Let's talk about your business model! Think of a business model as simply telling the story of how you make money.
It's not complex charts or fancy frameworks - just answering six straightforward questions that make any business crystal clear.
Engagement Message
In one sentence, how will your idea make money?
Every successful business can explain itself by answering these six core questions: Who is my customer? What problem am I solving? What is my solution? How will I reach them? How will I charge? What will it cost me?
These questions connect everything you've learned so far into one coherent plan.
Engagement Message
Which question do you think is most important?
Let's see how these questions work with a simple example: a neighborhood landscaping service.
- Customer: Busy homeowners in the area.
- Problem: Yards need maintenance but owners lack time or equipment.
- Solution: Weekly lawn care and seasonal yard work.
- Reach: Door-to-door flyers and neighborhood Facebook groups.
- Charge: $60 per visit.
- Cost: $25 in equipment/gas per visit.
Engagement Message
Can you summarize that landscaping business model in one sentence?
Questions 1-3 you've already worked on! "Who is my customer" came from Unit 1. "What problem" and "what solution" came from your value proposition in Unit 2.
The business model just adds the missing pieces: how you'll reach customers, charge them, and what it costs you.
Engagement Message
Which three questions are new territory for you?
"How will I reach them?" means your customer acquisition strategy. Will you use community bulletin boards, neighborhood events, door-to-door flyers, local Facebook groups, or partnerships with other local businesses?
Pick methods that match where your community customers spend time and how they make buying decisions.
