“The Mom Test” serves as a concise and practical resource designed to help you avoid wasting time, money, and emotional distress. The common advice is not to ask your mom if your business idea is viable, as her love for you may lead her to give you an overly positive response. While this is somewhat accurate, it overlooks a broader truth: you shouldn’t seek validation from anyone regarding your business concept. This question is fundamentally flawed, and most people will provide at least a somewhat misleading answer. Ultimately, it is not their duty to offer you the truth; it is your responsibility to uncover it, and this pursuit is essential.

Engaging with customers is a crucial skill in both Customer Development and the Lean Startup methodology. Although we all recognize the importance of these conversations, many hesitate to acknowledge how easily they can go awry and how challenging it is to conduct them effectively. This book will illuminate the common pitfalls in customer discussions and provide guidance on how to improve your approach.