It was more an e-signature than a dotted line, but you understand.
Today is Day 1 of my product discovery sprint with thoughtbot. I’ve invested months of preparation, money, and more courage than I expected to get here, and I want to take you behind the scenes as I step into this next chapter. Whether your dream is a company, a book, or something entirely different, I hope this glimpse into my journey reminds you: you already have what it takes to begin.
New Words I Didn’t Know Six Months Ago
MVP · Discovery Sprint · Dev Shop · CTO · Seed Round · Advisory Board · UX · SaaS (See my Founder’s Glossary at the end of this article.)
In the past, I’ve been a brick-and-mortar type of entrepreneur. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would wake up one morning and say, I want to start a software company.
But I did, and I am.
Spanx founder Sara Blakely says, “What you don’t know can be your greatest asset.” I am banking on this.
But here’s what I do know:
1. Get Advisors
My advisory board is incredible. They’re seasoned in everything I’m not. They’ve sold businesses for millions, scaled tech companies, and raised funds with Silicon Valley venture capitalists. They’ve helped women publish books that became bestsellers and know how to reach massive audiences as influencers.
In short, they bring the expertise, connections, and perspective that turns my vision into something bigger than I could create alone.
2. Ideas
Like maybe you, I’ve had countless ideas. I journal about them, think about them, even strategize how to make them work. But an idea without action doesn’t mean anything. As far as I’m concerned, an idea with no action just becomes another regret.
I didn’t want this idea to be one I left by the wayside, only to see someone else bring it to life a year later. This felt like my idea, my opportunity to energize a writing community, disrupt the publishing industry, and build technology that truly serves people.
Yes, there are plenty of software companies already doing what they think is best. But I want my shot to do what’s best too.
Having an idea isn’t enough. You have to act on it.
3. thoughtbot
This is the dev shop I knew I had to work with. Their company builds products people love, and they work as a team with non-technical founders.
The CEO, Chad Pytel, sat in on my second call with the company and told me that I had a compelling idea.
That moment really mattered to me. When a dev shop with a two-decade track record of building successful products tells you your idea is worth exploring, you pay attention.
thoughtbot has helped launch hundreds of companies, and now they’re helping me bring TellaDraft to life.
Their software changes the way people do business because at the core of what they do, it’s about the people, not just the tech.
Learn more about what a product discovery sprint is here.
Preparing for the Sprint
To get here, I had to prepare. Everyone comes into a discovery sprint with a product requirements page, but I had the time while I gathered financial resources, so I worked on my IP further.
I developed a methodology, a user profile, a competition snapshot, and a founder statement. I handed over twelve slide decks from my First Draft Friday program as well.
If I hadn’t taken the summer to prepare all of that while I figured out how I wanted to fund this sprint, I might not feel as grounded as I do right now. I see the value in moving forward before you’re ready, but sometimes a pause can be a blessing. In this case, it truly was.
I’m excited. I’m walking into an experience that has become a dream come true when I didn’t even have this dream a year ago.
I was open to a new idea, a big idea, but I didn’t know what it was.
Now I’m about to enter a discovery sprint, meet with investors, and say sentences like, “The UX on my MVP is incredibly intuitive.”
Signing up for the sprint feels as exciting as riding on a Mardi Gras float, moving to a tropical island, and completing a marathon all in one day.
It’s also a little nerve-wracking, but I am learning to be the person who can handle that.
It’s invigorating.
I didn’t even know I wanted to sign this dotted line a year ago, but now I can’t imagine not doing it.
How to Sign Your Own Dotted Line
Maybe your dotted line won’t be with a dev shop. Maybe it’s a book contract, a speaking opportunity, or even starting a small side business you’ve been daydreaming about.
Whatever it is, take the leap and watch as the path unfolds.
Five Steps if You Want to Create Something Bigger
1. Give your idea space.
Don’t let your ideas suffocate in your head or in a forgotten notebook. Speak them out loud. Share them with one trusted person. Write them somewhere visible. Every time you put words around your idea, it gets stronger and you start to see what’s worth pursuing.
2. Find people who know what you don’t.
You don’t need to have all the answers. I didn’t. My advisors fill the gaps I can’t. Make a list of the areas where you feel unsure including finances, marketing, tech, publishing and then ask, “Who’s one person I could learn from here?” Big ideas aren’t built alone; they’re built with help.
3. Validate before you build.
Test your idea before you go all in. Ask your potential audience, “Would you use this? Would you pay for this?” Run a small pilot. Share a prototype. If people lean in, you know you’re onto something. That little validation fuels the next step.
4. Take one uncomfortable step.
For me, it was reaching out to thoughtbot, making the call, and letting my idea be judged. For you, it might be sending an email, booking a meeting, or telling the world you’re finally writing your book. Big things are built on dozens of small, scary steps.
5. Stay open to surprise.
A year ago, I didn’t even know I wanted to start a software company. But I was open, and that openness led me here. The dotted line you sign might not be the one you thought you were heading toward and that’s the beauty of it.
Whatever it is, it’s waiting for you. The question is, will you sign on to it?
I believe stories change the world and yours matters. If you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or community leader who has a book inside you, I’d love for you to be part of my TellaDraft prototype. Be one of the first to test it, and together, we’ll make the writing process simpler, faster, and more empowering than you imagined.
Founder’s Glossary
MVP (Minimum Viable Product): The simplest version of your product that can be launched to test the idea and get feedback.
Discovery Sprint: A short, structured process (usually 1–2 weeks) where a product team and founder work together to define the vision, identify user needs, and design/test solutions before investing in full development.
Dev Shop: A company that specializes in building software products for clients (like apps, platforms, or websites).
CTO (Chief Technology Officer): The executive who leads the technology vision for a company.
Seed Round: The first official round of startup funding. Money raised from investors to help a company grow from idea stage to early traction.
Advisory Board: A group of experienced professionals who guide a founder with their knowledge, connections, and advice.
UX (User Experience): How easy, intuitive, and enjoyable it is for someone to use your product.
SaaS (Software as a Service): Software delivered over the internet on a subscription model.