It's good to work your network to get first customers but every startup can do that. It's just common sense.
And nowhere in the article Optimizely claims this was how they knew they were onto "something big". So the title is misleading.
Even "on to something" is a click-bait title which HN guidelines say should be neutered. IMHO you don't need to force it, just be classy and straight-forward e.g. "YC Startup School Radio Ep. 3 - Optimizely & Lawn Love" or something.
It's good to work your network to get first customers but every startup can do that. It's just common sense.
And nowhere in the article Optimizely claims this was how they knew they were onto "something big". So the title is misleading.