly why I keep reviewing my tasks alone weekly and also with an accountability partner biweekly - to evaluate my decisions and introduce fixes if needed. This time, it's needed.

Instead of step 3, I'll start with step 1

Instead of getting super technical and helping existing Shopify users with big stores, I'll get practical and help users to get started with Shopify. The first service I'm building is called

1:1 Shopify Store Setup.

It'll be a 3-session coaching program in which we set up a production-ready Shopify store together while I teach the platform too. The program is targeted at sole entrepreneurs rather than big tech teams.

I have 3 main goals with this program:

To learn the platform fundamentals thoroughly
To get in touch with real customers and learn about them too
To offer a service I can test with low risk and low pressure

I'll write the curriculum and run it on real customers for free in the beginning. This way I can test the service and get real feedback without any risks.

By teaching Shopify to real customers, I believe I can start helping people one-by-one with confidence, and instead of stretching myself too thin, I can start small and simple.