Podcasts about first customer

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Christian Espinosa, founder and CEO of Blue Goat Cyber.Christian shares his experience of growing up in poverty with an unstable home life, seeking structure in the Air Force, and eventually transitioning from a successful freelancing career to launching his first company, Alpine Security. Christian explains that boredom and the desire for growth pushed him to scale his business, which involved convincing long-time clients to trust his growing team. Despite early challenges, he successfully built and sold Alpine to Cerberus Sentinel during the pandemic—a decision driven by burnout and what he felt were signs from the universe.After the sale, a serious health scare prompted Christian to reassess his path. Recovering from blood clots and reflecting on how a medical device saved his life, he founded Blue Goat Cyber with a mission to secure medical technologies. Drawing on earlier industry experience, he strategically niched the company to focus on medical device cybersecurity, guided by FDA mandates and a clear understanding of the market's pain points. Christian talks about reactivating old contacts, leveraging past partnerships, and using tools like StoryBrand to refine messaging and positioning. Discover Christian Espinosa's story of resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose in solving critical problems that matter in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Blue Goat Cyberhttps://bluegoatcyber.comChristian Espinosa's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christianespinosa/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

Forrest Zeisler spent 6 months hearing “no” from every potential customer he spoke to. One year in, Jobber had just three customers—paying $29/month. Today, Jobber generates over $100M ARR, has raised $180M in VC, and employs nearly 1,000 people.In this episode, Forrest shares the brutally honest story behind Jobber's early days: months of rejection, maxing out credit cards, and nearly quitting. You'll learn why there are rarely any “silver bullets”, how he handled relentless investor skepticism, and how incremental daily improvements—not crazy inflection points—led to exponential growth. If you've ever wondered whether your startup can make it through the grind, this is a must-listen.Why You Should Listen• Learn how to persist through brutal rejection—Jobber took 6 months to land their first customer.• Understand why chasing “silver bullet” features or channels rarely works.• Find out when it makes sense to keep going despite extremely slow traction.• Hear why your first investors can shape or destroy your startup journey.• Discover why “compound growth” beats chasing short-term inflection points.Keywordsproduct market fit, startup growth, founder stories, fundraising, bootstrapping, Jobber, vertical SaaS, early stage startups, scaling startups, startup rejection(00:00:00) Intro(00:01:55) From Freelance Devs to Startup Founders(00:07:23) Six Months of Rejection(00:15:09) Landing the First Customer and Almost Losing Hope(00:25:39) Brutal Investor Feedback and the $250K Seed Round(00:35:13) Early Growth and Near-Death Experiences(00:44:15) Hitting Customer Milestones and Finding True Product Market Fit(00:48:41) Crossing $100M ARR and Key Lessons Learned(00:51:11) When to Quit and When to PersistSend me a message to let me know what you think!

Ever wondered how massive university hostels housing thousands of students are managed in India? Go behind the scenes of Fretbox, the innovative SaaS platform transforming traditionally manual hostel operations into a streamlined, digital experience!In this episode of Eli, we talk to Ashish Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Fretbox, about his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Discover how Fretbox identified a critical gap in the market and built a solution to digitize every aspect of student accommodation management.Ashish shares the fascinating origin story of Fretbox, including crucial pivots from earlier ventures and how a personal observation highlighted the urgent need for technology in managing university hostels, which often relied on outdated manual processes, paperwork, and basic communication tools.Discover the core challenges Fretbox tackles head-on: streamlining complex admissions processes, simplifying fee collection, managing daily operations like attendance tracking and meal planning, resolving student complaints efficiently, enhancing communication between residents, wardens, and administration, and bolstering student safety and security.Learn about the Fretbox platform, structured around key functional pillars – Revenue, Communication, Student Tracking, and Assistance. Ashish explains their mobile-first strategy, providing tailored interfaces and real-time notifications for students, wardens, security, and even high-level university management via dedicated apps.Ashish discusses how Fretbox leverages technology, including biometrics for security and data analytics for better planning. He shares insights on exploring AI to further enhance automation, security features like attendance tracking, and optimizing operations such as mess menu planning based on student feedback.Gain valuable insights into the realities of building a B2B SaaS startup targeting the challenging education sector in India. Ashish candidly discusses navigating long sales cycles, dealing with multiple stakeholders, the critical importance of patience and persistence, and the rewards of building long-term customer relationships.Explore Ashish's perspective on the future of student housing in India, which is rapidly evolving into a 'hospitality industry' demanding better amenities and services. Understand Fretbox's vision to support this transformation in a market driven by India's large youth population and the increasing need for digitized, safe, and efficient living experiences for students relocating for higher education.About Fretbox:Fretbox (https://fretbox.in/) is a leading B2B PropTech SaaS platform providing comprehensive management solutions tailored for university and college hostels across India. It streamlines operations, enhances security, improves communication, and optimizes the overall student living experience, currently serving over 30 universities and tens of thousands of students nationwide.Ashish Gupta is the Co-Founder & CEO of Fretbox, driving the company's mission to digitize student accommodation in India.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Eli Podcast & Ashish Gupta(01:23) The Fretbox Origin Story: Pivots & Identifying the Niche(02:15) The Chaos: Problems in Traditional Hostel Management(04:30) Landing the First Customer & Iterative Development(06:38) Deeper Dive into Hostel Administration Pain Points(11:40) Inside Fretbox: Core Pillars & Key Features Explained(15:40) Serving All Stakeholders: User Roles & Mobile-First Strategy(18:27) Tech Innovation: Leveraging Biometrics, Data & Exploring AI(20:00) The B2B Grind: Challenges of Selling to Universities(23:30) Future Trends: Student Housing as Hospitality & Fretbox's Vision(25:32) Market Opportunity: India's Youth & Relocation for Education(26:40) Closing Remarks

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Dori Yona, Co-founder and CEO of Simple Closure.Dori shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began with a childhood influenced by his entrepreneur parents and a deep connection to Silicon Valley. He first launched a dating app in Israel, but quickly pivoted to create Earny, a consumer fintech company that automated price protection refunds from retailers and credit card companies. The idea sparked from a real-life experience where he successfully claimed a refund after a price drop, revealing a broader market opportunity. Earny eventually scaled to millions of users and was sold after a multi-year acquisition journey involving various potential buyers.Dori's latest venture, Simple Closure, was born from his painful experience trying to shut down a startup. After a board member raised the need for a shutdown plan during a downturn at Earny, Dori found little support from advisors and a lack of public resources. This inspired him to build a solution for the thousands of companies that face similar closures annually. Through founder interviews and increasing inbound interest, Simple Closure found its first customer even before launching a formal product, confirming a strong demand for a structured and compassionate shutdown service. Let's head to the Sunset Capital as Dori Yona shares how he's destigmatizing failure and simplifying shutdowns for startups and small businesses in this episode of The First Customer! Guest Info:Simple Closurehttps://simpleclosure.comDori Yona's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dori-yona-b8369877/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Mark Wormgoor, CEO and tech coach at The Maverick CTO.Mark shares that despite a successful 25-year corporate career in IT, he felt unfulfilled after reaching his long-term goal early and ultimately chose to go independent. He candidly reflects on the decision-making process behind leaving corporate life, his early startup missteps, and how a failed venture with a co-founder taught him valuable lessons about product-market fit. His initial foray into entrepreneurship eventually led to launching a software development agency and later, a coaching practice focused on tech leadership.Mark explains that his transition into coaching was a natural evolution of the informal mentoring he had done throughout his corporate career. He combined that passion with formal coaching training and inspiration from Dan Martell's hybrid coaching/mentorship style. Today, through The Maverick CTO, Mark helps tech leaders navigate challenges in leadership, team building, and stakeholder management. He emphasizes that charging for coaching not only sustains his business but also deepens client commitment and results.Join us as Mark Wormgoor unpacks why startups should never build without customers in this insightful episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:The Maverick CTOhttps://themaverickcto.com/Mark Wormgoor's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mwormgoor/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bert TerHart, CEO and Founder of LeadBrain AI. Bert shares how his upbringing in a small Canadian town and the work ethic of his entrepreneurial father shaped his approach to business. From surveying frozen land with his dad on holidays to founding three companies in the tech and healthcare sectors, Bert emphasizes the importance of deep customer commitment and understanding your niche. He recounts his journey from System Modal Software to NextGen SEO, and now LeadBrain AI—each venture building on a foundation of domain knowledge and strong client relationships in the medical field.Bert explains that LeadBrain AI succeeds by cutting through the noise in the saturated lead generation and AI space through hyper-specific targeting and thoughtful application of technology. Rather than relying on generic AI-generated content, his team crafts detailed prompts to define customer profiles and tailor messaging with human oversight. He underscores that effective marketing and sustained impact stem from knowing your audience, telling a compelling story, and sticking with what you know—even when it gets boring. Hear how Bert TerHart leans into his own story and encourages entrepreneurs to do the same: care deeply about your niche, stay persistent, and build something meaningful—on this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:LeadBrainAIhttps://leadbrain.ai/Bert TerHart's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bertterhart/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bridgette Ferraro, CEO of iCopy Legal.Bridgette shares her unexpected journey from studying human services at Purdue to leading a legal document retrieval company. She recounts how a bold consulting pitch turned into a long-term leadership role, where she embraced the challenge of scaling a traditional, service-first business into a tech-enabled powerhouse. Bridgette emphasizes the importance of asking questions, understanding internal processes, and empowering her team through thoughtful operational changes like an extra week off.Bridgette also reflects on building her personal brand alongside iCopy's evolution. Known for her blue nail polish and vibrant personality, she connects authentically on platforms like LinkedIn by sharing her story as a CEO mom and first-gen college grad. She discusses the strategic decision to grow internal talent, notably promoting her COO from within, while also tapping into outside consultants to guide their next phase of growth. Join Bridgette Ferraro as she champions a people-first mindset and cuts through the AI noise with real, purposeful innovation in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:iCopy Legalhttps://icopylegal.com/Bridgette Ferraro's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgette-ferraro-94a7773b/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jimmy Jacobson, CTO of Codingscape. Jimmy discovered programming through his father's university lab computer, unaware it could be a career. He later pursued computer science, freelancing while working at Overstock and Zappos. Zappos' culture encouraged risk-taking, fueling his entrepreneurial drive. He co-founded Wedgies.com, a social media polling tool with clients like The Wall Street Journal and the White House. Despite its success, venture capital pressures led to its acquisition by Match.com, shaping his approach to future ventures.After the sale, Jimmy and his partners founded Codingscape, applying lessons from "Built to Sell". They prioritized sustainable growth by building strong client relationships instead of chasing every opportunity. Rather than competing in crowded proposals, they focused on education, networking, and thought leadership. This strategy keeps Codingscape top of mind when clients need expert solutions.Join Jimmy as he shares how adaptability, strategic growth, and strong relationships fueled his journey from freelance developer to thriving entrepreneur in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Codingscapehttps://codingscape.comJimmy Jacobson's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmyjacobson/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Will Blackburn, co-founder of DevClarity.Will shares he's from Birmingham, Alabama, where he still resides. Although he moved to Atlanta, thinking Birmingham lacked a tech ecosystem, he returned after seeing local success stories and opportunities. Birmingham's smaller, supportive startup community, centered around the Innovation Depot, made it easier to build connections than Atlanta's bigger, less personal environment. This supportive community inspired him to build DevClarity in Birmingham.Will explains that DevClarity helps new engineering managers with a developer-focused one-on-one tool. It uses AI to summarize notes, analyze sentiment, and guide developer growth. The goal is to build a system for tracking team performance, well-being, and project details. While DevClarity started by targeting engineering managers, Will sees the need to also serve CTOs, VPs, and directors with broader insights for the whole organization.Find out how Will Blackburn embraced Birmingham's collaborative spirit to build DevClarity's success in this episode of The First Customer! Guest Info:DevClarityhttps://www.devclarity.ai/Will Blackburn's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/willhblackburn/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Tatsiana Kirimava, CEO and co-founder of Orangesoft.Tatsiana shares that she grew up in various countries, including Poland, Belarus, and the U.S. She attributes her open-mindedness and independence to her parents, who encouraged her to make her own decisions. She highlights her ability to communicate effectively and build networks as essential skills she honed throughout her life. Her passion for technology from a young age naturally led her to create Orangesoft, which started as a mobile app development company and has now evolved into a specialized custom software development firm focusing on healthcare and AI.Tatsiana discusses the company's journey toward niching down and the importance of establishing expertise in a specific industry. While Orangesoft originally served a broad range of clients, Tatsiana realized that specializing in healthcare allowed them to provide higher-quality services and differentiate themselves from the competition. She explains how the company's marketing strategy is now heavily focused on content marketing, attending conferences, and building its reputation as experts in the healthcare and AI fields. Discover how Tatsiana Kirimava's creative vision and dedication shaped her path to impactful consulting in this episode of The First Customer! Guest Info:Orangesofthttp://www.orangesoft.coTatsiana Kirimava's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tatsianakirimava/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview T. Brad Kielinski, Founder of IT Pros.Brad shared his journey from growing up in Plymouth Meeting near Germantown Academy to becoming a successful tech recruiter in Philadelphia. Inspired by witnessing his uncle and aunt's homegrown business grow to 400 employees and his father's inventive spirit, Brad gravitated towards entrepreneurship early on. His career path began with internships in IT and eventually led him to work for various tech recruiting agencies before launching IT Pros in 2011. His approach to building the business included founding a LinkedIn community in 2009 that connected tech professionals throughout the Philadelphia region, focusing on networking and knowledge-sharing without sales pressure. Brad explained that IT Pros' early focus was on venture-backed startups and smaller, less-known companies within the Delaware Valley region. Over time, the company deliberately avoided working with large corporations with skewed terms and instead concentrated on agile, fast-moving businesses and manufacturing companies modernizing their environments. His method of fostering organic growth through community-building and strategically choosing clients has been key to IT Pros' sustained success.Witness Brad Kielinski's approach to thriving in the tech industry by choosing the right clients and building a strong community on this episode of The First Customer! Guest Info:IT Proshttp://www.itprosphilly.com/T Brad Kielinski's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/t-brad-kielinski-philadelphia-tech-recruiter/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Charles Sims, CEO and founder of Investimate.Charles shares how he grew up around innovation and leadership inspired him to build and scale ventures, starting with a paintball supply company as a child. His ability to adapt and thrive in chaos earned him the moniker "Hurricane CTO" during his tenure with organizations like the LA Clippers and United Talent Agency, where he became known for troubleshooting crises and bringing stability to high-pressure situations. Now, with Investimate, he is channeling his expertise into a platform that helps founders refine their pitch decks, evaluate market opportunities, and secure investment with data-driven insights.Reflecting on past challenges, Charles discusses a missed acquisition opportunity where he struggled to frame the value proposition, only to later see the deal double in value after another company acquired it. This failure pushed him to develop structured frameworks for assessing investments more effectively. He also emphasizes the importance of leadership, not just in taking accountability but in fostering growth by allowing others to take risks while providing a safety net. Sit back and listen as Charles highlights the resilience and adaptability required to navigate the entrepreneurial world, making him a valuable voice in the startup ecosystem in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Investimatehttps://investimate.ioCharles Sims' LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/charlessims/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode of The Ticket, Ruth O'Brien, Senior Director of Automated and Proactive Support at Intercom, joins Bobby Stapleton, Senior Director of Human Support at Intercom, to break down key insights from Intercom's 2025 Customer Service Transformation Report and unpack how AI is reshaping support teams, driving efficiency, and elevating customer experiences. They explore why AI adoption is accelerating, the rise of new AI-powered roles, and how businesses can navigate this shift.Read the 2025 Customer Service Transformation Report here: https://transformation.intercom.com/?utm_source=ii-blog&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=20250128_all_wc_all_global_enus_all_all_all_cst25&utm_content=podcastWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/akmG3si14Qk?si=eoPf8LIO0tg-oTHy

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview David Snider, founder and CEO of Harness Wealth. Growing up in Boston, David's early exposure to financial services and an interest in problem-solving shaped his career. After co-founding and helping grow Compass, a major real estate brokerage, he realized that navigating tax and financial complexities was a major challenge for business owners and high-growth employees. His personal experience with a missed tax-saving opportunity underscored the need for better financial advisory services tailored to the next generation of wealth creators. David explained the unique challenges of launching a two-sided marketplace, balancing the need to attract both financial advisors and high-net-worth clients. He initially leveraged personal connections and digital marketing to onboard advisors while refining the platform's value proposition. Over time, Harness Wealth shifted focus to providing a technology-driven tax platform that empowers independent advisors to enhance their services. Watch how David honed his sales skills through hands-on experience, recognizing that success in entrepreneurship often requires stepping outside one's comfort zone in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Harness Wealthhttps://www.harnesswealth.com/David Snider's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sniderdavida/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jason Shafton, CEO and founder of Winston Francois.Jason shares his journey from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs in Chicago to becoming a growth and marketing consultant for tech startups. Inspired by his parents' business ventures in high-end audio equipment, Jason developed an early passion for business, launching a small airplane-selling stand as a child and later a record label in high school. His career took him from Google to leadership roles at Comedy Central, Headspace, and various startups before organically transitioning into consulting. What began as informal advising soon turned into a full-time business as demand for his expertise grew, leading him to establish Winston Francois—a firm offering fractional CMO and growth leadership services.Jason explains how Winston Francois differentiates itself in the crowded world of growth consulting by leveraging deep operational experience in venture-backed startups and major tech firms. His first paying client, Modern Animal, exemplifies this approach, as he helped scale the tech-first veterinary service while continuing to work with them over time. Reflecting on his journey, Jason emphasizes the importance of defining an ideal customer early on, a lesson learned through trial and error. While his personal brand currently drives much of Winston Francois' visibility, he hopes the company's reputation will grow independently. Take a seat and listen to Jason Shafton's story which highlights the power of relationships, strategic positioning, and staying adaptable in an evolving market in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Winston Francoiswinstonfrancois.com or wf.team/podJason Shafton's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonshafton/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Vladimir Baranov, CEO and founder of Human Interfaces.Vladimir had early exposure to the turbulent Russian business climate, which made him cautious about entrepreneurship, but his experiences in the U.S. gradually changed his perspective. In college, he created a textbook-sharing platform, an early taste of entrepreneurship, though without charging users. Later, he ventured into finance, spending over a decade in capital markets before transitioning to startups. His first major success came when he co-founded a wealth management tech company, which scaled to 150 employees and was eventually acquired by Franklin Templeton. This experience fueled his passion for entrepreneurship and led him to explore the aerospace industry, despite having no formal background in it.After helping grow an aerospace startup and successfully launching multiple satellites, Vladimir felt the pull toward something broader—coaching. Recognizing that many engineers and scientists struggled to bring their innovations to market, he founded Human Interfaces to help bridge that gap. Now a business coach, Vladimir focuses on empowering tech founders, engineers, and scientists to build successful companies. His marketing approach is continually evolving, relying on a mix of in-person networking, coaching platforms, LinkedIn outreach, and SEO strategies. Check out this episode of The First Customer where Vladimir Baranov ensures his message resonates with the right audience by blending his experience in aerospace, finance, and business coaching to help tech founders succeed! Guest Info:Human Interfaceshttps://www.humaninterfaces.co/Vladimir Baranov's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimirbaranov/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Peter Bonney, CEO and founder of Fastbreak RFP.Peter shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his childhood in a small town in Massachusetts. Growing up with a father who ran shoe stores and constantly engaged in side hustles, Peter absorbed key lessons in customer focus and hustle. He reflects on how his early experiences shaped his business philosophy, especially his dad's mantra, "The customer is your job," which continues to influence how he approaches building customer-centric solutions. Peter's first venture, Vendorful, taught him hard lessons about the procurement space—how difficult it was to sell solutions that save money versus those that generate revenue. Despite these challenges, Vendorful found success, leading to its acquisition.Peter's latest venture, Fastbreak RFP, spun out from the challenges he faced responding to RFPs while scaling Vendorful. Fastbreak simplifies and streamlines the RFP response process for B2B companies, with an early focus on industries like health insurance that experience significant RFP-related pain points. Peter emphasizes the importance of niching down to achieve faster product-market fit, something he wishes he had done earlier. He discusses the contrast between selling to procurement teams and revenue teams, highlighting how the latter is often a much easier and faster path to growth. Now leading a lean, early-stage team, Peter shares how he's embraced experimentation and customer feedback to chart a clearer path for Fastbreak's future success.Hear how Peter Bonney turned his first big idea into a thriving business in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Fastbreak RFPhttps://fastbreakrfp.comPeter Bonney's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-bonney-nyc/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Shae Feltz, CEO and founder of NOTICS, an IT service provider based in Minneapolis. Shae delves into his humble beginnings in Brainerd, Minnesota, where he learned early on that working for someone else wasn't for him. At just 16, Shae launched a mobile iPhone repair business, gaining valuable insights into marketing, sales, and fulfillment. He credits his early experiences with shaping his approach to business, including the sale of his first venture's client list and inventory. Through a combination of technical skill, hands-on problem-solving, and taking advantage of programs like PSEO to earn an associate degree while still in high school, Shae laid the foundation for his future success.Shae also discusses the genesis of NOTICS, which he co-founded in college, with its first customer coming from his iPhone repair business. The company initially grew through word-of-mouth referrals but eventually hit a plateau, prompting Shae and his team to dive into revenue-generating activities like cold email campaigns. Despite industry challenges, Shae emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, personalized outreach, and adapting strategies to remain competitive. Get to know more about Shae Feltz and discover his reflections on balancing risk-taking with skill-building, as well as the lessons learned from early jobs that serve as valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:NOTICShttps://www.notics.ioShae Feltz' LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shae-feltz/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Brian Glick, CEO and founder of Chain.io Brian traced his inspiration to a family background in leadership and entrepreneurship, coupled with firsthand experience in customs brokerage. Dropping out of college, Brian's entry into the supply chain world began humbly, crawling under desks to set up computers. Over time, he recognized inefficiencies in the customs and freight industries, which spurred the creation of his first company, Aspect9, and eventually Chain.io. Unlike theoretical business plans, Chain.io was born out of real-world pain points and aimed to simplify complex integrations across the supply chain ecosystem.Brian detailed pivotal moments that shaped Chain.io's success, from landing their first customer based on trust rather than a product, to rapidly delivering custom solutions under tight deadlines. Today, the company caters to large enterprises with multimillion-dollar contracts, focusing on creating value by streamlining data exchanges across global trade systems. While the company has scaled significantly in client size and revenue, Brian emphasized his commitment to continuous improvement in simplifying integrations and delivering value. His leadership approach reflects a hands-on ethos, focusing on solving real problems while letting the future of the business unfold naturally.Hear Brian Glick's story of transforming ideas into cutting-edge logistics platforms in this engaging episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Chain.iohttp://www.chain.ioBrian Glick's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jon Wise, the founder and CEO of Jon Wise Creative (JWC). Jon started his childhood in suburban Atlanta, where his father ran a local software store. Jon recalls his earliest entrepreneurial endeavor at a community festival, selling “Tucker Rocks” to neighbors, which marked the beginning of his creative and business-minded spirit. After studying music in Boston and freelancing in event production, Jon leveraged his burgeoning Instagram presence to land significant opportunities, including a project with Ralph Lauren. These experiences culminated in the founding of JWC, where Jon brings a unique blend of personal branding and marketing expertise to his clients.Jon emphasized the power of personal branding in business. Reflecting on his decision to name his agency after himself, he highlighted the importance of authenticity and relationships in building trust with clients. Jon also provided insights for others hesitant to embrace personal branding, encouraging them to overcome self-doubt and focus on being genuine. He shared how JWC has evolved, including a pandemic pivot and a commitment to innovative content strategies. Join Jon Wise as he shares his journey from selling rocks to leading a thriving creative agency, offering insights on embracing change, building a personal brand, and fostering relationships in entrepreneurship in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Jon Wise Creativehttp://jonwisecreative.comJon Wise's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-wiseConnect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

Zach was burned out after a decade of working at top roles in Coinbase, Square and Brex. He quit with no startup idea-- and then, he went right back in. Given their background, Zach and his co-founder quickly raised an $8M seed round to build an NFT-related product in Web3.One month later, they completely abandoned their idea. They realized it was never going to work. Then, the floor fell from underneath them. FTX went bankrupt. SVB fell apart. They took punches to the face for the first 6 months straight.But, when everyone was paying attention to Gen AI in late 2022, Zach kept going deep in Web3. He noticed stablecoins were growing but there was no platform for developers to build with. So he built Bridge, a Stripe-like API for stablecoins.The first months post-launch were underwhelming-- until they landed a fast-growing customer. From then on, the next year was exceptional 10x+ growth. Then Stripe noticed them.In Oct 2024, they were acquired for $1.1B. Just 2.5 years after he started.Here's the story of how it all happened. Why you should listen:Why even $1B+ exits still feel like rollercoasters from the inside. How to quickly abandon ideas and pivot to what truly matters.How they found a massive opportunity where no one else was looking.Why starting outside of the Bay Area was critical to their success.Keywordsstartup, billion-dollar exit, stablecoins, investor relations, crypto, fintech, market dynamics, entrepreneurship, pivot, challenges, stable coins, startup journey, acquisition, fintech, market resilience, product market fit, Pablo Srugo, Bridge, Stripe, entrepreneurshipTimestamps(00:00:00) Intro(00:2:46) Starting at the Worst Time(00:8:56) The Emotions on Pivoting a Month After Raising(00:11:44) Pivoting(00:18:24) Leaving Brex(00:20:36) Working on Something Out of Trend(00:28:34) The Core Beliefs of Bridge(00:32:56) Launching & First Customer(00:38:57) Sometimes you Can't Think Too Much(00:42:29) Series A(00:44:24) The Acquisition(00:49:05) The Feeling of Exiting for a Billion(00:52:24) One Piece of AdviceSend me a message to let me know what you think!

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Etienne de Bruin, Founder and CEO of 7CTOs.Etienne shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his upbringing in South Africa to founding his organization that supports technology leaders. Growing up during a time of global isolation for South Africa, Etienne reflects on how this scarcity of resources fostered a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. With a background in computer science and early exposure to personal computing, he developed a passion for technology and creativity, which later evolved into a career in tech startups. His experiences working in Germany and eventually moving to the U.S. paved the way for his eventual venture into leadership and organizational development, focusing on building relationships and emotional intelligence in the CTO community.Etienne reveals how 7CTOs came to life, describing the pivotal moment when he pivoted from informal CTO meetups to a formal membership-based organization. Initially met with resistance, he found encouragement from his first member, Harold, and his co-founder, Michael, who shared his vision for fostering emotional intelligence among CTOs. Etienne recounts how his organization evolved from free dinners to a community-driven model where leaders commit to each other's growth. Today, 7CTOs thrives on its emphasis on relationship-building and people-centered leadership, marking over a decade of empowering technology leaders to excel beyond technical expertise.Uncover the driving force behind Etienne de Bruin's mission to create meaningful connections and solutions in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:7CTOshttps://7ctos.comEtienne de Bruin's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/etdebruin/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

Is your team culture prepared for the challenges of modern remote work?Lav Crnobrnja, co-founder and CEO of Vacation Tracker, shares his journey from building a leave management tool to scaling a fully remote, thriving startup. Learn how Lav's team grew from a small experiment in Slack to a 19-person global operation, his hiring philosophy, and how he cultivates confidence and gratitude in his team.Key Takeaways:Delegation is about accountability, not micromanagement. Lav explains how shifting from overseeing tactics to focusing on outcomes allows teams to take ownership and deliver results.Hiring for attitude over experience. Lav emphasizes identifying “diamonds in the rough” with intelligence and the right attitude, guiding them to develop their skills and grow within the company.Customer support with a human touch. Despite advances in AI, Lav insists on maintaining excellent, human-first customer service to ensure customers feel valued and understood.Key Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:03:17 - The first $2500:06:11 - Why Vacation Tracker integrated with Slack00:09:27 - Evolving the ideal customer profile00:11:11 - Lav's hiring philosophy: diamonds in the rough00:16:56 - Balancing jack-of-all-trades vs. specialists00:19:25 - How Lav identifies talent00:22:32 - Definition of excellent customer support00:23:42 - Learning delegation during COVID00:27:12 - The importance of building confidence in teams00:29:01 - Lav's tacos of gratitudeKey Topics Discussed:remote work, Vacation Tracker, hiring strategies, customer support, employee confidence, delegation, team culture, Slack integration, bootstrapped startups, HR solutionsMentions:Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_Mind,_Beginner%27s_MindBuild Stronger, Connected, More Engaged Teams:Use Coupon Code: AMAZINGTEAMS for 15% off for the first 3 months.About the Amazing Teams Podcast:We started this podcast because we love teams, especially amazing ones. Michael Jordan said it best, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." This is what we're all about!Our mission is to help others build amazing teams by having authentic conversations with remarkable people who are building amazing teams. We will explore the tactics, strategies, and frameworks that have helped them succeed.The Amazing Teams Podcast is produced by HeyTaco and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more about LTV at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Rachel Sanders, CEO and Co-Founder of Rootine.Rachel shares the transformative journey behind her health and wellness brand. Rootine's mission is to empower individuals with personalized, data-driven health solutions, starting with custom multivitamins tailored to biological data. Rachel recounts how her upbringing in a holistic health-focused household, combined with her experience in investment banking, highlighted the gap between technological innovation in healthcare and the stagnant state of the supplement industry. This realization inspired her to leverage technology and science to address burnout and health challenges through nutrition and lifestyle adjustments, rather than relying on traditional medication.Rachel dives into Rootine's evolution, from its initial offering of DNA-informed supplements to its expansion into functional drink mixes aimed at stress, sleep, and focus. She reflects on lessons learned, such as the importance of organic growth over paid advertising and the power of narrowing the target audience to underserved demographics, particularly millennial and Gen X women. Rachel also highlights her commitment to building a personal brand, emphasizing its role in connecting authentically with customers and driving awareness for Rootine's mission. Explore Rachel Sanders' unique approach to innovation and purpose-driven work in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Rootinehttps://rootine.co/Rachel Sanders' LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-soper-sanders/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Hunter Fortuin and Tom Carmona, co-founders of Wolfjaw Studios. Based in Troy, New York, Wolfjaw specializes in backend development for online gaming services, tackling the complex systems that enable matchmaking, account management, and telemetry. Tom recounts how the company's first major client originated from a network connection cultivated over three years. By focusing on honesty, stellar communication, and high technical standards, Wolfjaw has become a trusted partner for major studios, even receiving word-of-mouth referrals for being "the best in the business."The duo also shares insights on how Wolfjaw has evolved since its founding in 2019. While their early days involved shorter contracts and straightforward development roles, they've since shifted to offering comprehensive, long-term solutions. This includes the development of new tools accessible to smaller studios, democratizing high-quality backend services. Hunter highlights their work on Among Us as a prime example of their impact, describing how Wolfjaw introduced key features like account systems and social capabilities to the cultural phenomenon. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Hunter and Tom turned a shared vision into a powerhouse for gaming infrastructure in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Wolfjaw Studioshttps://wolfjawstudios.com/Hunter Fortuin's  LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-fortuin/Tom Cardona's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-carmona/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jason Barnard, CEO of Kalicube.Jason recounts his beginnings in the music industry, where he started a record label after failing to secure a deal for his band. This led him to his first customer, a record company, which he gained through relationship building. He further explains the challenges he faced with his second company, a children's entertainment platform, which ultimately succeeded due to a significant audience demand, evidenced by five million monthly visitors to their website. This success attracted the attention of major telecoms like Orange in France, illustrating the importance of having a compelling audience proposition.Transitioning to Kalicube, Jason describes his current focus on helping individuals control their online personal brand. He emphasizes the necessity of having a personal website to establish credibility and authority in the digital space, as well as the timeline for seeing results from such efforts, ranging from three to twelve months. Jason asserts that the goal of dominating one's niche is about becoming the go-to name associated with a specific topic. Through their platform, Kalicube utilizes extensive data points to guide clients on effectively building their personal brands and engaging their target audiences. Get inspired by Jason Barnard's journey from musician to digital strategist and learn how to redefine your brand in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Kalicubehttps://kalicube.com/Jason Barnard's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmbarnard/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was very, very lucky enough to interview my former boss, Dave Reinhold, Founder of VentureCPO. Growing up in New York, Dave recounts his first “business” selling bubble gum and fans to classmates, reflecting a lifelong drive for independence and resourcefulness. His early passion for technology blossomed with his first computer, a Commodore 64, which sparked a fascination with digital products. Dave went on to study management information systems at Binghamton University and earned an MBA in entrepreneurship and MIS from NYU's Stern School. He built a career around startups, notably working at Loeb as a fractional product leader for portfolio companies, where he gained expertise in various industries and honed his methodology for product strategy.Launching VentureCPO allowed Dave to bring his fractional CPO services to early-stage companies. His consultancy is structured around a playbook adaptable to diverse industries, focusing on product strategy, roadmaps, and execution. In the conversation, Dave discusses the challenges of transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship and the unexpected interest from later-stage companies. Now five months in, he's navigating the business development landscape, exploring partnerships with venture funds, joining fractional executive platforms, and even experimenting with LinkedIn advertising. Dave also emphasizes the value of building a community and finding niche expertise, which he sees as pivotal in differentiating VentureCPO in the fractional product leadership space.Listen in as Dave Reinhold brings a fresh perspective on growth, challenges, and lasting client partnerships in The First Customer!Guest Info:VentureCPOhttps://www.venturecpo.com/Dave Reinhold's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjreinhold/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Deanna Sheward, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Capablanca.Deanna shares her unique journey from academia to entrepreneurship. She recounts how her background in art, architecture, and research instilled in her a passion for learning and personal growth, which later fueled her pivot into the tech industry. Deanna explains how the skills she honed as a researcher—like public speaking, project management, and self-promotion—naturally translated into entrepreneurial success. However, she emphasizes the challenge of building a new professional network from scratch after shifting from academia to technology. By attending meetups and leveraging connections from her previous circles, she managed to establish a strong foundation in the startup ecosystem. Deanna also delves into the origins and growth of Capablanca, a cybersecurity firm she co-founded with her husband, Luis. Initially balancing consulting work alongside their full-time jobs, the couple decided to build Capablanca as a flexible business that allowed them to balance their professional and personal lives after the birth of their son, Lorenzo. Deanna highlights the challenges and rewards of working with her spouse, underscoring the importance of clear roles and teamwork. She reflects on how Capablanca's client base has evolved, shifting from early-stage startups to a more diverse array of companies, all united by a pressing need for security solutions.Discover how Deanna Sheward turned her vision into a thriving business in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Capablancahttps://www.capablanca.io/Deanna Sheward's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/deannasheward/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this 236th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam Rick leads the way as he discusses how to find your first customer when launching a small business or even a podcast. To do this, Adam relates finding customers to fishing in a northern lake for big walleyes. It wasn't easy, but they ended up catching some massive fish after striking out for two days! The same thing happens in business..... The parallels are very obvious and make a lot of sense as he walks us through a story about his fishing experience in the Great White North. After two hard days of fishing, his group found the right spot holding the right fish, used the right bait, and kept at it until they caught some beautiful monster walleyes. It took persistence and the right amount of work to land those big fish, and the same process can be used to land your ideal client. It isn't easy. Sometimes it is a lot of hard work and isn't fun. The lake is full of other hungry fishermen that are trying to load their stringers with keepers, and it's up to us to read the lake, understand the behavior of the fish, go where they are and keep on casting (or jigging). For links, support and show notes about the 10 Steps for How to Find Your First Customer and some more of my thoughts on the RFK Fast Food scandal, check out my post at smallscalelife.com. Special Guest: Adam Rick.

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Sean Languedoc, Founder and CEO of Outforce AI.Sean recounts his unconventional start in business, inspired by advice to "learn by doing" instead of pursuing an MBA. He shares his experience launching a tourism venture during Expo 86 in Vancouver, which taught him the value of adaptability when the business didn't take off as expected. From there, Sean explored various industries, including commercial real estate and digital media, with each venture teaching him new lessons about scaling, market fit, and the importance of pivoting when initial strategies faced challenges.Sean also discusses how these experiences eventually led to the creation of Outforce.ai, which helps entrepreneurs connect with specialized outsourcing agencies. Drawing from personal frustrations in finding the right engineering talent and outsourcing partners, Sean explains the value of selecting agencies based on tech stack, availability, and cultural fit. With a database of 79,000 agencies, Outforce.ai streamlines the process for startups looking to build products efficiently without sacrificing equity. Sean emphasizes that the right outsourcing partnership can bridge gaps in early-stage development, enabling founders to focus on product-market fit and scale their ventures.Explore how Sean Languedoc's thoughtful approach to business paved the way for lasting achievements in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Outforce AIhttp://www.outforce.aiSean Languedoc's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/seanlanguedoc/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jordan Saunders, founder and CEO of NextLink Labs.Jordan reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, building computers at age 12. He shares how his passion for technology led him to pursue consulting right out of college after studying computer science at Penn State. Over the past decade, Jordan has grown NextLink Labs into a technology consultancy, focusing on custom software development, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity. He discusses the importance of balancing personal time and professional goals, emphasizing the challenges of transitioning from a hands-on entrepreneur to a leader who empowers his team to scale operations effectively.Jordan delves into the evolution of his leadership style, explaining the shift from working in the business to working on the business. He highlights the difficulties of delegating, overcoming guilt, and trusting his team to handle day-to-day operations. Partnerships have played a crucial role in NextLink's growth, offering collaborative opportunities and enhanced client outcomes. Additionally, Jordan reflects on the value of personal branding as a CEO, aiming to align his public persona with the transparency and honesty that define NextLink Labs. Join Jordan Saunders as he redefines inclusive leadership and builds bridges in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:NextLink Labshttps://nextlinklabs.com/Jordan Saunders' LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-saunders-b7073712/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

 Chapters01:21 Guest IntroductionIntroduction to guest Jay Aigner, a founder of a QA software testing company, sharing glimpses into starting his business.01:39 Current Company Operations Jay Aigner explains his company's role in alleviating QA bottlenecks and providing quality assurance services to software companies.02:17 Initial Inspiration for Starting a BusinessJay recounts his career journey leading up to entrepreneurship, inspired by personal life challenges and a lack of job opportunities.03:17 Side Gigs Before Entrepreneurship Jay discusses managing multiple consulting gigs while holding a full-time job and how that transitioned into his business.04:02 Transitioning to Full-Time Business The turning point when Jay decided to focus solely on his business, pursuing an opportunity after being laid off.05:02 First Steps in Growing Business Details on how Jay's business acquired its first customers through Upwork and networking in local business groups.06:21 Building a Team Jay describes the initial team-building phase, stating the importance of offloading tasks to focus on growth and leadership.07:34 Addressing Sales Challenges  The struggles and learning curve involved in establishing an effective sales framework and team within the company.08:43 Utilizing AI and Technology Discussing how the company integrates AI for enhanced efficiency while focusing on personalized client interactions.10:11 Sales Strategies and Customer Relationships Insights into maintaining customer relationships and developing targeted sales strategies through localized networking.11:54 Importance of a Structured Sales FrameworkThe critical role of a formal sales framework and accountability in scaling and managing sales efforts effectively.12:40 Strategic Partnership and Lead Generation Jay emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships and localized lead generation in scaling the business.14:24 Utilizing, Training, and Implementing AIHow AI is utilized for list building and data analysis, providing a competitive edge in personalized marketing.16:18 Growth Through Strategic PartnershipsJay elaborates on the future growth strategies focused on forming strategic partnerships within the industry.19:31 Value of a Podcast in Business NetworkingJay shares the benefits of running a podcast for networking, brand building, and direct business opportunities.About GuestJay Aigner is the founder and CEO of JDAQA Software Testing, a leading provider of QA solutions for modern software platforms. With over a decade of experience across various software domains, Jay has expertise in development, quality assurance, and product management. He transformed JDAQA from a startup consulting firm into a prominent software testing company operating nationally and internationally. Jay also hosts The First Customer Podcast, interviewing successful software entrepreneurs and leaders. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, astrophotography, flying, skateboarding, and fishing.Social Links Connect with Jay on LinkedIn:(13) Jay Aigner | LinkedInThe First Customer YouTube Channel:The First Customer - YouTubeBooks recommended by Jay: Ecosystem Lead Growth. https://a.co/d/bM2siVqFanatical Prospecting: Fanatical Prospecting - Jeb BlountAlice's Website:https://aliceheiman.com/Connect with Alice on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceheiman/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Alex Levin, Co-Founder and CEO of Regal.io.Alex grew up in Manhattan with a father who ran a steel service business. Alex absorbed early lessons about business operations and efficiency. While his father's ventures in technology during the late 90s exposed him to a rapidly changing landscape, Alex initially explored entrepreneurship by selling wild fruit with his brothers as a child. After working for another company rather than launching his own software business a decade ago, Alex finally co-founded Regal.io, a business focused on improving customer engagement through proactive outreach, blending traditional contact center practices with marketing automation.Alex discussed how Regal.io started by identifying a gap in online service conversion rates, particularly in industries like home services, healthcare, and retail. He emphasized the importance of personalized interactions in driving higher conversion, recalling their early partnerships with companies like The Farmer's Dog and MakeSpace. Levin highlighted Regal.io's vision of treating customers “like royalty” by combining outbound calls and texts with insights from customer data to improve experiences. He also reflected on product development challenges, the value of gathering early feedback, and how the right partnerships and feedback loops were crucial to their growth. Unlock lessons from Alex Levin's adventures in collaboration, strategic thinking, and sustainable success in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Regal.iohttps://www.regal.ioAlex Levin's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlevin1/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Dave Schneider, the CEO of Shortlist.io.Dave shares his upbringing in Ashland, Massachusetts, a small town where entrepreneurship was not encouraged. He explains how his early life and family background led him toward a more traditional career path, but eventually, after working a corporate job, he shifted to a more nomadic lifestyle with his wife. They started a travel blog that eventually turned into a client service business, introducing travel bloggers to agencies in exchange for commissions. This business experience laid the groundwork for his ventures into entrepreneurship and SEO.Dave delves into how Shortlist.io, a marketing agency focused on SEO and link-building, was born out of his desire to create a sustainable service business that could fuel future software projects. He describes how he partnered with a business development expert to grow the company, leveraging outbound marketing strategies like email campaigns. However, he acknowledges the challenges posed by changes in the industry and the decreasing effectiveness of email outreach. In response, Dave has adapted by increasing his involvement in in-person networking, launching the Philly Tech Entrepreneurs group to foster community connections and push his business forward despite the shifting landscape.Join us as we navigate the world of digital strategy and growth, inspired by Dave Schneider's remarkable insights in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Shortlisthttp://www.shortlist.ioDave Schneider's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-schneider-8a693115/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Dan Balcauski, founder and CPO of Product Tranquility.Dan shared his backstory, growing up in Chicago with no direct entrepreneurial influences but finding his path through engineering and the software industry. He moved to Austin, Texas, over 20 years ago, drawn by its warmer climate and tech opportunities. Initially influenced by the dot-com bubble, Dan's entrepreneurial dreams took shape later in life, especially after a year-long trip around the world. This travel period helped him realize it was the right time to start his own company, leading to the formation of Product Tranquility—a consultancy that helps B2B SaaS companies optimize pricing and packaging strategies.Dan emphasized the importance of taking the leap into entrepreneurship and not fearing failure, noting that if it doesn't work out, one can always find another job. We also discussed how his business evolved from a broad focus on product strategy to its current specialization in pricing, refined through market feedback and personal expertise. Dan shared that most of his clients come through his network or referrals, though he has increasingly leveraged content creation—such as podcasts, webinars, and thought leadership—to attract new customers. He highlighted the importance of partnerships in growing a consulting business, noting that providing value first to potential partners can open doors to fruitful collaborations down the road.Listen in as Dan Balcauski uncovers the strategies that shaped his approach to pricing and consulting in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Product Tranquilityhttps://www.producttranquility.comDan Balcauski's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/balcauski/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

Meet the world's most advanced AI agent for customer service: Fin 2.This latest generation of Fin AI Agent combines our highest resolution rates with powerful new capabilities to deliver human-quality service to your customers.Learn all about it here: https://www.intercom.com/support-for-customers/ai-agentWatch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ8aZR1zmpMFollow the people:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauladams/Newsletters:Sign up for The Ticket: A twice-monthly newsletter bursting with all the insights, trends, tips, and assets your team needs to embrace the future of customer service. https://www.intercom.com/blog/newsletterSay hiX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/intercomLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intercom/www.intercom.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Donnie Boivin, Founder and CEO of Success Champions Network.Donnie grew up in a blue-collar family, and never considered starting a business until he was in his 40s. Inspired by thought leaders like Gary Vee and Tim Ferriss, Donnie made the leap after spending nearly two decades in sales, but quickly realized that building a successful business was far harder than anticipated. He faced significant challenges, including a crippling non-compete that nearly caused him to lose everything. Through resilience and with the support of his wife, Donnie turned things around, ultimately building Success Champions Network into a thriving community for B2B networking.Donnie shared his philosophy on networking, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships over the traditional referral-based networking model. Donnie explained how Success Champions Network is designed to help businesses grow by connecting with partners that share their target markets, rather than merely making one-off sales. He also discussed how his personal brand plays a role in the success of the network, but stressed that the real value comes from the community itself. Donnie's no-nonsense approach and belief that B2B networking has been taught incorrectly for years resonates with those frustrated by traditional methods, making Success Champions Network stand out in the crowded world of business networking.Follow Donnie Boivin's bold steps into the world of business reinvention in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Success Champions Networkhttps://successchampionnetworking.com/Donnie Boivin's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/donnieboivin/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Baird Hall, co-founder of Churnkey. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Baird didn't start his first company until he was 27, though he feels he could have begun earlier. His first venture, a social audio network for sports fans, ultimately failed because while the product had passionate users, it generated no revenue. Baird reflects on how this experience led to his first success, pivoting to create a tool that allowed podcasters to share audio clips on social media. This pivot eventually grew into a seven-figure business, followed by another successful venture: a video captioning product.Baird discusses Churnkey, his current startup, which helps subscription businesses retain customers through AI-driven cancellation flows and other retention strategies. He notes that the company's customer base has evolved from smaller, bootstrap businesses to larger companies generating millions in revenue. Baird highlights the importance of personalized, targeted sales approaches, and emphasizes the critical role of getting customer feedback through direct sales conversations. Walk alongside Baird Hall's incredible journey of ambition, grit, and impactful solutions in this inspiring episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Churnkeyhttps://churnkey.coBaird Hall's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bairdhall/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Lynn Whitbeck, Founder and CEO of Petite2Queen.Lynn grew up in a mid-sized town, and her experience in the Girl Scouts, where she spearheaded a cookie-selling strategy with a shy friend, sparked her love for sales. That early success, along with her passion for helping people, laid the foundation for her sales expertise. Over time, Lynn moved into outside sales after graduate school and eventually founded Petite2Queen. Her company focuses on helping business owners develop winning sales strategies, particularly by understanding their clients' "why" and building meaningful, long-term relationships.Lynn also discusses how her first client came from a podcast appearance, underscoring the power of personalized communication and referrals in her business. She emphasizes the importance of understanding who the ideal client is, creating value-driven follow-up, and being selective about where to focus marketing efforts. Petite2Queen's success is grounded in Lynn's genuine desire to serve her clients and avoid cookie-cutter solutions, which has allowed her to create lasting impact and achieve measurable growth for her clients.Uncover the art of impactful sales with Lynn Whitbeck and learn how understanding the "why" changes everything in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Petite2Queenhttp://www.petite2queen.com/Lynn Whitbeck's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnwhitbeck/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Len Covello, CTO and Co-founder of Engage People. Len discusses his early influences, including growing up in Toronto and being inspired by his father, who was an entrepreneur in the catering business. Len's passion for technology started at a young age with his first computer, a Vic 20, and continued to grow as he developed basic programming skills and built websites during the early days of the internet. His journey into the tech industry involved transitioning from professional services to building a product-focused business. Engage People was born out of identifying a significant opportunity in the legacy loyalty programs industry, where they now work with major financial institutions and global brands.Len emphasizes the role of strategic partnerships, industry conferences, and leveraging consultants with deep connections in the loyalty space as key drivers for Engage People's sales and growth. Len also highlights the challenges of scaling quickly and the importance of maintaining product quality through diligent processes and respect for quality assurance roles. Len offers valuable advice on building a portfolio, the power of relationships, and the evolving focus of Engage People as they continue to transform the loyalty program industry.Dive into the vibrant pulse of innovation with Len Covello's insights on mastering the tech frontier in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Engage Peoplehttp://www.engagepeople.comLen Covello's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/len-covello/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Andrew Watson, Co-Founder of Igloo Media. Andrew recounts his upbringing in Italy and England, and how his initial aspirations as a tennis player eventually led him to entrepreneurship in the U.S. He describes his collegiate tennis career, where he honed his competitive spirit, which later translated into valuable skills in the business world. Andrew emphasizes how the discipline and resilience learned through sports have been instrumental in his approach to business, particularly in setting high standards and maintaining a competitive edge.Andrew also delves into his experience co-founding EBC, an electric boarding company that grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and later selling it to Agora Brands. This venture, driven by his and his co-founders' desire to finance their tennis careers, unexpectedly took off as demand for outdoor activities surged during lockdowns. Following the sale of EBC, Andrew and his co-founder Alex launched Igloo Media, a marketing agency that helps direct-to-consumer brands with advertising, SEO, and site design. He highlights the benefits of having a co-founder, such as dividing responsibilities and leveraging complementary skills, and reflects on the value of building businesses alongside trusted partners.Let's explore how Andrew Watson's passion for sports and a knack for e-commerce led to unexpected business successes in this engaging episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Igloo Mediawww.igloomedia.coAndrew Watson's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-watson-91b25b252/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Sanket Karamchandani, Founder of Miss Neeta's Ice Cream Parlor. Sanket shared his entrepreneurial journey from a childhood dream inspired by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar to becoming a business owner. Growing up in the Bay Area, Sanket was driven by the desire to pursue something he loved, which he eventually realized was ice cream. Despite his early aspirations, it took years of preparation, including a career in product management, to set the stage for launching his business during the COVID-19 pandemic. He began by experimenting with flavors and going door-to-door in his neighborhood to introduce his ice cream, leveraging skills he learned from a college job selling solar panels. Sanket discussed the support he received from his employer, Groove, which not only understood his passion but also actively supported his ice cream venture, purchasing pints for company events and using his services for catered functions. Today, Miss Neeta's Ice Cream focuses on maintaining a personal touch, attending wedding trade shows, and engaging in digital marketing to expand their reach. Working alongside his mother, who shares his love for creating delicious desserts, has been a rewarding aspect of the business for Sanket. As he moves into the fourth year of his business, his goal is to scale up, form partnerships, and bring his unique ice cream to a wider audience.Step into the world of retail innovation and uncover how Sanket Karamchandani builds brands that resonate and grow against the odds on this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Miss Neeta's Ice Cream Parlorhttp://www.missneetas.comSanket Karamchandani's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/karamchandanisanket/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview a very, very, special friend, Christopher Wink, Co-founder and CEO of Technical.ly.Chris discussed his upbringing in a rural corner of Northwest New Jersey, which lacked exposure to technology and entrepreneurship. Despite not coming from a family with a background in journalism or entrepreneurship, Chris shared how his parents' traits—his father's ability to talk to anyone and his mother's love of questions—fostered his interest in journalism. His journey into journalism began unexpectedly during his time at Temple University, where he was introduced to the college newspaper. This experience ignited his passion for journalism and provided a foundation for his entrepreneurial pursuits.Chris explained the origins of Technical.ly, a digital news outlet covering the intersection of technology, community, and business. Technical.ly began in late 2008 as a small project with two friends, conceived during a time of uncertainty as they realized traditional newspaper jobs were becoming scarce post-recession. Although Chris downplayed the initial risks involved, he acknowledged that the real entrepreneurial challenges and risks came later as the business grew. He emphasized that the true spirit of entrepreneurship lies in the mental and emotional commitment to building something meaningful, even when practical circumstances are less than ideal. Witness how Christopher Wink turned curiosity into impact, transforming ideas into the next big thing in journalism on this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Technical.lyhttp://technical.lyChristopher Wink's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwink/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In the rapidly evolving landscape of fintech, few stories stand out as vividly as that of Colin Walsh, founder of Varo Bank. He has had remarkable accomplishments, including raising over $1B and running a company with a team dispersed worldwide. Varo Bank has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Warburg Pincus, TPG, HarbourVest Partners, Lone Pine Capital, and Gallatin Point Capital.

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jeff Bruno, CEO and Co-founder of B.Modelr. Jeff shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began in Philadelphia, and how his passion for small business finance led him to create his fractional CFO service. However, after realizing the limitations of the service model, Jeff and his partner, Julian Wright, pivoted to focus on building a tech-driven platform using generative AI. Their goal is to help small businesses remove ambiguity in their operations by providing a clear process to identify and focus on value-driving activities within their business models. This transition led to the creation of VIDA, a tool designed to streamline resource management and process efficiency for service businesses.Jeff discusses how B.Modelr's approach integrates AI to assist businesses in managing processes and allocating resources effectively. By leveraging data and natural language processing, the platform can guide businesses on which metrics to focus on, even if they are initially unclear. Jeff highlights their successful initial customer acquisition through existing clients, partnerships with organizations like the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, and outreach to business owners through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. He emphasizes the importance of using VIDA not only to improve clients' businesses but also to refine B.Modelr's own operations as they continue to develop and scale the platform.Dive into the heart of AI ingenuity as Jeff Bruno guides us through strategic growth and sharp insights on this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:B.Modelrhttps://bmodelr.comJeff Bruno's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreybruno/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview a very special friend, Jedidiah Weller, the CEO and Founder of Open Forge and Startup Wars. Jedidiah shares his entrepreneurial journey, beginning in rural Pennsylvania, where he grew up in Amish country. He details how his experiences in a challenging upbringing without strong entrepreneurial role models spurred his drive to succeed. After a difficult start in the corporate world and a failed West Coast startup that left him financially strained, Jedidiah co-founded a successful digital agency called Webjunto, which eventually evolved into Open Forge. This transformation marked a pivotal moment in his career, where he decided to focus solely on mobile applications, a decision that led to Open Forge becoming a top player in the mobile app development space, serving millions of users worldwide.Jedidiah discusses the strategic shift from Webjunto to Open Forge, highlighting the challenges and successes of specializing in mobile apps. Despite losing some customers and team members during the transition, the move allowed Open Forge to attract larger, more lucrative clients. Jedidiah also emphasizes the importance of community building and local engagement, particularly through events like the Philly Junto, which helped establish his company's reputation in Philadelphia. This focus on specialization and local impact set the stage for the development of Startup Wars, an educational game designed to teach entrepreneurship. Although initially launched as a mobile app, the project evolved as Jedidiah and his team adapted to the needs of their target market, reflecting the broader lessons of his entrepreneurial journey.Tune in to discover the power of relentless curiosity and teaching as Jedidiah Weller shares his inspiring story in this episode of The First Customer! Guest Info:Startup Warshttp://www.startupwars.comOpen Forgehttp://www.openforge.ioJedidiah Weller's  LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jedidiahweller/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jack Adler, CEO and Founder of Out2Win Sports. Jack shares his journey from growing up in Bluebell and Villanova to his time at Syracuse University, where he founded Out2Win Sports in 2021. The idea for his sports marketing firm, which specializes in connecting brands with athlete creators in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) space, was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jack and his twin sister's successful COVID-19 relief fundraiser ignited his passion for entrepreneurship, leading him to create Out2Win, which has since partnered with major brands like Nerf. Jack emphasizes the importance of starting locally and building relationships, recalling how he began by pitching local Syracuse businesses with creative marketing campaigns before expanding to larger clients.Jack also discusses the unique approach of Out2Win, which focuses on athlete creators—athletes who excel not only in sports but also in content creation. The company is currently developing software to streamline brand-athlete collaborations by identifying athletes with strong social media influence. Jack highlights the significance of building an organic community and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram to establish meaningful partnerships. Step into the world of athlete creators and discover how Jack Adler is changing the game with Out2Win Sports on The First Customer!Guest Info:Out2Win Sportshttps://www.out2win.io/Jack Adler's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-adler/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Leopold van Oosten, the CEO and Founder of Amsterdam Standard. Leopold recounts his entrepreneurial journey, which began in a small, unremarkable town in the Netherlands. Initially studying hotel management with aspirations of entering the hospitality industry, his path took a dramatic turn during an internship in London in 2001. There, he was exposed to the potential of online services, particularly the burgeoning online ticketing industry. Inspired by the innovation he witnessed in London, Leopold and his friend launched the first local online ticket service in the Netherlands. This venture, while successful, eventually led Leopold into the world of digital agencies, where he found his niche in building platforms and solutions, marking the beginning of Amsterdam Standard.Leopold shares the challenges of running an agency, especially in a highly competitive industry. He notes that after 19 years of relatively smooth operations, the past year has been particularly tough due to various global crises impacting the IT sector. This forced Amsterdam Standard to rethink its marketing strategy, leading them to adopt a new approach inspired by Donald Miller's "How to Build a StoryBrand." Despite the difficulties, Leopold remains passionate about his work, particularly in helping SaaS companies scale their operations. Let's explore into the canals of Amsterdam and uncover the secrets behind Leopold van Oosten's 19-year digital legacy on The First Customer!Guest Info:Amsterdam Standardhttps://www.amsterdamstandard.comLeopold van Oosten's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leopoldvanoosten/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Ann Carden, CEO and Founder of Expert In You.Ann delved into her entrepreneurial journey, which began in Missouri, influenced by her father, an entrepreneur. Ann's early ventures started with a doll business that she grew into a global enterprise, crafting and selling her own line of dolls. This experience instilled in her a deep understanding of business mechanics, leading her to build and manage multiple successful health clubs and weight loss centers. It was through these ventures that she realized her passion for coaching, initially in health and wellness, and later in business, after hiring her first business coach who helped her unlock new potential.Ann emphasized the importance of resilience and focusing on solutions rather than problems, a lesson learned from both personal experiences and coaching others. She discussed how setting challenging, realistic goals, paired with a detailed strategy, has driven her success. Ann highlighted the necessity of having a strong "why" behind goals to maintain motivation and achieve them. Her journey from a small-town entrepreneur to a global business coach underscores the power of determination, continuous learning, and the ability to adapt and grow through each business phase.Unlock the vault of business wisdom with Ann Carden's insights into powerful strategies and leadership on The First Customer!Guest Info:Expert In Youhttp://www.annlcarden.comAnn Carden's  LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Tomé Duarte, the Fractional CTO and Founder of Penguin Objective.Tomé shares how he started the year strong with a record-setting Q1, crediting his meticulous use of spreadsheets for managing his operations and cash flow. Originally from Portugal, Tomé explains that he lived in Brazil and Ireland before settling back in his homeland, though his primary market is North America due to the fast-paced business culture. He emphasizes how the U.S. and Canadian markets align with his preference for growth-oriented and fast-moving business environments, contrasting this with the more traditional approaches often seen in Europe.Tomé discusses the origins of Penguin Objective, a company name derived from a government-issued list in Portugal, which resonated with him due to his connection to Linux. He explains that Penguin Objective focuses on providing fractional CTO services to pre-seed and early-stage startups, helping them navigate tech strategy, operations, and development challenges. He also delves into his entrepreneurial background, inspired by his father's civil engineering business and built on experience from previous ventures. Tomé talks about refining his ideal customer profile (ICP) and offering over time, shifting from large enterprises to startups that better align with his values and goals, while also sharing the importance of being adaptable and open to opportunities that may arise unexpectedly, much like his symbolic encounter with a frog mascot at a Web Summit event.Let's explore the vibrant streets of Porto and uncover Tomé Duarte's journey of resilience, innovation, and creative leadership on The First Customer!Guest Info:Penguin Objectivehttps://iamto.me/Tomé Duarte's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeduarte/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/