Founders love to say “MVP,” but too often they mean “Maximally Vague Product.” In this episode of Zero to Traction, JDM, Cameron, and Cass roast some real-ish MVP attempts in a game we’re calling Minimum Viable… Please!, where startups build too much, validate too little, and get gently (okay, not-so-gently) corrected.
✅ Why most MVPs are overbuilt bundles of assumption spaghetti
✅ The key differences between discovery, validation, and creation
✅ What a real MVP looks like (hint: it’s not fully designed with Stripe integration)
✅ How to test switching behavior without shipping an entire damn platform
✅ When AI-powered Chrome extensions are maybe not the place to start
Takeaways & Roast Highlights
MVP #1: “Let’s Build It, Then See What Happens”
* ✅ Stage: Just finished discovery
* 🛑 Built: Full freemium app with onboarding, Stripe, and referrals
* ❌ Problem: They want to test if people will pay… but give it away for free
* 💡 Better MVP: A prototype, a value-based landing page, or even a price test
“You’re not measuring what you say you want to learn. You’re just giving your time and money a farewell tour.” – JDM
MVP #2: “They’re Using Something Else, So Let’s Clone All of It”
* ✅ Niche: Independent gym owners
* 🛑 MVP: Calendar, billing, CRM, admin dashboard—all at once
* ❌ Problem: Testing switching behavior with a product just as bloated as the one they’re leaving
* 💡 Better MVP: Rapid prototype the moment of greatest value (MOGV) and test perceived difference
MVP #3: “GPT Chrome Extension in a Trust Desert”
* ✅ Goal: Can teachers trust AI to help grade writing?
* 🛑 Built: Chrome extension with full rubric and export integration
* ❌ Problem: Trust is emotional, and this is not how you build it
* 💡 Better MVP: Test the trust dimensions (privacy, accuracy, etc.) in isolation with Wizard of Oz methods
“This is AI overkill with a side of FERPA violation.” – Cass
“Fears are overcome with experience, not just UI polish.” – JDM
Frivolous Thoughts
* JDM’s toddler has evolved into a bougie yogurt sommelier (and will not accept counterfeits)
* Cameron’s pup solves food puzzles now, slowing down meals with flair
