How NOT to be a disappointment to your immigrant parents as an entrepreneur

Growing up in an immigrant family can sometimes come with one very clear, unspoken message: Don’t. Be. A. Disappointment. It doesn’t matter if your family hails from China, India, Nigeria, or Mexico—our parents all seem to have gone to the same school of “make sacrifices so your children succeed.”

If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of the “We didn’t come to this country for you to _______,” speech, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Maybe it was the day you announced you were starting a business, and they crumbled to the ground wondering how you could make such a crazy decision.

But here’s the thing, building a business isn’t that different from living up to your immigrant family’s expectations—it’s all about creating your Most Viable Product (MVP). Here’s how.

Why “Fail-Proof” Is Real

I know what you’re thinking: “Is it really possible to create something that can’t fail?”

Here’s the truth: You can’t fail when you have the right plan and the right support. Your MVP isn’t about being perfect right out of the gate. It’s about creating something that works, that solves a key problem for your audience, and that you can continue to build on.

So if you don’t want to disappoint your immigrant parents, stop waiting for perfection and start:

• Testing your ideas in real time

• Collecting meaningful feedback

• Iterating and refining your product

Remember, the key isn’t to aim for perfection from the start—it’s to create a product that’s viable, testable, and open to improvement. (Did I just uncover the secret to life? 🧐)

The Step-by-Step Process to Build a Fail-Proof MVP

So, what does it mean to create a “fail-proof” MVP? The truth is, no product is immune to challenges, but there are certain principles that can help you create something that’s primed for success:

1. Clarity of Purpose

Before anything else, your MVP needs a clear purpose. What problem is your product solving, and why does it matter? This isn’t about offering the complete solution, but rather addressing one key issue in a way that resonates with your target audience. The clearer your purpose, the easier it will be to communicate your value and refine your product as you gather feedback.

2. User-Centered Design

Building a product that works for your audience—not just you—is critical. This is where market research and user feedback come into play. Design your MVP with your audience’s needs in mind, and let their input guide your iterations. A fail-proof product is one that has been shaped and tested by the very people it’s meant to serve.

3. Iterative Testing

One of the most effective ways to safeguard against failure is to embrace an iterative mindset. Don’t wait until your product is “perfect” to test it—start small and learn fast. Each round of feedback helps you refine your offering, improve its usability, and ultimately make it more viable. A fail-proof MVP isn’t about getting it right the first time—it’s about learning and improving in real time.

4. Proof of Concept

Your MVP needs to show that it works, and that it solves the problem it’s designed to address. This proof of concept is your validation—both to yourself and to any potential investors, partners, or customers. It’s your way of saying, “This isn’t just an idea. It’s a solution that’s been tested, and it’s effective.” Proof of concept is what turns your MVP into a viable, scalable product.

The Importance of Strategic Testing

Testing isn’t just about identifying problems—it’s about making your product stronger. A fail-proof MVP is one that has been tested in real-world conditions, with actual users providing insights and feedback. The goal is to stress-test your product, find its weaknesses, and refine it until it’s ready for a larger audience.

But testing doesn’t have to feel like a risk. By taking a lean, step-by-step approach, you can test small, learn fast, and continuously improve. Testing early and often ensures that by the time your product scales, it’s already built on a solid foundation.

The MVP Mindset—Balancing Perfectionism and Progress

For BIPOC entrepreneurs, especially those balancing cultural and familial expectations, the desire to “get it right” can be overwhelming. But building a successful business is about progress, not perfection. It’s about having the courage to test, to learn, and to improve bit by bit without being paralyzed by the fear of failure.

Adopting an MVP mindset allows you to shift from a perfection-driven approach to a growth-driven one. You’re no longer aiming for flawless execution on the first try—you’re focusing on building something that works, something that can evolve, and something that’s grounded in real-world feedback. And with each iteration, your MVP becomes more refined, more resilient, and more ready to succeed.