Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Reach $1K MRR
4–12 weeks depending on starting point
Reach $1,000 monthly recurring revenue from real paying customers. It must renew monthly: subscriptions, retainers or monthly service contracts. One-time sales don't count. Proof is a payment processor screenshot or bank statement. Self-reported numbers aren't accepted.
Proof required
Share a payment processor screenshot showing $1K+ monthly recurring revenue. Show the platform name, one calendar month and the recurring figure. Blur private customer data. In one sentence, give your customer count and price point.
What gets checked
- From a payment processor or bank statement, not an editable dashboard.
- The figure is recurring revenue, not one-time sales.
- Dated within the last 6 months.
Common mistakes
- Counting one-time sales. Recurring means they pay again next month.
- Counting invoices sent. MRR is revenue collected.
- Reporting numbers without a processor screenshot.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
Masteryfor the dedicated
Arena
What a verifier looks for
- Ask for the platform name if it isn't visible.
- Ask how many customers pay monthly, and at what price.
- If the revenue is over 6 months old, ask for a current screenshot too.
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Reach $5K MRR
8–20 weeks
Reach $5,000 monthly recurring revenue. Going from $1K to $5K usually needs a deliberate change in approach. Describe that change. It shows you understand your growth, rather than reaching $5K by accident.
Proof required
Share a payment processor screenshot showing $5K+ MRR, with the same requirements as Milestone 1. Write 150 words on what changed between $1K and $5K. Name the lever that moved it most, and one thing that didn't work.
What gets checked
- $5K+ MRR shown in a payment processor screenshot.
- The change is specific, like switching to direct outbound to a named customer type.
- One failed attempt is included.
Common mistakes
- A generic answer like 'we improved our marketing'.
- No failed attempt. Nothing failing at all is unusual.
- A screenshot more than 6 months old.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
Masteryfor the dedicated
What a verifier looks for
- Ask exactly what was different between $1K and $5K compared with before.
- If only successes are listed, ask what they expected to work that didn't.
- Compare with the $1K screenshot. Customers and price should fit the story.
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Reach $10K MRR
12–30 weeks
Reach $10,000 monthly recurring revenue. The reflection here is about risk, not how you got here. Typical risks include one or two customers dominating revenue, or a plateaued channel. Others are a limiting price point or dependence on one person. Naming the real risk shows you understand your business.
Proof required
Share a payment processor screenshot showing $10K+ MRR. Write 200 words on what's most likely to stop you reaching $20K. Name the constraint, why it's the main one, and what you're doing about it.
What gets checked
- $10K+ MRR shown in a payment processor screenshot.
- The constraint is specific, like two customers making up most of revenue.
- The answer on action is honest. 'Nothing yet' is fine if true.
Common mistakes
- A generic risk like 'we need to keep growing'.
- Only opportunities, no risks. That means the founder isn't looking closely.
- A screenshot more than 6 months old.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- The risk must be specific. 'Customer concentration' needs a percentage.
- Ask their churn rate and largest customer's share of MRR. Does the reflection match?
- Compare all three screenshots. The progression should match the growth story.
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
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