Podcasts about key takeaways00

Curious how Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson keep their attention where it counts? In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, the 37signals co-founders join host Kimberly Rhodes to talk about the different ways they approach focus. From procrastination that sometimes pays off to meditation and visualization, Jason and David share their tips for finding and maintaining focus. Key Takeaways00:44 – What procrastination really tells you05:30 – Traditional and alternative meditation practices13:28 – Breaking through a creative block16:35 – Building a work schedule that makes focus easierLinks and ResourcesRecord a video question for the podcastBooks by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

How can job seekers win in a world where roles attract hundreds—if not thousands—of applicants and the hiring process feels like a black hole? This week, Jeff Mains is joined by Garrett Rice, co-founder and CEO of Callings AI, for a compelling look at how AI and modern SaaS tools are reshaping the job hunt—for the candidates themselves.Garrett draws on his extensive tech background—including years at Apple—to outline why today's employment search is fundamentally broken, and how Callings AI equips job seekers with workflow, networking, and optimization tools to regain control, clarity, and confidence on their path to a new role. The conversation is rich with actionable insights on standing out, networking with intention, and designing products for real user needs. If you're a SaaS founder, product builder, or simply navigating your own job transition, this episode is a masterclass in both leadership and innovation.Key Takeaways00:00 Empowering Job Seekers with SaaS04:28 "Career Shift: From Apple to AI"08:31 Job Application and ATS Challenges10:51 "Optimizing Job Application Success"14:48 AI-Enhanced Job Networking Tool18:29 "Comprehensive Job Search Support"21:55 Networking Unlocks Hidden Job Market24:50 Streamlined Job Matching Platform27:32 AI Boosts Efficiency and Fun30:20 Improving Candidate Discovery35:34 "Embrace Internal Growth Over Consultants"40:05 Division of Roles in Partnership41:18 Resume Enhancement Tool Unveiled45:31 Earning Customer Trust Over Awareness49:25 "Sales Hiring and Resource Sharing"Tweetable Quotes"The number one way to win a job is to get out of the pile and into the ‘You're being considered' pile—and that's done through networking." — Garrett Rice"AI won't magically solve the job search, but it can finally help level the playing field." — Garrett Rice"Your resume is a piece of paper. When you reach out, you become human to the company." — Garrett Rice"If you're not iterating, you're not building. Success is just well-managed failure and learning." — Garrett Rice"Credibility is earned, one relationship at a time—it's not just about getting your name out there." — Garrett RiceThe Power of Referrals: "I think that the referral incentive is huge and most people completely underestimate that or forget it exists." - Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsIterate Relentlessly:"You build, it works a little bit, it doesn't work in parts. You rebuild and you iterate and iterate and iterate.” — Learn as you go. Product-market fit is a process, not a one-time discovery.Mission-Driven Building:Stay laser-focused on delivering value to your core user—even when others try to pull you toward more profitable, “easier” directions.Make Networking Frictionless:In both leadership and job search, proactively and intentionally connecting with others is non-negotiable for success.Credibility Over Noise:The brand battle isn't just about visibility. It's earning trust, one genuine connection at a time, that matters now more than ever.Co-Founder Synergy Matters:Build with people you respect and align with. Complementary skill sets and shared values are a startup's real superpower.Embrace the Unknowns:“The idea that you have when you start… is never how it works out.” Be ready to hack through the jungle, not stroll down a paved path.Guest Resourcesgarrett@callings.aicallings.aihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettriceEpisode Sponsor

What's holding you back isn't just strategy—it could be your own brain! In this riveting episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Mitch Weisburgh, veteran educator and author of Mind Shifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success. Together, they explore how understanding the brain's survival mechanisms (hello, limbic system!) and developing self-awareness can unlock resourcefulness, resilience, and collaboration—skills every SaaS leader needs to thrive in chaos.Mitch shares practical stories about mindset shifts, the neuroscience behind decision-making, and actionable frameworks to transform failure into feedback. They discuss how to navigate conflict, ditch binary thinking, and lead teams (and yourself) with more empathy and adaptability. Get ready for brain hacks and business wisdom you can use right now.Key Takeaways00:00 Mindset Shifts for Effective Leadership06:14 "Reaching Critical Mass Skills"08:50 Travel Frustrations and Airline Inefficiencies13:17 "Understanding the Brain's Decision-Making"14:38 "Limbic Brain Functions Explained"19:43 Challenge Certainty, Embrace Awareness22:42 Understanding Limbic Reactions27:10 Unified Collaboration Over Individual Solutions30:04 Exploring Product Presentation Strategies33:53 Fostering Problem-Solving in Management35:32 Understanding Conflict Resolution Styles38:27 Negotiation and Collaboration in Sales43:40 Embracing Feedback in Challenges46:46 Stress Relief: Mindfulness and Support48:58 "Getting Rich Through Book Sales"53:17 Innovative Job Hunting PlatformTweetable Quotes"If you have a group of, let's say, 50 people in your organization, and if you can mobilize seven of them to be advocating for a solution, that's very often with good leadership enough to tip the whole organization." — Mitch Weisburgh"When you are absolutely positive about something, it's a sign that your limbic mind has made the decision." — Mitch WeisburghNavigating Uncertainty When Launching Products: "So in a complex system, what you really need to do is you have to come up with things that you can try that aren't going to destroy you so that you can get feedback and from that feedback, decide the next thing to do." — Mitch WeisburghQuote: "But the first thing is to be aware is that there's really five different styles of dealing with conflict. And once you become aware that there's five different styles of conflict, of conflict resolution, then all of a sudden you have options." — Mitch WeisburghThe Power of Trusted Support: "So having a trusted authority such as Jeff Mays, you know, that, you know, or a spouse or friends or relatives, you know, or even a therapist or coach. Okay, you know, sometimes, you know, you need that." — Mitch WeisburghViral Topic - The Loneliness Epidemic Among Leaders: "Most leaders are exhausted from playing the lone hero and it's killing both your results and your sanity." — Jeff MainsViral Topic: Inclusive Design Effectiveness: "He's proof that inclusive design isn't just ethical, it's effective." — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsSelf-Awareness Is Step One.Leadership growth starts with recognizing your own thinking patterns and emotional triggers before you can shift them.Train Your Team to Think in Options, Not Orders.Instead of...

Who is Robyn?Robyn Harris is the visionary founder of Wild Well-being, a transformative initiative born from her personal journey towards holistic health and self-discovery. Recognizing the profound impact of perspective on one's life, Robyn created Wild Well-being as a philosophy rather than a prescriptive set of steps. Her approach emphasizes the transformative power of changing thoughts, beliefs, and filters to ultimately enhance well-being. Central to her philosophy is the concept of "rewilding," which highlights humanity's intrinsic connection to nature. Through Wild Well-being, Robyn encourages others to reconnect with nature and rediscover their inner harmony, fostering a deeper sense of health and balance.Key Takeaways00:00 Embrace Nature's Rhythms05:39 Rediscovering Childlike Wonder09:41 "Embrace Stillness Amidst Noise"10:26 "Adjusting to Pandemic Lockdown"14:52 "Book a Free Chat with Robin"17:55 YouTube Link and Health Insights_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Here's how you can bring your business to THE next level:If you are a business owner currently turning over £/$10K - £/$50K per month and want to grow to £/$100K - £/$500k per month download my free resource on everything you need to grow your business on a single page :It's a detailed breakdown of how you can grow your business to 7-figures in a smart and sustainable way————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SUMMARY KEYWORDSnature connection, well-being, rewilding, Wild Well-being, perspective shift, health and wellness, NHS, self-care, empowerment, intuition, childlike wonder, holistic health, stress reduction, mind-body connection, diabetes reversal, lifestyle change, seasonal cycles, intuition, loving yourself, personal growth, resilience, adaptability, stillness, mindfulness, burnout, self-compassion, mental health, symptoms as information, breathing exercises, emotional safety, grounding exercisesSPEAKERSRobyn Harris, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:31]:Hi there, and welcome back to It's Not Rocket Science, five questions over coffee. I'm delighted today to be joined by, Robin Robin Wilde who is, going to be giving us some fascinating insights, I hope today. If she doesn't, then I'll have to kick her out and find somebody else. But, Robin, is, is going to well, Robin, do you wanna introduce yourself and and talk about, your business Wild Well-being?Robyn Harris [00:01:01]:Thank you Stuart. Yes my name is Robin and my business is Wild Well-being and as you might be able to see on the screen there that is an acronym and it came from my own journey. And it's basically not as much a set of steps, but how we can shift our perspective because everything is about our perspective. Thoughts, we change our beliefs, we change our filters, we change our experience, we change our well-being, we change everything. It's transformative. And that's for I for me, my journey was all around nature. So Wilds fitted in with that and how we are a part of nature. And it's about getting back to that rewilding ourselves.Robyn Harris [00:01:47]:We hear a lot about rewilding now, and I recently watched the documentary on NEP, the NEP estate where they have allowed it to go back to nature and how that is so healing for the land and for the animals that live on that land for all of the plant life. And we can do the same for ourselves. And so wild fitted in with that as well, but it is an acronym, and that is Well supporting ourselves and changing that perspective.Stuart Webb [00:02:12]:Let's get into that. So let's let's talk about the sort of, the the the people who you're appealing to at the moment, the the ones that need to, go on that journey, towards well-being. So that I'm sure we're getting to wild, but let's talk about who those people are before we leap into the to the wild acronym.Robyn Harris [00:02:31]:I think most of us could do with a little bit more wild in our lives because generally speaking, certainly in The UK, we don't live as close to nature as we used to. But physically and genetically, we are the same as our hunter gatherer ancestors. We evolved alongside the cycles of nature day and night. The ebb and flow of the tides, the monthly cycles of the moon, those affect us because we are such a high percentage of water. You can see in a glass of water. You can measure tides in glass of water. It it the pull of the moon is that strong, and we are such a high percentage water that the moon impacts on us as well and obviously there's the seasons so we go through those alongside of nature so if people are feeling tired and sluggish in January and February we've started a new year we get all of this messaging of it's new year you know get to the gym and do all of those things. And you might be thinking, but we're still wintering.Robyn Harris [00:03:32]:Our body is still wintering. So that's perfectly natural and perfectly normal.Stuart Webb [00:03:37]:So tell me the you you you we've we've sort of touched a little bit on this. There are people who are suffering, and and need to go on that journey. What what do you see that they've done themselves before they start that process, before they start to discover an expert like yourself to help guide them?Robyn Harris [00:03:57]:Sadly, I think in The UK certainly and probably in many other parts of the world as well, our messaging that we receive is if you feel sick, go to see the doctor. And that's our first port of call. Without realizing that there's so much we can do to support our well-being well before we need to go to the doctor, and we see the results, don't we, in the NHS. It's crumbling. It's really struggling. They're under resourced, understaffed, etcetera. So if we could take back a lot of our own well-being empowerment, then we would take off a lot of that pressure on the NHS. And we could potentially keep ourselves well, not need the doctor.Robyn Harris [00:04:38]:So it's small things like coughs, colds, etcetera we could deal with and recover from, and we could maybe prevent some of those other, bigger illnesses. I'm currently doing a podcast with a colleague of mine, Steven Leggett, who is the diabetes destroyer because he was diagnosed with type two diabetes and he reversed it. So things like that that we can do for ourselves when we understand what our symptoms are showing us. Because symptoms are just information. Our body isn't going wrong. It's making a mistake. It's adapting. And when we understand why it's adapting, and we can then know how to not need that adaptation anymore, get back to balance and to well-being.Stuart Webb [00:05:21]:So the the let let's let's get into the acronym, the WILD. What what does it stand for? And then what is it that you're you you think you can offer as advice for people and listening to at the moment thinking, I know that I need to be a diabetes destroyer myself?Robyn Harris [00:05:39]:Well, I don't particularly work just with diabetes. It's one of the things that I cover. That's my colleague, Steven Leggett. But wild is the fact that quite often as we grow up we start off having that child life way of looking at the world and everything is new and everything is exciting and we're like little sponges and we just wanna know we're curious and we're eager to learn. But we get older and we get a bit cynical and a bit jaded and a bit disillusioned sometimes with life. So the w is to get back those childlike eyes of wonder. And some circles talk glimmers because so often when we're older we focus on all of the heavy burdensome stuff that we have to do. You know, the the general day to day life that can just get to be a bit mundane and we just feel like it's a struggle.Robyn Harris [00:06:27]:Whereas we're here to thrive and we can thrive when we look at the world through eyes of wonder, looking for all the joy, all of the excitement, being curious, being compassionate, being loving towards ourselves. So w for wonder, I for intuition, knowing that our bodies are wise. Biological, design. Biologic we are biological beings. Our body isn't going wrong. It's not making a mistake. It's making an adaptation. And when we can understand that and work with it rather than as I was doing right at the beginning of my journey, I was working against it.Robyn Harris [00:07:07]:I hated my body. I hated everything about it. It was letting me down. It was going wrong. Everything was crumbling and falling apart. Only it wasn't. That was just how I saw it. And then I came to understand its wisdom and understand things like my liver is doing over 500 functions for me every single day.Robyn Harris [00:07:29]:I had eczema. I thought my skin was fighting against me. It wasn't. It was doing a job for me. Yes. It it was uncomfortable. And, yes, it wasn't what I wanted, but it was actually trying to serve me. And when I came to understand that, and then I could see what it was telling me about myself and the way I was living my life and how I could change that.Robyn Harris [00:07:51]:So it's it's it's our wise and our compass. The l of Wilde is loving ourselves. How often become our own biggest critic. We're not there cheering ourselves on by and large. We're there picking holes in everything that we do. Whereas if we could love ourselves, because the picking holes and the criticizing ourselves isn't getting us the answers that we want to want in our lives. It's not moving us forward in the way that we want. It's holding us back.Robyn Harris [00:08:16]:So why don't we stop doing that and start loving on ourselves instead? And that's not to say that we let ourselves off the hook. We love ourselves best when we are challenging ourselves, helping ourselves to grow, nurturing ourselves, not just pampering ourselves. It's actually holding ourselves to account and being the best that we can be. And d is dance. Because I used to say and I've heard people say it to me. It's one step forward and two steps back. But when that's a dance that's not a problem. Again it's how we're looking at things.Robyn Harris [00:08:53]:And if we can see it just life has changed tempo. Life has changed its background music right now. It might not be what I would choose, but I can still go with that. And when I go with it rather than resisting it, I find my flow. It might not be my easiest style but I can still find how to work at that rhythm until it shifts again. Because it's always shifting, always changing and it's about being adaptable.Stuart Webb [00:09:22]:And is there a valuable piece of advice or or something similar that you can give to the audience listening now who are and maybe themselves struggling with the with the understanding their body, understanding the the the the way in which that's giving them signals that they find confusing?Robyn Harris [00:09:41]:Yes. I would say to allow time for stillness. Our world is so noisy and so busy. We have mobile phones that are with us by and large twenty four seven, bombarding us with information. And if you've got all your news notifications and stuff turned on, most of those notifications are not uplifting and cheerful and supportive. There are more things to be worried and anxious about, particularly in the current climate with all that's going on. So to make time for stillness, to make time to be still. So it's not just quiet and getting away from all of those messages and notifications and bombardments, but to take time out and to sit still as much as you can.Robyn Harris [00:10:26]:And that can take getting used to. And I used to think when we went into lockdown at the beginning of COVID and we all thought we can't do lockdown and we can't be home based and we can't just do all of that and then we were forced to. And I thought of it like jumping off a roundabout where when you first jump off the roundabout that's already been going around and you jump off, your insides are still spinning and your head is still spinning, and it feels deeply uncomfortable. But when we allow ourselves the time to adjust to that, then we find there's such value. And I heard so many people saying after we've been in lockdown for a while, oh, I didn't realize how busy I was, how much I was running around, and now I really value this time. We were noticing how much cleaner the air was. There were dolphins allegedly swimming through the canals in Venice. There were goats coming into, a town in North Wales.Robyn Harris [00:11:23]:The the wildlife was coming out because we weren't making as much noise and we weren't being as busy and there wasn't as much pollution. We can do that in our lives as well. We can make that space in our lives. Get back. A lot of people took up gardening or walking in nature. So those sorts of things we can bring back and remember how valuable they are. Make space and time for them.Stuart Webb [00:11:47]:You you you alluded earlier to the fact that, this journey you came on, brought you brought you to this understanding. Do you want to give us a a small a small insight into that? And I I don't ask for your life history, but but what was the the event, the the the book, or or whatever it was that brought you to the to realize that you needed to return, if you like, to that that wild state of being?Robyn Harris [00:12:14]:It was a long journey, and being me, I took the scenic route. So there was I don't think I could really pinpoint one point in time, but I had got to that point as I was kind of touching on earlier where my body, I felt, it was letting me down. It was breaking apart. It was crumbling. Everything felt like it was going wrong. I had eczema, IBS, a whole list of things. And then I would go to the doctor and they say, oh, you're borderline for fibromyalgia. You're borderline for diabetes.Robyn Harris [00:12:44]:And I thought, if I don't do something and it needs to be quite a serious something, I need to change my life, then I'm just gonna carry on going downhill, and I will be slapped with diagnosis left, right, and center, and goodness knows how bad it's going to get. So I tried the conventional. I tried going to the doctor and got put on medication, which did not work for me. I got referred for counseling, which also didn't work for me. And that was I mean, we're going back twenty odd years ago. So it was of its time, and it wasn't solutions. It wasn't giving me solutions. It was just giving me sticking plasters.Robyn Harris [00:13:22]:And it was fairly recently I looked back and I realized it didn't work because it didn't make me feel like I had the tools. So I I think at that point, I realized that's what I need. I need tools. I need to find things that are going to help me. I know life is always gonna be shift shifting and changing and throwing me curve balls. Where do I get the tools that equip me to respond to that? I I did a lot of reading as well, and I've come across terms like being response able. I felt very responsible. I felt like things were going in wrong in my life and it was my fault.Robyn Harris [00:14:01]:And there's a lot of reasons behind that, and I actually go into that in my book. But learning that I could be response able and that I didn't have to react to things, I could respond, and I could choose how to respond. And I'm currently listening to The Choice by Edith Eager. But I read books like,Stuart Webb [00:14:24]:IRobyn Harris [00:14:24]:read a lot of Brene Brown, and, I read Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now. So it was books like that and Louise l Hay, those kind of energetic and how we can work with our body and how our body is telling us so much information if we just know how to interpret it. It was those things that helped me to shift and transform.Stuart Webb [00:14:52]:So I'm just gonna show a a link on the screen now because I know you have got the ability for somebody. If they wanna book a free chat with you and just have a a short discussion, to explore some of this in their own life. If you go to www.systemize.me, that's systemize, s y s t e m I s e, Me hyphen, forward /free- stuff. I'm gonna put a link in that vault there to Robin's, website and her her ability to book a chat, which will enable you to have a short very informative, I suspect. I'm not gonna judge how Robin will do it, but I would imagine a short and very informative discussion helping you to sort of understand perhaps if you're hearing some of this and thinking, I can recognize myself in some of this. But that's gonna lead me on to the to the question that I've got at the moment in my head, Robin, which is, you know, I've asked you a number of questions and you've explained and answered those questions, but there must be one question that you're currently thinking. Why doesn't he ask that really important question, the one that we're all really thinking about and yet he still seems to be avoiding? So I don't know what that question is because I just don't haven't thought of it, but you have. So can you give us what is the key question that that you would like to to have given us the sort of the takeaway that you think we are thinking? And once you've done it, you'll obviously have to answer it as well because I don't know what the question is myself.Robyn Harris [00:16:15]:I think one of the big questions that comes up for me a lot in my work and that maybe people don't know how to articulate or don't even recognize in a sense, but what inside possibly they're asking for is how do I feel safe? How do I find that space or create that space that allows me the time and the the physical, emotional, psychological space to explore some of this stuff? Particularly because some of it is sensitive stuff. It's stuff that we have pushed aside or pushed down perhaps for years, and we've done that for a reason. So to suddenly say, right, I want to transform my life. I'm gonna have to explore some of that stuff if that stuff is holding me back. I need to look at it. I need to process it because I haven't. If it's still there and it's coming out in my body and symptoms, then I'm gonna need to process it. So how do I do that? How do I find that safe space? And I think there are ways in which we can create it for ourselves.Robyn Harris [00:17:28]:And I have a YouTube channel and on that channel I have a self care exercise playlist which goes through various different ways that I find really useful. Breathing exercises, energetic exercises, grinding exercises, that sort of thing to create that safe space. And also remembering it is not just physical safety but emotional and psychological safety. And it might require working with somebody for a while.Stuart Webb [00:17:55]:I will make sure that we put we put that same, same YouTube link into the, the vault to make sure that people can get to see that, Robin. And thank you for answering that because I think that's a really key point of this. I'm going to to thank you for spending these last sort of fifteen, twenty minutes with us. I think what you've identified is a number of things that actions even the busiest professional can take a few minutes to think about because health is so important. And thank you for bringing that to us. If you would like to get an and and hear more about some of the, the work that we're doing and and how we are bringing people like this to a wider audience, if you just go to www.systemize.me/subscribe, there's a simple form there. It's just your email address and your first name. You sign up to that.Stuart Webb [00:18:51]:You'll get an email which brings, to you the the who's gonna be on the the podcast recording this week. And you'll get here people like Robin who gives you such really valuable advice, that will help you live better and live longer and be less stressed in your business and personal life. So, Robin, thank you for bringing that to us. Really appreciate you spending a few minutes of your day doing that, and, I look forward to hearing more about this, as we go forward.Robyn Harris [00:19:20]:Thank you very much, Stuart. It's been great being here and sharing this passion.Stuart Webb [00:19:25]:Thank you. Get full access to It's Not Rocket Science! at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains goes deep with Juan Betancourt, CEO of Humantelligence and creator of the AI-powered Ask Aura coach. Juan shares his fascinating transition from leading major corporations like P&G and Siebel Systems to scaling a tech startup aimed at transforming HR and team collaboration. We dive into the challenges of selling into the HR tech space, how leveraging psychometrics with AI can radically improve engagement, retention, and teamwork, and what it really takes to transition from executive to founder. Juan also reveals hard-earned lessons from multiple pivots, what makes Ask Aura unique, and how every organization—and founder—can prepare for the AI-powered future of work.Key Takeaways00:00 AI-Driven Talent Management Solutions05:04 Seamless, Multilingual, Voice-Activated Insights07:49 Revolutionizing Leadership Efficiency Tools12:31 "Prescriptive Action Replaces Reports"15:31 Lessons Learned from Corporate to Startup16:41 Venture Capital and Startup Realities20:23 Startup's Code Impresses Potential Buyer24:59 "TalentFit: Analyzing Workforce Performance"28:54 Marketing Failure Due to Misaligned Strategy31:36 AI Tool Implementation Challenges34:11 Ensuring Effective Employee Training39:02 "Unique AI: Personalized Coaching"42:05 AI's Future Impact on JobsTweetable Quotes"Who doesn't want to know how to get along better with that jerk who busts their balls every meeting?" — Juan Betancourt"The more you can democratize leadership insights company-wide, the bigger your edge." — Jeff Mains"Technology finally caught up—with AI in workflow, what used to be a $20,000 executive coach is now a $2/month subscription for everyone." — Juan Betancourt"We reduced turnover by 30%. That's the kind of impact that's only possible when psychometrics meet workflow." — Juan Betancourt"Even if you build the right thing, you'll lose if you try to outspend competitors on marketing instead of solving a pain the market understands." — Juan Betancourt"If you only see a blank screen, you're missing the real adoption battle—every user needs use cases, not just features." — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsLean Into People Development:Scaling isn't just about products—it's about the quality of leadership and ongoing development. Invest in understanding and empowering your teams.Prioritize Actionable Insights:Make sure that psychometric or engagement data is not just collected—but used daily, in the flow of work, for real impact.Adopt Founder-Led Sales Early:In the beginning, rely on your network and credibility. First deals rarely happen because of the product alone.Pivot Relentlessly, But Learn Each Time:Don't be afraid to kill what's not working. Each failed pivot, portal, or product iteration paves the way to something better.Foster Ownership Over Perfection:Empower your “Bad News Bears” team: grit and ownership beat waiting for rare A+ players. Innovation comes from belief, not just brilliance.Make Product Value Obvious and Accessible:Users need clear use cases and context. Interface design and onboarding should start with “What do you want to accomplish today?”Guest ResourcesJuan BetancourtEmail: juan@humantelligence.com or...

In this energizing episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Ryan Hogan—an entrepreneurial powerhouse known for turning murder mystery games into a global business and now shaking up the recruiting world through his company, Talent Harbor. Together, they explore the underappreciated but foundational role of company culture in scaling SaaS organizations, why hiring for values trumps hiring for resumes, and how onboarding, leadership, and learning from failures build resilient, thriving teams.You'll hear battle-tested tips on establishing and living real core values (not just slogans), fixing broken cultures, running stellar onboarding programs, mistakes most founders make when hiring, and how to create pathways for growth that keep your best talent around for the long haul. Packed with practical examples and actionable advice, this is an episode every founder, leader, and hiring manager should bookmark.Key Takeaways00:00 "Core Values and Culture Fit"04:47 Measuring Success: Consumer Signals09:18 "Identify Core Behaviors First"12:10 Defining Startup Culture Evolution13:34 Core Values Alignment in Leadership16:56 Core Values in Daily Life19:32 "Brand Values in Customer Experience"25:13 "Why Companies Lose Talent"28:26 "Evolving Workplace Culture Issues"29:22 "Prioritizing Culture Fit in Startups"33:51 "First 72: Critical Onboarding"37:19 Effective Onboarding and Support Strategy40:50 Inspiring Growth with Care44:29 "Leadership Beyond Individual Success"47:54 Entrepreneurship: Finding Product-Market Fit51:17 AI Revolutionizes Culture with Ask AuraTweetable QuotesThe Truth About Business Culture: "Not the fluffy feel good posters on the wall version, but the real gritty, foundational stuff that drives how your team thinks, works and wins." — Ryan Hogan "Culture Fit matters more than a perfect resume, especially in the early stages, and how adaptable hires often outperform the most qualified ones when the market inevitably shifts." — Ryan HoganThe Art of Scaling a Brand: "founders have to learn to let go in order to scale effectively." — Ryan Hogan Viral Topic: The Impact of Leadership Authenticity on Workplace Culture: "You know, you said it was going to be this, and what I'm seeing is something else. And I think there's a kind of a disharmony there. And I wanted to be a part of this movement, but it's not what I thought it was going to be. Wasn't what I was sold." — Ryan HoganViral Topic: Leadership Integrity and Core Values: "the minute you say, we're committed to these things and someone makes a decision that's not in line with those core values, you've destroyed it." — Jeff Mains"Most people put their core values on the wall. You're trying to take those words from the wall and you're trying to make that connection of how do these show up on a daily basis." — Jeff MainsQuote: "You can create all this inspiration, but if people don't feel supported, that can become a huge issue for the enterprise." — Jeff Mains SaaS Leadership LessonsDefine and Reinforce Core ValuesBefore hiring, know the core behaviors your company needs to succeed and reinforce them consistently.Hire for Culture Fit—But Don't Neglect SkillsIn startups, prioritize values and adaptability slightly more than experience, but remember both matter.Transparent, Aligned Recruiting Models WinChallenge industry norms—flat, transparent fees and partnership drive better results than traditional commissions.Onboarding Shapes Long-Term SuccessInvest in scripting the...

37signals' co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share more about their business than many founders. In this episode of The REWORK Podcast, they chat with host Kimberly Rhodes about why transparency is important to them. They talk about how sharing openly can double as marketing, the upside of showing work that's still in progress, and why timing matters when deciding what to put out to the public.Key Takeaways00:13 – Why transparency matters at 37signals03:07 – Everything is marketing09:22 – Letting people follow along while the work is happening12:43 – Knowing when and what to shareLinks and ResourcesRecord a video question for the podcastBooks by 37signalsSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

In this episode of the SaaS Fuel Podcast, host Jeff Mains sits down with John Long, the visionary behind Think AI, to explore the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and human empowerment in SaaS businesses. John shares his journey from real estate and HVAC to tech entrepreneurship, revealing how Think AI was born out of a need to streamline sales and customer interactions through advanced AI agents.The discussion delves into real-world examples of AI adoption—from automating interviewing and reviving old sales leads to transforming customer support in e-commerce. Jeff and John also tackle the boundaries of what current AI can (and can't) do, why humans will always be needed for complex and creative problem-solving, and how to build resilient, future-proof teams at the forefront of technological change.Whether you're a SaaS founder, tech leader, or simply AI-curious, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, actionable leadership takeaways, and a clear-eyed look at the realities and potential of AI in business today.Key Takeaways00:00 Empowering Humans with AI Integration04:34 AI Tool Evolution to Product06:44 "AI: Enhancing Focus and Efficiency"12:29 AI Revolutionizing Customer Support Careers16:26 "Empowering AI for Human Interaction"19:16 "AI Necessitates Human Oversight"22:33 AI: Capable, Yet Sometimes Overhyped24:44 Workforce Cuts: Economic Impact & AI Shift29:03 Understanding Tech in Home Services32:28 AI-Driven Podcast Production36:02 "Think Differently with AI"37:58 Balancing Ideas and Reality43:19 Rapid AI Support Adoption47:53 "AI Talent Management Revolution"Tweetable QuotesAI Revolutionizes Customer Support Careers: "We're going to double your pay, turn this into a career path, and really incentivize you to do what you love doing at a really, really high level and taking care of our people." — John LongViral Topic: The Expanding World of Agentic AI "AI can do a lot. It's challenging because most people don't know how to get started or kind of what to do to kick this thing off. And that's where companies like us step in and help with, with kind of the, the guiding steps of that. But yeah, AI can do a lot." — John LongHow AI Changes the Way We Think: "as people start to dig into AI, they literally begin to think differently. They look at their world differently and they, rather than approaching problems and thinking, well, okay, well I got to go and fix this. They think about things like, well, I'm going to go check with AI and figure out who else has experienced this and how they dealt with it. And you just, you look at the world in a different way and you approach problems in a different way and you just think differently." — John Long Empowering, Not Replacing Humans: "the future of business isn't about replacing humans, but empowering them." — Jeff MainsCultural Shift in the Age of AI: "Teams start working very differently, focusing on High value creative tasks while AI handles the grunt work. It's not just efficiency, it's a cultural shift."— Jeff MainsThe Epidemic of Leadership Burnout: "You know, you're probably like everybody else, drowning in connections but starving for real support. And it's creating a silent epidemic of leadership burnout among executives just like you." — Jeff Mains SaaS Leadership LessonsBalance Tech Ambition with Practical Reality:Leaders must combine visionary ideas with operational discipline—having both a “gas” and “brake” in the partnership drives sustainable growth.Focus on Value, Not Just Shiny Tools:Successful leaders implement AI...

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with serial entrepreneur and strategic executive Josh Sizemore, a powerhouse in building and scaling consumer brands in retail, CPG, wellness, and ecommerce. Drawing from decades of experience (including billion-dollar brands and innovative startups), Josh reveals the realities of taking niche health products to household names—without losing your brand's soul or becoming just another “me-too” in a crowded market.The conversation uncovers the art and science of brand storytelling, making the leap from DTC to retail, the power of deep versus wide expansion, the importance of authentic leadership, and how to avoid the pitfalls of solo decision-making and delegation. Josh gets candid about his journey launching a premium water brand, the value of grit in founder storytelling, navigating retail growth, keys to scaling SaaS marketplaces, and the ever-present challenge of knowing when to sell or double down.Whether you're a SaaS founder, a CPG upstart, or growing any high-integrity brand, this episode is loaded with actionable insights on leading powerfully, communicating clearly, and building market momentum that lasts.Key Takeaways00:00 AI, Innovation, and Mindset Shift06:35 Boost Product Sales with Sampling07:38 Slow and Steady Market Expansion11:24 Effective Virtual Communication Tools16:24 Water Donation and Distribution Initiative18:24 "Authentic Storytelling in Branding"23:00 "Original New York Salsa Success"27:00 Entrepreneurship Patience and Resilience30:05 High-End Retail Venture Story32:49 Founders' Delegation Challenges35:48 Instincts and Delegation39:31 Entrepreneurial Journeys in InnovationTweetable QuotesIf a distributor wants you but the retailers don't want you, then they're not going to bring you in. If a retailer wants you and then, but you don't have distribution to that retailer, well how are you going to get there? So it's gotta all kind of work in synchronous, you know, together and kind of synchronize itself up." - Josh Sizemore"you have to just stick to the play of slow and steady until you, you know, until you have the, the capital and the resources to hire 100 people or whatever to get to those stores." - Josh Sizemore"when you're not communicating directly to somebody, you have to be super, like, aware of, okay, does this text sound kind of even killed or is it over the top, or is it underwhelming when you send those communications through virtually?" - Josh Sizemore"just make sure that whoever it is is authentic. They're coming from a perspective of grit and grind." - Josh SizemoreScaling with Integrity: "Delegation isn't just about survival, it's about enabling real growth." - Jeff MainsAI and the Future of Work: "Documenting current processes is the first step to any meaningful innovation." - Jeff Mains"It's not strategy, not charisma, it's not even luck. It's relationships, specifically four of them." - Jeff Mains"It's really refreshing to be able to turn that over to somebody like that. They can just take it and run with it and make it so much better than even we thought it could be." - Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsDon't Rush Retail: Go Deep Before WideEarly retail wins are tempting, but focus on dominating a few stores at a time before expanding. Depth beats spread.Grit and Authenticity Beat Flashy MarketingShare real founder stories and struggles; people spot authenticity and reward it.Test Relentlessly and Leverage DataWhether it's email...

Who is Oli?Oli Cohen is a documentarian dedicated to transforming ordinary lives into compelling narratives. Driven by the belief that everyone has an interesting story to share, Oli focuses not on fame, but on the intrinsic value of personal experiences. Recognizing the digital age's potential to democratize storytelling through accessible video technology, Oli bridges the gap between people's everyday stories and the wider audience they deserve. By capturing the essence of individual lives, Oli underscores the importance of personal history and its significance to loved ones everywhere.Key Takeaways00:00 "Live Storytelling vs. Written Legacy"06:28 Life Stories Spotlight Feature09:49 Bridging Generations Through Vulnerability12:12 The Philosophy Behind Life Stories14:32 Personalized Emails for Groundbreaking Ideas_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Here's how you can bring your business to THE next level:If you are a business owner currently turning over £/$10K - £/$50K per month and want to grow to £/$100K - £/$500k per month download my free resource on everything you need to grow your business on a single page :It's a detailed breakdown of how you can grow your business to 7-figures in a smart and sustainable way————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SUMMARY KEYWORDSlife stories, personal documentaries, legacy, video storytelling, capturing memories, documentary film, family history, emotional storytelling, nonverbal communication, archival footage, two-camera interview, photography, cinematography, preserving memories, storytelling philosophy, intergenerational connection, empathy, relationships, self-reflection, unsung heroes, audio-visual legacy, life story spotlight, nomination process, everyday heroes, pandemic impact, digital age, documenting lives, life story website, preserving family stories, legacy preservationSPEAKERSOli Cohen, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:30]:Hi, and welcome back to It's Not Rocket Science five questions over coffee. I have my coffee here with me. I've probably had too much of that so far this morning, so I'm likely to be hot. Very well hopped up. And I'm delighted to be joined today by Ollie Cohen. Ollie is a cinematographer and photographer, but more importantly today he's here to talk to us about the his founding of a company called Life Stories or a product called Life Stories. Life Stories is a way that people can tell their story and capture it. And I think this is a fascinating idea.Stuart Webb [00:01:07]:I think it's something that more people should know about. Hence, Ollie is here with us today. So, Ollie, welcome to It's Not Rocket Science, five questions over coffee.Oli Cohen [00:01:17]:Thank you so much for having me. Great to be here.Stuart Webb [00:01:21]:So, I mean, you've had a a fascinating story, your yourself, but what is it what is it you're trying to do? How is it you're trying to reach out and and help people with this idea of life stories, and the the content that that comes with that?Oli Cohen [00:01:38]:So, well, life story is about turning people's lives into documentaries. There's the the basic thinking that everyone's got a an interesting story to tell. It isn't fame that makes somebody have, you know, worthy of documentary. People all have, valuable stories that are significant to their loved ones. Yeah. There seems to be a disconnect or certainly there's a lack of, opportunity for people to have their lives turn into documentaries. And, you know, we live in this digital age, and so video, is a very accessible medium.Stuart Webb [00:02:17]:Okay.Oli Cohen [00:02:17]:So the idea is we turn people's lives into documentaries, which is a two camera interview, intercut with photographs, archive footage, and and music.Stuart Webb [00:02:29]:I think it's a I think it's a truly brilliant idea. I mean, a lot of people have sort of done this for themselves, but, I mean, I guess the problem that that we would all say is, you know, one, it's very difficult to interview yourself, but, also, none of us are particularly good at the editing something to make it look right. Have you seen people do this? And, frankly, it doesn't quite tell the story in the way that you go, I just know I could do a better job.Oli Cohen [00:02:58]:I don't know if people try to do it themselves. What, I am aware of are people getting their lives turned into books, and there's quite a few, operators in that in the sort of legacy space. And, you know, that's great. But my thinking was that so much of the emotional nuance gets lost when words get put on into, onto the script. And, you know, when you hear somebody's somebody speaking, there's a lot more powerful. There's so much more emotional information there that's that affects you as a as a listener. And, you know, but we're not just recording we're not just doing podcasts at Live Stories. We we're creating films, and so much communication is nonverbal.Oli Cohen [00:03:48]:It's in the body language. It's in the face of expressions. It's in the little twinkle in people's eyes. And I think that, through film, there's a lot more potential to capture the essence of somebody compared to just turning their life into a book. And I kind of I thought there's not when I was when I set the the the company up, there there didn't seem to be many people doing it. And it was something that I wish that I had done myself, not for me, but for for my sister. Yeah. That's the the origin story of why I set it up.Oli Cohen [00:04:21]:My sister, unfortunately, passed away not that long ago. And at the time, I was living in LA. And I, you know, I rushed. I got, you know, immediately within twenty four hours when I heard the news. I I got some documentary film equipment together and got on a plane back to The UK to try to capture her life on film, thinking mainly that this would benefit my, nephew, her son, who was only seven years old at the time. Because I thought he's never gonna be able to see his mother from an adult perspective. So I thought this is this is something that I can do to add value to this awful situation. That is sort of be a wonderful thing to be able to to get my my sister's life, on on film documented.Oli Cohen [00:05:05]:But I wasn't able to do it because of the pandemic. I wasn't able to visit her in hospital, and, it was a missed opportunity. And it was, you know, really, really sad. And, I just thought this is this is something that I'd like to be able to offer to other people. You know, that's that was the the, the beginnings of the idea.Stuart Webb [00:05:27]:I'm sorry to hear about that story, but I mean, it's a wonderful illustration of the fact that you don't leave these things until it's too late, do you? You do it now because none of us can really count on tomorrow or next week. We have matters outside of our control.Oli Cohen [00:05:45]:Exactly. Yeah. There's, there's that idea of, like, that concept of you you don't know you don't know what you've got until it's gone. Yes. Yes. And, you know, it's easy to sort of think well, well, I it's easy to not to not want to think about it at all or to put it off. Yeah. But Well I you know?Stuart Webb [00:06:11]:Great that there are people like you, on the at the moment trying to address this problem. Do you have a a a valuable, a piece of advice or or or offer that you have that you can you can bring to the audience at the moment?Oli Cohen [00:06:28]:Well, on on the life stories website, which is, lifestories.media, On the homepage, if you scroll down, there's this thing we're doing, called life stories spotlight. And with that, we you know, with this with that spotlight feature, we'll be we're encouraging everybody to think about who is it in who who in your life do you feel has, a story that, or just, you know, a life story that you would like to to document. And, and and then, you know, this could be a loved one, but it could be anybody you know. Somebody who who you have some respect for, because of something they're doing. It might be extraordinary, but it might just be not just it might be an an everyday an everyday hero, you know, and someone an unsung, hero, if you like. So what we what we're encouraging people to do is have a think who this person could be, get in touch with us, and and then we will select a particular story that we think is worthwhile documenting, and we will cover all of the the costs and the production ourselves. So it's something we encourage people to think about, who would you like to nominate?Stuart Webb [00:07:45]:If you didn't catch that, website, the the the the link will be in our vault where we put all of the content of these these, these podcasts. So if you go to www.systemise, s y s t e m I s e, Me forward / free - stuff, you will see a link to Ollie's website and details of that, in that in that vault, and you will be able to access that from there. Ollie, you've got a fascinating history. You've been a city photographer and photographer, as we've said, with some really impressive stuff being shown across the world. You've told us the story of how you sort of got here. Are there other stories that you've captured as part of this, a part of this project which which have made you realize just how valuable it is to to have this content available for documenting lives, even if it's not lives that are past, but lives that are ongoing?Oli Cohen [00:08:44]:Yeah. Well, thanks for asking. The there are a lot of, a lot of surprising, things that happen when you make a film about someone's life because they they can sometimes unlock I mean, I'm I I don't wanna I don't need to be like therapy sessions, but they can sometimes unlock, emotions in, that they that people have kind of, not wanted to talk about. You know? Because in with family stories, you know, this is something that's occurred to me. When a child asked an adult a question about that adult's life, you know, children are quite inquisitive. The adult gives them a very, you know, child friendly watered down version of what actually happened. And then that those stories sort of get a bit cemented and stuck. But then when when you go to make a life story film about somebody, and you ask them certain questions or particular questions about their, about what it was like for them growing up at that place at that time.Oli Cohen [00:09:49]:And on these situations, sometimes, things can, they can show a vulnerable people can show a vulnerability, that they haven't shown to their children before. So the generation below get to see their parents or their grandparents with, a new perspective, which is which can, help bridge the generational divide, which I find a, you know, I I find that such a a powerful thing, helping because because ultimately life story is is about it's connected people through stories to help people feel more connected with each other and particularly with the their loved ones. But as well as that, people who are answering their questions, they they, often have certain realizations themselves. Yes. Yeah. Because we, you know, we all we all have this need to be appreciated, to be listened to, to be heard, to be seen, to be appreciated. So there's some in the process of doing that, that you can tell that people really enjoy it. They really benefit from doing it, and they get to sometimes look at their own lives in a slightly different perspective and kind of think, actually, you know, I've done alright.Oli Cohen [00:11:05]:You know? Because we I think a lot of us feel really critical of ourselves. But when you look back and think, you know what I did, I did do, okay. I've got through this and I've done pretty well. And I don't have, loads of regrets. A lot of people say they they don't regret the decisions they made, which I often find yeah, an interesting bit of a confusing thing to me, but it's, you know, it's the process gives people new perspective on themselves.Stuart Webb [00:11:33]:Yeah. Brilliant. Brilliant. Ali, I'm I'm very aware that I've asked you questions that I'm sure you think at the moment are sort of you know fairly softball questions that really haven't sort of gone to the heart of the matter. But there must be one question that you think well he's forgotten to really sort of nail the killer question. So as I've, as I'm thinking about this, I'm gonna suggest that you try and ask me what is the killer question I should have asked you, and then, obviously, you will have to answer it for us because you already know the answer. Well,Oli Cohen [00:12:12]:there's the questions about, the the sort of philosophy behind life stories. And so you could you could ask you could ask me that. And, I I can I can just answer that if you if you like? The there's a few things that stick out. There's the line from, Joan Didion, who she said, we tell us we tell ourselves stories, in order to live. And I think that's the line. So stories help us make sense of the world, and they encourage empathy with each other. So that's really very much aligned with the sort of the thinking behind life stories. And similarly, I'm a big fan of Esther Perel, and one of her sound bites is that the the quality of, our relationships determine the quality of our lives.Oli Cohen [00:13:16]:So with life stories, we we you know, obviously, it's about preserving memories. But ultimately, it's more about deepening our relationships with people. So, yeah, that and and stuff we've already talked about about this the the impermanence of of things. These are the the key sort of philosophies or the the the thinking behind life stories.Stuart Webb [00:13:48]:Brilliant. Oliver, thank you so much for spending a few minutes with us. I'm just going to make a short appeal after hearing frankly about the fact that relationships are so critical, stories are so critical to our well-being. If you would like to hear more about things like this where we speak to some really groundbreaking thinkers and some people doing some very different stuff, and I love meeting these people. You should wanna meet them as well. You should wanna get onto the newsletter list. So come to www.systemize, that's systemise,.me/subscribe. Just fill in short form.Stuart Webb [00:14:32]:It just asks you for your email address and your first name just so that I can send you something a little bit more personalized than hey. And you will get an email from me telling you about some of the really groundbreaking thinkers coming up with such brilliant ideas, in the next week or so, on this, live stream. Oliver, I just want to thank you for spending a few minutes with us today talking about what I think is a really, you know, we don't think enough about the fact that, you know, as somebody who is ordinary I have got stories, I have got things that people might be interested in hearing, and those stories bring a better connection which inevitably is a healthier life altogether. So thank you for just bringing that to us and I I hope that people get on to the to the vault and have a look at that, that that story that you told us, the the where you can go and actually capture some of those really brilliant brilliant, brilliant stories from other people. Thank you for for being here.Oli Cohen [00:15:31]:Thank you so much for having me on. Great to talk to you. Get full access to It's Not Rocket Science! at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Ghazenfer Mansoor, CEO of Technology Rivers, to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing SaaS development, scaling, and operations. With a background in healthcare and custom software, Ghazenfer shares his "10x Blueprint," unpacking the frameworks and mindsets founders need to leapfrog the competition without falling into the common trap of feature overload. The discussion covers the shift from feature-chasing to outcome-driven innovation, managing compliance in healthcare SaaS, harnessing AI-powered development tools, and the enduring importance of process, customer discovery, and balancing customization with scalability. Ghazenfer also teases his upcoming book on building mobile apps people truly love and use daily.Key Takeaways00:00 AI-driven Work and Digital Transformation06:53 "Stand Out with Unique Solutions"08:52 "Prioritize Unique, Problem-Solving Feature"12:51 "Expert-Led CRM for Service Growth"16:24 "Streamlining Processes with AI"17:28 Rapid AI-Driven Healthcare App Development21:23 Unexpected SEO Leads Evolution24:27 Streamlining Processes: Execution Challenges30:44 Decades in Mobile App Development31:54 "App Growth and Engagement Strategies"36:43 Business Transformation and AI VisionariesTweetable Quotes"Diagnose the bottlenecks first. You don't want to bring AI into everything without knowing where it's needed." — Ghazenfer Mansoor"Building endless features is a trap—solve one real problem your customer has, and do it better than anyone else." — Ghazenfer Mansoor"Customers don't want features; what they want is outcomes." — Jeff Mains“AI is not just about moving faster. It's about creating more efficiency and value in your business.” — Ghazenfer Mansoor"Software isn't static. It's a living system that needs continuous care, iteration and a keen eye on what's next." — Jeff Mains"Now software is being built by architects and AI agents. The old playbook is obsolete." — Ghazenfer MansoorSaaS Leadership LessonsStrategic Use of AI:Use technology to remove bottlenecks, not as a blanket solution.Prioritize Ruthlessly:Launch with a core differentiating feature; add bells and whistles only when customers truly demand them.Champion Process:Systems and processes are key—both for internal efficiency and for client delivery.Adapt or Be Disrupted:Stay ahead on innovation (like leveraging AI), or risk being left behind as industry shifts accelerate.Listen, Then Lead:Customer discovery is critical—sometimes you must show users what's possible, not just build what they say they want.Build for Iteration:Treat your product like a living system—plan for ongoing evolution, not just a single launch.Guest ResourcesGhazenfer Mansoor:gmansoor@technologyrivers.comhttps://technologyrivers.comhttp://facebook.com/techrivershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gmansoor

This thought-provoking episode of SaaS Fuel welcomes Evan Schwartz, a visionary in AI-enabled sustainability and global enterprise transformation. Together, Jeff and Evan explore the seismic shifts AI is causing in both business and education. They dive deep into how the role of creativity is evolving in an AI-driven world, the pitfalls of hasty tech adoption, and why leaders must focus on documenting processes before layering on the latest tools. Evan shares hard-won lessons from implementing transformational systems, discusses how customer confusion—not technology—is often the greatest barrier to adoption, and envisions a radically creative future for the next generation.Key Takeaways00:00 "Documenting and Innovating for Success"05:26 Early Digital Transformation in Energy Industry08:48 Traditional Methods vs. Tech Adoption13:03 Adapting to Rapid Tech Changes15:37 "Elevating Customer Service with AI"19:01 "Refining Controls for Complex Systems"21:53 Mastering Prompt Engineering23:30 "Skill and Perspective: Realization"27:46 Agentic AI Enhances Customer Service30:31 Reassessing Education for Creativity35:12 "Building a Customer Journey Framework"38:18 "Understand Before You Buy Systems"40:44 "ROI's Comfortable Fit vs. Unrealistic Goals"45:05 "Feature Request Process Strategy"47:10 "Sprint Timeline and Code Impact"49:33 "First-Time Collaboration Challenges"53:16 Journey from Security Budgets to StartupsTweetable QuotesViral Business Transformation Moment: "I can't run my business without a piece of software. Wow, I've reached a point where there's no going back." - Evan SchwartzViral Topic: Why Some Industries Resist Software Adoption: "some of that equipment, some of that stuff they've used was built by, by the guy's grandpappy who designed that bark boiler 200 years ago. And the only thing I've ever had to do was grease the bolts and, you know, scrape some rust off of it and we're good to go. Those are very slow to change." - Evan SchwartzHow Schools Stifle Creativity: "We beat creativity out of our children in exchange for repeatable excellence." - Evan SchwartzInnovation Requires Honesty, Not Just Hype: "learning from failures, rather than just parading successes, sets the stage for smarter, more resilient innovation." - Jeff MainsViral Topic: Rethinking Burnout and Recovery"Burnout as more than just stress, framing it as a perfectionist narrative that disconnects people from their values." - Jeff MainsQuote: "Most leaders are exhausted from playing the lone hero and it's killing both your results and your sanity." - Jeff MainsCosmic Karma for Sharing Thought Leadership: "Everyone who shares this week gets a handwritten thank you note from the universe itself, delivered by a comet signed in stardust and forever boosting your cosmic karma score. Better than Xbox." - Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsPreserve Creativity:Don't beat creativity out of your teams chasing repeatable excellence—reward risk and experimentation, especially as AI absorbs rote work.Be Transparent About Adoption:Clearly document your current processes before implementing new tech. Gaps in process knowledge are the #1 cause of adoption failure.Balance Vision With...

In this insightful episode of the SaaS Fuel podcast, host Jeff Mains welcomes Nik Froehlich, founder and CEO of Saritasa. The conversation dives deep into the perennial pain points of custom software development, especially the ongoing challenge of translating business needs into effective technical solutions. Nick reflects on nearly two decades of helping businesses overcome tech hesitation, scale SaaS operations, and avoid major pitfalls in product development and maintenance.Together, they discuss the misconceptions SaaS founders have—like thinking software is “done” after launch, underestimating ongoing maintenance, and not accounting for technical debt. Nick shares lessons from working with a wide range of clients, managing feature requests versus product vision, and how to build a resilient tech culture. The episode also zeroes in on the evolving role of AI and low-code tools in the dev landscape, and Nik's predictions for custom dev firms in the SaaS ecosystem over the next five years.Key Takeaways00:00 Translators' Role in SaaS Scaling04:58 Bridging Business-Developer Communication09:25 "Emphasizing MVP in Software Development"12:21 Customer-Driven SaaS Feature Challenges13:44 SaaS Customers Push Boundaries17:26 Maintaining Client Confidence Strategies22:56 SaaS Product Optimization Service25:33 Business-Tech Partnership Origin28:48 "The Captain's Keys: Leadership Relationships"30:20 Underpriced Software Projects Issues34:55 "Middle-Market Focused Business Services"38:10 Interpreting Specifications: Key Differences40:27 Refactoring Delays in Technical Debt44:06 "AI Bots Need Supervision"50:22 Thermal Paper Alert System52:56 AI Transformation Insights with Industry LeadersTweetable QuotesThe Truth About SaaS Growth: "Why do so many SaaS founders think the hardest part is launching, when that's really just the warmup?"— Jeff Mains Viral Topic: The Power of Translators in Tech "There's also a hot take on the often missing role of translators, those rare people who can speak both business and geek or tech, turning those abstract goals into real world roadmaps without getting lost in all the jargon." — Jeff Mains Timeless Challenges in Technology: "And I think it's interesting in technology there aren't a lot of problems that last 20 plus years. And this will be a problem, I don't know, maybe 50 more years, 100 more years, I don't know. But from it has been from the very beginning and will continue to be absolutely timeless." — Jeff Mains "Some of the biggest value in the spec. You're not going to get everything in the spec. And I think one of the biggest things is, is the things that aren't said and the choices that are made and just the experience level." — Jeff Mains Bridging the Tech-Business Communication Gap: "The pain point really comes down to the communication between the stakeholders, in this case business people trying to run their business, whatever it is, and knowing that or hearing that they can use technology in a way, but delivering that request and communicating in a way to developers so they understand what they want because developers speak a different language." — Nik FroehlichViral Topic: The Challenge of Customer-Driven Product Decisions in SaaS "I've seen them put their foot down on multi-million dollar customers and just say, we're not doing it until the customer said...

This episode of the SaaS Fuel podcast dives deep into entrepreneurial burnout with Scott Anderson, author of "You're Not Toast" and founder of Double Dare. Scott blends his unique experience as a business owner, mental health therapist, and executive coach to challenge the traditional hustle narrative. Instead, he champions a values-driven approach to business growth and personal well-being. Together with host Jeff Mains, the discussion uncovers toxic narratives, the science of stress cycles, actionable mini-vacation techniques, and why internal rewiring—rather than external fixes—creates sustainable, joyful leadership. This episode is a must-listen for high-achieving leaders seeking not just to survive, but to thrive in both work and life.Key Takeaways00:00 Breaking Perfectionism's Cycle06:10 Success Narratives and Their Drawbacks08:47 Brain Chemistry's Role in Addiction13:09 Five-Second Vacations Combat Burnout15:06 "RNR Technique for Stress Management"18:22 Relaxation Boosts Entrepreneurial Productivity23:03 Rethinking Work and Achievement25:22 Breakthrough Beyond Revenue Plateau30:26 Work Less, Achieve More31:39 Ego's Double-Edged Sword34:34 Entrepreneurial Vulnerability and Reflection37:31 Recognizing and Addressing Burnout41:10 "Breaking Burnout Through Values Alignment"45:31 Program's Key: Community & Cohorts49:41 "Beyond Burnout: Discovering New Possibilities"52:24 "Overcoming Burnout and Embracing Innovation"Tweetable Quotes“Burnout isn't about working too hard. It's about chasing goals that don't even matter to you.” - Scott Anderson“Our biggest limiting beliefs are usually the exact habits that made us successful—to a point.” - Scott Anderson“You can do more in 20 hours a week with clarity than in 60 hours running on autopilot.” - Scott Anderson“A five-second vacation, taken five times a day, beats a five-day getaway when it comes to beating burnout.” - Scott Anderson“The answer isn't outside—a better system, an assistant, a retreat. Burnout is an inside job.” - Scott Anderson“Vulnerability unlocks community, and community dismantles the loneliness that fuels burnout.” - Scott AndersonSaaS Leadership LessonsSuperstition of Hustle: The habits that made you successful—working harder, saying yes to everything—become limiting beliefs that eventually prevent growth.Honor the Stress Cycle: Short real-time breaks are more powerful than long avoided ones. Address stress as it arises, not in bulk.True Burnout Cure Is Internal: Sustainable change comes from shifting your mindset and aligning with guiding principles, not external productivity hacks.Scale by Letting Go: Leadership at scale means dropping perfectionism and distributing responsibility, freeing yourself to focus on impact, not just hours.Vulnerability Is Strategic: Admitting struggles and embracing community prevents the isolation that powers burnout.Redefine Success for Yourself: If you're not clear on your core values, you'll chase goals that don't matter—and exhaust yourself doing it.Guest ResourcesWebsite & Burnout Assessment: burnoutbreakthrough.comBook: "You're Not Toast" – Available for $5 at burnoutbreakthrough.comFree Resource: fastfixcall.com for a complimentary burnout assessment and practical first-aid techniquesGet in touch...

Who is Kimberly?Kimberly Gawne is a dedicated professional in the field of alternative education, known for her insightful critiques of the traditional public school system. With a focus on Canada and the United States, Kimberley frequently addresses a common concern shared by parents, educators, and observers: the outdated nature of public school curricula, many of which have remained unchanged since the 1990s. Her work highlights the urgent need for educational reform and innovation, as she humorously notes that some educational materials are older than she is. Through her advocacy, Kimberly aims to inspire a modernized, dynamic approach to education that better serves current and future generations.Key Takeaways00:00 Public School Curriculum Criticisms05:11 Parental Involvement in Education Crucial06:59 Thoughtful Outsourcing Responsibilities10:44 Discover Kimberly's Journey & Resources14:17 "Unasked Killer Question"_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at https://systemise.me/newsletterFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Here's how you can bring your business to THE next level:If you are a business owner currently turning over £/$10K - £/$50K per month and want to grow to £/$100K - £/$500k per month download my free resource on everything you need to grow your business on a single page :systemise.meIt's a detailed breakdown of how you can grow your business to 7-figures in a smart and sustainable way————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using a transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast)SUMMARY KEYWORDSAlternative education, public schooling system, homeschooling, outdated curriculum, classroom sizes, private school, parent involvement, educational complaints, teacher frustration, educational outsourcing, parental responsibility, school PTA, student learning styles, burnout in homeschooling, educational support, star students, tutoring services, socialization in homeschooling, educational accountability, flexible learning, educational resources, school system reform, individualized education, factory-style education, John D. Rockefeller education, educational history, digital education, parent educator communication, modern curriculum, real-world preparationSPEAKERSKimberly Gawne, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:32]:Hi there, and welcome back to five questions over coffee. I have my coffee here in front of me. I need it at the moment because a man has just stopped it started chopping down a tree outside. So if there's a noise, that's what it is. I'm delighted, however, to be here with Kimberly Gorn. Kimberly, is gonna be talking to us about providing alternative education solutions for parents who are dissatisfied with the public schooling system. So, Kimberly, I love I love the attitude you brought with you as well. You've promised me you won't have skate stage fright.Stuart Webb [00:01:06]:You're just gonna do it. So I love the attitude. Let's do it together. How are you doing?Kimberly Gawne [00:01:12]:I'm doing well. It's really nice to be able to chat with you. Thank you for having me on. I appreciate it.Stuart Webb [00:01:17]:No problem at all. So, look, Kimberly, let's start with the the obvious first question. For anybody who is, who is at the moment sort of maybe themselves, struggling with the public schooling system, what are the sort of sort of thoughts that they have? Who who are they? Who is it you're trying to reach, and what is it you're trying to tell them?Kimberly Gawne [00:01:38]:I would say that the I mean, that's a good question. I get that I get asked that a lot is what are the complaints. Right? Because, I work in the alternative education space, and so a lot of people say that, well, you know, what what complaints are there with the public school system? They asked me to specify. And I kind of make a joke of it, and I say, well, a shorter list is what's not wrong with the public school system. The most common ones that I hear from people in terms of complaints, whether they're parents, whether they're educators, or whether they're just kind of on the sidelines of looking at how public education works is the curriculum. The fact that the curriculum itself is so outdated, so outdated, especially in I I can't speak for European education as much, but in Canada and The US, public school education, some of those curriculums have not been updated since nineteen nineties. Like, they're older than me. Not to you know, like, people aging is a different thing.Kimberly Gawne [00:02:36]:Curriculums aging is quite another. I think it's really important to make sure that we have accurate and updated information that we're teaching to children, let alone, you know, with the framework that we're teaching as well, or that from which we're teaching. Mhmm. So curriculum is definitely the biggest one. That's the biggest complaint that I hear. The other complaint is, the classroom sizes. And there's no getting around that no matter how you look at it. Public school or private school, you are typically in a class of anywhere from 15 to 30 plus children.Kimberly Gawne [00:03:10]:And and that's not that you're not able to really talk to the kids. You're not able to really teach them, in the way that they learn best. Right? That's one of the biggest frustrations I see from parents. I also see that from educators, but on the different side of the perspective because they're expected to teach all 30 children to the best of those kids' understanding, and they just can't. It's not possible.Stuart Webb [00:03:33]:Great. So, you know, I think we we can all we can all identify with with people who have you know, if you're you're a business owner, you don't wanna be trying to sort of reach out to 30 customers at a time. So, you know, parents are in the same situation. So tell me, what are these people I often say this about sort of, you know, when somebody sort of sees a a business person that's tried to solve a problem, parents are trying to solve this problem as well. What what are the sort of things you've seen that they've tried to do and maybe made mistakes trying to solve as part of their, desire to get their children better educated as part of their frustrations with with watching this situation at their school?Kimberly Gawne [00:04:20]:I see I see some commonalities when it comes to parents, trying their best. And this is not to say that, you know, parents don't have good, good intentions. Of course, they do. We all have good intentions when it comes to our children, especially when it comes to their education. One of the common mistakes that I see parents making when it comes to their child's education is outsourcing it without any sense of responsibility, without any sense of responsibility. One of my favorite things to say is that the public school system is glorified babysitting. I get a lot of hate for that, but it's true if you think about it. What else are are parents doing other than sending their children to a public school that's going to just babysit their kids all day while the parents are at work.Kimberly Gawne [00:05:11]:If the parent themselves does not have any responsibility, any communication, any sort of, initiative to go and talk to the teachers, to go and get involved with the school activities, to go you know, if there's a PTA, go get involved with the PTA. If there's no responsibility on the part of the parent in terms of getting involved with their kids' education, the children are the ones that suffer because those are the kids that will fall through the cracks. Because the teachers, quite simply, don't have the brain space and or the time, to be quite honest with you, to give all 30 children the the best of what they are able to give them because they have Of course. They have, what, forty five minutes or fifty minutes or, you know, maybe seventy five if you're talking about high school. If you have a child whose parents are not involved and whose parents are not, as active in their school life, that child is going to suffer because nobody's looking out for that kid's best interest in terms of educationally speaking. Right? In in my in that specific context for me, no no one's looking out for their educational interests. So that's a really common mistake that I see parents making is outsourcing without any sense of responsibility. There's nothing wrong with outsourcing, but you still have to be involved because you're you as the parent are your child's first, you're you're the child's first barrier to or the first first guardian to, getting that good education, to be able to to speak for your child if they're, you know, in elementary school, they're in grades one through eight.Kimberly Gawne [00:06:43]:They're not really able to speak for themselves in terms of what's best for their best educational interest. You as the parent, that's your job. And if you're not saying anything because you're not involved, there that no one else is going to do that for you.Stuart Webb [00:06:59]:And I think that's a really good message that you've given with the fact that too much outsourcing is done without thought of the responsibilities you own as the sort of parent or, the the the, you know, if we we think of, you know, too many times people outsource things without really thinking about their responsibilities within the process, which is exactly what you've described. A parent just sort of, you know, says, well, I I don't know what else to do. I'm just gonna I'm just gonna leave it and hope for the best. And that's where things go wrong, isn't it? When you hope for the best, we often we often fail to realize that actually there, you know, there are things we can do. There are things we can the actions we can take in order to improve, if not if not, drastically change the situation.Kimberly Gawne [00:07:50]:Absolutely. Absolutely. And like I said, it's not there's nothing wrong with outsourcing because you can't do it all yourself. That's another mistake I see parents making is that they they can they're like, okay. Well, I'm gonna homeschool my children. I'm gonna do all of it myself. You will burn out so fast. Absolutely.Kimberly Gawne [00:08:07]:Yeah.Stuart Webb [00:08:07]:Yeah. You know, if you if you're if you're busy working or if you don't have the the necessary income in order to be able to afford to sort of have one parent take the time off, then then it becomes very difficult, doesn't it?Kimberly Gawne [00:08:19]:Mhmm. Yeah. Absolutely. Even if you have a parent, we have I have quite a few clients actually who that's a sort of, that's the sort of category that they fall into where there's one parent who is actively working and away from home, and then there's the other parent, usually the mom, because that's just how the dynamic works, who's homeschooling kids, who's chosen to make the time to homeschool the children. But when you have multiple children, I and I'm speaking from experience here, when you have multiple children that you're trying to homeschool in the same household at once, it is a lot. It is a lot. So there's nothing wrong with outsourcing, but you still have to be involved. Right? You can't just outsource with that and say, okay.Kimberly Gawne [00:08:57]:Now it's this person's job. I'm they you know, I'm I'm paying them the money. They'll just they'll just take care of everything. You as the parent still have to be an active participant in your child's journey, whatever that looksStuart Webb [00:09:09]:like. So is there a a piece of advice, an offer you can you can provide people who are currently watching this and going, this is me. This is me. I'm I'm kind of intrigued to know more. What what what is the valuable piece of advice that you would you would offer them?Kimberly Gawne [00:09:24]:I would say that the most valuable piece of advice I could offer parents at whatever stage they might be at in their child's journey, This is perhaps more of a reassurance than advice. It is never too late to start over. It's never too late to say, hey. Something needs to change because this isn't working anymore. Right? Yeah. And in order to say that, it requires a sense of accountability as to, like, hey. This isn't working for me. This isn't working for my child, more importantly.Kimberly Gawne [00:09:57]:What can we do to change it? Instead of sitting there and saying, oh, well, you know, it's already ruined. They're already in public school. You know, they're already in private school. It's it's not working, but whatever. What else do you do? I would encourage people to look outside the box. There's so many different solutions for alternative education these days, and public school is just not it's just not where it's at anymore in terms of preparing children for the real world, in terms of fitting a family's flexible lifestyle. It it is just not there. So my piece of advice, look around you, take stock of what the world is like, ask yourself, is this public school system preparing my child for what this world is going to be like in ten years or even in five years.Stuart Webb [00:10:44]:And I'd encourage everybody to go to the link that I'm just showing at the bottom of the screen at the moment, which is www.systemize.me/free-stuff. We'll have links to Kimberly's website, her LinkedIn profile, and and everything there so that you can you can find out more about what Kimberly's talking about here and and and understand the sort of actions that you can take in order to solve these problems if, you are, who, if you're one of the people that, that that you you feel it's Kimberly is talking to you at the moment. Kimberly, can I just sort of find out a little bit more about how you got to be well who you are today? What was it? Was there a book? Was there a was there a a course, a program, a life situation that eventually brought you to the realization that you need to take this sort of responsibility for stepping into the outsourcing breach, if I can put it like that.Kimberly Gawne [00:11:47]:Mhmm. I I just laugh. I'm just chuckling as you're saying that because it was definitely not a book. It's simply not a book or a course, or program. It was, as we mentioned, a life situation, that brought me to starting like, to to starting star students and to being able to, provide that for families. I graduated teachers college in March or rather in April, of twenty twenty. So ifStuart Webb [00:12:15]:people were to graduate.Kimberly Gawne [00:12:17]:I'm telling you. We went home, and it I I remember it to the day. It was Friday, 03/13/2020, because that was the Friday before March break. To make a long story short, we we decided we were taking two weeks, and I never saw my kids again that I was teaching. That was a that that was the five let me call that the the cherry on the icing on the cake of a long line of complaints that I had, with my with the public school system in my six years of post secondary education. So I really had to take a hard look once I graduated. I did that year. I had to take a hard look at, is this something I really want to do? And the answer was no, quite frankly, because it was not something that I was willing to sign myself up for.Kimberly Gawne [00:13:05]:It was not something that I wanted to have be my fulfillment. I could not I I could not see myself doing the a public school teaching job and coming home every day, Monday to Friday, for the next forty years, looking in the mirror and genuinely saying to myself, I did a good job today with those kids.Stuart Webb [00:13:26]:Yeah. Yeah.Kimberly Gawne [00:13:27]:That was what it came down to. That was what it came down to. I realized I could not do that. I could not look myself in the mirror and say I did a good job with those kids. I said if I can't do it after, you know, two years of being in school, in a school, how am I gonna do that for forty? For the next forty, right, or thirty or whatever my code would be in the public school system. So that I mean, that was where it started because I I was kind of I I said, okay. Well, that's not I I can't I can't do that. What am I going to do instead? And star students was born to make a long story short, star students was born from that.Kimberly Gawne [00:14:04]:It was born from the desire to do something different and the desire to see something different for the kids of this generation and for future generations because they don't deserve what they're getting in the public school system. They don't.Stuart Webb [00:14:17]:And and I think that's a that's a a brave action to take at a very tough time for the world anyway. But, I mean, that is a that was a that was a driving force clearly, and and I guess that's what led you to this, which is kind of what I'm expecting you to be thinking at the moment. Do you know he still hasn't asked me that killer question, which I just don't understand why he hasn't got this? So, you know, I'm obviously unable to think what that killer question is because otherwise, I wouldn't now be asking you to say, what's the question that you think I should be asking you so that you can really sort of get me to understand exactly the next actions I should take. So what's that question that you think you would like to answer? And then, obviously, once you've asked it, you need to answer it, Kimberly, because that's the way this works.Kimberly Gawne [00:15:05]:Right. The I would say the killer question that I always that is always the number one thing that people ask me when it comes to homeschooling. They find out that, you know, we provide homeschooling services and and tutoring services. Tutoring services is something that people can, understand because it's in our cultural schema. Right? When people find out that Star Students is very much about homeschooling and we provide a variety of homeschooling supports, the first question that people always ask without fail, when they when they talk about homeschooling is, oh my goodness. How are you gonna homeschool children? They need to be socialized. What do you mean you're taking it from public school or some sort of variety of that? Right? That is the killer question I get asked. I get asked that on podcast.Kimberly Gawne [00:15:51]:I get asked that by parents. I get asked that by, teachers, public school educators. Right? What do you mean? Are you gonna homeschool your children? You can't you can't do that. They won't be socialized. That's my killer question, I would say. Because the answer, I think, really shakes a lot of people. It really makes a lot of people think about how our world is set up. I very simply respond to that question, and I say, is public school actually educating your children, or is it indoctrinating them into the nine to five factory style workforce? Not one person.Kimberly Gawne [00:16:34]:Every single person has that look on their face. They just oh, you're right. If you look into the public school education, history, if you look into the history of how public school education got started, it was John d Rockefeller that started our public school education. Not to get on a history tip. I am a history fan. I'm a history major, actually. Not to get on a history tip, but John d Rockefeller started the public school education system with the intent with the publicized intent of making sure that he had factory workers and not thinkers. So if that doesn't say to you about the intentions of what the public school system intends to do to your children, if that doesn't say something to you, I I don't know what will.Kimberly Gawne [00:17:25]:That that's my killer that's my question. Gives people a lot to think about.Stuart Webb [00:17:32]:And I was about to say and I think that is an interesting point at which to say, this is where people let's go back once again. Have a look at what Kimberly's, Kimberly says in in her profile and and and the, the the website get and where where you talk about getting getting started with with homeschooling. So, Kimberly, I'm just gonna, I'm gonna leave people with that thought, and ask them to check you out further. And at this point, I'm just gonna say, look. If you would like to get onto the main list so that you get access to that free stuff or if you would like to, to to hear about the people that are coming up on the podcast coming up, go to this form, which is www.systemize, that's with an s, not a a zed or z,systemize.mesubscribed, s y s t e m I s e, Me forward / subscribe. And, you'll just get a it's just simple form, email, first name, and then you get an email once a week, which basically tells you about who's coming up on the podcast. Now outside my window, the tree is being heavily chopped down, so I don't know if you can hear that. So I'm just gonna thank I'm gonna thank Kimberly.Stuart Webb [00:18:48]:Okay.Kimberly Gawne [00:18:49]:So you're good.Stuart Webb [00:18:51]:Thank Kimberly for her time now. Kimberly, thank you so much for coming on to talk about this. I really hope that people do get on and, listen to some of this stuff that you're saying because I think it's important. Kimberly, thank you so much for being with us. I trust, that the kids continue to behave. I I know, I know in the background, you've got quite a lot of activity, so enjoy the time with them. They grow up very fast, and, eventually, they become less educated and less trouble, but an awful lot, a lot of my distant to you. So enjoy the time you got with them now, and thanks for coming on and talking to us.Kimberly Gawne [00:19:29]:Thank you so much for having me. It was a pleasure. Get full access to It's Not Rocket Science! at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Eli Portnoy joins Jeff Mains on SaaS Fuel to dive deep into the world of B2B customer feedback, leadership, and scaling SaaS ventures. Eli shares candid stories and practical wisdom from his career, including founding and exiting Sense360 and ThinkNear. He breaks down how BackEngine AI is changing the game for customer retention and voice-of-customer insights by harnessing AI to organize and activate the wealth of organic customer feedback that's already flowing through businesses. The conversation ranges from tactical product decisions and the dangers of confirmation bias, to transformative leadership lessons, distribution vs. product obsession, and the future of AI in SaaS. This episode is a goldmine for scaling founders, product leaders, and anyone who wants to build lasting companies around customer obsession and actionable data.Key Takeaways00:00 Appoint Voice of Customer Owner05:38 Leveraging AI for Customer Feedback08:07 "Customer Data Insights Unveiled"11:20 Visibility Challenges and Customer Feedback16:04 Second Business: Hard Lessons Learned18:01 Balancing Data with Intuition21:26 Pursuit of Right Answers24:34 Appointing Customer Voice Ownership28:14 "Empower Through Shared Context"31:06 "Context Enables Growth in Teams"33:17 "Focus on Pain, Not Solutions"39:33 Sales Empathy Essential for Success41:53 Successful SaaS: Niche vs. Consolidation45:02 Burnout: Catalyst for Personal GrowthTweetable Quotes“If an executive team cares about the voice of the customer, someone needs to own it—explicitly and visibly.” — Eli PortnoyViral Topic: The Hidden Cost of Leadership Loneliness: "Most leaders are exhausted from playing the lone hero and it's killing both your results and your sanity." — Jeff Mains“Most B2B companies operate on anecdotes, not data. That's where bias creeps in.” — Eli Portnoy“The customer isn't always right—but they're always insightful.” — Eli PortnoyViral Topic - Digging Deeper Than Features: "It's not about the feature. It's not about the horse or the car or anything else. What do they really want? They want to go faster." — Jeff Mains“Distribution beats product if nobody knows about you or can't buy from you. Prioritize both.” — Eli Portnoy“Context is the most important thing you can give a high-performing team.” — Eli Portnoy“In the age of AI, building features is easy—delivering outcomes through focus and distribution sets the winners apart.” — Eli PortnoyPreventing Burnout as a Leader: "Stop drowning alone and build your stability matrix." — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsMake Customer Obsession Tangible:Assign clear responsibility and accountability for customer feedback within your executive team.Don't Rely on Surveys Alone:True feedback is happening organically; invest in systems or tools that capture it across all customer touchpoints.Default to ‘I Don't Know':The best leaders approach growth with curiosity, seeking truth rather than confirmation of personal biases.Share the “Why” Behind Decisions:Equip your teams with context so they make aligned, mission-driven choices without bottlenecking leadership.Speed Matters for Reversible Decisions:Don't overthink what doesn't move the needle. Make quick calls unless the decision is high-impact and hard to reverse.Prioritize Team Over Titles:Avoid title inflation to win talent; it creates future misalignment and headaches as you...

In this episode of the RE Social Podcast, hosts Andrew McCormick and Vince Rodriguez discuss the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and its implications for taxpayers, real estate investors, and the general public. They break down the key components of the bill, including changes to standard deductions, bonus depreciation, and specific benefits for real estate investors. Also covering the impact of the bill on the national debt, social security, and incentives for clean energy investments. They also address the potential consequences for individuals regarding EV credits, solar incentives, and the implications for state and local taxes (SALT) caps. In the end, they will share more practical advice for maximizing the benefits from the new tax laws and the importance of staying informed and proactive in financial planning. Tune in to learn more about this!Key Takeaways00:00:00Welcome to the RE Social Podcast00:00:15Discussing the One Big Beautiful Bill00:01:45Breaking Down the Bill's Impact00:03:40Real Estate Investor Benefits00:05:27Understanding Depreciation00:06:41Bonus Depreciation Explained00:09:26Tax Strategies and Planning00:19:25State and Local Tax (SALT) Cap00:24:01Tax Benefits for Middle Class00:25:15Incentives for Workers00:27:54Auto Loan Deduction00:28:41Understanding the Child Tax Credit00:29:13Global Population Trends and Policies00:31:22Immigration and Economic Policies00:33:14Social Security and Economic Impacts00:35:03Tax Incentives for Clean Energy and EVs00:39:51Real Estate and Tax Strategies00:50:41Estate Tax Exemption and Final ThoughtsResources and LinksOne Big Beautiful Bill Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1Need Help? BOOK A CALL:https://anviinvest.com/consulting/ Learn more about AnVi Invest

Why do so many product launches fall flat, even when the market should want them?In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Neil Twa, CEO and co-founder of Voltage Holdings, to talk about unlocking product-market fit through AI-powered data engines and customer intent analysis. Neil shares his journey from spreadsheets and guesswork to an intelligence-driven system that has launched multiple 8-figure Amazon brands.Whether you're in SaaS or physical products, you'll learn how to align your offer with demand, eliminate guesswork, and build a business designed for scale and exit. From avoiding vanity metrics to pricing for value, this episode is a blueprint for intentional, scalable growth.Key Takeaways00:00 – Data-driven product launches02:26 – Why products fail: The product-customer disconnect06:00 – From spreadsheets to AI-powered product research08:00 – Discovering customer intent through Cosmo + Rufus AI10:20 – Aligning listings with real Amazon demand12:14 – "Sales fixes everything" and building for fast ROI14:10 – Greenlighting products: Profit-first approach17:00 – Don't marry your product, marry the brand20:00 – Understanding demand engines (Amazon, TikTok, etc.)23:00 – Misaligned AI = missed opportunity26:00 – The #1 question: What the heck do I sell?28:00 – Building with the exit in mind (Platinum Principle)31:00 – Profit extraction vs. long-term value33:00 – Pricing SaaS products based on experience35:00 – Tiered pricing and support strategies37:00 – Be selective with affiliates and partnerships38:00 – Lead from your own wins40:00 – Imperfect action creates perfect opportunities42:00 – Real case studies + beta testing results44:00 – Milestones, timeframes, and abundance mindsetTweetable Quotes“The number one question every founder asks: What the heck do I sell, and who do I sell it to?” – Neil Twa“Sales fixes everything. Figure out what to sell and who to sell it to—fast.” – Neil Twa“Don't marry your product. Marry the brand.” – Neil Twa“If the AI thinks your product is for men, but it's really for women, you lose—even with the best product.” – Neil Twa“A $97 product won't build a 7-figure business. Price for the result, not just the access.” – Neil Twa“Imperfect action creates something perfect along the way.” – Neil TwaSaaS Leadership LessonsData alignment > keyword hacksAI-powered tools that match intent will outperform keyword-driven guessing every time.Validate at 80%, then iterateYou don't need perfection—get to 80% product confidence and let the market fine-tune the rest.Marry the brand, not the productSuccessful companies adapt product lines to match evolving demand—don't get stuck on a single idea.Price for transformation, not featuresCustomers pay more when they understand the value. Price accordingly and educate your audience.Imperfect action creates feedback loopsLaunch MVPs with real users. Iterate with feedback, not in isolation.Build to exit, but earn trust firstSystemize operations, optimize value, and serve your own company before inviting others in.Guest ResourcesEmail - nailvoltagedm@gmail.comWebsite - https://www.voltagedm.com/FB -

Who is Howard?Howard Polansky is a pragmatic individual who navigates life's financial intricacies with a focus on strategic decision-making. Recognizing common defaults in financial practices, he often critiques the conventional 30-year mortgage system prevalent in the United States. Polansky understands that while many opt to pay extra on their monthly mortgage to reduce the term, the fixed nature of the monthly payment remains unchanged, a topic he frequently discusses. His insights reflect a deep understanding of financial commitments, emphasizing the impact of additional payments and highlighting the etymology of "mortgage" as a lasting "death pledge." Through his observations, Polansky shares his wisdom on making informed financial choices.Key Takeaways00:00 "Cash Flow Chat with Howard"06:03 Pay Yourself First, Always08:01 "Ebook Insights on Home Equity"12:40 "Prepare Financially During Success"16:21 "Key Unasked Question"19:32 "Motivating Business Financial Freedom"_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at https://systemise.me/newsletterFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Here's how you can bring your business to THE next level:If you are a business owner currently turning over £/$10K - £/$50K per month and want to grow to £/$100K - £/$500k per month download my free resource on everything you need to grow your business on a single page :systemise.meIt's a detailed breakdown of how you can grow your business to 7-figures in a smart and sustainable way————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using a transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast)SUMMARY KEYWORDSCash flow, cash flow coach, financially led, debt management, high debt professions, medical debt, student loan debt, mortgage payments, fixed debt payments, paying off debt, interest reduction, offset mortgage, home equity line of credit, business owners, business cash flow, paying yourself first, tax payments, IRS, emergency fund, financial planning, risk management, business continuity, business loans, personal finance education, burnout, work-life balance, entrepreneur finances, insurance planning, financial ebook, income preservationSPEAKERSHoward Polansky, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:33]:Hi, and welcome back to It's Not Rocket Science, five questions over coffee. I haven't actually got a coffee in front of you at the moment. This is actually fruit tea, because if I drink too much coffee, after lunchtime, I start to go to sleep. And I don't wanna go to sleep right at the moment because I'm really interested in speaking with Howard Polanski. Howard is a he's a cash flow coach, who doesn't need to speak to one of those nowadays. Howard is the cash flow coach at Financially Led, and we're we're gonna get into what that means at the moment. But who doesn't wanna spend some time thinking about cash flow and how to preserve it in these days? So, Howard, welcome to It's Not Rocket Science, five questions over coffee, and I trust you're ready to take us through cash flow and financially led.Howard Polansky [00:01:26]:Thank you, Stuart. Thank you for the opportunity.Stuart Webb [00:01:30]:It's It's terrific. So let's start with, let's just start. You're you're you're a former dentist, so we'll get into how you ended up in this situation. But who is it you're trying to help with your advice on on cash flow and and financial matters overall?Howard Polansky [00:01:47]:Those that don't like being in debt. And if we're talking about people let me just use The US since that's where I'm based. Those professions that are high debt type of professions, medical doctors, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, lawyers, where they just have these massive fixed payments that they're trying to navigate around. And sometimes it feels like all I'm doing is going to work to literally pay off these debts. When do I get to enjoy my life?Stuart Webb [00:02:25]:Yeah.Howard Polansky [00:02:25]:And and I'm not saying that there's not other industries that face that challenge, but those are the obvious ones that if there is a way for us to minimize the impact of those fixed debt payments, get them out of our lives sooner, pay less interest. Now all of a sudden, you have more money freed up at the end of each month.Stuart Webb [00:02:47]:And and and, Howard, I'm I'm sure you can you can sort of, you can help us to understand this, but was that a situation that you were in as a dentist? Did you find yourself wondering every day, why am I doing this? There must be an easier way to make a loss, and that's what you led you to where you are?Howard Polansky [00:03:05]:Well, I didn't know if that was gonna be the question now or it was gonna be question number five in terms of how I got into this. If you wanna wait until then, we can, or you want me to go through the story now, I will.Stuart Webb [00:03:16]:Yeah. I'll put it I'll put it to you as question five. Let's just talk a little bit more about how you, what you the the sort of things that the the people you've helped have got into the sort of trouble they have, and what are they trying to do to get out of it? What is it what is it you see when you sort of they they eventually engage an expert like you and you start dealing with them? So they they recognize eventually they they have a problem and they need to do something about it.Howard Polansky [00:03:42]:Yeah. So, I mean, one of the I hate to call it a mistake, but one of the ways that people are doing it just because it's either it's by default or by design. And so by default, they're like, I've got this mortgage. Let's just say that. And in The US it's a thirty, traditionally a thirty year mortgage. Well, I don't wanna pay on this for thirty years, so let me throw a little bit of additional money against this. So if I've got a $2,000 mortgage, let me put 2,200 and I know that's going to save me some time. The problem is, what's your payment the next month? It's still the $2,000 It does not change when you put extra money against the mortgage because the more mortgage is two French words put together, which literally means death pledge.Howard Polansky [00:04:39]:So the system is set up for you to make payments until the day you die or you're gonna die trying. This allows you and, again, you're we're over on different sides of the pond, so I'm not gonna keep this a secret. Over in The UK and Australia, they're known as offset mortgages. So the open ended mortgages where all of the money can go in to lower the overall balance of the debt. When you lower the overall balance of the debt, you're lowering the amount of interest you pay on a daily basis. And then when the expenses come due, you just take that much out, but you've got the excess now attacking the entirety of the debt versus the way that it's set up in The US. They have a one way street known as your house in front of you. You only make the minimum payment because you're like, if I put more money in, I can't get the money back out.Howard Polansky [00:05:42]:And when we don't have access to money, that's when people don't sleep very well. So that's the common mistake is how I'm just putting more money into this loan, but then if something happens, I get disabled, I get fired, I still have this fixed payment in front of me, and now I have no wiggle room.Stuart Webb [00:06:03]:Yeah. I I'm always very aware that a lot of business owners, disobey, for want of a better word, one of the golden rules which which I think is is something I hope you'll you'll agree with, which is they forget that they need to pay themselves first out of the income into their business. They're putting it against all sorts of other things, and then eventually they realize that there isn't anything left for them. And they they're left in a situation like you've just said where suddenly they are unable to pay the bills that have come in for their family, and they then have to get back on the treadmill and work even harder because they've now forgotten that they've got a life. And and I just think it's it's it's often this the the the the the golden rules of, you know, thinking about your cash flow and how you allocate it are so difficult for many business owners for for reasons because often we are not taught. We are not given the instruction early enough in our lives about how to manage money.Howard Polansky [00:07:04]:What's even worse than not paying yourself first is not only do you pay yourself, you take the money from the IRS that you have to pay them and use that on your expenses too. I've seen that situation happen also. That's never a good situation that I wanna be involved in.Stuart Webb [00:07:23]:Now if there's one thing you should definitely be very aware of is the tax man will find you and will hunt you down if you are if you are diligent in, not diligent in playing that that money off. Howard, look. The the the these must be times at the moment. People are are listening to you and thinking, I think I hear myself in this. This might be me. What valuable piece of advice or or or free free offer can you sort of help people with? And, and how would you sort of, you know, give them that that allow them to sort of access you?Howard Polansky [00:08:01]:Yeah. The probably the easiest way to understand a little bit more of the concept behind this is my ebook. So financiallyled.com, so that's just LEDfinanciallyled.com/ebook. It'll take you maybe about twenty minutes to go through and start to understand the three lessons on how and why this works. The second, if I'm okay if it's okay for me to get a second piece of advice, Stuart, is if you have lived in let's just keep it on the personal side for now. If you've lived in your residence for a number of years now, whether it's in overseas or in The US, it doesn't matter, Your house is probably appreciated substantially, and there is equity. There is cash literally trapped in the bricks. While you're employed, while business looks good, go get a home equity line of credit.Howard Polansky [00:09:08]:Have access to the cash because you just never know what's gonna happen in life. I mean, here's a perfect example. One of my clients is a dentist. She texts me back in November saying, guess what happened to me two months ago? I'm like, this is just out of the blue. I'm like, I don't know. COVID? It's like, no. Two ruptured aneurysms and a mini stroke. Mhmm.Howard Polansky [00:09:34]:Mhmm. She's 40 she's 46 years old, Stuart. I don't think this was in her life plan in terms of, oh, I'm gonna go I wanna be in the ICU and have brain surgery for three weeks sitting in a hospital. If it wasn't for having the business line of credit set up twelve to eighteen months ago, her business would be toast. That buffer of cash is what allowed her to keep paying the bills. Even though there was no money coming in, it was the access to cash that allowed her to pay her team, pay the bills so that she could get back to still having a a functioning business.Stuart Webb [00:10:19]:I've just put a link, on the the screen in front of you, Howard. I'm gonna put that story and the link to your ebook into our vault. Our vault, if you if it listen, guys, it if you're listening to this and you go, I need to do that. If you didn't capture what Howard just said, go to, Systemize, and that's the word systemize, but it's spelled with an s, not a zed, systemize slash free hyphen stuff. There's a vault there with with and and we'll put Howard's link, and we'll put that story in order for you to be able to sort of capture that and come back to it again and again and again because that is really valuable advice. I think that's a truth that everybody should be trying to do, Howard. It's not just dentists that have aneurysms. Anybody can have one of those.Stuart Webb [00:11:03]:You know, I I have a a a a friend who went on a very nice holiday, fell over, skiing, and they were in a similar situation. They were suddenly unable to work. And if they hadn't set up the right systems in place in in his case, it was the fact that his business carried on because he had set up teams that were working. But he had to you have to think ahead, don't you? You have to you do have to do exactly what you said. This might not be in the plan, but there is a risk that this could happen. So, therefore, I need to sort of deal with the risk before it happens, not as it happens because it takes time. These things take time to set up. They don't happen overnight.Stuart Webb [00:11:46]:You have to plan it. You have to think about it. You have to put that into your thinking, don't you?Howard Polansky [00:11:51]:Absolutely. And and look, you know as well as I do, when are banks gonna gonna be most, when are they gonna be most appreciative of giving you money? When you don't need it.Stuart Webb [00:12:06]:When you've got it.Howard Polansky [00:12:08]:That's exactly as soon as you're in distress, they're the last people that wanna help you. So get this set up while things are going goodStuart Webb [00:12:18]:Yeah.Howard Polansky [00:12:19]:And just have it there just in case because stuff happens. I mean, we're live, so I definitely don't wanna say what I normally say, but stuff happens. And it's just far easier to have this all in place before any of this stuff happens because we know it's happened to everyone. It's a it's part of life.Stuart Webb [00:12:40]:It is. And, you know, there's an old there's an old story about a man walking down the road, it's pouring with rain, and he sees a farmer digging a well. And he turned around and said, why are you digging the well when it's raining? And he said, because now the ground is soft and the digging is easy. The last thing you wanna be doing is digging a well when there is no water and the ground is hard. So if you're in a situation at the moment where your business is still doing well, I know we're going into some, economically interesting times at the moment, but if you've got a business that's doing well, now's the time to be digging that well ready for when, perhaps the the ground hardens and it's not quite as easy digging. Howard, I'm I'm I'm gonna gonna, gonna get on with this because otherwise, I think we'll be here for many, many hours talking about this. So was there a sort of we we sort of talked about the the the origin of your sort of, a realization that financially led was the way that you wanted to go. Was there a a books, a course, something that led you from from where you are as a dentist now to being, the guy that tries to advise other people that, they need to think about their cash flow?Howard Polansky [00:13:50]:Yeah. The the one book which really helped in terms of solidifying this whole concept, the author's name is Harsh Gill, h a r j is the first name, g I l l. And it's the book is something like pay off your debt sooner. That was the first time I ever heard in terms of this offset mortgage, they call it the Australian mortgage or whatever. And I was like, oh my god. This is the most logical way I've ever seen in terms of being able to pay off debt. It doesn't have to be a house. It can be student loans.Howard Polansky [00:14:29]:It can be cars. It can be business loans, whatever it is. I just realized that once I was able to utilize this for myself and I got my I got down to a $24 house payment, which might be about £20 for you. I shared that with another dentist and he could not believe what he was seeing and is like, can you help me? And I'm like, I think so. And he ended up paying off his house in eight months instead of thirty years. Wow. Wow. And and that and that's when it really the light bulb went off.Howard Polansky [00:15:07]:And then later on, I was like, wait. I think I can help apply this idea to businesses because if the business has more cash flow, where's it gonna spill over? It's gonna spill over to that owner's personal life, which is where I was trying to make the impact anyway. And the answer is, yeah, it works beautifully, for the average business owner, the cash flow improvements been over $65,000 in year one. SoStuart Webb [00:15:39]:But again, notHoward Polansky [00:15:41]:doing anything crazy.Stuart Webb [00:15:43]:For those that want a personal testimony, I had an offset mortgage. We became mortgage free quite a while ago, and, I'm very grateful for the fact that I found it. So, Howard, perhaps perhaps if I'd got this advice from you many years ago, I'd I'd have to but but I found it myself. So they're a great thing. They're a great thing.Howard Polansky [00:16:03]:For the right person, if you're gonna go and just, you know, spend on Louis Vuitton and Lamborghinis and and trips around the world and you don't have the cash flow to back that up, please don't do this. You are going to get yourself in trouble.Stuart Webb [00:16:21]:I will I will not I will not immediately go out and buy a Lamborghini then. I will I will keep that. I'll keep what I've got at the moment because, clearly, that would be the wrong wrong thing for me. So, Howard, let let me let me let me sort of, help you get back out to helping people do this rather than talking about it. Is there a question that you think I should have asked you in these questions? Is there one thing that you're thinking? I wish you'd hurry up and get to the really important question. And, obviously, once you've posed the question, you need to answer it because I don't know what the question is at the moment.Howard Polansky [00:16:55]:We've kinda hinted at it before. How the heck does someone go from being a dentist to doing this?Stuart Webb [00:17:02]:Let's talk about it.Howard Polansky [00:17:04]:Yeah. So I tell people now sometimes life leaves you little clues and other times life hits you with a two by four. My two by four moment was Sunday morning, Memorial Day weekend twenty eighteen. Jaden, my older son, is 12 years old. I'm sitting next to his bed. He realizes I'm there and he says, Dad. His voice is barely above a whisper. Yeah, buddy.Howard Polansky [00:17:30]:I lean over the bed, I put my ear over his mouth to make sure I can hear him, and he says three words I'll never forget. Am I dying? Oh. Twelve days earlier, Jaden came home with a stomachache. Three days after the stomachache were in the ICU at the Children's Hospital having emergency surgery. Woah. It was a it was appendicitis that turned septic, twenty nine days in the hospital, 19 of them in the ICU, eight straight days of sedation because he went to the Operating Room 5 times. After they take the tube out of his throat, they give him methadone and morphine to bring him down from the drugs he was on. So my 12 year old son looks like a heroin addict coming down from a high, and the very first question he will only ask me are those three little words, am I dying? My first breath was, did I hear him correctly? My second breath was, do not lose it right now.Howard Polansky [00:18:34]:I look him in the eyes, and I tell him, no. You're not dying. You've had prayers from thousands of people all around the world, and you're gonna be just fine. He looks at me, he knows I'm telling him the truth. He closes his eyes to get more rest. I walk outside the room and then I broke. I was already miserable. I was burnt out from sixteen years of dentistry.Howard Polansky [00:18:57]:And one thought seared into my mind, if life is this fragile and I'm unhappy with the path that I'm on, burn the ships, it's over. That's what I did. I sold my practice September 2018, just walked away. And if I didn't make the bold move of walking away from dentistry, I would have never had this $24 house payment and never took the shot to open open a new business and do this. So that's that's the one question, Stuart.Stuart Webb [00:19:32]:Howard, if if if that is the story that motivates people to get and think about their cash flow situation, to manage their business in such a way that they turn it from being a millstone around their neck to something which is actually an asset and something which brings them the financial freedom that you got from making that decision. I trust and pray nobody has to go through what you went through to make that decision, But we can all learn from the fact that you cannot regulate, cannot plan for life to continue being the joy that it is. So if it is currently raining in your business and the ground is soft and you are not currently digging the well and taking advice from people like Howard, I would encourage you, please go and find that stuff in the in what we've said with that, Howard. Get that ebook and get on and listen to some of the brilliant advice. Howard, listen. That is a hugely, humbling story for me to have listened to, and I'm grateful for the fact that you spent just a few minutes with us giving us that story. Let me just let me just be slightly flippant now and just say please come subscribe to our newsletter list because I would love you listening to us now to to be able to get and hear people like Howard talk about these stories and really motivate you to make your business better. If you go to www.systemize.me/subscribe, there's a simple form.Stuart Webb [00:21:06]:It just asks for your first name, your email address, and that's all I want from you. Just so I can send you an email once a week saying we've got this really great guest coming up tomorrow. Come listen to some of the stuff they do, and you can listen to some real truth bombs, like Howard's given us today. Howard, that is a powerful way to end. I'm not really wanting to say very much more other than thank you very, very much for coming on and motivating us to get control of our finances and our cash flow. And and and thank you for taking the steps that you've taken in order to be that, that cash flow coach.Howard Polansky [00:21:41]:Stuart, thank you for the opportunity.Stuart Webb [00:21:44]:It's been brilliant. Thank you. Get full access to It's Not Rocket Science! at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Is your SaaS team aligned—or just busy? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Jolly Nanda, GTM advisor and sales strategy expert, to discuss how SaaS founders can build scalable growth by aligning product, marketing, and sales from day one.Jolly shares insights from scaling teams at SAP, Adobe, and Atlassian, and breaks down what early-stage SaaS leaders can do today to build healthy sales pipelines, improve forecasting accuracy, and foster a culture of truth-telling inside the funnel.In this episode, you'll learn:How to fix the misalignment between sales, product, and marketingWhat most founders get wrong about pipeline hygieneWhy culture—not comp plans—drives real sales performanceHow to use product-led growth alongside sales, not against itThe mindset shift every founder must make to scaleIf you're tired of hero sales and pipeline guesswork, this episode gives you a clear framework to build process-driven, revenue-responsible teams.Key Takeaways00:00 – The sales number isn't the whole story04:10 – Early-stage GTM red flags05:30 – Product, marketing, and sales: 1 team, not 306:42 – Sales culture vs sales process08:18 – Why incentives don't fix a broken system10:01 – How to build a truth culture in sales11:47 – Why PLG doesn't mean anti-sales13:40 – Building alignment between product and revenue teams15:19 – The right kind of friction in sales and onboarding17:02 – Discovery before demo (and why that order matters)19:14 – “Hero sales” vs. scalable sales21:00 – Why most pipeline data is not accurate22:48 – Trust is a byproduct of process24:12 – 4 elements of good pipeline hygiene26:00 – Sales managers: stop being scorekeepers28:09 – Real forecasting starts with sales call truth29:20 – The connection between missed targets and broken process30:32 – How to change sales culture without killing morale32:00 – Leading indicators vs lagging indicators in GTM34:29 – Product-led + sales-led = better customer journey36:14 – Why you need revenue roles inside product38:06 – Pricing is part of GTM, not just finance 40:00 – Aligning marketing messaging with sales narratives41:27 – The next evolution of GTM rolesTweetable Quotes"Pipeline hygiene isn't a Salesforce task—it's a culture of truth." – Jolly Nanda"If sales, marketing, and product aren't on the same page, your customer feels it first." – Jolly Nanda"Don't fix sales with comp plans. Fix it with better process and culture." – Jolly Nanda"Product-led growth isn't the enemy of sales—it's fuel for it." – Jolly Nanda"The goal isn't activity—it's alignment." – Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsPipeline hygiene is a culture issue. It's not just about clean CRM—it's about truth in the funnel.Sales, product, and marketing must operate as one team. Siloed GTM leads to chaos and churn.Product-led growth doesn't eliminate sales—it elevates it. The handoff must feel seamless to the customer.Scalable sales = process + mindset. Don't build your GTM around a hero rep.Truthful forecasting starts with sales conversations. If reps are sandbagging or guessing, fix the culture first.Curiosity beats control. The best leaders build cultures where feedback flows freely across GTM.Guest ResourcesWebsite -

In this 100th episode of the RE Social Podcast, host Vince Rodriguez is joined once again by Jason Hartman, now live for his second appearance on our podcast! Jason dives into his early start in investing, key takeaways from his Empowered Investor Live Conference, and why he believes linear markets outperform cyclical ones in the long run. You'll also learn about Jason's unique Hartman Comparison Index, the power of inflation-induced debt destruction, and how to manage properties remotely with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this milestone episode is packed with timeless strategies and market-shifting insights. Tune in now and level up your investing game!Key Takeaways00:00:00Welcome to the RE Social Podcast00:02:12Jason's Journey and Early Investments00:03:43California Real Estate Market Analysis00:05:37Linear vs. Cyclical Markets00:14:23The Benefits of Self-Management00:22:17Impact of COVID-19 on Markets00:31:27The Hartman Comparison Index00:39:49Real Estate Historical Comparison00:40:36The Value of Commodities Over Time00:43:21Stock Market vs. Real Estate00:45:13The Ultimate Subscription Business00:56:35Market Dynamics and Housing Shortage00:58:27The Lock-In Effect and Unemployment01:02:06The Resilience of the Housing Market01:12:05Real Estate Investment Strategies01:15:30Connect with JasonResources and LinksProperty Tracker https://propertytracker.com/Empowered Investor Podcast https://www.jasonhartman.com/podcast/Connect with Jasonhttps://www.instagram.com/jasonhartman1https://www.facebook.com/jasonhartman.comhttps://x.com/JasonHartmanROIhttps://www.jasonhartman.com/Need Help? BOOK A CALL:https://anviinvest.com/consulting/ Learn more about AnVi Invest

Feeling like corporate ortho is closing in? Think again.In this brutally honest and motivational 5-Minute Friday episode, I get real about the fear-mongering flooding our industry—especially when it comes to OSOs and DSOs. If you've been told that you have to hire a consultant, or that you can't compete with corporate money, this episode is your wake-up call. The truth? You're not under attack. You're just distracted.Knowing where you're headed is the best and only strategy to get ahead. You need a plan; OSOs, DSOs, and Corporate Dentistry are not coming for you; in fact, they have nothing to do with your journey. Once you have a plan, you can get expert help to support you and teach what you need, and your practice will be more solid.Key Takeaways00:00 — Economic pressures and industry fear-mongering01:30 — The real impact of OSOs/DSOs (and why it's overblown)03:00 — How to filter the noise and make decisions for you04:00 — Consultants vs. coaches: understanding what you actually need05:30 — My story: investing $57k I didn't have (and why it was worth it)07:30 — Time is your most valuable currency—use it with intention08:50 — Practical advice: write your 6-month plan, then find the right help09:45 — Why you're not being “attacked”—and how to stay focused on your goals11:30 — The upcoming Orthopreneurs coaching program teaserAdditional ResourcesWant to connect with orthodontists who believe in lifting each other up?Come to the final Orthopreneurs Summit in Las Vegas this September. Trust me—it'll be the most impactful event you've ever attended. Go to opSummit2025.com and grab your spot today.- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

What if the key to closing more deals… is to stop trying to close at all?In this mind-blowing episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Ari Galper, world-renowned sales strategist and founder of Unlock The Game. Ari dismantles the outdated, pressure-filled sales models and introduces a frictionless, trust-based approach called the One Call Sale.You'll learn:Why relationship-building in discovery calls is a trapThe language patterns that instantly reduce resistanceHow to sell like a doctor diagnoses, not like a pushy repWhy most deals are lost in the first 5 minutes—not at the closeHow to qualify buyers by their problem, not your pitchIf you've ever been ghosted, followed up endlessly, or felt like you're forcing the sale—this episode will flip your entire mindset.Key Takeaways00:00 – Why "rapport-building" kills deals01:39 – Sales isn't about selling harder—it's about connecting deeper02:05 – What really derails most sales conversations03:22 – How Ari's method makes it impossible not to buy06:16 – Ari's pivotal sales moment (and what he overheard on mute)08:59 – The exact moment Ari decided to flip the sales game11:28 – Doctor-patient dynamic vs buyer-seller dynamic13:08 – The “One Call Sale” explained15:28 – Why you should stop building fake relationships17:16 – How to start a sales call the right way18:34 – Why you must remove value, education, and chit-chat20:01 – Your job isn't to solve. It's to diagnose22:09 – Cost of inaction: building the ROI without pitching24:34 – Stay rooted in the problem, not your solution25:59 – How to spot buyers who aren't serious26:40 – The final diagnostic question: “Is this a priority?”27:57 – Why trust, not pressure, is the key to conversion29:02 – Never say “follow up” again30:29 – Why sales is not persuasion, it's facilitation31:27 – SaaS leaders: stop drowning in ghosted leads32:20 – When the prospect asks you how you can help34:00 – The roadmap technique: show process, not product35:15 – The magic question: “Where would you like to go from here?”36:40 – Why objections disappear when you start with clarity38:33 – Trust must be earned—deep trust40:01 – The skill most sellers never master: shutting up41:29 – How this works in corporate buying environments43:10 – Why your champion doesn't want to sell to the CEO45:09 – Sales are lost at the beginning, not the end46:00 – This only works in high-margin, long-cycle sales47:18 – SaaS founders: you are the bottleneck48:56 – Stop selling. Start connectingTweetable Quotes"The sale is lost at the beginning, not the close." – Ari Galper"Stop selling. Start diagnosing." – Ari Galper"Follow-up is dead. Ask for feedback instead." – Ari Galper"If they don't own the problem, they won't buy the solution." – Ari Galper"Trust is built when the buyer feels safe enough to tell you the truth." – Ari Galper"When you stay in their world, they invite you into the sale." – Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsTrust replaces tactics. The fastest path to a deal isn't persuasion—it's empathy and truth.The sale is lost at the beginning. How you start determines whether you'll be ghosted later.Build around their problem, not your pitch. Your solution means nothing if the buyer doesn't own the problem.Follow-up is dead. Ask for feedback, not...

Is traditional SEO dead? In this powerful episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Andreas Voniatis, founder of Atheos, AI-powered SEO strategist, and author of Data-Driven SEO with Python. Dre reveals why traditional keyword-driven SEO is fading fast and how AI is reshaping the content marketing game.You'll learn:Why high-effort, data-driven content outperforms “ultimate guides”How to succeed in AI search by mining real customer conversationsWhy relying on AI to write your content is a trapHow SEO today is like email marketing—still useful, but not game-changingWhat mid-market firms must do now to stay competitiveIf you're a SaaS founder, marketer, or SEO expert trying to stay ahead in a rapidly changing digital landscape, this episode is your roadmap to what's next.Key Takeaways00:00 – “Pay cheap, pay twice”00:20 – Why using AI to write content is a mistake01:23 – How SEO has changed in the AI era02:40 – AI search vs traditional SEO06:35 – What “data-driven SEO” really means07:42 – Why SEO clicks today are fewer but higher value08:47 – Why generic SEO content no longer works09:46 – AI-first content strategy based on real buyer conversations12:30 – Why traditional “best practices” slow you down14:50 – SEO's brute force problem16:19 – Flaws in using AI output to create content18:34 – Is SEO dead or just different?20:10 – Injecting new data is the key to AI performance25:43 – Mid-market SEO and the AI opportunity window27:11 – Why most marketers are still asleep on AI29:22 – Region-specific, sector-specific content is the future31:11 – AI will create more jobs for marketers32:20 – Why high-effort content beats volume34:24 – Marketing's real challenge: standing out with belief36:23 – Automating the boring, amplifying the creative39:14 – No convincing needed—AI will do that for you42:15 – Why AI-augmented humans will always win44:36 – The future of content: high-effort, high-value46:05 – Cognitive AI: the next leap47:12 – Human brains are still the ultimate AITweetable Quotes"Using AI to write your content is like trying to rehydrate by drinking your own sweat." – Andreas Voniatis"If your content doesn't tell the world something it didn't know, it won't win in AI search." – Andreas Voniatis"SEO is becoming the banner ads of today—still there, but no longer transformative." – Andreas Voniatis"We're not here to convince. If you need convincing, AI will do that for us." – Jeff Mains"High-effort content outperforms 100 low-effort SEO posts. Every time." – Andreas Voniatis"If you follow best practices, you're already late." – Andreas VoniatisSaaS Leadership LessonsHigh-effort content wins in AI search. Low-effort SEO tactics are obsolete—content must be unique, insightful, and deeply tailored to your buyer.AI search rewards information gain, not keyword stuffing. Algorithms are looking for novel insights, not recycled blog templates.Your buyer's voice should drive your strategy. Mining real conversations—not keyword tools—is how you create content that resonates.SEO isn't dead—but it's no longer the growth engine. It's now a hygiene factor. AI search is where the real growth lies.Automation frees humans to create. Offload repetitive tasks so your team can focus on interpreting data and crafting strategy.Belief-based messaging > Feature-based messaging. In crowded

INTELLIGEMSIntelligems brings A/B testing to business decisions beyond copy and design. Test your pricing, shipping charges, free shipping thresholds, offers, SaaS tools, and more by clicking here: https://bit.ly/42DcmFl. Get 20% off the first 3 months with code FARIS20.FERMATCreate funnels the same way you create ads with FERMAT by visiting ⁠⁠https://fermatcommerce.com/af//What do you do when your eCommerce brand stalls—not failing, just stuck?In this tactical deep dive, Andrew walks through a real case study of a 7-figure brand that turned stalled momentum into its most profitable non-holiday month ever. You'll get specific data breakdowns on how changes in spend allocation, campaign strategy (including a massive shift toward Target ROAS), product prioritization, and CRO testing led to a whopping 88% increase in contribution margin—without increasing spend.If you're an operator feeling the pressure to grow but watching margins shrink, this episode is your playbook. Learn how to:- Run leaner without killing momentum- Make Meta's learning phase work for you- Use price testing and retention ads to boost profit per visitor- Think beyond creative volume to win consistently- Reinvest profit into real growth, like product development or new channels//CHAPTER TITLES:00:01:28 - My Brand Experienced Stalled Growth00:05:08 - Less Spend, More Efficient YoY00:06:56 - Spend Down, New Customer Revenue Up00:10:15 - Media Buying Changes00:13:54 - The Limits of Creative Diversity00:18:00 - Product Distribution00:21:17 - Key Takeaways00:28:15 - Spend Smarter Not Harder// SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL FOR 2X/WEEKLY UPLOADS!//ADMISSIONGet the best media buying training on the Internet + a free coaching call with Common Thread Collective's media buyers when you sign up for ADmission here: ⁠https://www.youradmission.co/andrew-faris-podcast⁠//FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/andrewjfaris ⁠Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.comWork with Andrew: ⁠https://ajfgrowth.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What happens when a brilliant builder becomes the boss with no playbook?In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains welcomes Pete Steege, B2B strategist and author of Radical Clarity, to unpack the journey of the accidental CEO. Pete shares frameworks that help technical founders shift from reactive problem-solving to confident leadership, scale without burnout, and delegate without losing visibility.We explore why clarity not hustle, is the real unlock for growth, how to tell stories that sell, and how to lead with purpose even when your background isn't in business.

Struggling to get leads or close deals over the phone? You're not alone — and you're not out of options.In this episode, James Vincent is joined by Anthony Stears, known globally as The Telephone Assassin. With 25+ years of front-line sales experience and millions of dials under his belt, Anthony shares proven, practical techniques to transform the way you sell — without sounding pushy or fake.You'll learn how to:- Overcome the fear of cold calling- Build instant rapport with prospects- Open more conversations (and keep them going)- Use permission-led language to lower resistance- Follow up with confidence and clarity- Turn every dial into a meaningful interactionWhether you're an SDR, sales leader, or business owner looking to generate more qualified leads and close more deals, this is your step-by-step guide to using your phone as your most powerful sales tool.

Who is Helle?Helle Brodie is an insightful entrepreneur who intimately understands the challenges faced by business owners in today's fast-paced world. Acknowledging the widespread issue of burnout among entrepreneurs—characterized by stress, overwhelm, and sleepless nights—Helle champions the cause of work-life balance and mental well-being. She recognizes how the pressures of entrepreneurship can spill into personal life, affecting friendships, family, and even self-care routines. Driven by the need to transform chaos into mastery, Helle is committed to helping fellow entrepreneurs navigate these hurdles, ensuring they remain at the top of their game without sacrificing their well-being.Key Takeaways00:00 Entrepreneurial Burnout: A Common Struggle06:08 Beyond Step-by-Step: Entrepreneur Growth08:06 "No Magic Button in AI"10:00 "Overcoming Fear for Better Decisions"13:56 "Entrepreneur Resource Access Steps"_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at https://TCA.fyi/newsletterFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Here's how you can bring your business to THE next level:If you are a business owner currently turning over £/$10K - £/$50K per month and want to grow to £/$100K - £/$500k per month download my free resource on everything you need to grow your business on a single page :It's a detailed breakdown of how you can grow your business to 7-figures in a smart and sustainable way————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using a transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast)SUMMARY KEYWORDSBusiness success coach, Entrepreneurs, Freedom in business, Livelihood, Business transformation, Chaos to freedom, Time freedom, Financial freedom, Internal freedom, Entrepreneurial burnout, Stress, Overwhelm, Sleepless nights, Pressure, Self-doubt, Loss of confidence, Creativity, Business mastery, Safe zones, Working harder, Chasing opportunities, Unconscious blocks, Success mindset, Growth mindset, Conscious mind, Unconscious mind, Entrepreneurs Freedom Formula, Autopilot business, Self-discovery, AlignmentSPEAKERSHelle Brodie, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:00]:So yes. Hi, and welcome back to It's Not Rocket Science five, questions over coffee. I've had some technical difficulties today, although, to be honest with you, it's probably not the coffee that's causing it. I'm delighted, however, to be here with Hela Brody. Hela is a business success coach. She really specializes in working with entrepreneurs, to create freedom in their business and their livelihood. It sounds absolutely fantastic. She's been an entrepreneur herself for thirty seven years in two vastly different industries.Stuart Webb [00:01:00]:I'm sure we're gonna get into that. And she's really got an intimate understanding of the complexity and, I believe, the simplicity business. So she's gonna help us to understand exactly how we can transform our businesses from a state of chaos to a vehicle for freedom. That's time freedom and financial freedom and the internal freedom to savor the life. So, Hela, welcome to the podcast. I really am looking forward to this, and, I'm looking forward to having a conversation about how you're gonna help us to transform these, these complex piece into something simple we can all enjoy.Helle Brodie [00:01:36]:Absolutely. It's wonderful to be here, Stuart.Stuart Webb [00:01:39]:Terrific. So, Helen, let's start with the the first question I would start with, and that's just try and describe to us, if you can, the the the person you're trying to help. I mean, you've mentioned there are things like freedom, and I think we all can all identify that sometimes as a business, we don't feel as if it's a freeing thing. So tell us about the sort of the sort of person you're trying to reach to help with these, with these problems.Helle Brodie [00:02:02]:Right. So so fifty percent of entrepreneurs admit to struggling with burnout. You know, it's the stress, the overwhelm, the sleepless nights. You know? And the the the pressure can feel exhausting and and all consuming. And, you know, it creeps into your friendships. It creeps into your family life, and it like, it even creeps into that gym membership that you promised that you'd start using next week. So as entrepreneurs, we know that we need to master our business. We know we need to be at the top of our game, and yet we've created a state of chaos in our business.Helle Brodie [00:02:40]:And after a while, it starts to starts to wear on, our our self belief, you know, and and and we we quietly start to doubt whether we can really do this, whether we're really cut out for this. Right? And so, you know, when that self doubt creeps in, we, we start to lose our confidence, We start to lose our clarity, our energy, our drive, and our creativity. And so I'm here to help people get all of that back.Stuart Webb [00:03:18]:Terrific. I'm I'm sure that you find there are, people who try to do things to help themselves in these situations. I know I come across people. I'm a I'm a big fan like yourself who sort of try and help people find ways in which to make their business something which runs on autopilot. And I know they've tried a hundred different things. They've tried the courses. They've tried the books. They've tried, a thousand and one things.Stuart Webb [00:03:41]:What what are you seeing that people, have tried before they sort of find somebody like you to help them to to produce that sort of that sort of, unblocking, in their in their business?Helle Brodie [00:03:53]:That's a great great question, Stuart. So typically what I find is that they go back to what feels safe. You know, they've looked at the courses, they've looked at, read books, they've, you know, gathered all kinds of knowledge. And so they go back to what feels safe because quite often they're feeling like they're sort of on the edge. Right? And so, you know, what feels safe? Well, working longer and harder feels safe.Stuart Webb [00:04:19]:Yeah.Helle Brodie [00:04:20]:Yeah. You know, chasing every opportunity out there feels safe, because this is what's got them to where they are now.Stuart Webb [00:04:28]:Yeah.Helle Brodie [00:04:28]:The challenge is that what's got them to where they are now isn't necessarilyStuart Webb [00:04:33]:It's taken to where they are.Helle Brodie [00:04:34]:To the next level.Stuart Webb [00:04:36]:Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely.Helle Brodie [00:04:38]:Yeah.Stuart Webb [00:04:38]:Now I think I think you've got a really valuable free offer that you are gonna give to the and I'm just gonna let everybody know, know that, we're gonna put this in our vault. So you don't have to remember this. This will be in the vault, so you'll see it. But Helen's got a really valuable offer to help people with this. So, Helen, can you tell us about the the really interesting offer that you've got that you're gonna help with today?Helle Brodie [00:05:02]:Yeah. It's called the Entrepreneurs Freedom Formula. Wonderful. What it is, it is it, outlines 10 areas of your business that, I can say you should, you could look at. It would be advisable to look at to create freedom in your business. Time freedom, financial freedom, and the free the internal freedom to really savor your life. Because we know that working longer and harder and chasing absolutely every opportunity isn't necessarily what works. You know? And Mhmm.Helle Brodie [00:05:35]:You know, one of the things that that I can't give you the the 10 steps to is one of the keys is really aligning your conscious and your unconscious mind. Now I I can't I can't offer that as a free resource difficult thing to do on your own. Right? And that's one of the keys to how I'm able to help people, really get to the next level in their business, create that freedom, and, and move forward. Live life with new dreams.Stuart Webb [00:06:08]:So these so the 10 steps that you're you're hearing here, this is this is the outline that people can start to understand. But but, really, that's that's not the end of the journey, is it? What we're talking about here is something which you've gotta partly self discovery, but also that's something that you've got to sort of understand exactly how to apply these things. I often think that that's one of the failures that we have as as entrepreneurs. We see a formula, we see a set of steps, and we go, well, I'll just implement those as they as they are, and they'll just work. And that's not the whole story, is that?Helle Brodie [00:06:36]:Right. Right. Because because, I mean, the so when I talk about the the, unconscious blocks that that that are holding you back from your progress, You know? I mean, so we've heard all all heard about mindset. You have to have a success mindset and a growth mindset, and that's all very true. This goes one level deeper than that because our in our conscious mind, we we set our goals. Our unconscious mind is the part of our mind that acts actually helps us achieve our goals. Mhmm. And until we have those two things aligned, it's gonna be really hard to achieve your goals and do everything that you wanna do without working longer and harder and pushing and struggling.Helle Brodie [00:07:19]:So so it creates ease and flow in your business. Now you still have to have a work ethic because growth and change don't happen on their own.Stuart Webb [00:07:29]:You know what I mean?Helle Brodie [00:07:29]:I'm sure you've heard a lot of people talk about, oh, it's just so easy. You know? You just think it and think positive thoughts, and all the good things in the world will will come to you. Well, that doesn't necessarily happen. And when we I'm I'm trying to be kind. So when we align our with our unconscious minds, then it becomes a lot easier because we're not we're not self sabotaging us ourselves. We're not keeping ourselves from achieving the goals that we really want. I mean, this is what we really want.Stuart Webb [00:08:06]:So Yeah. I I I absolutely know what you mean, and I think it's something we too often, we we too often, we sort of look around and go, oh, there's there must be I'm just looking for the magic formula. And, you know, I was talking to somebody about AI, and they went and, and we were discussing sort of, you know, AI in the business and and how to automate something, and they went and and is that when the magic happens? And I went, no. There's no magic. I'm sorry. There is no magic. There is there is hard work and, you know, there was there is this sort of, you know somehow there was this belief that somehow I I I just push that button. Everything just happens, doesn't it? It just all becomes nice and funky, and that's just not the way the the world works, does it? Right.Helle Brodie [00:08:45]:Yeah. There's no I call it the easy button. There's no easy button. Right? You know, big red button where you just push it and everything happens beautifully and miraculously. You know, wouldn't wouldn't that be nice? And if if there was, everybody would be doing it, and we'd be looking for something else, wouldn't we?Stuart Webb [00:09:03]:Terrific. That's a great message, and that's a great way to great way to segue into my next my next question to you. There must have been something, a a book, and we talked a little bit about it at the beginning when I gave the introduction about sort of your journey from from vastly different, industries. Can you was there a was there a was there a point in your life, a book, or a program or something which brought you to this understanding? How did you get to where you are now?Helle Brodie [00:09:28]:Right. Well, I mean, it it wasn't a book like, I do have a favorite book, or a book that that's been very significant in terms of my beliefs and my growth.Stuart Webb [00:09:39]:Please tell us.Helle Brodie [00:09:40]:And and I'll you know, give me a second. So that my process to get from from one industry to to another was that I real recognized that, my clients in in the other industry were not always making, what I would say, rational decisions.Stuart Webb [00:10:00]:Mhmm.Helle Brodie [00:10:00]:They were making decisions out of out of fear and scarcity. And and I had great solutions to offer them, and they agreed until it came to down to the bottom line. And so until well, and I'm sure you've come across those people as well. And so as I dove into that, I came to understand that that they were living in stress, overwhelm, fear, anxiety. They may not have shown it on the outside, and that's where their decisions were coming from. So in my other business, my goal was to create a better world, you know, and that was more that was primarily environmentally. And I realized that if I wanted to, create a better world through that industry, the best thing I could do will help the people in that in so that's it's kind of a roundabout way for how I got to where I am. And and, you know, I promised you that I would I would tell you about a book that's been particularly significant for me.Helle Brodie [00:11:11]:It's called, Unstoppable Self Confidence by Andrew, by Andrew, Leadham. And so the the most valuable lesson in that, or the most valuable lesson that I've taken from that is wrong with you. As an entrepreneur, when we don't succeed, when something goes wrong, you know, you start thinking, what's wrong with me? Why can't I do this? Why can't I figure it out? Valuable resource that says, really, there's nothing wrong with you. And what he does is he helps us to, think the way the 1% do. The 1% who all who who achieve their goals, who have success, who live life on their terms. And it all comes down to there's nothing wrong with you. And so it's a beautiful resource that that, I mean, it's a it's a great book. It's it's fascinating, and it certainly opened my eyes in in many areas.Stuart Webb [00:12:14]:Well, it's not one I've come across. I'm glad you've introduced it to me. I should be checking it out because that is a hugely valuable step forward for all of us. But let me get to the right to the to the question I've got for you here, which is I'm sure you've been thinking for all this time where you you've been talking away and thinking, well, the the question he question he should be asking me is is so critical. Why when is he gonna get to that one? Well, I'm gonna give you the opportunity of telling me what the question is. And then, obviously, when you've posed the question, well, you're gonna have to answer because I really don't know what the question is. So, therefore, Helen, what's the question I should have asked you in these last few minutes you really think I should have asked?Helle Brodie [00:12:52]:So the question is why do I think it's so important for entrepreneurs to thrive? Because I work with entrepreneurs, So why is it so important for entrepreneurs to thrive? And so I I truly believe that entrepreneurs hold the key to our future. They're a huge part of our economy. They're the movers and shakers of the world. Right? They're nimble. They're resourceful. They're creative. You know? And and and they're great adjusting. They're resilient.Helle Brodie [00:13:28]:They're adjusting to what you've called the the new normal. Right? Big corporations can't adjust. They're they're not as nimble. They're not as creative. They're not they're not as passionate. Right?Stuart Webb [00:13:42]:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.Helle Brodie [00:13:43]:And so I believe that when entrepreneurs thrive, they they create a better world.Stuart Webb [00:13:50]:Wow. What a what a So that'sHelle Brodie [00:13:53]:why I wanna work with entrepreneurs.Stuart Webb [00:13:56]:Hello. That is just such a fantastic just such a fantastic I'm gonna say no more because I think you have ended that, and given us something to think about, during the rest of today and tomorrow. If you're an entrepreneur, you hold the key to the future. So I wanna reach out to you and say, you probably need to go on to, within twenty four hours, we will have Heller's resource at this link, and I would get onto it. I would start looking at those 10 steps immediately because I think you, need the, need to be able to get in and tap into some of this wisdom. But, before you do that, you need to go to this link, which is www.systemize.me/subscribe. That puts you on the newsletter list. You know that you get an email from me just once a week that actually tells you about who's coming up on this podcast recording each week.Stuart Webb [00:14:56]:And you have the opportunity to get on, listen to it live, and if necessary, dive in and ask questions of great experts such as Heller and, really understand how to make your business move that one step forward that you need to make it move each day. But remember to get on and have a look at the stuff that Heller will have, to help you to do that. Heller, I wanna thank you for taking a few minutes out of our of your valuable time and giving us your your wisdom for us to to take away and think about and to really sort of dwell on. And I appreciate the fact that you've, given us that very valuable free advice, today. So thank you very much for doing that.Helle Brodie [00:15:35]:My pleasure. It's been an honor to be here with you today.Stuart Webb [00:15:39]:Brilliant. Thank you, Helen. I really appreciate it. Get full access to It's Not Rocket Science! at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Most SaaS companies treat onboarding like a checklist Rocketlane turns it into a competitive edge.In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains welcomes Srikrishnan Ganesan , co-founder and CEO of Rocketlane. Sri shares how strategic onboarding builds trust, boosts expansion revenue, and drives customer success from Day 1.They explore how AI is transforming service delivery from reactive to proactive, and why onboarding is the second sale that most founders overlook. Whether you're scaling a SaaS product, leading a customer success team, or building from zero, this episode is packed with frameworks, strategies, and insight.

In this episode of the RE Social Podcast, host Vince Rodriguez sits down with Clayton Lemons, a medical device engineer, to explore the intersection of real estate investing, decentralized finance, and the evolving future of currency. Clayton unpacks his journey into Bitcoin and breaks down its value as a hedge against inflation, while Vince challenges traditional thinking about money and the U.S. dollar. Together, they discuss the importance of leveraging systems, understanding monetary policy, and preparing for economic shifts. Whether you're new to crypto, real estate, or both, this conversation will spark your curiosity and help sharpen your financial strategy. Tune in now for a thought-provoking episode on wealth, risk, and the future of money!Key Takeaways00:00:00Welcome to the RE Social Podcast00:01:47Basics and Personal Journey into Bitcoin00:09:03Technical Aspects of Bitcoin00:25:31Comparing Bitcoin and Real Estate00:34:23Inflation and Asset Classes00:42:54Future and Broader Implications00:46:35Bitcoin as a Store of Value00:51:19Real Estate vs. Bitcoin Investment00:53:42Global Economic Dynamics and Currency00:58:13US Dollar's Dominance and Future01:12:42Tech Deflation vs. Monetary Inflation01:23:13Kardashev Scale and Harnessing Energy01:26:47The Role of War and Economic Policies01:31:44Power Dynamics and Global Influence01:40:50401K and Investment Strategies01:50:35Reflections on Success and Value01:56:14Final Words of WisdomResources and Linkshttps://crypto.com/en/university/what-is-bitcoinConnect with Claytonhttps://www.instagram.com/claytonlemons/https://www.linkedin.com/in/claytonlemons/Need Help? BOOK A CALL:https://anviinvest.com/consulting/ Learn more about AnVi Invest

misaligned roles, missed follow-ups, and misunderstanding what makes a sales pro thriveIn this 300th episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with powerhouse sales coach Kristie Jones, author of Selling Your Way In. Together, they break down how SaaS companies can build accountable sales teams, re-engage cold deals, and align salespeople with their true superpowers.If your CRM is full of “closed lost” deals, this episode shows you how to revive them, build a seven-touch re-engagement plan, and stop leaving revenue on the table.

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

In this powerful SaaS Fuel episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Kasim Aslam – founder of 3X Freedom and former owner of the world's #1 ranked Google Ads agency, Solutions 8 – to unpack the real truth about building scalable SaaS businesses in a post-AI world.From scaling with pro talent and unlocking global teams to solving traffic first, Kasim brings tactical wisdom and hard-hitting insights that every founder needs to hear.You'll learn:Why your first business problem is attention, not operationsHow to build a community-first traffic engineThe new rules of hiring and why average employees are liabilitiesWhy direct mail is outperforming Google Ads in some verticalsThe formula to scale with high expectations and zero micromanagementWhether you're stuck on lead gen or overwhelmed by growth, this conversation will reset your SaaS growth mindset.Key Takeaways00:00 - Why Kasim's recruiting agency brings him to tears01:00 - Global hiring creates societal impact02:25 - SaaS Fuel intro + The Captain's Keys book04:00 - Solving for traffic before anything else06:00 - How Google & Meta changed the game on traffic09:00 - Build community first: the real traffic moat10:30 - Why direct mail is Kasim's secret weapon14:00 - Do what doesn't scale — and win15:15 - Passive income myths & the 20/80 reality18:00 - Why pro talent is your ONLY edge in AI21:00 - Pay top dollar or pay the price25:00 - Real stories: $400/month to $9K/month27:00 - The ethical way to scale with international talent30:00 - Impact + profit can coexist34:00 - Why scaling dilutes quality, and how to lead through it38:00 - Kasim's step-by-step hiring flytrap funnel43:00 - Authorship = Ownership: Give employees the black box47:00 - Masterminds are dead—incubators are the future50:00 - Action beats education every time55:00 - Kick the ball: A soccer mindset for SaaS foundersTweetable Quotes“Solve for traffic first. If you can't predictably get attention, you don't have a business.” — Kasim Aslam“Community-based traffic is the most powerful and scalable source of growth.” — Kasim Aslam“There's nothing more expensive than a cheap employee.” — Kasim Aslam“Do the things that don't scale. That's where all the leverage is.” — Kasim Aslam“AI doesn't eliminate the need for humans. It amplifies the value of great ones.” — Kasim Aslam“Stop managing. Give people the end result and get out of their way.” — Kasim AslamSaaS Leadership LessonsSolve for Traffic First – If you can't predictably attract customers, you don't have a business—just a hobby.Direct Mail Isn't Dead – In an AI-saturated world, old-school methods like direct mail can outperform digital ads.Community is the New Funnel – Build or borrow trust through niche communities before launching any product.Only Hire Pro Talent – Average employees don't scale well. In an AI world, B-players are liabilities.Pay More, Get More – The highest-paid talent delivers exponential output, not incremental.Do the Things That Don't Scale – Human touch, personalized experiences, and offline tactics create differentiation.Guest ResourcesEmail - kasim@3xfreedom.comWebsite - http://paretotalent.com/FB -

Who is Paige?Paige Arnof-Fenn is a seasoned marketing strategist who specializes in helping businesses enhance their visibility in today's competitive landscape. Her clientele ranges from mid to emerging market companies with revenues between $2 million and $200 million to early-stage venture-backed startups, and even large Fortune 500 corporations. With a keen understanding of the challenges organizations face in cutting through the noise, Paige has dedicated her career to crafting strategies that elevate her clients' profiles and expedite the sales of their products and services. Her expertise lies in navigating the complexities of modern business environments, ensuring that her clients stand out and succeed in an ever-changing market.Key Takeaways00:00 Raising Visibility in Competitive Markets03:12 "Every Business is a Brand"07:06 Focus Marketing on Outcomes, Audience11:56 "Show Humanity, Not AI"_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at https://TCA.fyi/newsletterFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Here's how you can bring your business to THE next level:If you are a business owner currently turning over £/$10K - £/$50K per month and want to grow to £/$100K - £/$500k per month download my free resource on everything you need to grow your business on a single page :It's a detailed breakdown of how you can grow your business to 7-figures in a smart and sustainable way————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using a transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast)SUMMARY KEYWORDS* Marketing* Brand* Visibility* Profile* Products* Services* Business* Brands* Pandemic* Online presence* Customer expectation* Audience* Message* Trust* Social media* Outcomes* Commodities* Price* Real estate* Competitor* Features* Value* Experience* Connection* Humanity* Artificial intelligence* Growth mindset* Dale Carnegie* Storytelling* Brand promiseSPEAKERSPaige Arnof-Fenn, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:00]:Start dancing. Hi and welcome to It's Not Rocket Science five questions over coffee. I have got my coffee with me here. It is, in a mug which I got when I recently returned from Lanzarote which is and Paige has got her coffee with her. So I'm delighted today to be speaking with Paige on our fen. Paige is a really brilliant marketing connector, she's into into connecting, captivating, and converting those customers. So we're gonna learn a lot about how she's done that and what she's been doing in her business. And, Paige, welcome to It's Not Rocket Science, five questions over coffee.Stuart Webb [00:01:11]:Welcome to giving us your spin on the world.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:01:14]:Thank you, Stuart. It's great to be here. Thanks for having me.Stuart Webb [00:01:18]:No problem. Now I know that, you are, you are you are interested in in these companies and and how they market. So can you tell me the sort of sort of business leaders, sort of business, work the business that you work with? What are the sort of problems that you see that they have that they are maybe maybe not quite converting at the moment?Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:01:40]:So the majority of our clients, I would describe as, mid to emerging market, kind of 2,000,000 to 200,000,000 in revenue, but we also work with companies who are early stage venture backed startups or even big Fortune 500 companies. And a lot of the common denominators, that affect all the organizations today is, you know, they're getting lost in the noise. There's just so much going on, and they want to raise their visibility and their profile so that they can sell more of their products and services faster. And they just feel like, you know, there's just a lot going on, and it's hard to get noticed today.Stuart Webb [00:02:25]:And and tell me, Paige, what are the problems that you've noticed that they have with that getting noticed? Because you're right. A lot of scale up businesses are are often struggling to break through the noise, and and sometimes sometimes it's simple steps they take. What are the sort of things that you find that that business owners you're working with, business leaders that you you speak to are struggling with and how and and what are the mistakes they're making?Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:02:50]:So you know, one, one universal problem, I think, is a lot of people feel like I'm really not a famous person. I don't run a big company that has global recognition. I'm not Taylor Swift or Serena Williams or Beyonce. You know?Stuart Webb [00:03:10]:Few of us are, Paige. Few of us are.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:03:12]:But a lot of, you know, small business owners don't think of themselves as brands. They just think I'm running this small company. It's not that big of a deal. But the truth is everybody's a brand today. And I think if we learned anything during the pandemic, it's that if you don't exist online, you're really invisible today. And so, you know, the thing that I try encourage, people that, reach out is I really hope that I can convince you that it's important that you do brand yourself and brand your your product or service in a way that connects with your customers and clients on a on an emotional level. A brand is a promise of a consistent experience, and it you want to own real estate in your customer's brain so that every time they have a problem that your product or service that, can help them solve, that they think of you first. And if you own that real estate in their brain, you're a brand.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:04:18]:And if you don't, you're a commodity. And commodities compete on price, and that's a really bad place to be. Because if you're competing on price and all you do is lower your price to win more business, that's not a sustainable option.Stuart Webb [00:04:33]:I think that's a brilliant message, Paige. And I must admit, one of the businesses that I was helping when it came to the pandemic, when they started the pandemic, they had unknown no online presence. They'd never thought of it. And by the end of the pandemic, they had more business coming in online than they had in their physical store. And, actually, that was one of the causes of the problems they then started to have in terms of that, as you said, that promise. Because, you know, what often you find with brands, with marketing, is that people promise one thing but can deliver something very different. And it's that experience of then failing to meet the customer expectation which actually causes so many problems. And that is a is a it becomes a business issue very quickly, doesn't it? Because people rarely understand that they have to have to live up to what they're talking about in their marketing.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:05:22]:Absolutely. And you you really need to own a very specific, message. You can't stand for everything. You can stand for one or two things. And I think another big mistake people make is they try to be all things to all people. And theyStuart Webb [00:05:38]:All people. Yes.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:05:40]:Million, benefits and features out there. People don't remember the features. What they wanna know is how you're gonna help them. How are you gonna help them solve their problem? So it's really important to hone in on your message, figure out what those really singular things are that really matter to your audience and reinforce those messages in everything that you do. And don't spread yourself too thin online either. If you try to be on every platform all the time with all the messages, again, it's just gonna dilute your brand. People aren't gonna, remember too much. And if you're not consistent in your message, if you try to be one thing on one platform and another thing on another platform, you're not building trust.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:06:32]:And, you know, brands are you know, you you wanna have, unique, special, and different messages that build trust in what you're saying. And people buy brands they know, like, and trust. So make sure they can find you, that you're talking about yourself in a way that's relevant and compelling, and that it's constantly being reinforced in everything that you do. Those are the brands that succeed. And like you said, if they do it well, their business will explode.Stuart Webb [00:07:06]:I love the what you're saying, Paige. And I must admit I I I buy into it a lot of the time because so often I think business owners fail to recognize two things. One of which is, you know, they're reaching out onto 17 different social media platforms, and they've forgotten that on 16 of those social media platforms, their audience is not there, and they are just wasting their time and their effort and their money to reach out to somebody who just doesn't exist. And the other thing that I find so many small businesses do is they forget that they're trying. They should be selling outcomes. They should be selling the outcome of the because, you know, that once again, we go back to that promise. Somebody is not interested in the fact that I I often sort of talk to to people and say, when you buy a stapler, what is it you're looking for? You're not looking for metal. You're looking for us for for the fact that the paper will hold together.Stuart Webb [00:07:54]:So tell people about the paper being held together and how good it is that it does that, not the fact that it's made out of metal because that's a feature that nobody can relate to. And so often people forget that it's that outcome that they're really interested in, not the the steps to it. That's just the incidentals.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:08:12]:Bingo. What's in it for them? How are you making their lives more convenient, simpler? You're saving them time. You're saving them money. And like you said, if you're just spinning your wheels and you're spending a lot of energy to no end, it's running you ragged, and it's not building your business.Stuart Webb [00:08:30]:Yeah. We're back to that most popular radio station on the, in the world, WII FM. What's in it for me?Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:08:37]:You got it. Bingo.Stuart Webb [00:08:40]:Paige, you must have, and I'm gonna put your, on screen now the the the website where we could come and find more information about you, which is at mavensandmoguls.com. Is there something at that website that we can all latch on to which is already valuable piece of free advice?Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:08:56]:Absolutely. I have a lot of free content. Articles, I've contributed to a lot of books. I've got videos. I've got podcasts. So if anyone that wants to learn more about branding or marketing, personal branding in a digital world, it's all there. There's no gated. You don't have to, give me, email address.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:09:18]:There's no fee, and I think there'll be a lot of great content for people who wanna learn more.Stuart Webb [00:09:24]:And anybody who hasn't actually managed to capture that email that that that that now and we'll put this into there. We keep a record of all of the great stuff that that guests on the show come across. So if you just go to systemize.meforward free forward free hyphen stuff, I'll try and say that again only this time in English. Systemize dot me hyphen, sorry, slash free hyphen stuff. If you go to that link anyway, you'll see it in the show notes. You will be able to go straight onto a I will have a link straight to Paige's website, and you'll go straight into that in order to be able to get to that. So, Paige, we've got to know a little bit more about you as a as a person. So what is it? Was there a book, a program, a life experience, something that brought you to the point here where you became the the the the marketing mogul that you are?Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:10:15]:So, you know, I am constantly reading and trying to learn. I think having a growth mindset is so important today. There's so much out there. I I like the classics, to be honest with you. I think Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People is one that if you haven't read it or you haven't read it in a long time, there are a lot of great tips on human nature and great marketing tips as well. But there are a lot of current people, Seth Godin, David Meerman Scott, Guy Kawasaki, people that have been real practitioners in marketing and technology, and they don't use a lot of jargon. They're very straight shooting. They talk about their real life experiences in the trenches, the good, the bad, the ugly.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:11:04]:And I always learn if I follow them online or read their books asStuart Webb [00:11:09]:well. Good good good attitude to have a growth mindset. I love it. So we come to the the million dollar question, Paige, the one that I know you've been asking yourself. When is he gonna ask me that really killer question? And so I'm going to say to you, what's the killer question I should have asked you? And then, obviously, once you've told me what that killer question is, you better answerPaige Arnof-Fenn [00:11:30]:it because I won't know the answer. So maybe is there a quote or, something that motivates you, that inspires you, that affects, you know, how you I love that question. Build your business. And I would say there's a quote. It was attributed to Teddy Roosevelt, but I I think it's been attributed to a lot of people. It's that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.Stuart Webb [00:11:54]:And I think I love that.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:11:56]:I think it's a great quote. And I think especially in this day of artificial intelligence where people are kind of throwing a lot of things, you know, to these rope robotic machinery online, and what comes back is very generic and robotic, copy. And I think you have to remember to show your humanity to stand out today. So people are not looking for facts and figures and to be inundated with a lot of data. I think you have to find the stories that are unique, special, and different to you that make you stand out and get remembered. So, you know, I think if you remember nothing else about our talk today, just remember that showing your humanity, the good, the bad, the ugly, the things that the lessons you learned that only you can share, your origin story. What what is it about you that or how are you gonna help people in a way that they're gonna think of you first and remember you because you're a human being and you're not some AI tool that, you know, uses all the same buzzwords and keywords and copy, people aren't gonna remember that, but they will remember you if you have a great story.Stuart Webb [00:13:14]:Do you know? I think that's a really valuable and I hope a timely piece of advice. I know a lot of people today are using AI to write their blog posts. They're using AI to write their books. I came across somebody the other day who is using chat GPT to write his book for him. And he's using it in a very clever way with some very interesting prompts but at the end of the day when I read something I need to hear the writer's voice and that's when you suddenly sit there and go 'I cannot imagine' I couldn't imagine actually when I read what this this person I I won't use his name, but when he sent me what he'd written, I went, this doesn't sound like it. It doesn't sound like the way he talks, and I certainly don't buy into what he's saying because of it. You've actually got to continue to remember that marketing is about that. Once again, that's delivering on that promise that you make, isn't it? And if you fail to deliver because you have one voice in your marketing and another voice in your delivery, you fail to connect with a customer.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:14:13]:Exactly. And you get one chance to make a great first impression, so don't blow it.Stuart Webb [00:14:18]:I love that. Paige, that is an absolutely brilliant way to stop. We're gonna stop there before we ruin it by saying anything which actually isn't nearly as brilliant as what you've just said. So, I'm just gonna put this up at the moment. Let's, let's let's let's just ask you. People, if you are interested in getting a a I send out a normally, I send out a weekly newsletter, and it just tells you who's coming up on the podcast in the coming few days. And if you'd like to get on that newsletter so you can get ready to hear some of the great interviews that we have with some brilliant people like Paige, go to systemize.me forward slash subscribe. Simple form.Stuart Webb [00:14:54]:It only asks you for two things, your name and your email address. You'll have nothing more than that. You will only get an email from me about once a week, and that that's as simple as that. So please go to systemize.meforward slash subscribe page. Thank you so much for coming on. What a brilliant piece of advice. And just remember, if you're using AI to write your marketing materials at the moment, you are missing a huge opportunity to be a brand which people connect with, which people love to trust, and that is missing out, and you're leaving money on the table. So, Paige, thank you so much for your time.Paige Arnof-Fenn [00:15:28]:Thanks, Stuart. I love chatting with you today. Get full access to It's Not Rocket Science! at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

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

In this episode of the RE Social Podcast, hosts Andrew McCormick and Vince Rodriguez sit down with seasoned investor Tom Kadar to explore his wild and wide-ranging journey, from Section 8 rentals in St. Louis to custom Airbnb builds in Joshua Tree. Tom opens up about the wins, losses, and everything in between, dropping gems on multifamily strategies, tax advantages, creative financing, and the books and podcasts that keep him sharp. With laughs, jabs, and high-level insight, this episode is equal parts entertaining and educational. If you're looking to level up your investing while having a good time, this one's a must-listen. Tune in now to learn more!Key Takeaways00:00:00 Welcome to the RE Social Podcast00:01:08 Tom's Real Estate Journey00:05:22 Navigating City Bureaucracy00:10:51 Financing and Construction Challenges00:24:12 ADU Opportunities in California00:35:09 Elon Musk and Financial Strategies00:39:19 Private Investigator Analogy00:41:22 Taxation and Wealth00:43:10 Real Estate and Tax Loopholes00:50:29 RE Ventures and Market Insights00:52:41 Challenges in Real Estate Markets00:58:57 Building and Managing Airbnb Properties01:11:06 Investor Partnerships and Strategies01:18:34 Airbnb and DSCR Loans01:20:25 Real Estate Investments in Tennessee01:22:00 Building and Managing ADUs01:24:58 Wholesaling and Property Management01:30:21 Real Estate Coaching and Networking01:33:36 Challenges and Strategies in Real Estate01:51:45 How to Connect with TomResources and LinksTom Kadar's Website https://tomkadar.com/Connect with Tomhttps://www.instagram.com/tomkadar/https://www.facebook.com/TheTomKadarGroup/Need Help? BOOK A CALL:https://anviinvest.com/consulting/ Learn more about AnVi Invest

Selling into banks isn't like selling anywhere else. Risk-averse buyers. Long sales cycles. Endless stakeholder approvals.In this SaaS Fuel episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Stacy Bishop, founder of Selling FinTech, to unpack how SaaS and fintech founders can navigate the complexities of selling to highly regulated industries like banking and financial services.You'll learn how to overcome pricing objections, how to make your buyer the hero (not the guinea pig), and how to build trust in an environment where nobody wants to take risks.If you've ever heard “Not right now” from a bank, this episode will change how you sell forever.Key Takeaways00:00 - Don't prejudge customers based on size01:16 - What's harder than building fintech? Selling it to banks02:12 - Why selling to banks is a whole different game03:15 - Recap: Rahul Pangam & Patricia Fripp04:03 - Meet Stacy Bishop of Selling FinTech05:37 - Why Stacy helps founders sell to banks06:50 - What founders underestimate about banking sales08:17 - Fast fintech vs. slow banks09:18 - Building trust in regulated industries11:27 - How to de-risk the deal13:00 - Pricing integrity: lead with value, not discounts16:28 - The problem with “list price”18:13 - Discounts kill trust—here's why21:16 - Collaborative negotiation: both sides win23:55 - Making the buyer the hero of the deal28:01 - The real risk: personal, not just business29:01 - Repeatable fintech sales framework34:03 - How to map buying committees and champions38:00 - Selling in a slow-moving market—what works41:21 - One tip for founders pitching banks this quarter46:05 - Tactical changes to improve close rates now48:30 - What's the future of fintech sales?Tweetable Quotes“Stop second-guessing what customers can afford. Lead with your value.” — Stacy Bishop“If you're offering a 60% discount… your value is probably fake.” — Jeff Mains“Discounting doesn't build trust. It destroys it.” — Stacy Bishop“Make your buyer the hero, not the guinea pig.” — Stacy Bishop“Selling to banks is about trust, not speed.” — Jeff Mains“A collaborative deal is the only deal that lasts.” — Stacy BishopSaaS Leadership LessonsNever assume who can or can't afford you.Lead with value and pricing confidence—don't self-disqualify prospects.Discounting damages trust.Huge price drops signal you don't even believe in your own value.The buyer isn't just a buyer—they're the hero of the deal.Make them look good to their team, board, and leadership.De-risking isn't optional—it's the strategy.Address risk upfront to keep the deal moving forward.Selling into banks is relationship-first, not feature-first.Understand the people, not just the product requirements.Slow cycles require fast clarity.Clear messaging, champion enablement, and proactive objection handling speed things up in a slow-moving market.Guest ResourcesEmail - stbishop0220@gmail.comWebsite - http://www.stacybishop.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacybishopEpisode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond –

AI without a data science team? It's not a fantasy it's the future.In this week's SaaS Fuel episode, Jeff Mains sits down with Rahul Pangam, CEO of RapidCanvas and former VP at PayPal, to explore how AI is becoming accessible to every SaaS founder no code required.We dive deep into the enterprise AI dilemma: where to start, what ROI to expect, and how to avoid wasting budget on hype. Rahul shares how RapidCanvas is transforming messy, unstructured data into real-time insights for non-technical users, and the hard-earned startup lessons that shaped this vision.If you're sitting on data gold but don't know how to mine it, this episode is your blueprint for action.Key Takeaways00:00 - The AI dilemma: start now or risk falling behind?01:09 - Welcome to SaaS Fuel01:38 - What if you could build AI without writing code?02:28 - AI is being democratized—finally03:15 - Recap: Patricia Fripp & Andrew Seidman episodes04:03 - Meet Rahul Pangam of RapidCanvas05:05 - From PayPal to RapidCanvas: Rahul's journey10:59 - What problem does RapidCanvas solve?16:27 - Pairing digital intelligence with domain expertise19:18 - Why outcomes—not code—drive AI adoption20:35 - Is AI only for big tech? How it's being democratized23:58 - Turning PDFs into insight without tech skills25:48 - Hard lessons from Rahul's first startup28:52 - From startup to PayPal: what corporate taught him33:58 - Hiring & product mistakes that left a mark37:39 - Scaling stage: can everyone grow with the company?39:09 - How to build trust in skeptical buyers44:21 - Should AI be on your roadmap? Ask this question47:01 - Where does AI fit in your org?50:14 - Where to find Rahul & RapidCanvas online51:55 - Cupcakes, Series A sprinkles & future guestsTweetable Quotes“If you don't do AI, your board asks why. If you do, you wonder where to even start.” — Rahul Pangam“You don't need a data science degree to use AI—you need the right platform.” — Jeff Mains“AI isn't about writing code. It's about delivering outcomes.” — Rahul Pangam“Stop chasing trends. Start solving real problems with real data.” — Jeff Mains“The most valuable startups don't build tools—they deliver results.” — Rahul Pangam“Data alone isn't an asset until you can act on it.” — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsYou don't need a data team to implement AI.Natural language platforms like RapidCanvas are bridging the tech gap.Most leaders don't lack data—they lack clarity.Turning information into insight is where real transformation starts.AI adoption must be outcome-driven.Focus on business impact, not fancy features or buzzwords.Founders must guide AI from concept to outcome.Even no-code tools need leadership to shape direction and alignment.Startup scars shape smart strategy.Rahul's lessons from Simility highlight the value of postmortem reflection and iteration.AI implementation isn't about automation—it's about acceleration.It's not about replacing people. It's about empowering decision-makers faster.Guest ResourcesEmail - rahul@rapidcanvas.aiWebsite - http://rapidcanvas.ai/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulpangam/Episode...

Can you pitch your SaaS idea in a way that actually sticks?In this power-packed episode of SaaS Fuel, legendary speech coach Patricia Fripp joins Jeff Mains to unlock the secrets of persuasive communication. Whether you're pitching investors, leading a team, or closing deals—this episode shows you how to make your message memorable, repeatable, and powerful.You'll learn how to use storytelling to inspire action, why most founders make fatal presentation mistakes, and how to structure your message for maximum impact.Perfect for SaaS founders, tech execs, and anyone who wants to lead with influence.Key Takeaways00:00 - The #1 persuasive storytelling technique01:08 - Welcome to SaaS Fuel02:13 - Why slides + scripts fail03:42 - How to craft presentations that resonate04:42 - Guest intro: Patricia Fripp05:06 - Why less is more in communication07:37 - Founders must pass down the company story10:08 - Biggest mistake founders make when speaking12:18 - Scripts vs. frameworks: what actually works15:12 - How to build credibility fast18:21 - Making storytelling practical for SaaS22:52 - Pulling stories out of leaders27:14 - Crafting stories from lived experience30:00 - The perfect opening: how to hook your audience35:32 - The one story everyone remembers40:46 - Founders: how to use narrative instead of numbers45:39 - Metrics wrapped in meaning49:11 - Making your story land in a pitch53:23 - How to contact Patricia54:10 - Bonus: Gandalf's magic storytelling deckTweetable Quotes“If you're selling your service, your idea, or yourself—use the words of happy customers.” — Patricia Fripp“Don't start with data. Start with a story that hits the heart, not just the head.” — Jeff Mains“It's not about writing a speech. It's about structuring one people remember and repeat.” — Patricia Fripp“The most powerful leadership skill in tech? Speaking with clarity, credibility, and connection.” — Jeff Mains“Your message should be repeatable without needing slides.” — Patricia Fripp“Tech leaders often drown in metrics—storytelling is the life raft that gets you remembered.” — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsStories persuade better than stats.Logic informs, but emotion moves people. Wrap metrics in meaning.Less is more in tech communication.Short sentences and pauses give your audience space to process.Every founder needs a signature story.It's not optional—your story is your brand glue.Strong openings set the tone.Grab attention with something memorable in the first 30 seconds.Frameworks beat word-for-word scripts.You can stay authentic while staying structured.The best stories are relatable.A moment with your kid may hit harder than a $10M deal.Guest ResourcesEmail - pfripp@ix.netcom.comWebsite - http://www.fripp.com/FB - http://facebook.com/patricia.fripp.3LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/executivespeechcoach/Episode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond –

Who is Adam?Adam Warner is an accomplished technology professional who has navigated a successful career from hands-on software engineering to becoming a chief technology officer (CTO) at a prominent company. Starting from humble beginnings, Adam honed his technical skills and gradually rose through the ranks, moving from engineering roles to leadership positions such as VP of Engineering, and finally stepping into the CTO role. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional technical acumen across various industries. Nevertheless, like many technology leaders, Adam initially faced challenges adapting to the broader executive responsibilities of aligning technology with business objectives, cultivating strong leadership teams, and establishing influence among fellow executives and board members. Through perseverance and dedication, Adam has become a respected figure in bridging the gap between technology and business strategy.Key Takeaways00:00 Navigating Executive Anxiety03:48 CTO's Strategic Reflection Tools10:22 Subscribe for Weekly Podcast Updates11:05 "CTOs to Executive Coaches"_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at https://TCA.fyi/newsletterFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Here's how you can bring your business to THE next level:If you are a business owner currently turning over £/$10K - £/$50K per month and want to grow to £/$100K - £/$500k per month download my free resource on everything you need to grow your business on a single page :It's a detailed breakdown of how you can grow your business to 7-figures in a smart and sustainable way————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using a transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast)SUMMARY KEYWORDSCTO coach, Stuart Webb, Adam Warner, executive thinking, technology leaders, technical expertise, business goals, leadership presence, strategic leadership, CTO chasm, delegation, strategic approach, vision oriented, frustration, burnout, stalled career growth, firefighting, strategic risks, engineering team, business alignment, weekly reflection session, introduction call, helping first, CTO Playbook podcast, Satago, Patrick Lencioni, five dysfunctions of a team, thinking like a business leader, Turn the Ship Around, David l Marquette, executive coaching.SPEAKERSAdam Warner, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:31]:Hi, and welcome back to It's Not Rocket Science five questions over coffee. On this occasion, here is my coffee in my mug here. I'm joined by Adam Warner. Adam is a CTO coach helping, executive thinking within those people who are technical leaders. So, Adam, welcome to It's Not Rocket Science five questions over coffee.Adam Warner [00:00:54]:Thanks Thanks so much. Good to have me. Good to have you here. Thanks so much.Stuart Webb [00:00:57]:So so, Adam, let's start by, just exploring exactly it is who it is you help. What are the sort of people that are reaching out to you and asking for your help as a CTO coach?Adam Warner [00:01:07]:Yeah. Sure. So typically, it's the CTO, the chief technology officer, or the most senior technology leader in a company if they aren't called the CTO. They could be anywhere from startup, scale up, large enterprises, and they're typically someone who's transitioned, as you said, from being a hands on software engineer of some sort, VP engineering, into that senior leadership role. And it can be from almost, you know, any vertical. They're often incredibly skilled technically, but often feel unprepared for the broader executive responsibilities that they now find themselves with at at the CTO level. So often it's around, you know, aligning tech with business goals, building up their teams, and then they often face challenges in securing buy in from the other executives and then building that sort of leadership presence at the executive and board level.Stuart Webb [00:01:55]:So tell me, what are the sort of problems that these people have faced before they get in an an expert while you you involved, you know, in terms of both the business issues and also sometimes some of those, some of those more soft skills, the the the persuasion, the ability to influence?Adam Warner [00:02:15]:Yeah. That that's that's pretty much it. So I think there's there's a couple of things that people face. And and one of them is, the the the gap between the technical expertise and the strategic leadership. They're sort of trying to cross this, what I call the CTO chasm, really. And it's really about moving from being an individual contributor to being, working through delegation. It's going from the tactical approach to the strategic approach. And at the same time, migrating that view from the, sort of execution oriented perspective to the vision oriented perspective.Adam Warner [00:02:48]:And and the kind of feelings that people come to me with is sort of frustration, sometimes it's burnout, sometimes it's careers, stalled career growth. And sometimes I find them where they're sort of firefighting every day. They're struggling to get time to think strategically, sort of lurching from issue to issue, and often struggling to sort of step back and give themselves space and time to lead proactively because they're constantly in execution mode rather than thinking long term. And without the right guidance, people can make this transition. You know, it can take years of trial and error. But my role really is to help them cross that, well, you know, the CTO chasm as I call it, by accelerating that process of trying to figure out all of those things together and get them all to line up. A bit like getting all of the tumblers in a lock to line up at once so you can move to that next level and act strategically.Stuart Webb [00:03:36]:So, Adam, you must have one valuable piece of advice or one valuable, piece of, offering that you can you can give to people at the moment. What is that that offer that you get?Adam Warner [00:03:48]:I've got three, actually. One of the simplest and most powerful things a CTO can do, I think, is to implement a sort of a weekly strategical reflection session. So just setting aside thirty minutes every week to just analyze what are the biggest strategic risks I face, how well is my engineering team aligned with business goals, where am I spending my time. So just thirty minutes a week set aside for yourself to reflect and figure out where you're going. It's something that's completely free, completely straightforward, and and everybody can implement that straight away to to strong effect. I also offer a free thirty minute introduction call, with every CTO who'd like to have a chat with me, and I take the approach of helping first. So it's a good way to get some instant feedback on the current challenges and some of the other options that are available to you in terms of the different directions you could go in. And then lastly, I also host a podcast, as you mentioned in the beginning, called the CTO Playbook.Adam Warner [00:04:38]:That's aimed primarily at helping CTOs excel in their role. Taking a a playbook in each episode, often with a guest speaker who's an absolute expert in their area that they work in their topic. And you can find that podcast by searching for the TCO the CTO playbook, sorry, on your favorite podcast platform or by visiting my website, sunnova.tech/podcast.Stuart Webb [00:05:00]:So we're gonna we're gonna put a link to those things that Adam just mentioned in our, our free vault which is systemize.me/free-stuff. So if you go to systemize.me, if you didn't catch any of that, go to systemize.me-freestuff. I'll put that as well into the notes. You can you can you can catch all those, those valuable free offers that I've just offered you there. So, we'll we'll have those in our show notes. Adam, I'm I'm gonna sort of, try to sort of dive in a little bit to the sort of acumen behind the, behind the CTO coach here. That must have been a book, a program, a life experience, something which brought you to where you are today? What what what was it that sort of took you on the journey? What ended up sort of, you know, becoming Adam, the CTO coach, and what was it that inspired that?Adam Warner [00:05:54]:Yeah. So about twelve years ago, I became a founder of a startup, a cofounder, I should say. I started side, Stephen, who's the founder of Satago. And I sort of went through that role, figuring things out the hard way. Most of the time, I had some good mentors along the way with members of seed camps who had access to a a couple of great people, from there. But it was that kind of it was that sort of step of of, first of all, figuring out all the challenges I had in front of me and working out step by step, you know, sort of using the brute force approach to get through it. And I think, really, the thing that that brought it home was is this idea of stopping thinking like an engineer and beginning to think like a business leader. And there was really two, areas there.Adam Warner [00:06:33]:So one was this transition of trying to figure out a lot of things at once, which you already mentioned, Crossing the CTO Chasm. And the other one was really closely related to that, which is actually from the, Patrick Lencioni book on the five dysfunctions of a team, which is that you gotta you gotta act in your first team. And in that case, as a CTO, that's the executive team. It isn't the engineering team. So So that's another one of those key transitions that once I figured out and got my head around it, became a lot easier to understand what was expected of me. And in terms of mindset shift, there was also a book that really helped, which I'd been recommended years earlier, but really came into its own. And that's a book called Turn the Ship Around by David l Marquette. And the reason it's so useful is because it represents that mindset shift to the leader, to then stop that process of of change across the entire team as well as in yourself.Stuart Webb [00:07:18]:Brilliant. Look, Adam, it's been me asking the questions up until now, and I I guess one of the things that you must be thinking is, well, there's a second obvious question. Why isn't he asked it? And so, therefore, I am going to, immediately turn that over to you and say, what is that obvious question that you wish I have asked you at this stage? And and, obviously, as it will be your question, you'll need to answer it for us. So what's the obvious question that I haven't asked you up until now?Adam Warner [00:07:45]:So the obvious question is why don't more CTOs get coaching?Stuart Webb [00:07:51]:Why doesn't everybody get more coaching? Adam, are they? It's not a not a problem limited to CTOs. I often wonder why it is that people are somehow resistant to the whole idea of having somebody that they can sort of rely on and and tap ask and and be outside of a situation to just say, do you know, I just want an ear?Adam Warner [00:08:10]:And a lot of the times, I think people do rely on their immediate leader. They have, a mentor. A lot of people have somebody. And in other cases, people go to coaching and training courses. But I think with CTOs, there's a particular challenge in that. I think many c CEOs get coaching. And in fact, I think if most CTOs turn around to their to their most most CTOs turn around to their CEO and say, do you get coaching? The answer would probably be yes. And that's also true for many CFOs and COOs.Adam Warner [00:08:37]:But it so there's a lack of awareness that CTOs don't really realize it's an option. Often, CTOs being classed as a delivery role rather than an executive role. And so, it's just not that common. There's not many people who talk about CTO coaching. That's one thing. I think the other the other reason is is applicability. I think there's a there's a lot of executive coaches out there and they're quite generic, in terms of the the background that they expect somebody to have. And it doesn't always apply or resonate particularly well with the CTO.Adam Warner [00:09:09]:There's a difference in the the course you take through a company from engineering than if you come, for example, sales or marketing, where you've got a lot more focus and emphasis on, for example, communication. I think training courses fill some of this gap. I think mentors can really help. But mentors can, you know, they can be a bit hit and miss based on the right kinds of experience. The CTO role might be only forty years old, but it's a very broad church in terms of the different kinds of roles that CTO covers. So my approach, for coaching is slightly different. I basically blend together coaching, teaching, and mentoring. And so coaching is that, you know, the blockers, the fears, the confidence, you know, in some cases, the imposter syndrome.Adam Warner [00:09:48]:Teaching is the frameworks and playbooks that you haven't been previously exposed to or had experience in. And mentoring is kind of two folds mentoring. One is holding people to account based on promises and expectations, but the other part is also being able to bounce ideas off somebody, with a lot more experience and background. And, you know, what are the unexpected side effects? What would be the in consequences that I can't foresee coming from those kinds of things? And so having that, approach, really, I think a lot of CTOs just don't realize that coaching's available and out there. There aren't that many CTO coaches who specifically focus on this.Stuart Webb [00:10:22]:Brilliant. Adam, thank you so much for spending a few minutes with us and talking us through that. I'm just gonna leave, one final, link for people. If you would like to get on to the, the mailing list that we send out, we send out an email about once a week, and we just let people know about who's coming up on the podcast and other things that we're thinking about at the moment. It it contains two or three things that we're thinking about, two or three things that are common and going on in the world, plus, plus some humor. We try and inject some humor to every newsletter because we think the world should be a brighter, buprenier place. But if you'd like to get onto that newsletter list, come on to systemize.me/subscribe. That's systemize.me/subscribe.Stuart Webb [00:11:05]:Alan, thank you so much for spending a few minutes with us. Really appreciate it. I hope to hear in the future how many more people get their coaching from the CTO background, and go on to become successful executives. Thank you so much.Adam Warner [00:11:18]:Thank you, Stuart. Great to have you. 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In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Andrew Seidman, former poker player and now co-founder of Digital Reach Agency. Andrew shares hard-earned lessons on B2B branding, go-to-market strategy, and how SaaS founders can scale smarter.We cover the balance between product-led growth and ABM, the dangers of relying only on bottom-of-funnel tactics, and why your brand must make people feel—not just function.Whether you're stuck in lead generation purgatory or wondering why your messaging isn't landing, this episode is your guide to aligning brand, demand, and revenue.Key Takeaways00:00 - Do you even know your audience?01:08 - Welcome to SaaS Fuel02:06 - Why brand is more than a logo03:41 - Guest intro: Andrew Seidman05:00 - From poker tables to pipeline growth10:10 - Most common GTM mistakes for $3–$20M SaaS13:25 - Why bottom-of-funnel dries up15:33 - Make your customer the hero18:55 - Balancing PLG and ABM23:08 - Before you run ads, ask this27:20 - The Captain's Keys: Leadership book plug28:21 - Brand vs. product messaging35:27 - The logo test: can your brand be swapped?36:41 - Liquid Death vs. generic bottles40:16 - How much content is enough?43:46 - Where to invest in the next 90 days47:41 - Fixing GTM without hiring a CRO50:59 - Where to find AndrewTweetable Quotes“Are you trying to run ABM at Joe's Crab Shack or PLG at IBM? That's a fatal mismatch.” — Andrew Seidman“Brand is emotional leverage. It's not your logo—it's how people feel after encountering you.” — Andrew Seidman“Your best growth engine might be your current customers. Don't overlook advocacy.” — Jeff Mains“If your brand materials work with a competitor's logo, you've got a commodity, not a brand.” — Jeff Mains“Stop chasing leads if you're not ready to nurture them. Otherwise, you're lighting lemonade on fire.” — Andrew Seidman“Great growth strategy isn't just PLG or ABM—it's how you blend them and fuel with content.” — Andrew SeidmanSaaS Leadership LessonsDefine your audience before running anything.Without clarity, your GTM efforts are just expensive guesswork.Brand is emotional leverage.It's not just your logo—it's how people feel after encountering your company.Bottom-funnel-only = short-term growth.You must build pipeline long before buyers are “ready.”PLG + ABM > Either Alone.Hybrid models give you better reach and retention when done right.Customer advocacy is a growth engine.Your best marketing may already be using your product—elevate their stories.If your brand can be swapped with a competitor's, you don't have a brand.Own your identity. Generic is invisible.Guest ResourcesEmail - andrew@digitalreachagency.comWebsite -http://digitalreachagency.com/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-seidman/Episode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel'Champion Leadership Group –

In this episode of the RE Social Podcast, hosts Andrew McCormick and Vince Rodriguez interview Fabian Wizenfeld, a former web designer turned real estate investor, who shares how he built a successful portfolio of rentals and flips after moving from Argentina to the U.S. Fabian opens up about the highs and lows of his journey, dealing with bad tenants, tricky contractors, and the learning curve of creative financing. He also emphasizes the power of mentorship, networking, and staying adaptable in a shifting market. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this episode is packed with actionable advice and honest reflections. Listen to this episode now!Key Takeaways00:00:00 Welcome to the RE Social Podcast00:01:47 Get to know Fabian Wizenfeld00:04:24 Building Trust and Teamwork00:08:03 Fabian's Background and Early Career00:11:22 Life in Argentina and Return to the US00:18:15 First Real Estate Investments in the US00:23:26 Financial Strategies and Growth00:41:58 Buying a Duplex: The Initial Investment00:43:34 The Fourplex Purchase & COVID-19 Impact00:47:22 Tenants and Property Management00:52:49 Flipping Properties and Airbnb Ventures01:07:14 Challenges with Contractors01:19:04 Market Trends and Political Impacts01:25:06 Real Estate Investment Strategies01:29:58 Networking and Partnerships01:40:21 Dealing with Contractors01:50:00 Connect with FabianQuotes"I wanted to move away from working and earning by the hour and more toward generating passive income." (00:00:53)"I don't need the ‘bling bling.' You know, I see so many people just working to pay off… stuff. We know a lot of people like that, and it's something I've noticed, it puzzles me how many are in that situation." (00:34:20)"If you're listening to this and trying to do something, whether it's a hustle, business, whatever, just reach out to people who are crushing it. You'd be surprised. Honestly, we're excited to help people." (01:07:01)Resources and LinksRich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki https://www.richdad.com/BiggerPockets https://www.biggerpockets.com/Connect with Fabianhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/fabianwizenfeld/https://www.instagram.com/fabianwizenfeld/Need Help? BOOK A CALL:https://anviinvest.com/consulting/ Learn more about AnVi Invest

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Natalia Zacharin, founder of Zacharin & Co Consulting, to talk about financial clarity, fractional CFO strategies, and turning financial chaos into sustainable growth.They unpack why most SaaS companies operate blind when it comes to money, the dangers of growing too fast, and how founders can stop guessing and start scaling—with confidence.Natalia also shares how one founder survived a major revenue drop without debt, and the psychology behind smart financial decisions that separate profitable businesses from struggling ones.Key Takeaways00:00 – The payroll-to-revenue sweet spot for SaaS (30% rule)01:06 – Welcome to SaaS Fuel with Jeff Mains02:00 – Why financial clarity is a superpower03:48 – Meet guest: Natalia Zachary, founder of Zachary & Co05:37 – From accounting to strategic CFO: Natalia's journey06:38 – Why founders must own their numbers08:22 – What a fractional CFO actually does10:54 – Why growth can lead to running out of cash12:05 – Hiring mistakes and scaling with intention18:10 – Forecasting tips for SaaS founders21:57 – Most important SaaS metrics to watch24:45 – The difference between profit and cash in the bank27:12 – Avoiding the CAC-to-cash gap30:33 – Why profit matters again (finally)35:07 – Turning a low-margin SaaS into a sellable asset39:11 – Tools to simplify financial tracking41:23 – How masterminds improve founder financial IQ43:15 – The future of AI in finance46:42 – Mindset shift: clarity > avoidanceTweetable Quotes“Fast growth can kill your business if you don't manage cash.” — Natalia Zacharin“Financials aren't just numbers—they're the story of your business.” — Jeff Mains“You don't need a huge finance team. You need a smart one.” — Natalia Zacharin“If you don't know your runway, you're already flying blind.” — Jeff Mains“A mind once stretched by new numbers never returns to old assumptions.” — Natalia Zacharin“Revenue is vanity. Profit is sanity. Cash is reality.” — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsKeep Payroll at 30% of Revenue – It gives breathing room for taxes, reinvestment, and founder salary.Fractional CFOs Are Game-Changers – They offer high-level insights without the full-time cost.You Can Grow Yourself to Death – Fast growth without cash control leads to disaster.Forecasting Beats Guessing – A basic forecast can prevent gut-based, costly decisions.Profit ≠ Cash – Just because you're profitable on paper doesn't mean you have money in the bank.SaaS Valuation Starts with Financial Clarity – A sellable business has healthy margins, clean books, and intentional growth.Guest ResourcesEmail - natalia@zacharinconsulting.comWebsite - http://www.zacharinconsulting.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/natalia.alekseyevna/Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/growyourbottomlineEpisode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond –

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains is joined by cybersecurity expert and SafeStack CEO Laura Bell Main to reframe how SaaS founders think about security. It's not just compliance or a checklist—it's a cultural foundation for growth. Laura shares how security, when embedded early, accelerates deals, reduces friction in enterprise sales, and strengthens trust with customers before it's ever questioned.You'll learn how to shift developer mindsets, build security into your engineering culture, and avoid the costly mistake of treating security as someone else's job.Whether you're a bootstrapped founder or VC-backed startup, this is the episode that helps futureproof your SaaS—without killing your velocity.Key Takeaways00:00 – Intro: Hiring challenges in a capital-efficient SaaS world01:47 – Why security isn't a feature—it's the foundation02:16 – Creating a dev culture where security is second nature04:00 – Guest intro: Laura Bell Main of SafeStack05:04 – Laura's cybersecurity journey and founding SafeStack08:01 – Security as culture, not compliance10:50 – Scaling to 84 countries with no ad spend13:03 – From side project to global venture14:52 – Early founder mistakes and big lessons17:06 – Culture of learning: “What I Learned Today”18:46 – Scaling support for SaaS founders20:00 – Filtering the noise and trusting your next step22:35 – Cross-cultural founder lessons25:17 – Internal culture: Balancing trust, safety, and innovation29:13 – Designing security education that actually works33:15 – Getting entire engineering teams involved36:10 – The risk of delaying security in SaaS38:28 – Accelerating enterprise sales with securityTweetable Quotes“Security isn't a task—it's a culture.” — Laura Bell Main“Most SaaS founders wait until it's too late to think about security.” — Jeff Mains“Embedding security early isn't a slowdown—it's an accelerant.” — Laura Bell Main“The cost of a bad hire is nothing compared to the cost of a poor culture.” — Jeff Mains“If 150 developers is your threshold for hiring a security person, you've waited too long.” — Laura Bell Main“Scaling a SaaS company requires fewer hacks and more habits.” — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsSecurity Is a Culture, Not a CheckboxMaking security part of your team's DNA creates long-term growth, not short-term friction.Hire Based on Pain, Not HopeScaling prematurely can be just as dangerous as hiring too late.Start Security Early—Not After the First Enterprise DealFounders who embed security from the start build trust faster and shorten the sales cycle.Teach Security as Behavior, Not Just TheorySafeStack succeeds by focusing on culture change, not technical checklists.Global Growth Without Ads Is PossibleIf your mission is clear and execution solid, early adopters will spread the word.Your Culture Is the Greatest Risk or AssetCreate an environment where learning is daily, mistakes are shared, and trust is built top-downGuest ResourcesEmail - laura@safestack.ioWebsite - https://safestack.io/Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurabellmain/Episode...

What if you could double your conversions just by asking smarter questions?This week on SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Chris Dayley, founder of Smart CRO and neuro-marketing expert, to dig deep into how psychology-based testing drives better conversions. Chris shares why most A/B tests fail, the real reason copycat tactics don't work, and how you can optimize for outcomes—not just aesthetics.You'll learn how to run smarter experiments, structure content for maximum impact, and why removing content can outperform adding more. Whether you're early-stage or scaling fast, this episode is packed with practical insights that will help you convert more, guess less, and scale smarter.Key Takeaways00:00 – Early-stage testing: Why slow tests are still valuable02:03 – Why CRO is NOT about copy-paste tactics02:32 – Aim for 10%+ test impact, not 1% tweaks03:03 – AI in CRO: Use it, but don't rely on it04:10 – Meet Chris Dayley: Neuro-marketer & CRO expert05:01 – What is neuro-marketing?08:43 – The #1 CRO mistake: Building from assumptions10:52 – Gut vs data: Why founders miss the mark14:03 – Copycat optimization is a losing game17:00 – B2B vs B2C behavioral differences21:14 – Testing with low traffic? Here's what to do24:45 – Content hierarchy and CRO: What to keep, what to kill30:55 – What makes a good test? Hint: not button colors36:03 – CRO templates, myths, and shortcuts to avoid44:45 – AI personalization, chatbots, and evolving expectations51:07 – Why 1% gains don't mean much for small companies53:04 – Remove friction. Make conversion easier.Tweetable Quotes“If you only test fast, you're testing wrong. Great data takes time.” — Chris Dayley“The best CRO isn't about flashy buttons. It's about how people think.” — Chris Dayley“You're not Amazon. Stop copying their CRO strategy.” — Jeff Mains“Conversion starts with one question: What do they really want right now?” — Chris Dayley“A pretty site doesn't pay the bills. One that converts does.” — Jeff Mains“Your gut is not a marketing strategy. Data is.” — Chris DayleySaaS Leadership LessonsDon't rush testing—data over speed. Even if your traffic is low, long-running A/B tests are better than guesswork.Copying competitors is a trap. Their site may be under test, built on assumptions, or not even working for them.Design doesn't convert—psychology does. CRO should be rooted in how people think, not how sites look.Small businesses shouldn't chase 1% lifts. Focus on big wins (10%+) that actually move the needle.Remove content to boost performance. Simpler, faster sites often outperform flashy designs.Content hierarchy matters. Prioritize what users care about most—and test your assumptions ruthlessly.Guest ResourcesEmail - chris@smart-cro.comWebsite - http://www.smart-cro.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdayley/Episode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond –

What does it take to build a new tech category before the market is ready?In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains dives deep with Danny Tomsett, founder and CEO of UneeQ, the global leader in emotionally intelligent AI-powered digital humans. From early breakthroughs to hard pivots, Danny shares how his team navigated the rollercoaster of creating frontier tech, scaling sustainably, and keeping vision and culture alive through it all.You'll hear the behind-the-scenes story of Nadia, a digital human project with IBM and the Australian Government, the challenge of market timing, and the power of narrowing focus for growth. If you're building ahead of the curve, this is your playbook.Key Takeaways00:00 – The evolution of UneeQ's business model02:01 – Building a new tech category with AI-powered digital humans06:27 – From digital games to emotionally intelligent avatars10:39 – How digital humans transform customer experience12:54 – Realism vs. relatability in AI avatars16:07 – Building trust with humanized tech16:31 – The hardest part of creating a new category21:49 – Biggest lessons learned on the journey23:46 – Keeping teams aligned through rapid innovation27:04 – SaaS founders: Scale faster with Champion Leadership28:14 – AI's real impact on jobs and customer service31:31 – Emotional intelligence and sales simulations34:28 – Outcome-based training with digital humans35:22 – Growing pains and moments that almost broke the company40:44 – Bootstrapping vs. raising capital in frontier tech45:32 – Advice for building ahead of the market48:00 – Product-market timing and finding the real problem53:40 – What's next in AI-human interaction?Tweetable Quotes“We weren't just ahead of the curve—we were ahead of the market. That hurts.” — Danny Tomsett“Emotionally intelligent digital humans aren't the future. They're already here—and they work.” — Danny Tomsett“If the market doesn't get it yet, your job isn't just to build—it's to educate.” — Jeff Mains“Culture is your most scalable codebase.” — Danny Tomsett“The problem you're solving might not be the one they care about yet.” — Danny Tomsett“Digital humans flip training from time-based to outcome-based. That's real impact.” — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsBuild for what's real, not just what's cool. Danny shares how hype distracted from traction and how focus created results.You can't time the market perfectly—but you can pivot. The original platform model gave way to niche training simulations with real adoption.Culture and systems scale better than code. When the team nearly burned out, Danny rebuilt the business on clarity and operational alignment.Emotion matters in tech. Especially in sales training and customer experience—digital humans that feel human drive engagement.Don't fall in love with the wrong problem. Sam Altman's advice: go deeper to find the root need your product must solve.Being early is painful—but survivable. Category creation requires stamina, education, and constant storytelling to shape the market.Guest ResourcesEmail - dannyt@uneeq.comWebsite - http://www.uneeq.com/Episode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond –

In this episode of the RE Social Podcast, hosts Andrew McCormick and Vince Rodriguez sit down with Joel Miller, a veteran investor and author of Build Real Estate Wealth, to talk about the systems and strategies he's used since 1978 to succeed in the rental property game. Joel dives into everything from entity formation and tenant management to tax-saving tips and market timing, all while sharing how he balanced investing with a 35-year career as a mobile DJ. He also opens up about his biggest investing mistakes, his pivot into hard money lending, and what every investor needs to know about long-term success. Whether you're a beginner or looking to scale, this episode delivers real-world advice you can use today. Tune in to this episode now!Key Takeaways00:00:00 Welcome to the RE Social Podcast00:01:04 Joel Miller's Book on Real Estate Wealth00:04:08 His Journey From DJ to Real Estate Investor00:08:08 Insights on Real Estate Investing00:24:32 Networking and Hard Money Lending00:33:47 Big Part of Success in Networking00:47:28 Economic Cycles and Market Conditions00:53:29 Dealing with Unprofitable Projects00:54:38 Understanding Lease Options00:57:55 Rent to Own Explained00:59:37 Biggest Blunders in Real Estate01:02:17 Lessons from Commercial Property Investment01:06:42 The Importance of Time in Real Estate01:18:52 Navigating Market Downturns01:23:09 Advice for Real Estate AgentsQuotes“I always caution people against ‘yeah, but' houses. It's a term that I came up with. You could throw all kinds of money at it from a cosmetic standpoint and make it really pretty, but when you're done, there's still something about that house or that property that you can't change.” (00:39:52)“If I had a choice of losing all my money or losing all my relationships, I would lose all my money in a heartbeat because my relationships will help me get my money back.” (01:17:24)“Don't make a withdrawal from a good relationship just to make a deposit in your bank account.” (01:17:44)Resources and LinksBuild Real Estate Wealth by Joel Miller https://www.joelmillerbooks.com/Connect with Joelhttps://www.instagram.com/joelmillerbooks/https://www.facebook.com/JoelMillerBookshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-miller-42981811/Learn more about AnVi Invest

In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains is joined by Warner Moore, founder of Gamma Force and cybersecurity strategist, to dive deep into why early-stage SaaS companies often overbuild security, waste money on compliance, and miss real threats. Warner reveals how to make cybersecurity a strategic advantage—without killing innovation.From delaying HIPAA compliance for smarter growth to leveraging cloud infrastructure securely by default, Warner shares practical frameworks SaaS founders can use to balance risk, market demand, and growth. If you're building a health tech or B2B SaaS company and wondering when and how to invest in cybersecurity.Key Takeaways00:00 – Strategic security starts with executive mindset01:32 – Why security is a business strategy, not just IT03:06 – Risk management vs checkbox compliance06:34 – Mistakes SaaS founders make with security09:53 – Understanding real risk (Asset + Vulnerability + Threat)11:16 – Leveraging cloud providers securely12:12 – Security as a market differentiator14:12 – Delaying HIPAA compliance with intentional design17:11 – When to invest in security maturity20:06 – Security budgeting for startups23:24 – Signs you need a fractional CSO26:57 – Health tech vs general SaaS: when security is mandatory29:22 – Onboarding & deepfake defense tactics32:27 – Process-based security (not just tech)34:22 – Is 2FA enough? Low-cost, high-value protection36:04 – Aligning security with company mission38:27 – Upcoming security shifts (quantum, AI, deepfakes)40:07 – Financial controls > fancy tools41:00 – Access control as a universal security need43:24 – Shadow IT and how to reduce SaaS sprawlTweetable Quotes"If you don't ask the hard questions early, you'll overbuild and overspend on security that doesn't move the business forward." – Warner Moore"Security isn't just a department. It's a culture and a competitive advantage hiding in plain sight." – Jeff Mains"Real risk requires three things: an asset, a vulnerability, and a threat. Miss one and it's just noise." – Warner Moore"Security done right doesn't slow you down—it speeds you up with confidence and alignment." – Warner Moore"The most secure companies don't just install tools—they build resilient business processes." – Warner Moore"Before you throw money at compliance, ask: does this really serve our market or just create overhead?" – Warner MooreSaaS Leadership LessonsDon't Overbuild Early – Avoid unnecessary compliance if you're not yet handling sensitive data. Be intentional.Security Is Strategy – It's not an IT checklist. It's a leadership-level decision and business differentiator.Risk = Asset + Vulnerability + Threat – If one is missing, it's not a real risk. Focus on what matters.Delay Expensive Compliance Smartly – You can structure your tech and market approach to delay heavy regulatory burdens.Train Your Team for Real Threats – Deepfakes, phishing, and social engineering are rising threats; education is critical.Use the Basics Well – MFA, encryption, access control—low-cost, high-value steps most companies still ignore.Guest ResourcesEmail - warner@gammaforce.ioWebsite - https://gammaforce.io/Linkedin -

SummaryIn this candid and compelling conversation, Australian pop artist TIN returns to In The Key of Q to discuss his musical journey since his previous appearance. From opening for Bright Light Bright Light to releasing deeply personal tracks that resonate with fans in unexpected ways, TIN offers a raw look at navigating the gay music scene as a person of colour. With characteristic wit and refreshing honesty, he unpacks the complexities of privilege, racism within queer spaces, and how his experiences have shaped his creative expression. Perfect for listeners seeking authentic LGBTQ+ perspectives on music, identity, and the sometimes absurd realities of gay nightlife.Key Takeaways00:00:50 - TIN reveals how he came to open for Bright Light Bright Light through connections with EQ Music00:02:11 - His EP "Sex, Cologne and Cigarets" performed well, with "Weasel" becoming an unexpected fan favourite00:06:14 - TIN shares the deeply personal story behind his vulnerable track "Dear Matthew," which explores racial privilege in the gay community00:10:30 - An important discussion about the additional obstacles faced by people of colour in queer spaces00:14:25 - TIN reflects on internalised racism and its impact on self-worth and relationship expectations00:17:02 - The origin story of TIN's new single "Trust Your Touch," originally written about a fantasy involving Troye Sivan and Olly Alexander00:19:57 - Behind-the-scenes challenges of filming the "Trust Your Touch" music video, including shooting cruising scenes in freezing Burgess Park00:23:33 - TIN discusses his evolution from primarily a performer to developing his skills as a recording artist00:25:02 - How entering the circuit party scene unexpectedly forced TIN to confront deep insecurities about race and body image00:31:35 - Upcoming releases including a Pride single called "Kid Pig" and remixes celebrating the one-year anniversary of "Dear Matthew"Guest BioTIN is an Australian queer pop artist currently based in the UK. Known for his energetic performances, candid lyrics, and exploration of LGBTQ+ themes, TIN combines catchy pop melodies with raw personal narratives. Find his music and social media at TIN Official Music.ResourcesSex, Cologne and Cigarets EP - TIN's EP featuring the fan-favourite track "Weasel"Dear Matthew - TIN's personal song about racial privilege in the gay communityTrust Your Touch Music Video - TIN's latest release featuring Lost Child and JanisHouse of Air by Brendan Maclean - The NSFW music video about hanky codes mentioned in the podcastBright Light Bright Light - Artist TIN opened for on tourEQ Music - The collective that booked TIN for showsCall-to-ActionFind the podcast on Apple,

In this episode of the RE Social Podcast, hosts Andrew McCormick and Vince Rodriguez interview Joe Cohen as he shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a thriving real estate investor and entrepreneur. From working in construction and music to flipping high-end properties and leveraging business credit, Joe opens up about the wins, the setbacks, and the mindset that kept him moving forward. He also discusses his involvement in real estate mentoring, upcoming book plans, and the Think and Grow Rich Legacy tour. Joe dives into how to structure deals creatively and use business credit as a powerful tool for growth. His story is a masterclass in grit, strategy, and staying focused on the long game. Tune in now to learn how resilience, strategy, and vision can turn adversity into opportunity!Key Takeaways00:00:00Welcome to the RE Social Podcast00:01:24Joe's Background and Early Life00:05:29His Journey into Real Estate00:08:00Sales Skills and Early Career00:14:59Transition to Corporate Life00:21:58Challenges in the Corporate World00:34:42The Turning Point: Real Estate Epiphany00:35:55COVID-19 and Real Estate Opportunities00:37:30The Cost of Real Estate Mentorship00:45:18Building a Real Estate Business00:48:16Flipping and Wholesaling Strategies00:55:12Navigating Financial Challenges01:05:36Leveraging Networks and Partnerships01:08:06Introduction to Business Credit01:11:05Understanding SBA Loans01:16:13Crypto Scams and Financial Losses01:22:55Writing a Book on Perseverance01:28:02Current Market Challenges01:31:53Exploring Short-Term Rentals01:37:08Connect with JoeResources and LinksThe Inspired Show https://www.youtube.com/@theinspiredshowJSC Real Estate Investments, LLC https://jscrei.com/The Cohen Property Group https://www.thecohenpropertygroup.com/Connect with Joehttps://www.instagram.com/joecoheninspireshttps://web.facebook.com/joecoheninspires/https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredshow/Need Help? BOOK A CALL:https://anviinvest.com/consulting/ Learn more about AnVi Invest