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Stage 01 — Plan

Business Planning

Make data-driven decisions before you commit a single dollar. We use the most recent Amazon and TikTok market data combined with real financial modeling — so you know your idea works before you invest.

Best for
  • Aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs with a product idea
  • Side-hustle or gig sellers ready to go legit
  • Offline retailers thinking about going online
  • Anyone who wants to test before they invest
Market research and data

Start with a free conversation

Tell us about your idea and we'll recommend the right package.

Submit an inquiry
Continuity discount
Your Stage 01 fee is an investment, not a cost. When you move forward with Stage 02 (Sourcing) or beyond, your Stage 01 fee will be waived or discounted against the next engagement. Think of it as a small upfront cost that protects you from a much larger one — and comes back to you the moment you're ready to build.
The problem
Most first-time sellers fail before they launch

For small businesses, every dollar matters. There's no room to absorb dead inventory, a product nobody wants, or margins that don't work at your volume. The entrepreneurs who succeed validate first — and commit capital second.

Our process
Five steps to a confident decision
1

Discovery call

We understand your idea, goals, constraints, and budget — and scope the research accordingly.

2

Market research

Using the most recent 30-day market and factory data from Amazon and TikTok, we produce a comprehensive product, brand, or market analysis — covering price bands, demand signals, and competitor mapping.

📊 Most recent 30-day market & factory data
3

Financial modeling

A P&L and unit economics model built with your real cost inputs — including platform fees, shipping, tariffs, packaging, and return rates. You'll know your true margins before buying a single unit.

4

Go / no-go debrief

An honest written assessment. We tell you what the data says, not what you want to hear. If the idea needs refinement, we show you where.

5

30-day roadmap

A concrete action plan for the next 30 days — prioritized steps, key decisions, and resources to keep momentum going.

Deliverables
What you walk away with
📊
Market research report
Demand signals, price bands, and competitor analysis from live platform data
📈
Financial model (Excel)
P&L and unit economics — yours to keep and update
🧮
Unit economics worksheet
Price, fees, shipping, returns, and gross margin
✅
Go / no-go memo
Written assessment with our honest recommendation
🗺️
30-day action plan
Prioritized next steps if you're moving forward
💬
Debrief session
Live walkthrough of findings — included in Standard & Comprehensive
FAQ
Common questions
How long does the business planning engagement take? +
It depends on the package. Starter reports take 1–2 business days. A Standard engagement typically runs 1–2 weeks. A Comprehensive engagement takes 2–3 weeks depending on product complexity and how quickly we can align on findings. The exact timeline is mutually agreed upon during our initial discovery call before we begin — we won't start the clock until we've both confirmed scope and timing.
How can I reduce the cost and turnaround time? +
Come prepared. The more work you've done before we start — competitor research, product specs, a rough cost target, your target customer — the less time we spend on discovery, and the faster we can get to the analysis that actually matters. Clients who front-load their preparation consistently get more out of their engagement and finish faster. We'll send you a pre-engagement prep checklist during onboarding.
Do I need to have a supplier already? +
No — business planning comes before sourcing. You just need a product idea. If you're curious about rough landed cost, we can include a high-level cost estimate as part of the engagement, but full supplier identification happens in Service 02. The business planning stage is about validating whether the idea is worth pursuing — not who's going to make it.
What if my idea doesn't pass validation? +
That's a success — you've saved yourself from a much more expensive mistake. Our gap assessment will walk you through exactly what the data shows, what would need to change to make the idea viable, and whether it's a matter of timing, positioning, or a fundamental market problem. Sometimes the answer is a pivot; sometimes it's a different product in the same category. Either way, you leave with clarity — not a sunk cost.
What's the difference between this and a business plan? +
A business plan is a document — this is a process backed by real expertise and live data. We produce written deliverables, but more importantly, you have a real expert walking you through the logic behind every number and every data point. We explain the "why" behind the analysis, challenge your assumptions, and help you pressure-test your thinking in real time. No template, no AI-generated market sizing, no boilerplate. Just honest analysis of your specific idea, in your specific category, at your specific volume.
How is this service priced? +
Starter reports start at $20 per report — each is a focused market or competitor scan you can order individually. Core engagements range from $50 for a focused advisory session up to $1,500 for a comprehensive validation package. Clients who return for a second product or an updated analysis receive a continuity discount. All pricing is confirmed before we begin — no surprises.

Ready to validate your idea?

Start with a free conversation — we'll recommend the right package.

Submit an inquiry Fill in an intake form Book a call