
How I Tested That
Testing your ideas against reality can be challenging. Not everything will go as planned. It’s about keeping an open mind, having a clear hypothesis and running multiple tests to see if you have enough directional evidence to keep going.
This is the How I Tested That Podcast, where David J Bland connects with entrepreneurs and innovators who had the courage to test their ideas with real people, in the market, with sometimes surprising results.
Join us as we explore the ups and downs of experimentation… together.
Latest episodes

Jul 2, 2025 • 36min
Sylvia Hall | How I Tested Mood Probiotics
In this episode we interview Sylvia Hall. Sylvia is the co-founder of Lifted Naturals. We chat about how a company can start out as a solution to a personal problem, but in order to be a viable business, we need to perform customer discovery beyond friends and family to see if there is any traction.Sylvia emphasizes the significance of authenticity in entrepreneurship and the need to rapidly test solutions, and listen to customer feedback. Her insights into how to grow a wellness business should provide valuable lessons for other aspiring entrepreneurs.
Get your ticket now for our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/testing-business-ideas-with-chatgpt-online-workshop-tickets-1404023785939?aff=oddtdtcreator

Jun 18, 2025 • 32min
Dylan Lam | How I Tested Dropshipping
In this episode we interview Dylan Lam. Dylan is an entrepreneur and a growth marketing expert with a focus on e-commerce. His super power is helping companies grow their brands on platforms like Amazon. Dylan shares how he started out by bootstrapping an eBay business from his apartment and testing out what worked, and what didn’t. He then took what he learned to successfully scale the business through automation and dropshipping. While doing this Dylan began to understand the importance of building a brand in e-commerce and how crowdfunding platforms can help you create a community of early adopters.Dylan and I wrap up our conversation by discussing how AI is influencing his day to day work in everything from content creation to physical product design.
Get your ticket now for our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/testing-business-ideas-with-chatgpt-online-workshop-tickets-1404023785939?aff=oddtdtcreator

Jun 4, 2025 • 38min
Matthew Davis | How I Tested A Law Firm
Matthew Davis, CEO of Davis Business Law and author of The Art of Preventing Stupid, shares his insights on launching a successful law firm. He discusses the challenges of hiring talent in smaller towns and emphasizes the importance of cultivating a collaborative company culture. Matthew dives into the significance of self-assessment in leadership and how AI is transforming the legal industry, stressing the need for human oversight amidst innovation. He also explores tailored marketing strategies and the art of nurturing a positive organizational culture.

May 21, 2025 • 46min
Pat Copeland | How We Tested the Amazon Dash Button
In this episode we interview Pat Copeland and get a first hand account of how the Dash Button idea was originally tested at Amazon. Everything from how the idea emerged from Bezos’ morning puttering time to the cognitive load customers experienced pushing a button to order a box of sweets and eventually to products like detergent. Even though the product was discontinued, the learning they captured along the way influenced other Amazon initiatives such as Alexa, smart subscriptions, and auto-stocking appliances.Pat shares his perspective on entrepreneurial thinking and building a culture of experimentation from Amazon, but also his time in leadership roles at companies like Autodesk, Microsoft, Google and Zendesk. We wrapped up our conversation with the challenges of scaling ideas, and the future of machine learning in commerce with his latest endeavor, Moloco.
Get your ticket now for our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/testing-business-ideas-with-chatgpt-online-workshop-tickets-1404023785939?aff=oddtdtcreator

May 7, 2025 • 38min
Matt Diamante | How I Tested Social Media Algorithms
In this podcast episode, Matt Diamante shares his journey into the world of digital marketing and SEO, detailing his early experiences and the evolution of his career. He discusses the importance of testing and analyzing content to achieve success, particularly in the realm of social media. Matt emphasizes the significance of video content in today's marketing landscape and explores strategies for leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to engage audiences effectively. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in navigating the ever-changing digital marketing environment. We explore the intricacies of social media algorithms, particularly focusing on LinkedIn and the strategies for creating engaging content. Matt and I discuss the importance of testing different content formats and styles, the challenges of predicting viral success, and how these principles can be applied beyond social media to enhance business strategies. The conversation emphasizes the need for continuous experimentation and adaptation in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Get your ticket now for our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/testing-business-ideas-with-chatgpt-online-workshop-tickets-1404023785939?aff=oddtdtcreator

Apr 23, 2025 • 32min
Ann Carden | How I Tested Premium Business Models
Ann Carden is a renowned business growth consultant and international best-selling author who shares her journey of building and exiting multiple businesses. She delves into the critical importance of testing business ideas and understanding market needs. Ann discusses how to effectively target premium clients and the challenges within the coaching industry. She also emphasizes the value of writing purposeful books that align with business goals, and shares insights on creating premium business models that enhance profitability and audience engagement.

Apr 9, 2025 • 32min
Deon Crasto | How I Tested SaaS Payment Systems
In this episode we interview Deon Crasto. Deon started his product management career at OnDeck Capital, a small business lending platform, where he focused on payments growth. He currently leads payments and ML- driven risk assessment at Velocity Global. Deon and I discussed the importance of curiosity and problem-solving in product management. We talked about the significance of metrics, and in particular, how to avoid vanity metrics. Deon shared some of the challenges of aligning teams with company goals and navigating regulations in experimentation.
Get your ticket now for our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/testing-business-ideas-with-chatgpt-online-workshop-tickets-1404023785939?aff=oddtdtcreator

Mar 26, 2025 • 34min
Chris Hood | How I Tested Digital Storytelling
In this conversation, Chris Hood shares his diverse background in storytelling across various media, including movies, video games, and digital marketing. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in engaging consumers and how it connects to business strategies. The discussion explores the iterative nature of game development, the significance of customer feedback in marketing, and the evolving role of AI in media. Chris also highlights the challenges of balancing creativity with market demands and the necessity of testing ideas with real audiences.
Get your ticket now for our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/testing-business-ideas-with-chatgpt-online-workshop-tickets-1404023785939?aff=oddtdtcreator

8 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 31min
Erich Archer | How I Tested AI Video Production
Erich Archer, an Emmy award-winning television producer and AI video production pioneer, shares insights into the transformative power of AI in content creation. He discusses his journey from traditional video production to embracing AI tools for efficiency, emphasizing iterative testing and human creativity. The conversation explores the evolution of video tools, the impact of remote work on production practices, and the innovative possibilities of using AI, like custom GPTs, to enhance creative workflows while maintaining thoughtful decision-making.

Feb 26, 2025 • 40min
Michael Clifford | How I Tested Saving Endangered Species
In this conversation, David J Bland and Michael Clifford discuss the intersection of habitat design, conservation, and design thinking. Michael shares his unique journey from zookeeper to strategy director for Reverse the Red, a global coalition aimed at halting species extinction. They explore the importance of challenging assumptions in habitat design, the role of observation in understanding animal behavior, and the need for context-specific strategies in conservation efforts. The conversation emphasizes the significance of collaboration, the necessity of creating environments conducive to desired outcomes, and the value of indigenous knowledge in addressing biodiversity loss.
Get your ticket now for our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/testing-business-ideas-with-chatgpt-online-workshop-tickets-1404023785939?aff=oddtdtcreator