Just because your invention isn’t tech-based doesn’t mean it won’t work!

Whether you’re designing bespoke jewellery, handmade bags, or any other artisanal product, prototyping and testing are crucial to refining your idea, ensuring market fit, and attracting funding and investments.

Many entrepreneurs assume that only software or hardware startups need structured prototyping, but that’s far from the truth. 

Physical products, especially in niche luxury or handmade markets, require just as much validation to ensure they meet customer expectations before a full-scale launch.

We work with small, boutique and niche companies that produce uniqueness daily! Likewise, we monitor the changing landscape of consumer demand and research. For this reason, we feel we need to write about how to prototype and test your non-tech invention efficiently, without wasting time or money.

                                           

What does prototyping and testing your product entail?

Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

With Unique Value Proposition, we refer to a broader concept that communicates the unique value and advantages of your product or service; a UVP addresses customer needs, pain points, or desires. It highlights the reasons why your customers should choose a particular offering over alternatives and focuses on the overall experience or outcome that customers can expect.

I would strongly recommend this Harvard Business Review post that explains exactly the three questions you may want to ask yourself when thinking about your UVP.

However, what do all the nice charts and explanations *really* mean for someone who is investing their time and efforts (financial and personal) to build something from the ground up?

1. What makes your product different? (e.g., sustainable materials, artisanal craftsmanship, customisable designs)
2. Who is your ideal customer? Who are you really targeting? Who exactly is your product for: luxury buyers, eco-conscious shoppers, or collectors?
   We’ve created a simple, easy-to-use niche persona builder to help you pinpoint your ideal customer. It helps you define who they are, where they spend their time, how old they typically are, and—most importantly—how they emotionally connect with your product. Is it about status? Sustainability? Sentimentality? This tool helps you map those associations so you can position your product more effectively.
3. Why would they choose you over competitors?

                               

DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE HERE

Create a Low-Cost, High-Impact Prototype

When testing something, it would be counterproductive to produce the product. Why? It may be too expensive to produce small volumes to test. Here is where the concept of Minimum Viable Prototype comes in handy.

With a Minimum Viable Prototype, you don’t always need to build the product first. An MVP can be as simple as sharing a concept or design to gauge interest.

Let’s say you’re planning to launch a line of luxury candles. Instead of producing 10 or 100 units, you create a mockup of the packaging, write a post telling the story behind the scent, and share it on Instagram—perhaps boosting it to reach your target audience. Organic engagement for small lifestyle and home decor brands typically sits between 1–2%, but competition is tough, and without promotion, your post may not be seen by enough of the right people.

If a meaningful number of people engage—liking, commenting, asking where to buy—you’ve gathered real validation before spending a dollar on production. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s to test assumptions and answer the only question that matters early on: “Will enough people *actually* be ready to spend their money on this?”

Disclosure: I’m not one for Instagram miracle stories, so I’d recommend being pragmatic: set aside a small budget to boost your posts and profile. It’s not just for visibility—it’s how you generate the feedback you need to move forward with confidence. Do not expect conversions right away. This stage is for feedback.

Test with real users

When launching a new product, feedback from family, friends, and trusted colleagues can be invaluable. These are the people who can help you spot blind spots, validate your assumptions, and guide early decisions before you spend serious money.

A good friend of mine recently began exploring a luxury hamper business idea. I won’t share the full concept (it’s beautifully niche and innovative), but her curated baskets include premium wellness items targeted at a group often overlooked in the self-care market.

Because it’s a high-cost proposition, we kept things low-key and smart: we created a mockup, invited a small group of people for coffee, and simply watched their reactions and listened to their thoughts. That casual setting gave her meaningful, honest feedback, without the pressure of a formal pitch. She’s now moving forward with a tightly focused offer for a very specific audience.

Use Feedback to Refine, Adapt, and Move Forward

Once you’ve gathered feedback, it’s time to act on it. Use what you’ve learned to refine your product idea, adjust your pricing strategy, or tweak certain features to better align with customer expectations.

It’s easy to assume that people “just didn’t get it,” but clarity alone won’t drive sales. If your target audience isn’t buying, something needs to change. This stage isn’t about defending your original vision—it’s about adapting it. The goal is to turn insights into action so you can move closer to a product that sells.

Plan for Scaling and Funding

Once you’ve validated your idea, it’s time to think ahead.

Can you source materials ethically and still meet future demand, especially if your product is handmade? Will your branding and packaging meet the expectations of luxury buyers, who care deeply about quality and presentation, especially during the unboxing experience?

And if you’re seeking investors, do you have enough real-world feedback and early sales data to make a compelling case?

Final Thought: Just Because It’s Not Tech Doesn’t Mean It Won’t Work!

Many of the world’s most successful brands started as small, artisanal ideas—from Tiffany & Co. to Hermès. The key is testing smartly before overinvesting.

By following this process, you’ll reduce risk, save money, and build a product people truly want, without needing to be a tech startup.

Summary for Quick Readers:

What: A step-by-step guide to prototyping and testing non-tech inventions like jewellery, bags, and artisanal goods.

Why: To refine your product, validate demand, and attract funding.

How:

1. Define your UVP (Unique Value Proposition)
2. Create affordable prototypes using sketches, mockups, or 3D printing
3. Test with friends or small sales
4. Improve based on real-world feedback
5. Plan for scaling and branding

Key Takeaway: Non-tech inventions can succeed with smart validation, just like tech startups.