The 7 Layer Framework

7 Layer Framework Outline

From Problem to Profit, this seven-step framework turns messy ideas into real businesses. We start by figuring out what the actual Problem is and who it affects, then nail down a Purpose that gets everyone excited.

Once we know the "why," we build the Product, design a smooth Process around it, and track Performance like crazy—until it's making solid Profit that keeps growing. That's how I build everything from food trucks to trading tools—one layer at a time, no skipping steps.

The Seven Layers at the Heart of Seven Layer Labs

Problem – Start with the pain point.

Every project starts by finding a real problem that's actually worth solving. We dig in, spot the friction, and frame it so the solution practically builds itself.

People – Know exactly who benefits.

Great ideas die without the right people. We figure out who actually needs this—busy parents, day-traders, chefs, whatever—so every decision makes sense to real humans.

Purpose – Define the why.

Here we figure out the mission. What unique value can we actually deliver? Why should anyone care? A clear purpose keeps everyone focused and excited.

Product – Build the tangible solution.

Ideas get real here. From quick prototypes to full platforms, we build stuff that people actually love using—whether it's a food truck concept, a trading tool, or an AI app.

Process – Craft the seamless journey.

User flows, system design, operations—this layer turns the vision into smooth experiences. We obsess over every step so customers go from "what is this?" to "this is awesome" without getting stuck.

Performance – Measure, optimize, scale.

KPIs, speed, retention, money—whatever success looks like, we track it. Constant tweaks and improvements keep everything sharp and ready to grow.

Profit – Make it sustainable.

Cool ideas only matter if they last. We figure out business models—subscriptions, licensing, partnerships—that turn value into real money and keep the momentum going.

Builds

My Story

Seven isn't a quirk—it's my operating system.

Derek

I'm Derek: systems thinker, serial builder, and proud dad of seven wildly different kids. While juggling bedtime routines, I once juggled seven restaurant kitchens, too. Patterns emerged: when chaos hit, success came from layering the work—step by step, seven steps every time.

How "Seven" became the backbone

7 Kids

7 kids need routine or everything falls apart. Daily logistics turned me into a process nerd.

7 Kitchens

4 restaurants, 2 food trucks, and a dessert truck forced me to figure out what actually matters.

7-Layer Framework

The playbook that now powers every project—one layer at a time.

The 7-Layer Framework in one breath

ProblemPeoplePurposeProductProcessPerformanceProfit.

You already saw the deep dive—no need to repeat it here. Just know this: every project I build goes through those gates. Skip one, the whole thing wobbles. Nail them all, and magic happens.

Why it matters to you

Whether you're building a website, a restaurant, or learning to trade for extra income, the Framework cuts through the noise. It's flexible enough to fit your world and strict enough to keep you moving forward.

Ready to put Seven to work?

Got a project that needs the Seven Layer treatment? Let's talk about turning your vision into something that actually works.

Let's Build Together

Got an idea that's been bouncing around in your head? Let's make it real. Here's how we can team up.

Strategy & Naming

Got a half-baked idea? I'll help you figure out what it actually is, give it a killer name, and map out how to get it done.

Co-Creation & Build

Need someone to actually build the thing? I love rapid prototyping and turning ideas into working stuff that scales.

Project Acquisition

See something in the lab you want to take over? Most of my projects are up for grabs or partnership.

Daily Yapping

Welcome to my digital thought bubble—where ideas, experiments, and random stuff comes to life. From business insights to tech discoveries, this is where I share what's bouncing around in my head.

Think of it as a behind-the-scenes look at the creative chaos that fuels everything I build. No filter, no fancy formatting, just raw thoughts and lessons learned along the way.

Coming soon... Daily thoughts, discoveries, and random yapping about building cool stuff.

Prompt Playground

My collection of favorite prompts, clever hacks, and AI magic tricks that actually work. From productivity boosters to creative sparks, these are the prompts that make my digital life easier.

Whether you're a prompt engineer, AI enthusiast, or just curious about making technology work smarter for you, dive into this playground of practical AI prompts that solve real problems. Some are my own creations, others are gems I've discovered from creative minds all over the internet.

Got a badass prompt to share? Send it to menusparksproject@gmail.com and I'll add it to the collection!

Essential Prompt Principles

Always give context. Always be detailed in what you are trying to accomplish and you will be amazed at the results you receive.

This is the golden rule of effective prompting. The more specific and contextual your instructions, the better your AI responses will be.

REMINDER: if you give prompts with bias, you will get responses with bias.

Be mindful of the language and assumptions in your prompts. AI reflects what you feed it.

Found the AI prompt that makes everything 10x more interesting

Business & Professional

I accidentally discovered this while trying to make boring work tasks less soul-crushing. These tiny tweaks turn any mundane topic into something you actually want to read:

  • Add "What's the hidden story behind..." — Suddenly everything has intrigue. "What's the hidden story behind office coffee machines?" Boom - corporate psychology, addiction economics, social hierarchies.
  • Use "What would an alien anthropologist notice about..." — Gets you that outsider perspective that reveals the weird stuff we ignore. "What would an alien anthropologist notice about LinkedIn?" Pure comedy gold.
  • Ask "What's the conspiracy theory version of..." — Not actual conspiracies, but the connecting-dots thinking. "What's the conspiracy theory version of why meetings exist?" Uncovers power dynamics you never saw.
  • Try "How is [boring thing] secretly a survival skill?" — Evolution angle makes everything relevant. "How is small talk secretly a survival skill?" Turns awkward chitchat into advanced social intelligence.
  • Flip to "What would happen if we took [thing] to its logical extreme?" — Pushes ideas to their breaking point. "What if we took remote work to its logical extreme?" Reveals both possibilities and problems.
  • End with "What does this reveal about human nature?" — The psychology angle that makes everything profound. Every mundane topic becomes a window into who we really are.

The trick works because it hijacks your brain's pattern-seeking mode. Instead of seeing isolated facts, you start seeing systems, stories, and connections everywhere.

Best part: This works on literally anything. Tried it on "filing taxes" and got a fascinating breakdown of social contracts, trust systems, and why we collectively agree to this madness.

Secret sauce: Combine multiple angles. "What's the hidden story behind email signatures? What would an alien anthropologist notice? What does this reveal about human nature?"

Even grocery shopping becomes anthropologically fascinating with these prompts.

What's the most boring topic you've accidentally made interesting?

Found these by accident when regular prompts weren't cutting it

AI Communication

These make AI stop being a know-it-all and start being genuinely helpful:

  • Say "I'm probably wrong, but..." — Weird trick that works. It stops being defensive and starts collaborating. "I'm probably wrong, but I think my boss hates me" gets real analysis, not just reassurance.
  • Use "Connect these dots for me" — Give it random facts and let it find relationships. "Connect these dots: I hate mornings, love puzzles, get energized by deadlines." It maps your personality in ways you didn't see.
  • Ask "What's the 80/20 here?" — Cuts through everything to find what actually matters. "What's the 80/20 of learning guitar?" skips the fluff and gets to core fundamentals.
  • Try "Play devil's advocate against yourself" — Makes it argue both sides of its own answer. You get the full picture instead of just the obvious take.
  • Use "What story is the data telling?" — Perfect for anything with numbers or patterns. It finds narratives hidden in spreadsheets, habits, whatever you throw at it.
  • Say "Translate this into everyday language" — Even for simple stuff. Takes any jargon-heavy topic and makes it human. "Translate marketing funnels into everyday language" = pure gold.
  • Ask "What's the counterintuitive move here?" — Gets past obvious advice to weird strategies that actually work. "What's the counterintuitive move for networking?" reveals approaches nobody else uses.
  • End with "What would I regret not knowing?" — This hits different than "what else should I know." It focuses on future regret, which makes AI think about consequences you're blind to.

These work because they make AI think in systems and relationships instead of just facts. It's like switching from encyclopedia mode to wise mentor mode.

Ultimate combo: "I'm probably wrong, but [situation]. What's the 80/20 here? Play devil's advocate against yourself, then tell me what I'd regret not knowing."

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