Turning Metrics Into Momentum: Lessons from the Good Soil Forum 2025
This past weekend, I had the honor of joining a powerhouse panel at the Good Soil Forum 2025 in Dallas, where we unpacked how early-stage entrepreneurs can turn data into direction. Alongside Ty Smith and Adam Berk, we explored how founders can use metrics not just to measure the past, but to shape the future.
At District Analyst, we believe data is more than a tool — it’s an asset. And our panel aimed to bring that belief to life with frameworks, real-world stories, and viral takeaways that founders could apply the moment they left the room.
Here are a few key takeaways we shared:
1. Ladder Up Your Metrics
Think of your business metrics in three levels: User metrics (are they coming back?), Product metrics (are they finding value?), and Business metrics (are you making money?). These layers help you move from usability to profitability.
2. Retention > Hype
If you can only measure one thing, make it customer retention. Acquisition can be noisy and inflated. Retention tells the truth about whether your product solves a real problem.
3. OKRs + KPIs = Growth with Grip
KPIs are your vitals. OKRs are your stretch. Use KPIs to track your health weekly and OKRs to push quarterly growth. If you have goals without measurements, you’re just guessing with confidence.
4. Data is an Asset, Not a Report
I shared the story of how the Mormon Church built a billion-dollar data asset by treating genealogy data like capital. Entrepreneurs can do the same by capturing their customer behavior, feedback, and operations data intentionally. It compounds in value over time.
5. Failing Fast = Learning Fast
The goal isn’t to fail. It’s to get clarity quickly. SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) create feedback loops that let you adapt with precision.
Throughout the session, I challenged attendees to reframe how they view data: not as a burden or afterthought, but as leverage.
As I said during the panel, "If you can't explain how your business makes money, it's not a business it's a hobby."
To keep the conversation going, I’m offering a free 30-minute working session to any founder or small business owner looking to implement what we covered. We’ll walk through setting up KPIs, aligning them to OKRs, and designing a dashboard that works even if you’re a team of one.
Book at www.DistrictAnalyst.com. Let’s turn your metrics into momentum.
