Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

My wife and I are embarking on an exciting venture to establish an online business within the next 90 days.

I'm currently enrolled in Jamal Miller's Profit in Purpose Academy, where I'm developing a Signature School in just 84 days. This program provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs, mirroring the steps taken by Miller to build a multi-million dollar online education enterprise. His success stemmed from his personal journey of meeting his wife on Facebook, which inspired him to create courses aimed at helping Christian singles prepare for marriage. This initiative is also linked to the Leader School and Everyday Seminary.

Thousands have benefited from Miller's courses at The One University, and the Profit in Purpose Academy marks the latest "Signature School" he has launched following a five-day Unlock Your Business Challenge on Facebook. The goal for over 200 entrepreneurs in this academy is to launch their own signature school in 90 days. Today, I learned about the four P's essential for identifying a viable market for your business:

1. Pain: Recognizing a significant pain point that customers face.
2. Pinpoint: Understanding where to locate your target audience.
3. Purchasing Power: Assessing whether your target customers have the financial means.
4. Progression/Growth: Evaluating the potential for growth in the market.

Clarifying the End Goal

As I dive deeper into entrepreneurship, one of the most important lessons from Miller's initial Zoom class was the importance of being clear about the ultimate goal for your customers. Miller also conducts weekly group coaching sessions during Office Hours.

"You must define what the touchdown looks like for your business," he emphasized. "It’s crucial to understand the value your business offers that leads to a celebration."

— Jamal Miller, The One University

During our coaching session, Miller asked probing questions to help clarify our objectives. I found that articulating my classmate's goals was easier than pinpointing my own.

A "touchdown" represents the benefits customers derive from your service and has two critical components:

1. It should address the most significant pain point of your customer.
2. It should connect with what brings joy to the customer.

"The fear of losing something often outweighs the desire for gain," noted Michael Pittman, who assists Miller during Office Hours. "So, the pleasure may stem from a customer’s desire to avoid loss."

Understanding the Customer's Pain Point

"You need to identify the primary pain point of your customer," advised Pittman, who markets his budgeting course to universities. "Then guide your customer from that pain point to a solution that resolves their issue."

Miller also introduced us to the concept of "customer avatars," a representation of our ideal client, which is critical in defining our purpose. Our assignment was to locate and interview individuals that embody our main avatar.

A customer avatar helps clarify the "WHO" behind your business—essentially, understanding the individuals you aim to serve. For example, a fearful entrepreneur might be dubbed "Scared Sally," while the ideal reader of The Orange Journal could be referred to as "Productive Paula."

Miller likened understanding your customer avatar to knowing the main character in a movie; failing to grasp this can lead to confusion and misdirection in your business strategy.

"If you don’t invest time upfront to understand your customer thoroughly, you’ll spend significantly more time later rectifying the mistakes stemming from that lack of understanding."

— Jamal Miller, Founder The One True University

Identifying the "Who"

A practical exercise in our class helped us clarify our target audience. To identify the "who," we answered the question, "I want to help people…" by jotting down at least ten responses.

This exercise led me to focus on either fathers with children on the autism spectrum or parents of autistic children, particularly in terms of assisting couples in nurturing their relationships, which can often be neglected due to parenting challenges.

Another workbook question prompted us to reflect on our personal narratives by answering these three inquiries:

1. What obstacles have you overcome in life?
2. What skills have you developed from overcoming those challenges?
3. What weighs heavily on your heart?

Ultimately, I decided to concentrate on the dynamics between parents of children on the spectrum, which became clearer through the Business Idea Matrix.

The Business Idea Matrix

We also explored the Business Idea Matrix, which Miller claims is critical for a thriving business idea. A strong business concept should include five key elements:

1. Passion: It must stem from something you are passionate about.
2. People: It should address a common problem people face.
3. Proficiency: You need to have expertise in your business area.
4. Profitability: Ensure that similar businesses are succeeding in the market.
5. Personal: Share a story that resonates with your customers, making them feel understood.

Miller emphasized that the core of a successful business concept is to guide people from a problem to a solution, creating a bridge that connects the two. If you can achieve this, you're likely to build a profitable venture.

I decided to target parents of autistic children because the issue resonates with me, and they are more accessible to connect with on platforms like Instagram. I currently have 1,700 followers who are parents navigating the challenges of raising children on the spectrum.

My 90-Day Strategy

Launching an online Signature School within 90 days may seem daunting, but I believe my wife and I have a clear "touchdown" that addresses our customers' needs, along with the expertise to support those we aim to help.

Our signature school will focus on assisting parents of children on the autism spectrum in nurturing their marriages. This is a personal journey for us, as our relationship has faced challenges amidst the complexities of autism.

While discussing my 90-day strategy with a friend, I realized I struggled to communicate it clearly. However, as I researched my customer avatar, the goals for my future clients became much clearer.

I aspire to help preserve the marriages of parents navigating autism. Now, I just need to refine the steps my wife and I are taking to transition from identifying the problem to implementing the solution, which remains a work in progress.

Thank you for following my journey.

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Or check out my YouTube video on writing a memoir. Follow The Orange Journal for future updates. If you’re passionate about self-improvement and personal growth, find out how to contribute as a writer here. 🍊

Chapter 2: Transitioning to Full-Time Entrepreneurship

This video discusses the journey of transitioning from a 9 to 5 job to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, highlighting the essential steps and mindset shifts required for success.

Chapter 3: Embracing Freedom as an Entrepreneur

In this video, the speaker shares their personal story of leaving the traditional workforce to pursue a life as a freedom entrepreneur, offering insights and inspiration for those considering a similar path.