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Business Strategy with Hirav Shah AUGUST 01, 2025 | The Indian Eye 42

Have You Ever Rushed Into a Business.

Decision That You Later Regretted?

HIRAV SHAH

ost entrepreneurs have.
Whether it’s launching a
Mnew service, expanding
too fast, or investing in the wrong
idea—it’s easy to get carried away
by excitement, pressure, or trends.
But what if there was a simple
checkpoint that could save you from
costly mistakes? Without validation, you’re just executing in the dark. You may work hard, spend more, and still stay stuck (File photo)
That checkpoint is called vali-
dation. It’s not about delaying If you don’t validate, you’re risk- ready have? ports. Start small and simple.
growth. It’s about ensuring you’re ing everything on assumption. • Have I tested this idea on a small Try this:
growing in the right direction. scale? • Talk to 5 real customers about your
Let’s explore why validation What Happens When You Don’t Vali-
idea
If you can’t confidently answer
before execution might be the date First? these—stop and validate. • Run a basic pilot or test version
smartest move you’ll ever make in Here’s a story from a real case: • Look at hard numbers, not just
business. How Does Validation Actually Save
A salon owner in Ahmedabad had emotions
What Does “Validation Before Execu- a great client base. Excited by her You? Validation is like using Google • Get an outside perspective (some-
tion” Even Mean? growth, she took a big loan to open a Maps before starting a long drive. one not emotionally involved)
It means checking whether your new branch. • Write down: “What could go
It helps you:
business idea or next step is actually But she didn’t check: • Avoid wrong turns (bad decisions) wrong?” and plan for it
worth doing—before you invest time, • If the second location had the same • Spot roadblocks (risks) Even one small validation step
money, and energy into it. type of clients • Choose the fastest path (smart can save you lakhs—and months of
Most entrepreneurs skip this. • If she could maintain service quality stress.
strategy)
They assume their next move will • If her brand was strong enough to • Stay confident while moving forward Final Thought—Are You Chasing
work because: carry the expansion It may feel like a pause, but
It worked for someone else The second branch flopped. it’s what helps you move faster and Growth or Clarity?
Before you invest more, hire
It feels right Not because she was bad at busi- smarter later. more, or build more—ask yourself:
They’re in a hurry to grow ness— But because she executed • “Am I sure this is the right move?
But guesswork is expensive. before validating. What’s the Difference Between Execu-
Or am I just reacting to pressure?”
Validation is about clarity before ac- What Should You Validate Before tion and Validation? • Growth feels exciting.
tion. Think of it this way:
Taking the Next Step? • Execution is building the house. • But clarity is what makes growth
Why Is This Step So Important in Validation doesn’t need to be • Validation is checking if the ground sustainable.
Business? complicated. It’s just asking the can handle it. • Validate first. Then execute.
Because without validation, right questions before you move. • Because one smart pause now…
you’re just executing in the dark. Here’s what to check: • Validation gives you direction. Can save you years of correction
• Execution gives you momentum.
You may work hard, spend more, and • Is the timing right for this move? You need both—but in the right later.
still stay stuck. • Is there real demand or just emo- order.
Let’s say you want to: tional excitement? The writer is a well known Business
• Open a second location • Is my business model stable enough How Can You Validate Without Compli- Turnaround Specialist, Astro Strategist,
• Launch a new service to handle more? cating Things? and BestSelling Author.
• Expand to another city • Can I replicate the success I al- You don’t need big research re- [email protected]
• Take up a franchise
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