[brudgers]

I don't really have the network to vet my idea

Then the most important thing, from a business perspective, is building that network.

Customers are the best network, again from a business perspective.

Although network building in general is often hard, building a network of customers is usually really, really, really hard. Not only do you have to overcome fear of rejection by asking for money, but also you have to actually get money from someone before they actually are a customer.

And because writing an "Ask HN" is easy, it is probably not on the road to building a general network and certainly not on the road to building a network of customers because you aren't asking for money.

So my advice, start learning how to ask people for money (it is a skill developed through experience (and rejection). Talking to people is what selling is. Good luck.

[Mnexium]

I agree and appreciate it.

I am starting to figure out having a network and going into an idea would move things 10x or 100x faster, both from a success or failure route. You'd want to get to both as quickly as possible. I think what posting on HN gets me is some kind of signal toward something that I don't already have. A lot of generic but valuable advice here. Still validating in its own way.

I do agree with you - asking people for time is especially difficult "can you give me some advice" ... and then asking people for money is 100x more difficult. Even if they get something for said money.