Worksheet
Prepare for a strategy call
Last updated: November 2026
How should I prepare for a product strategy call?
Prepare for a product strategy call by bringing a short description of your product and customer, your self-score across the six stages, any sketches or samples, rough cost figures and your top questions. Cydney Mar says the best first step is a conversation, and these notes let it focus on what is holding your idea back.
Part of the free product development workbook guide.
Your call checklist
What to bring
- Two sentences on what the product is and who it is for
- Your 6-stage score from the worksheet, with your weakest stage circled
- Sketches, photos or any samples you already have
- Rough unit cost and the selling price you have in mind
- The channel you picture first: retail, direct-to-consumer or TV
- Any supplier quotes or factory conversations so far
- Your timeline and the budget range you are comfortable with
Questions worth asking
- Which stage should I work on first, and why?
- What would you check before I pay for samples?
- Is my margin realistic for the channel I want?
- What does my tech pack need before I contact a factory?
- What would working together look like for my product?
Who is a strategy call with Cydney Mar a good fit for?
Her program page invites founders who are sitting on an idea and unsure how to make it real, getting ready to apply for a grant and needing a real business plan, stuck on a tech pack, sample, factory or pricing, wanting a diagnostic on where their business is leaking opportunity, or simply wanting an honest, experienced second brain.
Her strongest focus is consumer products for retail, TV and direct-to-consumer brands. Members of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business can book a complimentary 60-minute Concept-to-Reality Strategy Session. For others, current details are available through the contact page on cydneymar.com.
Before you book
Score your idea with the free worksheet, skim the six Pathway stages and, if you can, download the From Idea to Income workbook. Arriving with written answers means the time goes to decisions rather than background.
Common questions
Short answers here. Read all 43 questions on the FAQ page.
- How should I prepare for a product strategy call?
- Bring a short description of your product and customer, your self-score across the six Pathway stages, any sketches or samples, rough cost figures and your top three questions. The strategy call preparation page on this site has a printable checklist so you can use every minute of the conversation well. More in the FAQ
- Is the strategy call free?
- Members of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business can book a complimentary 60-minute Concept-to-Reality Strategy Session. For everyone else, check the current booking details through the contact page on cydneymar.com, since pricing is not published on this site. More in the FAQ
- What is the best first step if I have a product idea?
- Score your idea first, then talk to someone experienced. Download the free From Idea to Income workbook or use the score worksheet on this site, note your weakest stages, and bring those notes to a conversation with Cydney Mar. Her own advice is that the best first step is a conversation. More in the FAQ
- How do I contact Cydney Mar?
- Use the contact page on cydneymar.com, which every contact button on this site links to. From there you can book a call or reach her directly to discuss your idea or a project. Potential partner vendors, such as mills and factories, are also welcome to connect. More in the FAQ
- Who is the Concept-to-Reality Pathway for?
- It is for founders and people starting product-based businesses who have an idea but want expert guidance and to avoid costly guesswork. It also fits founders stuck on a tech pack, sample, factory or pricing, and people building a program or service around their expertise. More in the FAQ
- Are there free consultations for Indigenous entrepreneurs?
- Yes. Cydney Mar offers free product development and business consultations for members of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, including a complimentary 60-minute Concept-to-Reality Strategy Session and the From Idea to Income workbook. Details are on the CCIB page of cydneymar.com. More in the FAQ
Ready to book your conversation?
Score your idea first, then bring your notes to Cydney Mar. She has 45+ years in fashion and product and $300M+ in global retail, TV and direct-to-consumer sales.