An interesting anecdote about mattresses, client lists, and prospecting that can give you the insight you need to take your business to a whole new level.
While you can't create a carbon copy of another business's referral program and expect the same results, you can learn a lot by studying some of their components and strategies.
When you're operating on a budget, you can't fulfill every whim, so part of the responsibility -- and surely thrill -- of owning a business is learning to set and then meet your clients' expectations.
Getting the first 1,000 customers will not guarantee your success, but it will you give you a chance to get some real-world feedback -- and maybe even pay some bills at the same time.
The sooner you can prioritize your customer's point of view and create products and experiences that reflect their needs, the more successful everyone will be.