You built a brilliant custom module for a client…
They’re thrilled. Your team is proud.
And then you think —”Hey, this is amazing. Why not launch it as a product?”
Sounds tempting, right?
Recurring revenue. Scalable growth. Maybe even a shiny SaaS valuation someday.
But hold on…
Before you start dreaming of product launches and funding rounds—
You’ve got to pause and ask: Are we really ready?
Hey there, I’m Tabish Bibikar, and I coach and mentor software company founders to build scale in their businesses—without losing focus or burning out in the process.
And over the years, I’ve seen so many service companies get distracted by product dreams—
not because the idea is bad,
but because they didn’t stop to validate the business behind it.
So here’s a 5-question test I use with my clients before they commit to productizing:
1. Who else has this exact problem—bad enough to pay for it?
One client’s love doesn’t equal a market.
You need demand from dozens or hundreds of others who are actively looking for a fix.
2. Do you have a clear path to reach them?
Do you know where they hang out, what they read, what they Google?
Because if you can’t find them consistently, you can’t sell to them.
3. Can your team support a product business model?
Selling product isn’t like doing projects.
It needs marketing, customer on-boarding, support, and roadmap planning.
Is your current team excited about that?
4. What’s your go-to-market strategy?
Do you have messaging, demos, on-boarding, and renewals mapped out?
Or is it just: “We’ll list it on our site and hope for the best”?
5. Can you commit to this for at least 2 years—even if sales are slow?
Product traction takes time.
Are you willing to fund it, staff it, and keep pushing—without quick wins?
One of my clients was ready to launch a workflow automation tool they built for a fintech customer.
But after running this checklist, we realized they didn’t yet have the audience, positioning, or support model.
Instead, they doubled down on their niche services—
and booked their best quarter ever just three months later.
So, before you launch your “product,” ask yourself honestly—
Is this a real opportunity, or just a shiny distraction?
If this helped you pause and reflect, hit like and share with someone who’s on the same product journey.
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Thanks for reading. See you in the next one!
