Build the MVP first or validate the idea first? What’s your take?

I keep seeing conflicting advice around early-stage product development, especially for solo founders or small teams.

Some say that just build the MVP. You’ll learn more from real users and actual usage than endless idea validation.

Others argue that don’t build anything until you’ve validated the problem with 50+ potential users/customers. Otherwise, you're building in a vacuum.

I'm curious what’s worked in real life for folks here.

• Did you build an MVP before doing extensive validation?
• Or did you validate (e.g., surveys, interviews, landing pages) before committing to code/design?
• Any lessons or failures that changed how you approach it now?

share your experience and practical stories especially from anyone who wasted time building too early or waited too long to ship.