Validating Your Market

This blog post is AI-generated from the transcript of Episode 5 of my podcast. Check out the full episode!

How to Validate Your Market Before Starting a Hybrid School

Hey there! Today, I want to talk about something that can make or break your hybrid school idea: validating your market. If you’re just getting started, this is the step where you figure out if people actually want what you’re building—and if they’re willing and able to pay for it.

The good news? It’s not super complicated. At its core, market validation is just about observing, listening, and asking the right questions. Here’s how I break it down.

Step 1: Look Around You

Start by taking a good look at the educational options in your area. Are there other hybrid schools, micro schools, charter schools, Montessori schools, or Waldorf schools nearby? How much do they cost? How far away are they? Just spending a little time on Google or walking around your community can give you a solid snapshot.

Also, consider your demographics. Is your area densely populated or more rural? Are household incomes higher or lower? These things affect whether families can afford your program and how many people are likely to be interested.

Step 2: Know Your Audience

From my experience, hybrid schools appeal most to families where at least one parent has a flexible schedule—or works part-time—so they can support home learning. Many parents who choose this model have young kids, maybe just finishing preschool. That’s who you want to pay attention to when you’re planning.

Step 3: Start Conversations

Before building anything big, start small. Talk to parents you already know—at the park, at church, at your kids’ activities. Host a simple interest meeting. Bring something concrete to show: a sample schedule, rough tuition numbers, and a sense of what a day at your school might look like. You don’t have to have every answer, but you do want people to feel like this is real and doable.

And don’t worry if people have different opinions. Some might want more homeschool days, some less. Keep their input in mind, but don’t let it completely change your model. Your vision matters, too.

Step 4: Keep It Realistic

Compare your program to private schools or preschools in your area. For example, if full-time private schools run $8,000–$25,000 a year, a part-time hybrid school might cost $2,000–$4,000 and still deliver a lot of the same benefits. Sharing numbers helps families see the value.

Host a few meetings over several weeks. This helps spread the word, gather feedback, and get a sense of whether there’s enough interest to move forward. If five or six families show up consistently, you’re on the right track.

Step 5: Build Confidence

Finally, approach this like a professional. You don’t have to know everything yet—but having a clear plan, a sample model, and confidence in your “why” goes a long way in building trust. Families are more likely to join when they see you know what you’re doing and have a thoughtful plan.

Validating your market is all about observation, conversation, and confidence. Do it right, and you’ll have a clear picture of what’s possible—and be ready to build a hybrid school that actually works for your community.

Next time, we’ll dive into implementation logistics—business setup, budgeting, and making your school model a reality.