You Don’t Need a Mentor. You Need This List.

Launching a business often begins with a surge of energy and excitement. Ideas flow, branding takes shape, and before long, you’re sprinting toward execution. But too often, founders race ahead without pausing to ask one critical set of questions—ones that clarify their vision, ground their decisions, and prevent costly detours down the line. Before you scale, raise funds, or even build out your team, it’s essential to stop and ask yourself these five clarity questions. They aren’t trendy. They’re basic. And the strongest companies—large or small—are built by leaders who take them seriously. 1. What problem am I actually solving? This question might seem obvious, but it’s often misunderstood. Too many founders frame their startup around an idea, not a verified pain point. The real question isn’t “What do I want to build?” It’s “What does my customer deeply need—and why hasn’t it been solved yet?” Be specific. Avoid generic answers like “saving people time” or “making...