Prototype Everything

In class, we discussed the concept of “prototype everything.” The core goal of this principle is to test your assumptions about your business as early and efficiently as possible. By putting ideas into action quickly, you can gather real, honest feedback and use that data to pivot or adjust your direction. It’s not just about getting things right the first time—it’s about learning what works and being willing to change course based on what you learn. At the end of the day, your focus should be on what’s truly effective and sustainable.

Your mindset plays a huge role in this process. A clear, passionate mindset can bring others along with you and even spark movements. A great example of this is Ayr Muir, the founder of Clover Food Lab. He launched his idea with no formal restaurant experience and a very limited budget, yet he had a bold vision: a fast food chain with an entirely vegetarian menu. His willingness to prototype, take risks, and learn from feedback helped him build something truly unique.

A big takeaway from today’s presentation was the value of the prosumer approach—where customers are not just consumers but co-creators of the experience. Being open to this kind of collaboration means sharing credit when success is achieved, and it fosters a stronger sense of community and purpose. This approach requires a mindset of humility, openness, and a willingness to listen.

Ultimately, prototyping everything isn’t just a business tactic—it’s a posture of stewardship. When viewed through a Christian lens, it becomes an expression of faithful leadership: testing ideas, learning from failure, and caring for the people your business serves. It’s about building something not just for profit, but for impact.

The focus on practicality as well as truly christian principles of stewardship are so well combined on the idea of prototype everything.