You have 12 months before your new startup dies.
Here's how to make them count.
From a blank doc to your first Paying Customers, Without Wasting Years
90% of startups fail because they build something nobody wants.
This book shows you how to win, with a proven checklist. I've seen it work with over 200 founders.
Turn your startup idea into paying customers in months, not years — without wasting time, money, or sanity.
The Hard Truth Nobody Tells Founders
I've seen teams spend nine months building, only to learn in one customer call that no one cared. That's a debt you can't repay.
Most founders waste years chasing the wrong thing. They burn cash, time, and goodwill. They quit — convinced they weren't good enough, when the real problem was what they built.
You can dodge that. In this book, I show you how to find out if your idea is worth building in under 14 days, for less than $100 — and get answers you can trust.
The Startup Myths That'll Kill You
Most founders don't fail because they're lazy or dumb. They fail because they believe the wrong things. Here are four of the deadliest — and what to do instead.
"If we build it, they will come."
Nobody's coming. Not without proof you're solving something urgent. The graveyard is full of polished products that never mattered.
"Fundraising is the first step."
Investors don't fund ideas. They fund traction. Chasing money too soon burns time and credibility.
"We can figure marketing out later."
Distribution beats product every time. The best thing you've ever built is worthless if no one sees it.
"We'll know if people like it when we launch."
If you wait for launch to get feedback, you're already late.
Who Will Get the Most From This Book
First-Time Founders
You'll stop second-guessing every move and start executing with clarity.
Repeat Founders
You've done this before. It didn't end the way you wanted. Now you're betting big on the one that matters.
Builders
Stuck between idea and execution? This gets you unstuck.
Funded Teams
You've got investor money. Now you have to deliver.
Dreamers
You've talked long enough. Time to ship something real.
Twelve months from now, you'll be in one of two places: running a business people love… or explaining why it never got off the ground. This book helps you choose the first path.
From Idea to Paying Customers — Step by Step
Instead of asking "Am I doing this right?" you'll know your next step, why it matters, and how to do it.
Validate Your Idea
- Customer interviews
- MVP testing
- Market validation
Build an MVP
- Feature prioritization
- Development roadmap
- User feedback loops
Get Your First Customers
- Sales frameworks
- Growth tactics
- Customer retention
Scale & Fund
- Fundraising strategy
- Team building
- Operations scaling
About the Author
I'm James Sinclair, a 3x Exited Founder who now spends every day working with remarkable entrepreneurs at all stages. I wrote this book so you can skip the mistakes, learn what works faster, and build something real without burning out.
I've helped hundreds of founders go from a zero to successful startup. My frameworks have been downloaded over 1 million times, and my weekly newsletter reaches over 140,000 founders around the world.
This isn't theory. It's the same step-by-step method I've used with startups in Y Combinator, TechStars, and Capital Factory — and with founders who've built, scaled, and sold for millions.
Twelve Months from Now, You'll Have Customers… or Regrets.
If you think you can't afford to wait, you're right. Your competitors won't. Pre-order the book and start now — or accept that this idea might not be yours much longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this book just for tech startups?
No. The frameworks work for any business built on new ideas.
Do I need funding first?
No. You'll learn how to get your first customers without it.
What if I've already started?
Perfect. This will help you validate, refine, and scale faster.