Summary of The Mom Test: How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you

In the world of Customer Development and Lean Startup, talking to customers is essential, yet surprisingly easy to do poorly. The Mom Test exposes the common mistakes founders make in conversations—asking for compliments instead of facts, fishing for validation, or letting politeness cloud reality—and shows how to flip the script. Instead of vague opinions, you’ll learn how to get clear insights, uncover real problems, and validate whether people will actually pay for your solution.

Whether you’re a first-time founder, a product manager, or anyone building something new, The Mom Test arms you with simple, repeatable rules for having better customer conversations. With honesty, humor, and clarity, it teaches you how to stop asking bad questions, start listening to what really matters, and make smarter decisions that bring your ideas to life.