The article gets the spirit of your questions. "Without strong product and market vision, a startup will burn through cash as its team collectively struggles to define its position." But yes, your words are more direct and should be asked, constantly, when you start your start up.

Amen, brother. You took the words right out of my mouth. Many, many startups fail for precisely this reason: they don't have a product people want.

Corollary: Make a product people want AND are willing to pay for it.

That last part is incredibly important.

Amazing thought! Having a business model outside of "exit" is really important but does not receive enough emphasis.

But even when you can, you are not yet on the safe side...