Business Model Canvas

Overview

The Business Model Canvas (BMC) is a one-page strategic tool that maps every element of how your business works. For solopreneurs, the standard BMC needs one critical addition: a Time & Energy block, because your scarcest resource isn't money — it's you. This playbook walks you through filling every block, validating the connections between them, and finding the weaknesses before the market does.

The Nine (+1) Blocks

Fill these in the order listed. Each block informs the next. Do not skip around.

Block 1: Customer Segments

Question: Who exactly are you serving?

• Be specific. Not "small businesses." Define 1-3 tight segments.
• For each segment: size estimate, pain level, budget, and how they currently solve the problem.
• Rank segments by: pain intensity × willingness to pay × reachability.
• Your primary segment (the one you build for first) should score highest across all three.