Podcasts about Bootstrapping

In this episode, we dive into where things stand with Less Annoying CRM's potential new product.Here's the blog post about First Team Principles Rick mentioned.

Come Lanciare una App: TabUi, l'App che sta rivoluzionando il turismo locale con la realtà aumentata!In questo nuovo episodio del Marketing Garage, Gianluca Testa incontra Giorgio Proglio, imprenditore visionario e creatore di TabUi, l'app che valorizza il patrimonio culturale dei piccoli comuni italiani con l'uso intelligente della realtà aumentata ✨.======Questa intervista è offerta da BeBoom, la piattaforma SaaS B2B che aiuta le aziende a fidelizzare i clienti e far crescere le vendite. Compila il form per avere maggiori informazioni: https://app.beboom.io/it/tryMe.php=====

Blake is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who has founded and sold businesses exceeding $1.1 billion. He shares his journey from small-town beginnings to building Byte into a billion-dollar company without outside funding, and discusses lessons in entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, and giving back.

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this episode of the DTC Podcast, we speak with Marnie Rabinovitch, founder of Thigh Society, the size-inclusive brand known for anti-chafe slip shorts. Marnie shares the origin story behind the product: a personal, frustrating experience with thigh chafe that sparked her to create something that simply didn't exist—lightweight, breathable long-leg underwear that isn't shapewear.She bootstrapped the brand with $8K in savings, grew it slowly while working full-time, and only went all-in when the opportunity was undeniable. Thigh Society has since sold over 2 million pairs, thanks to Meta ads, creator content, and a product that customers evangelize.Highlights:Product-market fit came from real lived painPaid Meta ads drove both growth and PRFounder content outperforms typical brand campaignsLean team; fully remote, fully freelanceResisted wholesale early to focus on simplicity and DTC marginsSEO and content strategy born from the words customers actually useDid you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Book a quick demo by August 1 to get your first month free and unlock a new incremental revenue channel before Q4: instant.one/dtcTimestamps:00:00 The origin of Thigh Society03:00 Solving a real pain point with long-leg underwear08:00 Bootstrapping with $8K and building a prototype12:00 Growing to $500K with no paid ads18:00 Use cases beyond chafing: sweat, comfort, modesty22:00 Meta ads and why founder content works29:00 Why Thigh Society stayed DTC34:00 Paid social leads to organic PR36:00 Direct response ads over brand-building38:00 How SEO and organic language drive rankingsHashtags:#DTC#ThighSociety#FounderStory#EcommercePodcast#DirectToConsumer#MetaAds#BootstrappedBusiness#ProductMarketFit#AntiChafe#ChubRubSolution#WomenInBusiness#ComfortWear#StartupJourney#ShopifyBrand#CustomerRetention#OrganicGrowth#UnderwearForWomen#CreatorContent#SEOForEcommerce#AuthenticMarketingSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Enter coupon code BRAVESEA for an extra 4 months at www.surfshark.com/BRAVESEA Daniel Thong, founder of Nimbus, returns to BRAVE to share how he built a profitable, tech-enabled service business without venture capital. He and Jeremy Au unpack the rise and fall of tech companies like Zilingo, examine the structural issues behind finance misconduct, and explore how AI is reshaping service operations. Daniel discusses why bootstrapping gave him more control, how he spun off a new AI startup from within, and what it takes to retain talent and stay healthy as a founder. The conversation offers a grounded look at sustainable growth, founder philosophy, and the realities of Southeast Asia's startup landscape. 06:25 Bootstrapping helped Nimbus outlast VC-backed clients: Daniel avoided risky burn rates and pointed to Zilingo as a cautionary tale. 11:45 AI-enabled WhatsApp sales sparked a spinout: After AI sold painting services over the weekend, Daniel launched ChatAvocado with his tech team as co-founders. 13:50 Spinning off helped retain talent: Rather than cutting R&D, Daniel gave capital and ownership to the team and kept the business ecosystem strong. 16:27 AI now improves routing, HR, and customer service: Generative AI reduces headcount by handling job matching and admin tasks internally. 19:35 Survival beats ambition in Southeast Asia: Daniel emphasized Buffett's rule to never lose money and stay close to revenue. 26:50 Retention comes from delivering promises: Daniel saw founders renege on ESOPs and vowed to be consistent, realistic, and trustworthy with his team. 35:37 Founding cost him family presence and health: Daniel admits he neglected the intangibles and is now trying to balance better. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/daniel-thong-bootstrap-beats-vc-collapse Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

This podcast episode features a showcase of insights from Nick Jain, the CEO of IdeaScale, who articulates the critical necessity of innovation within organizations. He underscores that without a commitment to innovative practices, businesses risk stagnation, particularly in a competitive landscape where rivals continuously strive for advancement. Throughout the discourse, Jain emphasizes the merits of bootstrapping, detailing how IdeaScale has thrived over the past 15 years without external capital, thereby preserving its autonomy and focus on sustainable growth. He offers three pivotal strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs: maintaining a vigilant awareness of cash flow, judiciously allocating marketing expenditures, and ensuring that every investment yields a tangible return. My aspiration is that listeners glean at least one actionable takeaway from Jain's experiences, which they may readily apply to their own entrepreneurial journeys.The podcast delves into the intricacies of bootstrapping a business, specifically through the lens of Nick Jain, the CEO of IdeaScale, a prominent innovation software company. Jain articulates the vital significance of innovation within organizations, asserting that stagnation inevitably leads to decline. He emphasizes the necessity for continuous improvement, outlining the competitive landscape wherein failure to innovate equates to being outpaced by rivals. IdeaScale's journey, marked by unwavering commitment to sustainable business practices without reliance on external funding, serves as a testament to the efficacy of strategic decision-making and fiscal prudence. Jain reflects upon the duality of challenges and triumphs experienced during their bootstrapping endeavor, acknowledging moments where external capital could have catalyzed growth yet simultaneously recognizing the constraints and pressures accompanying such funding.Takeaways: The importance of innovation in every organization cannot be overstated, as stagnation leads to decline. Bootstrapping a business requires a disciplined approach to financial management and strategic decision making. Understanding and managing cash flows is critical for the sustainability of any bootstrapped enterprise. Marketing expenditures should be scrutinized for their return on investment to ensure effective growth strategies. Continuous learning is essential for personal and professional development, regardless of one's position or industry. A focus on sustainability and cost-effectiveness is vital for long-term success in entrepreneurship. Relevant Links:https://ideascale.com/

In this episode of Confessions of a B2B Entrepreneur, Tom Hunt interviews Marc Seitz, the Co-Founder of Papermark. Discover how Papermark disrupted the virtual data room market, scaling from $20K to £60K MRR through a unique combination of open-source innovation, strategic SEO targeting established competitors, and a powerful product-led viral growth model. Marc shares invaluable insights into rapid customer support and feature development, showcasing how bootstrapping can lead to significant success and accelerate product-market fit. This is essential listening for B2B founders seeking sustainable growth strategies without external funding.

What does it really take to carve out space for a new business in an industry dominated by giants? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Kimberly Evans, the inspiring founder and CEO of Just Her Rideshare, a women-centric rideshare service focused on safety, community, and empowerment.Kimberly shares her personal story of why she created Just Her Rideshare, drawing from her own experiences and deep commitment to serving women who often feel vulnerable using traditional rideshare options. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, she talks candidly about the challenges of fundraising, the lessons learned from bootstrapping, and the value of staying connected to the community at every stage of growth.If you're passionate about startups, social impact, or want to understand the realities of building something new against the odds, this episode is a must-listen. Kimberly's journey is filled with actionable insights on fundraising, effective marketing, and the power of focusing on community—offering inspiration and practical advice to founders and investors alike.And don't forget you can also participate in the Wefunder crowdfunding campaign to support Just Her Rideshare.https://wefunder.com/justherrideshare/ To get the latest from Kimberly Evans, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/justherride/https://www.justherrideshare.com/ https://wefunder.com/justherrideshare/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

#28: Joseph Cole, CEO and founder at Culture Architecture and Design, joins us to share how building a strong studio culture can be the foundation for scaling a successful firm. In this episode, we dive into Joseph's unconventional strategies for landing massive projects with a small team and the mindset shifts that set his practice apart.PS - If you're a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studioLearn more about Culture Architecture and Design: https://www.culturearch.com/Here's what you'll learn in the episode: → Why building culture first is the real key to long-term business success (and what most firms get wrong)→ The surprising reason Joseph hired an executive team before bringing on more architects→ What branded hoodies and team rituals can teach you about marketing→ How a small firm lands stadium projects – Joseph's unconventional playbook for punching way above your weight→ The truth about business certifications, and how to use them as secret door-openers→ When to act like an associate architect… and when to position as the expert (this subtle shift changes everything)→ What most leaders miss about transparency, and how Joseph uses vision to earn fierce team loyalty(04:26) Small firm, big project success(06:36) From architecture to tech: An unexpected journey(11:36) Building the team from the ground up(13:16) Bootstrapping the path to expansion(18:29) Creating a brand bigger than one person(23:03) Turning experience into trust and expertise(27:04) Seeing opportunity through a long-term lens(30:27) Adopting the “why not us?” mindset(36:40) Smart strategies for winning clients(37:38) Why energy always beats complacencyGROWTHITECT RESOURCES→ Apply to join The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio → Join thousands of architects on the free Growthitect newsletter - https://growthitect.com/join STAY CONNECTED→ Follow on LinkedIn→ Follow on Instagram→ Subscribe on YouTube→ Follow on Twitter

Lindsay Pinchuk is re-launching her newsletter, The FoundHer Files on Substack! No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works… because we're better together. Make sure you subscribe for simple business and marketing tips designed for actual growth. SUBSCRIBE HERE. Two former Lululemon insiders took a conversation in a Vancouver hot tub and turned it into a multi-million dollar DTC swimwear brand built on real product expertise, trust in their partnership, and a clear vision of what women actually need in a swimsuit.In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk talks with Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage, the co-founders of Left On Friday, about how they pulled from over a decade of product experience at Lululemon to rethink what swimwear could be. Why were there still no suits that worked for movement and looked good too? What would happen if they applied everything they knew about fit, fabric, and function to a category that had barely evolved? That spark of an idea eventually became a focused product line, a growing team, and a brand that's now seen on Olympic athletes and Gwyneth Paltrow alike.Laura and Shannon share what it looked like to build their DTC business from the ground up using their own money, the value of starting small and negotiating smart, and how they've stayed committed to growth that's intentional and sustainable. You'll hear how they used their own networks, leaned on past experience, and figured out what to outsource along the way. They didn't just chase hype. They built something they wanted to last.If you've ever wondered how to turn deep experience into a brand with staying power, or how to balance vision with execution, this is the kind of conversation that makes you stop and think. What would you build if you fully trusted what you already know?Episode Breakdown:00:00 Meet the Founders of Left On Friday03:22 The Hot Tub Conversation That Sparked a Brand07:48 From Lululemon to DTC: Using Experience to Fill a Market Gap15:15 Bootstrapping with $150K and Building for Longevity22:24 Profitability, Growth, and Staying Power in DTC33:35 Advice for Female Founders Ready to StartConnect with Laura Low Ah Kee & Shannon Savage:https://www.instagram.com/lowaks/https://www.instagram.com/shansavage/https://www.instagram.com/leftonfriday/Subscribe to The FoundHer Files: No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works… because we're better together.Join our online networking community, the Dear FoundHer... Forum:https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumFollow Dear FoundHer on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundherDon't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchukPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

En esta entrevista a Àlex Rodríguez Bacardit, nuestro CEO, grabada durante Startup MAT, compartimos cómo se ha construido MarsBased: una agencia 100% remota, sin financiación externa y con una cultura centrada en los valores que realmente importan, muy humanos le pese a quien le pese.Hablamos de estrategia, decisiones difíciles, foco a largo plazo y de cómo hemos priorizado siempre la solidez frente al crecimiento descontrolado. También repasamos otras facetas como la inversión, la creatividad y el equilibrio entre lo personal y lo profesional. Una charla que cómo mínimo, te hará reflexionar sobre lo que consideramos estándar en la industria y no tiene por qué.Support the show

Jess Berman is the Chief Brand Officer and co-owner of BodyBio, a family-owned supplement brand redefining cellular health through premium, science-backed formulations. Built at the intersection of clinical credibility and modern digital commerce, BodyBio is helping bridge the gap between practitioner-trusted products and direct-to-consumer wellness, making elite cellular health accessible to more people than ever before.After spending years deeply connected to BodyBio's practitioner roots, Jess stepped into a leadership role during a pivotal shift: moving the business from B2B-only to a thriving DTC brand. What began as a family legacy focused on scientific excellence evolved into a broader mission of education, access, and brand storytelling, bringing cellular health out of the doctor's office and into everyday routines.Though she didn't come from a traditional DTC background, Jess brings strategic clarity to every stage of growth, navigating channel tradeoffs, building dual B2B and DTC ecosystems, and balancing hyper-targeted paid media with high-trust organic growth.Whether discussing how BodyBio fixed its reliance on branded traffic, why affiliate funnels outperformed typical influencer playbooks, or how brand guidelines helped unify internal teams and external agencies, Jess offers a transparent and tactical perspective on scaling a modern wellness brand without sacrificing trust.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:43] Intro[01:52] Rebuilding websites to unlock conversions[03:16] Growing brand awareness through omnichannel[04:26] Bootstrapping marketing with a two-person team[05:40] Managing fulfillment while scaling DTC[07:18] Finding new customers through authority partners[09:31] Testing creative angles to convert cold traffic[11:34] Leading growth through transparency and story[12:21] Episode Sponsors: Electric Eye, Reach & Zamp[15:52] Defining brand guidelines before scaling online[17:52] Testing incrementality before scaling Amazon[18:48] Skipping short-term wins for long-term brand health[20:48] Preparing for shoppable AI disrupting searchResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeSupplements Made From Science https://bodybio.com/Follow Jess Berman https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesshkaneSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectLevel up your global sales withreach.com/honest  Fully managed sales tax solution for Ecommerce brands zamp.com/honestIf you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Dave and Alicia Store, co-founders of DSNM, join the Evolve to Succeed podcast to trace their 25-year journey from a one-man, paper-based chart-correction service to an award-winning super-yacht-navigation technology company with 27 employees and 620 vessels under subscription. Dave candidly recounts the scrappy early years - dot-matrix printers, Pritt Stick, and fax machines - while Alicia explains how joining the firm (initially to cover maternity leave) professionalised its finances, people processes and long-term vision.   The couple unpack the pivotal moments that reshaped the business: realising captains would pay for a fully managed service; raising prices to signal quality; surviving the 2008 crash, COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine shock; and, most dramatically, self-funding and launching their proprietary software, Compass. Their complementary personalities - Dave the risk-taking visionary, Alicia the detail-driven operator - emerge as the engine behind DSNM's culture of obsessive customer service and constant product iteration.   They also share the realities of running a high-pressure, family-run company in a glamorous, yet unforgiving industry. Topics range from work-life integration with their young son Louis, to tight recruitment standards, to the pride (and responsibility) of winning two Queen's Awards and employing a close-knit team.   This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…   Find a pain-killer, not a vitamin. Early success came from doing the tedious chart-correction work crews hated. Price can signal value. Raising rates—rather than undercutting incumbents—attracted more super-yacht clients. Service DNA first, tech layer next. DSNM's core white-glove support never changed; software (Compass) scaled it. Complementary co-founders matter. Visionary risk (Dave) + operational diligence (Alicia) created balanced growth. Crisis = clarity. COVID and the Ukraine conflict forced the team to reassess purpose, costs and future bets. Culture of “no passengers.” Every hire must be a self-starting problem-solver; weak links show instantly in a small team. Bootstrapping builds resilience. Funding software internally preserved speed and ownership—crucial in a niche market. Work-life “blend” beats balance. Shared purpose, clear role boundaries, and intentional family time keep burnout at bay.   Chapters   00:00 Introduction to DSNM and Its Founders 06:50 The Evolution of Services and Software Development 12:04 Navigating Business Challenges and Financial Lessons 20:39 Balancing Growth with Company Culture 30:04 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Strategy 38:18 Reflections on Success and Personal Growth 42:50 Family Dynamics and Work-Life Balance 48:53 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts  

In this episode, we talk about trying to create a forum for Less Annoying CRM's users.

Amar Ghose has been growing Zenmaid from idea to market leader as a non-technical founder. Zenmaid is a SaaS platform that's been helping maid service owners grow their businesses since 2013. Amar is one of those amazing founders who truly embodies the bootstrapping spirit—when his co-founder left early on at just $15k in monthly revenue, he could have easily given up. Instead, he stuck with it, and through relentless customer focus and persistence, he's built ZenMaid into a $150k per month business over the past 12 years.What makes Amar's story particularly inspiring is that he's a non-technical founder who used a customer development approach from day one, really listening to his market and building exactly what maid service owners needed. He's also created an incredible content marketing ecosystem around ZenMaid—from YouTube channels to the Maid Summit conference to podcasts—always focused on helping maid service owners succeed rather than just selling software.We're talking about the power of persistence in bootstrapping, how to build as a non-technical founder, the importance of customer development, and how to create content that truly serves your community. We'll also dive into building a remote-first, location-independent company and staying focused on your customers' success over quick growth.The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/amar-ghose-from-non-technical-founder-to-saas-innovator/The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/403-amar-ghose-from-non-technical-founder-to-saas-innovatorCheck out Podscan, the Podcast database that transcribes every podcast episode out there minutes after it gets released: https://podscan.fmSend me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvidYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Building a Business: Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital - A Strategic Guide to Funding Your Startup In this episode of The Big Hitter podcast, host Larry Weidel breaks down one of the most crucial decisions entrepreneurs face: whether to bootstrap their business or seek venture capital funding, exploring the pros, cons, and strategic considerations of each path.

Start your very own Credit Repair business - Learn how by joining our FREE 5-day challenge: http://startrepairingcredit.com/Can doing work for free help you make a million dollars?I know what you're thinking, but here's the thing: it's actually one of the smartest moves you can make when building your credit repair empire from scratch!Today, I'm going to share how working for free can be the secret weapon that fuels your business growth. Plus, I'll show you exactly how to onboard free clients in Credit Repair Cloud.This strategy helped me grow my own credit repair business, and it has also helped many of our Millionaires Club members establish themselves in the industry. So, you better stick around!Key Takeaways:00:00 Intro01:06 Building a Credit Repair Business with Free Clients02:52 The Power of Early Wins with Free Clients04:29 Strategies for Finding Free Clients08:46 Onboarding Free Clients in Credit Repair Cloud10:50 Using Client Agreements12:34 Repairing Credit and Sharing Results15:34 OutroAdditional Resources:Get a free trial to Credit Repair CloudGet my free credit repair training  How to Use FREE Content to Generate Credit Repair Leads (And Stay TRS Compliant!)Make sure to subscribe so you stay up to date with our latest episodes.

#499 What if your side hustle could one day replace your full-time career — and give you your life back in the process? In this episode hosted by Kirsten Tyrrel, we sit down with Mike Ettenberg, a former firefighter turned full-time entrepreneur and founder of Frontline Optics, a sunglasses brand built specifically for first responders. Mike shares how a childhood obsession with emergency services and a side gig in college led him to both firefighting and eventually e-commerce. You'll hear how he spent a full year developing a product he knew the market needed, why he swears by the “5 to 9” side hustle strategy, and how he scaled his business while still on shift at the fire station. From bootstrapping with overtime pay to leveraging AI for inventory and ad copy, Mike's journey is packed with insights for anyone ready to turn a passion into a profitable brand — without burning out along the way! What we discuss with Mike: + From firefighter to founder + Childhood obsession with emergency services + Starting a side hustle on shift + Solving a real problem with sunglasses + Bootstrapping with overtime checks + Year-long product development process + Building brand loyalty with first responders + Using AI for inventory forecasting + Growing through Meta ads and Shopify + Advice on scaling smart and staying healthy Thank you, Mike! Check out Frontline Optics at Frontline-Optics.com. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this new episode of Life on Mars, we take you behind the scenes at MarsBased to share how the first half of 2025 has unfolded for us as a team and company.This year has marked the beginning of a new chapter, one shaped by growth, clarity, and transformation. We've strengthened our pipeline, expanded the team, and taken meaningful steps toward building a more mature and intentional company culture. But more importantly, we're doing it all while staying true to our values of transparency, trust, and long-term thinking.From company structure and team communication to leadership challenges and internal reflection, this episode is a candid account of how we're evolving to meet the demands of our clients, our people, and ourselves.If you're interested in how a boutique agency scales with intention, this is for you.Support the show

In this episode, I chat with Dmytro, the founder of ScreenshotOne.com, about his journey bootstrapping a SaaS tool that automates website screenshots. We dive into real-life use cases, how he grew to $20K MRR without investors, and the challenges he faced early on. Dmytro shares his SEO strategies, how he found his ideal customers, and what motivates him now that money isn't the main driver. It's a candid look at building, growing, and finding meaning as an indie founder.TwitterDmytro: https://x.com/DmytroKrasunTiago: https://x.com/wbetiagoTimestamps by PodSqueezeIntroduction and Product Overview (00:00:01)Real-World Use Cases (00:00:43)Growth Milestone and Bootstrapping (00:03:25)Early Expectations and First Customers (00:04:17)Previous Projects and Choosing ScreenshotOne (00:05:42)Competition and Market Validation (00:08:01)Slow Early Growth and Customer Profile (00:10:41)Understanding and Targeting ICP (00:13:32)Marketing Channels and SEO Strategy (00:17:40)Content Strategy and Backlinks (00:20:19)Traffic and Conversion Sources (00:29:12)Growth Acceleration After ICP Focus (00:31:52)Churn: Customer vs. Revenue (00:32:15)Churn Reduction Tactics (00:36:59)Solo Founder and Task Prioritization (00:39:04)Metrics and Daily Operations (00:43:07)Reaching Financial Goals and Motivation (00:45:07)Future Plans and Personal Fulfillment (00:48:13)Closing and Where to Find Dmytro (00:53:23)

saas.unbound is a podcast for and about founders who are working on scaling inspiring products that people love, brought to you by https://saas.group/, a serial acquirer of B2B SaaS companies. In episode #29 of season 5, Anna Nadeina talks with Pierce, CEO & Co-founder of babelforce, a no-code platform for building and automating customer experience workflows, primarily focused on contact centers. --------------Episode's Chapters---------------- 00:00 - Meet the Guest: Pierce, CEO of babelforce 01:33 - The Evolution of AI and Contact Centers 06:21 - Challenges and Realities of AI Implementation 13:25 - The Value Proposition of babelforce 20:17 - Bootstrapping and Growth of babelforce 22:23 - Building the Platform: Early Days and Challenges 23:56 - Impact of AI and Technological Shifts 26:26 - Enterprise Sales and Marketing Strategies 30:26 - Event Management and Marketing Insights 33:32 - Zendesk Integration and Future Plans Pierce - https://www.linkedin.com/in/piercebuckley/ babelforce - https://www.babelforce.com/ Subscribe to our channel to be the first to see the interviews that we publish twice a week - https://www.youtube.com/@saas-group Stay up to date: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaaS_group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14790796

Most GTM teams are stuck in a 10-year-old playbook — Anthony Enrico, Founder and CEO of LeanScale, shows how to break the cycle. Previously Head of RevOps at Boast.AI, where he helped scale the company past $20M ARR, Anthony now advises and enables dozens of founders and revenue leaders to engineer growth without burning headcount. He also shares how they help high-growth startups scale RevOps with a lean, efficient GTM motion. Specifically, Anthony discusses:(05:25) Startups replace brute-force growth with RevOps to boost revenue per FTE.(15:49) Most teams underinvest in the brand despite its long-term impact.(20:29) Use a data warehouse — not your CRM — for unified reporting.(25:18) Clay transforms RevOps with scalable, integrated data enrichment.(30:48) Default uses AI to route leads and trigger workflows across tools.(35:42) Amplemarket targets fundraisers and job changes with precise outreach.(40:28) AI is most effective when humans fine-tune for quality and authenticity.(44:44) Early days are easiest — scaling means harder niches and messaging.(54:46) Bootstrapping forced them to hire fewer, better people and build processes early.(01:03:33) A solo GTM dashboard tracks pipeline, ops and conversion rates.Resources Mentioned:Anthony Enricohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyenrico/LeanScale | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/leanscale/LeanScale | Websitehttps://www.leanscale.teamAmplemarkethttps://www.amplemarket.com/Clayhttps://www.clay.com/Ocean.iohttp://ocean.ioDefaulthttps://www.default.com/ChurnZerohttps://churnzero.com/Riversidehttps://riverside.fm/This episode is brought to you by:Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.comEach year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don't get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#RevOps #GTMstrategy #B2Bgrowth #Product #Marketing #Innovation #StartUp #GenerativeAI #AI

How to Scale SaaS with AI-Powered Digital Labor | Aaron Godby - SaaS FuelWhat if AI could replace repetitive work and give your team superpowers?Aaron Godby, founder of Green Irony, shows how smart companies are scaling with AI-driven “digital labor” that never forgets, works 24/7, and delivers consistent results.In this episode, we break down:How to find low-value tasks in your SaaS and automate them with AIWhy ChatGPT isn't a toy—it's your next top performerWhat makes Agent Force a game-changer for SaaS opsHow to rethink hiring, team structure, and leadership in the AI ageWhy most AI tools fail to drive real results—and how to fix itIf you're serious about scaling your SaaS without hiring a huge team, this is essential listening.Key Takeaways00:00 - What tasks waste your team's time?03:06 - The key to making AI and humans work together04:15 - Lessons from Carson Aslam & Scott Cate (past guests)05:20 - Meet Aaron Godby, founder of Green Irony06:33 - What is Agent Force?08:07 - How to ensure consistent AI performance09:25 - Real-world productivity boosts using AI11:23 - Why AI agents outperform new hires13:06 - The power of context windows in AI14:21 - How Aaron spotted the AI opportunity early16:14 - The toughest challenges in building an AI consulting business19:12 - Example use case: automating RFP responses21:03 - The business model behind Green Irony24:33 - Key lessons from building Green Irony26:09 - Should you diversify or specialize in tech ecosystems?28:07 - How to stay nimble with APIs30:05 - Bootstrapping vs VC funding in AI SaaS31:32 - Cutting through the AI hype to find what works34:34 - Leading AI teams with clarity and purpose37:02 - What the future of digital labor means for SaaS38:34 - The key question SaaS founders should ask their ops teamsTweetable Quotes"If AI isn't saving you time or making you money, you're using it wrong." — Aaron Godby"Digital labor doesn't call in sick, doesn't forget, and scales instantly." — Aaron Godby"The biggest gains come when humans and AI collaborate, not compete." — Aaron Godby"Stop chasing the next AI tool. Start solving real problems with the tools you already have." — Aaron Godby"Bootstrapping makes you focus on outcomes, not hype." — Aaron GodbySaaS Leadership LessonsDon't automate for automation's sakeFocus AI on the tasks that save time, increase revenue, or improve customer experience.AI agents are like new hires—but betterThey learn fast, never forget, and work 24/7 without burnout.Context is the secret weaponThe bigger the context window, the smarter and more useful your AI gets.Most SaaS teams treat AI like a plugin, not a pillarThe winners build AI into the core of their operations and org design.The future team is hybridHuman creativity + AI execution = exponential scale.Guest ResourcesEmail - aaron@greenirony.comWebsite - https://greenirony.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarongodby/Episode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond –

Mark MacLeod's Startup CEO Show brings us an enlightening conversation with Alina Vandenberghe, the dynamic co-founder and co-CEO of Chili Piper. This episode offers a deep dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of co-leading a company with your spouse, as Alina candidly discusses her partnership with her husband and co-CEO. The discussion sheds light on their fluid approach to dividing responsibilities and how they've managed to create a flat organizational structure despite having 150 employees across 38 countries.Alina shares invaluable insights on hiring for values, detailing how they assess candidates not just for skills but for alignment with company culture. The conversation takes an interesting turn as Alina reflects on her background growing up in communist Romania and how it shaped her entrepreneurial journey, instilling in her a unique perspective on resource management and customer motivations. This episode is packed with practical advice on building a strong company culture, leveraging personal branding for business growth, and adapting to the rapidly changing tech landscape.Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of tech's most innovative and authentic leaders.Timestamps: 01:06 Meet Alina: Chili Piper's Spicy CEO03:26 Chili Piper: Spicing Up Sales Software06:11 Raw and Real: Alina's Authentic Approach10:16 Social Media: The Pipeline Powerhouse12:20 Speaking Up: Time Well Invested16:42 Dividing and Conquering CEO Duties19:42 Remote Work: Born from Wanderlust29:48 Bootstrapping to Millions: Chili Piper's Journey35:48 AI: Blessing or Terminator Scenario?43:00 Corporate Wisdom in Startup Land48:07 Inspiring Women: Alina's Ripple EffectSince 1999, I have sat at the right-hand side of the leaders of high growth technology companies as either a CFO, VC or deal maker. I served as CFO for software companies including Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) and Freshbooks. As a CFO I experienced outright failures, wildly profitable exits, and everything in between.I was a General Partner in Real Ventures, Canada's largest and most active seed stage fund. My investments there include the fund's largest cash on cash and highest IRR returns to date. Most recently, I founded SurePath Capital Partners the leading investment bank for SMB SaaS companies where we did hundreds of millions in financing and exit transactions.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/

Maor Shlomo is the founder of Base44, an AI-powered app builder that he bootstrapped to an over $80 million acquisition by Wix in just six months. As a solo founder (with severe ADHD), he hit $1 million ARR just three weeks after launch and grew the product to more than 400,000 users, all while navigating two wars in Israel and never raising a dollar of outside funding.What you'll learn:1. The growth playbook that took Base44 from three friends to 400,000 users without spending any money on marketing2. How he hasn't written a single line of front-end code in three months—and how to structure your code repository to make it easier for AI to write your code3. His AI productivity stack that allowed him to compete against heavily funded competitors4. Why being a solo founder in AI might be the ultimate advantage (and the wedding story that almost killed the business)5. The story of signing the $80M acquisition deal while war broke out with Iran6. How to identify when to sell vs. stay independent (and why Maor chose acquisition despite being highly profitable)7. The counterintuitive product decision that tripled activation by removing a “helpful” feature8. How building in public on LinkedIn drove more growth than any paid channel—Brought to you by:Sauce—Turn customer pain into product revenue: https://sauce.app/lennyDscout—The UX platform to capture insights at every stage: from ideation to production: https://www.dscout.com/Contentsquare—Create better digital experiences: https://contentsquare.com/lenny/—Transcript: ⁠https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-base44-bootstrapped-startup-success-story-maor-shlomo⁠—My biggest takeaways (for paid newsletter subscribers): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/i/167384119/my-biggest-takeaways-from-this-conversation—Where to find Maor Shlomo:• X: https://x.com/ms_base44• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maor-shlomo-1088b4144/—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Maor and Base44(08:16) The origin story: how Base44 came to be(14:55) Bootstrapping and solo founding: challenges and insights(22:52) Productivity hacks and tech stack for solo founders(27:23) How to get started using Base44(28:47) Thoughts on raising money(34:05) Distribution in the age of AI(36:09) Ambition and goals(40:05) Growth strategies: from first users to thousands(51:32) Building in public(57:42) The solo founder journey(01:00:23) Community support(01:03:23) Hackathons and partnerships(01:06:42) The importance of velocity in product development(01:08:20) Technical stack and infrastructure insights(01:15:24) Activation lessons(01:18:19) The acquisition journey with Wix(01:25:14) Final thoughts and advice for founders—Referenced:• Base44: https://base44.com/• Retool: https://retool.com/• Tzofim: https://www.israelscouts.org/• Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/• RescueTime: https://www.rescuetime.com/• Cursor: https://www.cursor.com/• Wix: https://www.wix.com/• The rise of Cursor: The $300M ARR AI tool that engineers can't stop using | Michael Truell (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-rise-of-cursor-michael-truell• Building Lovable: $10M ARR in 60 days with 15 people | Anton Osika (CEO and co-founder): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/building-lovable-anton-osika• Inside Bolt: From near-death to ~$40m ARR in 5 months—one of the fastest-growing products in history | Eric Simons (founder and CEO of StackBlitz): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/inside-bolt-eric-simons• Behind the product: Replit | Amjad Masad (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/behind-the-product-replit-amjad-masad• Everyone's an engineer now: Inside v0's mission to create a hundred million builders | Guillermo Rauch (founder and CEO of Vercel, creators of v0 and Next.js): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/everyones-an-engineer-now-guillermo-rauch• Snowflake: https://www.snowflake.com• Yoav Orlev on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoav-orlev-4a044b72• WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/• Google: https://about.google/• MongoDB: https://www.mongodb.com/• Deloitte: https://www.deloitte.com/• Render: Render.com• Claude 4: https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-4• Gemini: https://gemini.google.com/app• Cloudflare: https://www.cloudflare.com/—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com

In this episode, Mark and Data Coach Gravy discuss the significance of data in business, exploring Paul's journey from an accidental entry into the data world to becoming a successful entrepreneur. They delve into the lessons learned from the dot-com boom, the importance of data ownership, and the challenges businesses face in managing their data across various platforms. The conversation emphasizes the need for companies to recognize data as their most valuable asset and to take control of it for better decision-making and growth. In this conversation, Data Coach Gravy discusses the importance of data ownership and how leaders can simplify their approach to data management. He emphasizes that data is a company's most valuable asset and should be treated as such. The discussion also covers the evolution of data storage, the impact of AI on business, and the significance of being a data-driven leader. Gravy shares insights on leading remote teams effectively, the role of faith in leadership, and how personal relationships can enhance team dynamics. He concludes with practical advice for leaders to start integrating data into their decision-making processes.Takeaways:Data can drive growth and success for businesses.Paul's journey into data was accidental but transformative.The dot-com boom provided unique opportunities for young entrepreneurs.Learning from mistakes is crucial in business.Data ownership is essential for companies to thrive.Partnerships can complicate business dynamics.Bootstrapping allows for greater control and vision.AI is increasingly reliant on data for effectiveness.Companies must integrate their scattered data for better insights.Understanding data as an asset is vital for modern businesses. Who you are as a company is your data.Data is incredibly simple: strings, dates, and numbers.Leaders must take ownership of their data.SaaS systems are proliferating and are here to stay.AI is integral to the future of business.Love your team to foster better leadership.Success is defined by the love and respect of those who know you best.Having a moral compass simplifies decision-making.Challenges often indicate you're on the right path.Start replacing assumptions with data-driven questions.Connect with Paul: https://www.thedatagroup.cloud/https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgraeveLearn More: Visit TheFridayHabit.com for show notes, resources, and to download the guide on working on your business rather than in it. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Friday Habit for more real-life business lessons, candid conversations, and actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.

In this conversation, Rick and Tyler explore various topics ranging from smoking techniques and the evolution of grilling methods to the challenges and benefits of a four-day work week. They discuss business growth strategies, particularly focusing on customer retention and the importance of securing renewals. The conversation shifts to the technical aspects of VoIP systems, including SIP trunking, and the implications of AI on search optimization. Finally, they delve into potential new product opportunities and the strategic considerations of acquiring existing products to enhance their offerings.

Andrew Wilkinson is the co‑founder of Tiny, a holding company that quietly owns more than three dozen profitable internet and consumer brands, including Dribbble and the AeroPress coffee maker. Starting as a teenage barista and web designer, he's created a portfolio approaching $300 million in yearly sales (and he was personally worth over $1 billion at one point)—all without ever raising venture capital.In this conversation, you'll learn:1. The “fish where the fish are” framework for spotting high‑margin niches no one else notices2. The exact agent stack (Lindy, Replit, Limitless, and more) that supercharges Andrew's day-to-day productivity (and has replaced his assistant)3. How Andrew evaluates companies in less than 15 minutes using Buffett‑style moats and “lazy leadership”4. Telltale signs you should shut down (or never start) that startup idea5. His journey from crippling anxiety to clarity through SSRIs and ADHD medication6. His prediction that most knowledge work will be automated—and the skills to teach your kids now—Brought to you by:Sauce—Turn customer pain into product revenueEnterpret—Transform customer feedback into product growthMiro—A collaborative visual platform where your best work comes to life—Where to find Andrew Wilkinson:• X: https://x.com/awilkinson• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/awilkinson/—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Andrew Wilkinson(04:07) Finding the right business idea(07:18) Avoiding common business pitfalls(11:58) Finding your unfair advantage(17:08) Fish where the fish are(20:08) Why boring is good(25:30) Bootstrapping vs. venture capital(31:20) Lessons from acquiring and managing businesses(36:47) Avoiding people problems(42:39) Leveraging AI in business and life(49:30) The Limitless device(53:13) Job displacement and AI's future impact(58:20) Advice for new grads(01:02:50) Parenting in the age of AI(01:05:26) The pursuit of happiness beyond wealth(01:10:10) Mental health and medication(01:16:45) Lightning round and final thoughts—Referenced:• Andrew's post on X with the Charlie Munger quote: https://x.com/awilkinson/status/1265653805443506182• Metalab: https://www.metalab.com/• Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/• AeroPress: https://aeropress.com/• Brian Armstrong on X: https://x.com/brian_armstrong• Warren Buffett's quote: https://quotefancy.com/quote/931119/Warren-Buffett-I-am-a-better-investor-because-I-am-a-businessman-and-a-better-businessman• Flow: https://www.getflow.com/• Instacart: https://www.instacart.com/• Things: https://culturedcode.com/things/• Dustin Moskovitz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmoskov/• Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/• Serato: https://serato.com/• Chris Sparling on X: https://x.com/_sparling_• Lindy: https://www.lindy.ai/• Replit: https://replit.com/• Behind the product: Replit | Amjad Masad (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/behind-the-product-replit-amjad-masad• David Ogilvy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ogilvy_(businessman)• Malcolm Gladwell's website: https://www.gladwellbooks.com/• Inside Bolt: From near-death to ~$40m ARR in 5 months—one of the fastest-growing products in history | Eric Simons (founder and CEO of StackBlitz): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/inside-bolt-eric-simons• Building Lovable: $10M ARR in 60 days with 15 people | Anton Osika (CEO and co-founder): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/building-lovable-anton-osika• Limitless: https://www.limitless.ai/• Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/• Claude: https://claude.ai/• ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/• Gemini: https://gemini.google.com/app• William Gibson's quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/681-the-future-is-already-here-it-s-just-not-evenly• Palm Treo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Treo• Sam Altman on X: https://x.com/sama• Dario Amodei on X: https://x.com/darioamodei• Anthropic's CPO on what comes next | Mike Krieger (co-founder of Instagram): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/anthropics-cpo-heres-what-comes-next• Challengers on AppleTV+: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/challengers/umc.cmc.53cuz33n4e74ixj8whccj87oc• Matic vacuum: https://maticrobots.com/• Jerzy Gregorek's quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/8652595-hard-choices-easy-life-easy-choices-hard-life• Tiny: https://www.tiny.com/• Dribbble: https://dribbble.com/—Recommended books:• The Laws of Human Nature: https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Human-Nature-Robert-Greene/dp/0525428143• How to Get Rich: One of the World's Greatest Entrepreneurs Shares His Secrets: https://www.amazon.com/How-Get-Rich-Greatest-Entrepreneurs/dp/1591842719—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

Brent Vartan is Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Bullish, a unique hybrid combining a branding agency and a consumer-focused venture fund. With decades of experience in brand strategy, Brent and his team have been early investors and builders behind some of the most iconic DTC and consumer brands of the past decade, including Peloton, Warby Parker, Casper, Harry's, Hu, Bubble, and more.In this episode of DTC Pod, Brent shares his perspective on what it takes to build generational consumer brands from the earliest stages. He discusses Bullish's hands-on investment approach, the importance of brand strategy as a growth mechanism, and what differentiates brands that become household names. Brent also breaks down real playbooks from companies like Sunday Lawn and Nom Nom, providing founders concrete advice on what it takes to build brands worth talking about—and worth buying.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Bullish's hybrid brand agency and VC model2. What it means to invest as “first money” and why it matters3. The difference between building a business and building a brand4. Why customer lifetime value (CLV) trumps CAC and COGS5. Product-market fit: moving from awareness to lifetime value6. How Bullish supports brands like Harry's and Nom Nom in their earliest days7. Tactical advice for founders on capital raising and allocation8. Building brands for acquisition vs. IPO9. The playbook for becoming an acquisition target (what buyers actually want)10. The underrated power of innovation and product launches11. The role of cultural relevance in DTC brand building12. Real-world examples from Sunday Lawn, Peloton, Bubble Beauty, and more13. How great DTC brands focus on AOV, CLV, and brand loyalty14. Pitfalls to avoid around capital structure and loss of momentumTimestamps00:00 Introducing Brent Vartan and Bullish03:49 Bullish's track record and notable investments05:22 What makes Bullish different10:10 Investing as “first money,” how Bullish evaluates concepts13:19 Patterns Bullish looks for in breakout DTC brands16:09 Deep dive: Sunday Lawn's growth and strategy18:36 Positioning Harry's and building a hundred-year business21:04 Timelines, capital, and operational realities for breakout brands23:37 Building for acquisition vs. IPO: how strategies diverge28:57 What buyers are really seeking in DTC acquisitions31:47 Nom Nom's Mars acquisition and the power of niche audiences33:59 The importance of cultural relevance and taking creative “shots”35:32 Bubble Beauty: case study in innovation and customer engagement38:27 Finding the right capital structure and maintaining founder equity41:06 The risks of stalling momentum and overplanning43:33 Where to allocate raised capital: innovation vs. marketing46:20 Where to find Bullish, Brent's socials, and their newsletterShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokBrent Vartan - Managing Partner & Co-Founder of BullishBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

On this episode of #TheShot of #DigitalHealth Therapy, Jim Joyce and I went from cowbells to code to campaign trails with the one and only Owen McCarthy. We covered a LOT: ✅ Bootstrapping MedRhythms from a napkin sketch to FDA approval ✅ Licensing Stevie Wonder's music to help stroke patients walk again ✅ Why Maine needs robotic homes (and maybe fewer regulations) ✅ How it feels to run for Governor with a quick thought on the Big Beautiful Bill ✅ oh... and even spoke about the very real Uncle Thump (not Trump) Owen's journey from logging trucks to legislative vision is the very definition of full circle. And spoiler: you don't want to miss his advice to future founders

Not every SaaS success story starts with a multi-million-dollar seed round. While flashy headlines highlight startups raising big in Silicon Valley, most founders are left asking a far more practical question: Should I bootstrap, or go after funding? In this episode, we're joined by Denise Edwards, the founder of SaaS Launch, a platform that helps early-stage SaaS founders secure the right kind of capital and avoid the wrong kind of investor. We dive into the different types of funding available to SaaS founders and explain the real trade-offs between raising capital vs bootstrapping. Denise breaks down dilutive vs non-dilutive funding and what those terms actually mean for your business long-term. But it's not just about money. Denise highlights the intangible value investors can offer, like mentorship, industry connections, and strategic insights, that often outweigh the dollar signs. We also tackle some of the biggest myths and misconceptions founders believe about fundraising. Finally, Denise walks us through the anatomy of a great pitch, what to say, what to avoid, and how to stand out from the crowd. Whether you're scaling with your own savings or prepping for your first round, this episode will give you the tools and insight to make smarter funding decisions for your SaaS startup. Topics Discussed in this episode: How Denise went from working in SaaS to starting SaaS Launch(01:56) The different types of funding available to SaaS founders (06:30) The pros and cons of raising funding vs bootstrapping (09:00) Dilutive vs non-dilutive funding options (11:27) The intangible benefits that investors bring to the table (17:00) Common myths and misconceptions founders have about fundraising (20:00) The KPIs and metrics that investors look at (24:20) The biggest mistakes founders make when pitching investors (30:23) The anatomy of a great pitch (37:33) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter SaaS Launch  Denise's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to take the next step in your SaaS journey with confidence.  

Not every SaaS success story starts with a multi-million-dollar seed round. While flashy headlines highlight startups raising big in Silicon Valley, most founders are left asking a far more practical question: Should I bootstrap, or go after funding? In this episode, we're joined by Denise Edwards, the founder of SaaS Launch, a platform that helps early-stage SaaS founders secure the right kind of capital and avoid the wrong kind of investor. We dive into the different types of funding available to SaaS founders and explain the real trade-offs between raising capital vs bootstrapping. Denise breaks down dilutive vs non-dilutive funding and what those terms actually mean for your business long-term. But it's not just about money. Denise highlights the intangible value investors can offer, like mentorship, industry connections, and strategic insights, that often outweigh the dollar signs. We also tackle some of the biggest myths and misconceptions founders believe about fundraising. Finally, Denise walks us through the anatomy of a great pitch, what to say, what to avoid, and how to stand out from the crowd. Whether you're scaling with your own savings or prepping for your first round, this episode will give you the tools and insight to make smarter funding decisions for your SaaS startup. Topics Discussed in this episode: How Denise went from working in SaaS to starting SaaS Launch(01:56) The different types of funding available to SaaS founders (06:30) The pros and cons of raising funding vs bootstrapping (09:00) Dilutive vs non-dilutive funding options (11:27) The intangible benefits that investors bring to the table (17:00) Common myths and misconceptions founders have about fundraising (20:00) The KPIs and metrics that investors look at (24:20) The biggest mistakes founders make when pitching investors (30:23) The anatomy of a great pitch (37:33) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter SaaS Launch  Denise's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to take the next step in your SaaS journey with confidence.  

There's a lot of hype around disruption and building a "blue ocean" business:Where you create new, uncontested market space rather than competing head-to-head in existing markets.But here's a reality check: 90% of startups fail and 42% of those fail because they create something nobody wants.Meanwhile, savvy startups are looking for a "purple ocean" — taking proven ideas and applying them to specific verticals.On the latest episode of The High-EQ Founder, I spoke with Melissa Kwan, serial entrepreneur and CEO of eWebinar, who did exactly this by applying existing webinar technology to customer success teams tired of repeating the same demos and trainings.Melissa's been on the entrepreneurial journey for 14 years. Here's what she shared:

Brian Pontarelli is co-founder and CEO of FusionAuth. FusionAuth helps companies easily roll authentication workflows for their public facing applications. For example, FusionAuth is an alternative to writing custom code for user creation and multi-factor authentication login for a new web application. FusionAuth is entirely bootstrapped, and the company has successfully become a legitimate enterprise option for customer identity. Before FusionAuth, Brian started CleanSpeak, one of the original companies for profanity filters in chat interfaces. Brian is still the CEO of both businesses, and he tells the story of how the two tie together in our conversation.Website

How SaaS Founders Can Scale with Smart Link Routing, Partner Channels & Pricing Strategy | Scott Cate - SaaS Fuel PodcastSelling to strangers is hard—especially in SaaS. So how do you break through the noise, bypass the red tape, and sell to enterprise customers without burning out?In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Scott Cate, founder of 301.pro, shares how his SaaS leverages dynamic link routing, context-based personalization (down to weather and time of day!), and partner-led growth to scale—without relying on ads or VC funding.Key Takeaways00:00 - Intro to smart QR code routing02:12 - Breaking into enterprise markets without brand recognition03:13 - Smart link routing & personalization explained04:09 - Last week's highlights + guest intro05:19 - Scott Cate's backstory & 301.pro origins06:25 - How dynamic link routing solves hidden problems09:05 - Selling to strangers is HARD10:58 - How pricing changes when targeting enterprise vs SMB15:20 - Why 301.pro moved away from SMB customers17:12 - $500/month pricing: Who it's for (and not for)18:15 - AI-driven image personalization for massive brands19:06 - Why time of day, location & weather boost conversions22:24 - Frictionless experiences = higher ROI23:27 - Real-world examples with Chevy & California healthcare25:50 - The invisible magic of great SaaS27:04 - Split testing & proving ROI with data29:05 - The Open Graph image hack that boosts click-through rates32:30 - Pricing models & the power of partner channels35:04 - Why small-ticket SaaS often fails to scale37:06 - The impossible enterprise sales cycle39:10 - Why 301.pro sells through agencies (not directly to enterprise)41:08 - Bootstrapping vs VC funding mindset44:21 - Scott's dream of buying Bitly (maybe)45:13 - Final thoughts on bootstrapping, scaling, and growthTweetable Quotes"If you have a problem big enough, our $500 a month feels like zero. If not, it feels like robbery." — Scott Cate"Selling to strangers is almost impossible... unless you borrow trust from someone who's already inside." — Scott Cate"Time of day, weather, and location. These aren't just variables—they're revenue drivers." — Scott Cate"The best tech feels invisible. Users don't notice it—they just enjoy the result." — Scott Cate"Friction kills revenue. Every extra click is money left on the table." — Scott Cate"Bootstrapping means I own it. Full control, full responsibility—and that's by design." — Scott CateSaaS Leadership LessonsPartner Channels Unlock EnterpriseAgencies often have the trust, relationships, and budget access SaaS founders lack when approaching big enterprises.SMB Pricing Can Be a TrapA $10/month SaaS needs tens of thousands of customers to survive. Scaling with enterprise pricing ($500+/month) can be more sustainable—with fewer customers.Context Personalization Drives ConversionsTime of day, location, and even the weather dramatically affect buying behavior. Personalized images and links can boost conversions by 18% or more.Frictionless Experiences = More RevenueWhether it's QR codes that skip landing pages or links that auto-detect language, removing friction directly increases sales.Bootstrapping Gives You ControlKeeping equity and profits lets founders avoid the pitfalls of chasing VC-fueled hypergrowth,...

After 10 years building MarsBased as a fully remote, bootstrapped, and values-driven tech company, we're finally sharing the full story. This keynote, recorded for our 10th anniversary, is a reflection on everything we've learned about building sustainable software, nurturing company culture, and growing a business without external investors, shortcuts or growth hacks.We talk about how we made remote work function from day one, why we chose to bootstrap instead of seeking venture capital, and how ethical decision-making has shaped every part of our journey. You'll also hear our philosophy on writing clean, maintainable code, and how long-term thinking has guided the way we run the company: slowly, intentionally, and with purpose.

In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Vo, studio founder, podcast host, and now the creator of Orin Retreats, to unpack why she walked away from the startup rat race to build something intentionally small, sustainable, and soul-aligned. We talk about the version of success that nearly broke her, why the VC model fails most founders, and how depth, not scale, became her new metric for impact. If you've ever questioned the path you're on, this conversation might just reframe what “winning” really looks like.00:00 Redefining Success05:47 The VC Dilemma12:48 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics18:32 Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: A Founder's Perspective24:16 The AI Coaching Experience29:52 Creating Human Connection in a Digital World39:25 The Roots of Distrust Among Women42:00 Navigating Female Networks and Support46:45 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership52:11 The Role of Coaching in Personal Growth56:37 Advice and Insights from the Journey

Jesse Pujji reveals how he builds wildly successful companies from scratch by doubling down on talent, distribution, and the power of bootstrapping.   In this episode, Sarah Lockwood sits down with the serial founder and investor behind Gateway X, a venture studio that launches and scales high-performing companies without venture capital. Jesse shares how he went from Goldman Sachs and McKinsey to building Ampush, one of Facebook's earliest and most effective performance marketing agencies, which grew to manage over $1 billion in ad spend for top brands like Uber, Peloton, and Dollar Shave Club. That experience became the foundation for how he now builds high-performance teams and scalable businesses through bootstrapping.   Jesse breaks down the core principles that drive his companies: hiring exceptional talent, obsessing over sales and distribution, and staying rooted in profitability from day one. He shares the origin stories of ventures like GrowthAssistant, which connects startups with offshore marketing talent, and explains how each business at Gateway X is shaped by a unique unfair advantage and the right operating partner, not a VC-funded roadmap. From his two-farm model for sourcing ideas and people to his frameworks for knowing when to walk away from a failing project, Jesse offers a rare look into what it really takes to scale without VC.   This is a must-listen for founders ready to trade the unicorn myth for real traction, culture-driven leadership, and sustainable growth on their own terms.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Jesse Pujji's Entrepreneurial Journey from Ampush to Gateway X 05:01 Core Principles for Bootstrapping and Scaling Without VC 08:48 How GrowthAssistant Scaled to $20M in Revenue 13:32 The Two-Farm Model: Matching Ideas with the Right People 15:00 Knowing When to Kill an Idea and Move On 16:02 Inside Aux: Translating Marketing for Private Equity 21:09 Why Sales and Distribution Matter More Than Product 22:14 The Power of High Performance Teams 27:02 Building Profitable Companies with Operational Rigor 34:30 Managing Attention, Energy, and Leadership Across Startups 38:48 Conscious Leadership and the Value of Coaching   Links Dave Kashen - Startup CEO Coach Book - The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://a.co/d/j4uKz9A   Connect with The Conscious Entrepreneur: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious_entrepreneur_summit/  Website: http://www.consciousentrepreneur.us    Connect with Jesse Pujji: Website Gateway X: https://www.gateway.xyz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessepujji/   Connect with Sarah Lockwood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockwoodsarah/ Website: https://hivecast.fm HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Ryan Carey, founder of Better On — a platform that helps leaders enhance their communication skills through asynchronous video. Carey recounts his path from working at YouTube to establishing his own venture in 2019. He underscores the importance of self-care and mental health, sharing how his company has achieved consistent 15% year-over-year growth and now employs seven full-time team members, all without external investment. Carey highlights the power of video in marketing, the ongoing challenge of balancing sales efforts with product development, and the critical roles of trust, exercise, and sound financial management. He also reflects on the value of mentorship and the courage required to navigate the uncertainties of growing a business. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Ryan Carey believes the hardest part of growing a small business is facing the unknown — never knowing what tomorrow might bring, how you'll feel, or what changes could come in the market or industry—which means having the courage to move forward despite constant uncertainty. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Ryan Carey said his favorite business book that has helped him the most is Blue Ocean Strategy, explaining that it opened his eyes to how to approach markets differently. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Ryan Carey shared that he doesn't listen to many podcasts, but he did highlight his use of tools like Loom, an asynchronous video recorder, as a valuable resource. While not a traditional learning tool, he uses video heavily to communicate more effectively and save time — something he considers essential for running and growing a small business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Ryan Carey recommended QuickBooks as a key tool to help grow a small business. He stressed the importance of getting your “money house in order,” noting that having clean, organized financials makes running and growing a business much easier. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Ryan Carey said that if he could give himself advice on day one of starting out, it would be: “It's going to be hard as shit, but it's going to be so great.” Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Take care of your body first — it's the only temple you've got — Ryan Carey Success is helping the most people, making the most money, while hiring the fewest — Ryan Carey Trust your people, make them feel seen, and you'll build a culture that lasts — Ryan Carey      

In an enlightening discussion, the podcast delves into the journey of a seasoned entrepreneur (Justine Beauregard) who has navigated the intricate landscape of bootstrapping a business. Her narrative is steeped in personal anecdotes, tracing her aspirations back to childhood influences, particularly the entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by her grandmother. This early exposure ignited a passion for business that persisted through various creative ventures during her youth. After a substantial period spent in corporate environments, she made the pivotal decision to launch her consulting agency, doing so with a mere $919, an embodiment of her commitment to frugality and resourcefulness.Throughout the dialogue, Justine shares her experiences, marked by both notable successes and significant failures. Her initial forays into the business realm were characterized by a robust profit margin, owing to the nature of her service-based offerings. However, she candidly addresses the challenges of bootstrapping, particularly her struggles with technology and the temptation to overextend herself in an attempt to save costs. This led to a series of frustrating setbacks that highlighted the necessity of understanding one's operational needs and the value of investing in appropriate tools and solutions. Her reflections serve as a cautionary tale, underscoring the importance of strategic decision-making in the entrepreneurial journey.As the episode progresses, listeners are treated to a wealth of practical advice derived from her experiences. She introduces the 'good, better, best' framework, which serves as a strategic tool for evaluating choices and optimizing resources. This approach empowers entrepreneurs to start with feasible options, gradually refining their processes as they gain clarity about their objectives. Additionally, she stresses the importance of making timely decisions to facilitate progress and avoid the pitfalls of analysis paralysis. By synthesizing her journey into actionable insights, the entrepreneur equips aspiring business owners with the knowledge necessary to navigate their own bootstrap ventures with confidence and acumen.Takeaways: Bootstrapping a business requires careful evaluation of available resources and options. The balance between spending time and money is crucial for effective business management. Understanding the scope of your objectives can significantly enhance your decision-making process. Creating a 'good, better, best' framework is beneficial for optimizing business solutions. It is essential to make quick decisions to facilitate iteration and improvement. Utilizing tools like AI can expedite the process of establishing a functional tech stack. Resources:www.justinebeauregard.com

What if scaling your SaaS didn't require burning out or selling your soul to venture capital? In this episode, Greg sits down with seasoned SaaS founder, author, and startup mentor Rob Walling for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a sustainable, sellable SaaS business. Rob kicks things off by sharing how he stumbled into SaaS before it was cool, and how that journey led him to co-create TinySeed, an alternative funding model that puts founders first. He breaks down how TinySeed's 12-month program works, who it's for, and how it compares to traditional VC. But this episode isn't just about funding, it's about founder freedom. We dive deep into the psychological shifts that come with selling your business, how to recognize the right time to exit, and how to protect your energy both before and after a sale. Rob also shares the biggest traps SaaS founders fall into when chasing “growth at all costs” and the core traits he sees in founders who succeed. Whether you're bootstrapping, raising capital, or planning an exit, this episode is packed with honest, actionable insights that will help you scale smarter, and sell without regret. Topics Discussed in this episode: Rob's background and how he got into SaaS (02:08) The origins of TinySeed and how it differs from Venture Capital (12:09) The opportunities that are created through selling your business (19:43) A breakdown of Tiny Seed's 12-month program (22:19) The pros and cons of a “growth at all costs” mindset (28:32) The requirements needed to join Tiny Seed (30:20) The psychological effects of exiting your business (33:56) How to tell when to sell your business (39:40) How to avoid burnout before and after your exit (46:43) The characteristics that successful founders share (52:21) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Startups For The Rest Of Us podcast  Exit Strategy: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Selling Your Business without Regret TinySeed Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to take the next step in your SaaS journey with confidence.  

What if scaling your SaaS didn't require burning out or selling your soul to venture capital? In this episode, Greg sits down with seasoned SaaS founder, author, and startup mentor Rob Walling for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a sustainable, sellable SaaS business. Rob kicks things off by sharing how he stumbled into SaaS before it was cool, and how that journey led him to co-create TinySeed, an alternative funding model that puts founders first. He breaks down how TinySeed's 12-month program works, who it's for, and how it compares to traditional VC. But this episode isn't just about funding, it's about founder freedom. We dive deep into the psychological shifts that come with selling your business, how to recognize the right time to exit, and how to protect your energy both before and after a sale. Rob also shares the biggest traps SaaS founders fall into when chasing “growth at all costs” and the core traits he sees in founders who succeed. Whether you're bootstrapping, raising capital, or planning an exit, this episode is packed with honest, actionable insights that will help you scale smarter, and sell without regret. Topics Discussed in this episode: Rob's background and how he got into SaaS (02:08) The origins of TinySeed and how it differs from Venture Capital (12:09) The opportunities that are created through selling your business (19:43) A breakdown of Tiny Seed's 12-month program (22:19) The pros and cons of a “growth at all costs” mindset (28:32) The requirements needed to join Tiny Seed (30:20) The psychological effects of exiting your business (33:56) How to tell when to sell your business (39:40) How to avoid burnout before and after your exit (46:43) The characteristics that successful founders share (52:21) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Startups For The Rest Of Us podcast  Exit Strategy: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Selling Your Business without Regret TinySeed Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to take the next step in your SaaS journey with confidence.

In this re-run episode of the SaaS Revolution Show, originally recorded in 2022, our host Alex Theuma is joined by Ross Andrew Paquette, Chairman and CEO at Maropost, to talk about bootstrapping a B2C CRM to $100MM and a $1.7B valuation. Ross shares:

1387 He's led a $2 billion fintech revolution that's empowering small businesses to finally get the funding they deserve. From alternative capital strategies to avoiding deadly funding mistakes, he's here to help you fuel smart, scalable growth. Please welcome, Ciaran Burke!Website: https://swoopfunding.com/Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burkecg/https://x.com/SwoopFunding https://www.instagram.com/swoopfunding/ ________ Go to www.BusinessBros.biz to be a guest on the show or to find out more on how we can help you get more customers! #Businesspodcasts #smallbusinesspodcast #businessmarketingtips #businessgrowthtips #strategicthinking #businessmastery #successinbusiness #businesshacks #marketingstrategist #wealthcreators #businessstrategies #businesseducation #businesstools #businesspodcast #businessmodel #growthmarketing #businesshelp #businesssupport #salesfunnel #buildyourbusiness #podcastinglife #successgoals #wealthcreation #marketingcoach #smallbusinesstips #businessmarketing #marketingconsultant #entrepreneurtips #businessstrategy #growyourbusiness

Sara Olsher started Mighty + Bright as a handmade calendar to help her toddler cope with divorce. A decade (and one breast cancer diagnosis) later, it's a full-time Shopify business helping kids, adults, and neurodivergent folks navigate tough life stuff with visual structure. In this episode, Sara shares how she bootstrapped the brand, embraced customer feedback, and scaled with purpose—not just ad spend.You'll learn:How personal chaos sparked a viral product lineWhy bootstrapping kept her business healthy and profitableThe power of customer-led product developmentHow one TikTok collab outsold her entire kids' lineSponsorsZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyAddress Validator – Reduce delivery address errors & costsLinks and Resources:Sara OlsherMighty + BrightApps, Tools, & ServicesStoreHero – Profit-focused ad tracking and analyticsOctane AI – Shop quizzes for ShopifySensible Forecasting – Inventory planningBundles.app – Inventory syncing for Shopify bundlesiPaKey – Packing and fulfillment scanner toolWork with Kurt:→ Grow your Shopify store→ See client success stories→ Join Kurt's newsletter

Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:03:52) - The Founder's book project (00:04:06) - Effort and building relationships (00:11:20) - The value of self-publishing (00:24:00) - Bootstrapping a HoldCo (00:46:05) - Finding natural fit in business (00:47:48) - The role of trust in business (00:49:07) - AI and changing perspectives (00:50:26) - Daily use of AI tools (00:55:49) - The value of deep research (00:57:53) - The future of AI in business (01:16:35) - Avoiding addictive apps (01:18:27) - Collecting and using maxims (01:20:45) - The power of lists (01:24:40) - Collapsing organizational gaps (01:28:05) - The role of AI in reducing friction (01:29:59) - Closing remarks and recommendations Links: Andrew Wilkinson — https://twitter.com/awilkinsonDavid Senra — https://twitter.com/founderspodcastEric Jorgenson — https://twitter.com/ericjorgensonMitchell Baldridge — https://twitter.com/baldridgecpaNick Huber — https://twitter.com/sweatystartup Eric Jorgenson — https://ejorgenson.com Founders Podcast — https://www.founderspodcast.com Better Bookkeeping — https://www.betterbookkeeping.comRE Cost Seg — https://www.recostseg.comScribe — https://scribemedia.com To support the costs of producing this podcast:  >> Buy a copy of the Navalmanack: www.navalmanack.com/  >> Buy a copy of The Anthology of Balaji: https://balajianthology.com/ >> Sign up for my online course and community about building your Personal Leverage: https://www.ejorgenson.com/leverage  >> Invest in early-stage companies alongside Eric and his partners at Rolling Fun: https://angel.co/v/back/rolling-fun >> Join the free weekly email list at ejorgenson.com/newsletter >> Text the podcast to a friend >> Or at least give the podcast a positive review to help us reach new listeners! We discuss: How extreme effort and agency created the opportunity to publish the Founders' book. The economics, longevity, and cultural value of self-published books. Bootstrapping and scaling a HoldCo with multiple service businesses. Practical uses of AI for research, productivity, and creative leverage. The importance of doing the work for its own sake and loving the process. Quotes from David: “You don't handle the stress—you like it. Or else you wouldn't be doing this.” “If you want the ups, you have to endure the downs. That's just a fact.” “This is the best version of my life, whether it's 300 people at a club or 3,000 in a theater.” “Most people try to keep things even—no extreme highs or lows. But all the exciting shit is in the variance.” “If you have something else you'd rather be doing, then you should go do that.” “Books are so valuable because of how long they take to consume.” “Effort is universal. Doesn't matter if it's a garden or a podcast—people respect work.” “AI is going to wipe out the middle. If you're average, you're gone.” “Sage remembers things I don't—and that's priceless.” “Don't rush it. Make something great. A good book can sell for 50 years.” Quotes from Mitchell: “I get frustrated at how long this takes—but I want to build something meaningful.” “Turn everything into a car wash. Put the customer into neutral and pull them through.” “The tax code is getting more complex, but the systems are getting better.” “AI is going to destroy everything below the 95th percentile.” “I'm bootstrapping a holdco—and it takes time.” “Send me a customer, I'll give you $1,000. Send me 1,000 and I'll mortgage my house for you.” “I don't want 25 meetings a month—I want results.”

Tim and Tyler talk to Keith Yamamoto and Chase Hurley about water dynamics in California and launching their new water insights app, Hydra Score — This episode is presented by PF Partners. Unlock the exclusive AgTech Go-to-Market webinar HERE. — Links Hydra Score - https://hydrascore.com 

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak to SME Funding Champion Ciaran Burke, COO and Co-Founder of Swoop, about how his fintech platform has transformed access to capital for over 250,000 businesses. Ciaran shares how Swoop helped unlock more than $2 billion in funding, and explains the biggest mistakes founders make when raising capital, what alternative funding really looks like, and why traditional banks are failing small businesses. Whether you're just starting out or scaling fast, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make smarter funding decisions and grow with confidence.

In this powerful solo episode, Melissa shares the raw and real story of how she launched her interior design business with no funding, a mountain of debt, and sheer determination. You'll hear her journey from a corporate hospitality career to her first design roles, and ultimately to bootstrapping her own design firm against all odds. This is not just a nostalgic look back—it's a blueprint for how you can start from zero and build a thriving business in the design world today. Melissa walks you through the pivotal moments, gritty lessons, and the massive mindset shifts that made all the difference. From working side gigs and teaching evening classes to identifying ideal clients and finally breaking free from overwork, this episode is packed with inspiration and tactical takeaways for anyone starting or scaling an interior design business. If you're in the messy middle or just getting started, Melissa's journey proves that you absolutely can create a successful, fulfilling business on your terms. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR: (02:29) How Melissa's early career in hospitality became the perfect foundation for sourcing and procurement in design (05:14) Why she walked away from corporate success to pursue interior design full time (09:58) The financial hole she had to climb out of—and the personal struggle behind it (12:57) How teaching evening classes helped her land her first design clients (19:27) The game-changing client avatar discovery that doubled her revenue and halved her workload (24:51) The mindset that fueled her success—and why failure was never an option SUPPORTING RESOURCES: Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo When you're ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.  

Bootstrapping vs VC: John Rush on Building 25 Successful Products