TEST Track: My Experience with Rethinking Assumptions and Asking Better Questions

Written By Julia Paek 

I joined the eHub in hopes of pursuing my ongoing passion for entrepreneurship, and so far, it feels like the perfect fit. I’ve always believed that entrepreneurship isn’t just a major or a career path—it’s a way of thinking. So it’s been incredibly inspiring to meet people from so many different backgrounds and majors, all bringing their own unique perspectives and energy. There’s something really exciting about being surrounded by people who are curious, driven, and open to rethinking what’s possible.

We kicked off the eHub TEST Track three weeks before Spring Break by filling out the Business Model Canvas—something every business student has seen a dozen times. I expected it to be familiar territory, maybe even a little routine. But to my surprise, we took it in a completely different direction. Instead of just filling boxes, we were encouraged to look at the underlying assumptions behind each one. It turned into a moment of quiet realization—especially when my partner pointed out the assumptions I hadn’t even noticed I was making. It’s funny how much we subconsciously fill in the blanks. That simple exercise set the tone for everything that followed: slow down, look closer, and question what feels obvious.

This week’s session built on that in a way I didn’t expect. We worked in small groups to answer the question: What do you need to know before starting a business? It started with the usual suspects—market size, competitors, customer needs—but then someone asked a follow-up that really stuck with me: Why hasn’t it been done yet? It seems so simple, but that question completely reframed how I think about idea validation. It’s not just about whether something can be done, or as Dawn put it, “not every gap is an opportunity.” It’s about understanding the gap, the timing, and the people.

We also got to play around with some resources that I wish I’d known about sooner. From industry databases to competitor analysis tools, it felt like we were being handed a starter pack for early-stage founders. There’s something really energizing about discovering tools that make big questions feel a little more answerable.

Every week on TEST Track feels like peeling back another layer of how to actually build something—thoughtfully, intentionally, and with a lot of curiosity. What’s stood out to me most so far is how the program takes questions and exercises we’ve all seen before and somehow brings something new to light. It’s not about having the “right” answers—it’s about learning to ask better ones.