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Paul Chambers is the Co-Founder of SubSummit, the world's largest conference dedicated to subscription, membership, and recurring revenue models in the direct-to-consumer space. With over 20 years of experience in subscription commerce, including launching Gentleman's Box in the early 2000s, Paul brings a rare blend of operator insight and community-building expertise to the challenges of scaling retention-first brands.Driven by the belief that subscriptions are more than a billing model, Paul helped transform SubSummit from a small founder meetup into a global ecosystem, connecting thousands of brands each year. The event fuses tactical content with curated networking and is designed to help ecommerce teams grow beyond one-off purchases and into long-lasting customer relationships.Each year, Paul and his lean team develop a thematic roadmap for the event, guiding DTC operators through the shifting landscape of loyalty, retention, and membership. From Walmart+ to Amazon Prime to True Classic's hybrid models, Paul studies the movements of top brands and distills them into actionable lessons for growing recurring revenue.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:42] Intro[00:54] Navigating business partner dynamics[02:31] Connecting DTC brands through events[03:08] Starting with a founder-first vision[04:30] Learning big lessons from small niches[06:05] Rebranding to reflect the vision[06:59] Investing upfront in long-term value[10:15] Improving how people connect[12:42] Balancing virtual and in-person events[14:17] Designing curated table conversations[15:48] Making events affordable for foundersResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeLeading subscription commerce conference subsummit.com/Follow Paul Chambers linkedin.com/in/paulcchambersIf you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!
From knocking on doors for windshield repairs to building a $700K/month SaaS company, Ryan Fenn's journey is anything but typical. In this episode of The Home Front with Jeff Dudan, Ryan shares how dropping out of high school, hustling at car washes, and creating an online course laid the foundation for CHIIRP — a text automation platform now disrupting home services. Whether you're building a franchise, running ads, or scaling a SaaS, this interview is a blueprint in grit, faith, and next-level lead conversion.
From knocking on doors for windshield repairs to building a $700K/month SaaS company, Ryan Fenn's journey is anything but typical. In this episode of The Home Front with Jeff Dudan, Ryan shares how dropping out of high school, hustling at car washes, and creating an online course laid the foundation for CHIIRP — a text automation platform now disrupting home services. Whether you're building a franchise, running ads, or scaling a SaaS, this interview is a blueprint in grit, faith, and next-level lead conversion.
In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a SaaS, application, and affiliate business created in February 2020 in the business and technology niches. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $3,572.00 per month in net profit, why the seller has decided to sell, the lessons learned from running the business, and much more. Visit https://empireflippers.com/listing/83200 to learn more about this business.
In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a SaaS and subscription business created in March 2024 in the business and SEO niches. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $3,668.00 per month in net profit, why the seller has decided to sell, the lessons learned from running the business, and much more. Visit https://empireflippers.com/listing/82832 to learn more about this business.
In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a SaaS business created in August 2011 in the real estate niche. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $2,525.00 per month in net profit, why the seller has decided to sell, the lessons learned from running the business, and much more. Visit https://empireflippers.com/listing/81552 to learn more about this business.
In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a SaaS business created in January 2019 in the business and technology niches. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $16,199.00 per month in net profit, why the seller has decided to sell, the lessons learned from running the business, and much more. Visit https://empireflippers.com/listing/80949 to learn more about this business.
#276 What if the one strategy that built your business suddenly stopped working? Would you know how to pivot — or would you crash and burn? In this episode hosted by Kirsten Tyrrel, we sit down with Adam Robinson, former Wall Street trader turned successful entrepreneur. After the 2008 financial crash upended his career at Lehman Brothers, Adam took a leap into the unpredictable world of online business. He shares his rollercoaster journey — facing failures, finding product-market fit, and ultimately building Retention.com into a multi-million dollar company. We dive deep into the importance of resilience, why cold email still works (when done right), and the hard truths about scaling a startup. If you're an entrepreneur navigating the early stages of business, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons you won't want to miss! What we discuss with Adam: + From Wall Street to startups – Adam's transition after the 2008 crash + Early business struggles – Lessons from his first failed venture + Finding product-market fit – How one feature changed everything + Cold email & ethics – Debunking myths about outreach and compliance + Breaking revenue plateaus – The pivot that unlocked growth + Scaling a SaaS company – Growing Retention.com to $25M ARR + Behavioral email marketing – Why targeted emails outperform blasts + Common founder mistakes – Focusing on the wrong things early on + The right way to start – Talk to customers, validate, then scale + Grit & resilience – The real key to long-term success Thank you, Adam! Check out Retention.com at Retention.com. Check out RB2B at RB2B.com. Follow Adam on LinkedIn. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We analyze a $1.6M customer loyalty SaaS business for sale, uncovering a major revenue concentration risk and industry challenges—would you buy it?Business Listing -
We analyze a $1.6M customer loyalty SaaS business for sale, uncovering a major revenue concentration risk and industry challenges—would you buy it?Business Listing -
Points of Interest01:04 – 01:35 – Guest Introduction – Mikael Dia of Funnelytics: Mikael Dia, former agency owner turned SaaS entrepreneur, shares his journey from running an agency to founding Funnelytics, a tool designed to visually map and analyze digital marketing funnels.06:24 – 08:20 – How Funnelytics Was Born: Funnelytics emerged from the need to overlay real marketing data on top of strategic visualizations, allowing agencies and marketers to prove and optimize their funnel strategies effectively.08:25 – 10:05 – The Importance of Visual Communication in Business: Marcel and Mikael discuss how visual communication aids in client understanding, enhances learning, and fosters trust, a principle rooted in adult learning theory.10:42 – 12:13 – Impact of Visual Strategies on Agency Sales & Retention: Using visual models in sales processes helped Mikael's agency close deals faster and at higher prices by positioning services as strategic solutions rather than commodity offerings.12:24 – 14:06 – Enhancing Client Retention with Visual Reporting: By consistently tying marketing efforts back to a visualized strategy, agencies can effectively communicate progress, highlight bottlenecks, and demonstrate value to clients.15:02 – 17:08 – Clients Need a Clear Path, Not Just Services: Clients struggle to see how individual marketing services fit into a bigger strategy. Mapping out a clear pathway from initial engagement to desired outcomes transforms how clients perceive agency value.20:56 – 24:06 – Transitioning from an Agency to a SaaS Business: Mikael shares key lessons from shifting from an agency to SaaS, emphasizing the importance of knowing one's strengths, finding a technical co-founder, and solving real customer problems.27:19 – 32:24 – Common Pitfalls in SaaS Development: Mikael and Marcel discuss the challenges of product development, the need for technical expertise, and the mistake of building features based on assumptions rather than market feedback.32:42 – 36:12 – The Reality of Finding Product-Market Fit: The conversation highlights the challenge of achieving product-market fit, the importance of iterating quickly, and the value of starting with a service-first approach before building software.37:03 – 39:00 – Shifting Mindsets: From Proving Yourself Right to Proving Yourself Wrong: Marcel shares a key insight: the biggest shift in product development success comes when founders move from trying to validate their own ideas to actively seeking to disprove them as quickly as possible.Show NotesConnect with MikaelLinkedInFacebookFacebook GroupFunnelyticsLove the PodcastLeave us a review here.
One of our most listened to episodes, we're bringing back Chris Walker, CEO at Passetto (previously Founder and CEO of Refine Labs, a progressive demand generation agency that challenges the status quo in B2B marketing). Before launching Refine Labs, Chris led marketing at two B2B firms where he built the foundation of his unique perspective on demand generation. Now, at Passetto, a Growth Advisory Firm for SaaS CEOs Scaling from $10MM - $100MM+, Chris helps CEOs and CFOs get instant GTM clarity. Chris joined our host Alex on an exclusive founder members only workshop as part of our SaaStock Founder Membership (SFM), to share how you can grow your business and improve your demand generation strategies. Check out the other ways SaaStock is serving SaaS founders
Valuing an online business can be a complex process, especially if you're navigating different business models, price ranges, and niches. How do you know what an eCommerce or SaaS business is really worth—and how do you avoid the pitfalls that both buyers and sellers often fall into? In today’s episode of the Buying Online Businesses Podcast, host Jaryd Krause sits down with Ryan Hutchins, a serial entrepreneur and business valuation expert. Ryan shares his experience as the owner of Peak Business Valuations and several other ventures, including plumbing companies, a multi-location bakery, a pizza restaurant chain, and even a stripping company. His unique background offers incredible insights into the world of business valuations, acquisitions, and investing. Together, Jaryd and Ryan dive deep into SBA acquisitions, exploring everything from common mistakes buyers and sellers make to the key differences between valuing eCommerce businesses and SaaS businesses. They discuss the importance of working capital, how SBA loans are approved, and what business valuation firms like Peak Business Valuations look for in eCommerce and SaaS acquisitions. Ryan also shares his thoughts on the risks involved in Amazon-based businesses vs. off-Amazon eCommerce businesses—and why some risks are far more critical than others. Whether you're buying your first online business or looking to scale your acquisitions strategy, this episode is packed with lessons to help you accurately value a business and secure the right deal. If you're considering buying an online business—or just want to better understand the world of business valuations—you won't want to miss this episode! Episode Highlights 02:00 Ryan’s journey on valuing businesses 10:20 Risks of owning an Amazon business 16:00 What are supplier risks? 23:00 How to value a business using an SBA loan? 37:00 Connect with Ryan Key Takeaways ➥ eCommerce businesses tend to have higher risks if sales are Amazon-dependent, as Amazon can change its policies or suspend accounts. SaaS businesses typically have predictable recurring revenue, making them easier to value, but customer churn and tech support are key risks to consider. ➥ Dependency on a few key customers can be risky. If those relationships are tied to the seller personally, customers might leave when the seller exits. ➥ Working capital is essential. Buyers must have enough funds to maintain and grow the business post-acquisition. About The Guest Ryan Hutchins owns a business valuation firm, two plumbing companies, a striping company, a multi-location bakery, and a multi-location pizza restaurant. Connect with Ryan Hutchins ➥ peakbusinessvaluation.com ➥ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hutchins-abv-am-cmea-peakbusinessvaluation/ Resource Links ➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/ ➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com ➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/ ➥ Site Ground (Website Hosting) - https://bit.ly/3JBEC1u ➥ Surfer SEO (SEO tool for content writing) - https://bit.ly/3WWMKjM ➥ Convert Kit (Email Software Provider) - https://bit.ly/3o10Xgx
saas.unbound is a podcast for and about founders who are working on scaling inspiring products that people love, brought to you by https://saas.group/, a serial acquirer of B2B SaaS companies. In episode #37, Anna Nadeina talks with Michael, Founder of Spiffy Checkouts, an intelligent checkout page platform. ----------Episode's Chapters-------------- 00:00 - Introduction to Spiffy 05:14 - Transitioning from Services to SaaS 10:01 - The Bootstrap Journey: Challenges and Strategies 15:04 - Ideation and Validating Business Ideas 21:06 - Preparing for Acquisition and Future Goals 24:06 - Understanding Spiffy: Use Cases and Value Propositions 27:00 - Narrowing Down: The Importance of Niching 30:23 - Finding Your Audience: Effective Customer Acquisition Strategies 33:50 - Lessons Learned: Mistakes and Growth in Building Spiffy 38:44 - Hacks for Success: Balancing Work and Creativity Michael - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrhunter/ Spiffy Checkouts - https://spiffy.co/ Subscribe to our channel to be the first to see the interviews that we publish twice a week - https://www.youtube.com/@saas-group Stay up to date: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaaS_group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14790796
In this episode, I speak with Mohit Bhakuni, CEO of Contify, about invaluable leadership lessons gained from Scaling SaaS Business ventures. Contify, a leader in market and competitive intelligence, has achieved notable success, earning a position #495 in the SaaS 1000 rankings. We discuss the unique challenges of Scaling SaaS Business models, including streamlining operations, building scalable teams, and maintaining a customer-centric approach. Mohit shares actionable insights for leaders looking to navigate the complexities of growth in the SaaS space. Tune in to explore how Scaling SaaS Business strategies can drive sustained success and innovation in the industry.
Send us a textHow do you transition from freelancing to building an eight-figure SaaS empire, all while balancing family priorities? In this episode, I sit down with SaaS entrepreneur and coach Matt DeSeno, who shares his incredible journey from freelancing to leading multiple successful software ventures. We dive deep into the pain points of managing cash flow, navigating major crises, and creating scalable business models. Matt reveals how he overcame a cash flow crisis that threatened his business, embraced the power of recurring revenue, and leveraged innovative SaaS tools like HighLevel to build sustainable success.Matt also opens up about balancing his personal life, especially during a life-changing moment when his son was in the NICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares his secrets to setting clear boundaries, acting fast on ideas, and leading with intentionality. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build and scale your own SaaS business while staying true to your priorities.Connect with Matt DeSeno: I'm so grateful to have had Matt DeSeno on the show today. If you're ready to scale your SaaS business or learn actionable strategies for sustainable growth, connect with Matt on Instagram at @MattDesino and DM him 'Breaking 100' for free resources to help you get started. Join the New Catalytic Leadership CommunityCheck out our new online membership site, with new resources by Dr. William Attaway and his team added weekly: https://checkout.catalyticleadership.net/Support the showJoin Dr. William Attaway on the Catalytic Leadership podcast as he shares transformative insights to help high-performance entrepreneurs and agency owners achieve Clear-Minded Focus, Calm Control, and Confidence. Free 30-Minute Discovery Call:Ready to elevate your business? Book a free 30-minute discovery call with Dr. William Attaway and start your journey to success. Special Offer:Get your FREE copy of Catalytic Leadership: 12 Keys to Becoming an Intentional Leader Who Makes a Difference. Connect with Dr. William Attaway: Website LinkedIn Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube
Thank you for an incredible 2024!
I sat down with Sam Thompson (https://x.com/ImSamThompson), a regular on the podcast, to riff on business ideas. We start with the prosumer software market, breaking down why targeting creators, real estate agents, and other prosumers offers huge opportunities. Then, we get into viral referral marketing, looking at the strategies behind companies like Robinhood and Dropbox, and brainstorm how to apply these methods outside of tech. Finally, we discuss box truck businesses, breaking down how to use mobile assets for high-margin ideas like podcast studios, golf simulators, and more.Timestamps below. Enjoy!---Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-ytAsk me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-askLearn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjkLearn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cofFollow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-xFree weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nlShare this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-allScrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os---00:00 Introduction & Highlights01:09 Introduction to Prosumer Software04:02 The Power of Viral Coefficient05:02 Referral Marketing Success Stories07:51 Creative Referral Marketing Strategies13:19 Innovative Box Truck Business Ideas15:37 Mobile Business Models and Flexibility25:50 The Food Truck Parking Dilemma27:55 Retrofitting Cars for Profit28:30 Exploring Turo Opportunities30:55 Camper Conversion Vans Business32:28 AI Personal Assistants and Agents34:23 Building and Monetizing Subreddits41:34 Market Positioning and Pricing Strategies
Web and Mobile App Development (Language Agnostic, and Based on Real-life experience!)
In this course, Krish Palaniappan shares insights on running a SaaS business, covering essential topics such as problem definition, funding, team building, and the importance of persistence. He emphasizes the need for a clear understanding of the market, effective sales strategies, and the willingness to adapt to challenges and failures. The course aims to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and resources to succeed in the competitive SaaS landscape. Takeaways Running a SaaS business can be intimidating but rewarding. Identifying a clear problem to solve is crucial. Funding is essential for starting and sustaining a business. Time commitment can significantly impact success. Building a diverse and skilled team is vital. Establishing processes helps avoid chaos in operations. Persistence and resilience are key traits for entrepreneurs. Understanding product-market fit is essential for growth. Sales and marketing strategies are critical for success. Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is important. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to SaaS Entrepreneurship 04:20 Defining the Problem and Market 11:29 Funding Your SaaS Business 18:40 Time Commitment: Full-Time vs Part-Time 23:39 Building the Right Team 39:48 Establishing Processes and Assessments 45:14 Persistence and Resilience in Entrepreneurship 47:30 Understanding Product-Market Fit 52:29 Sales and Marketing Strategies 01:06:31 Embracing Failure and Learning 01:12:02 Final Thoughts and Resources Purchase course in one of 2 ways: 1. Go to https://getsnowpal.com, and purchase it on the Web 2. On your phone: (i) If you are an iPhone user, go to http://ios.snowpal.com, and watch the course on the go. (ii). If you are an Android user, go to http://android.snowpal.com.
In this episode of the Solopreneur Grind Podcast, I talk to Mike Taber about: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:19 Mike Tabor's Background and Career Journey 01:22 The Birth of BlueTick 03:35 Challenges in the Cold Email Industry 05:54 Validation Process and Key Steps for Success 12:32 The Solopreneur Journey 14:36 Final Advice and Contact Information And much more. --- Want to follow along on my solopreneur journey, never miss another podcast episode and get the first 3 chapters of my e-book: “Just Get Started: Key business lessons from 2 businesses, 5 years and 100+ podcast episodes”? Make sure you're subscribed on our Substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/ --- Where to find Mike Taber: https://x.com/SingleFounder https://bluetick.io/ https://www.foundercafe.com/ SG Podcast Episode 126: Building a Successful SaaS Business (and more) with Mike Taber #sgpodcast #solopreneur #businesspodcast
Are you a SaaS founder dreaming of scaling your company from $1 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) to a $100 million exit? Well, you're not alone! In this episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS Podcast, host Joran Hofman talks with Ryan Allis, the CEO and founder of SaasRise, to explore how to achieve just that. Ryan has a proven track record, having built iContact from zero to $50 million in ARR and selling it for $169 million. Now, through SaasRise, Ryan helps other SaaS founders build their businesses with expert guidance, coaching, and digital ad agency services. If you're looking to take your B2B SaaS business to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable insights to guide you on your journey. Key Timestamps (0:52) - Guest Introduction (1:29) - Should SaaS Founders Aim for an Exit? (2:38) - How to Achieve Nine-Figure Exits (2:41) - Bootstrapping vs. VC Funding (3:32) - The Importance of Bootstrapping (4:19) - Building Revenue Before Seeking Investment (4:39) - Mistakes SaaS Companies Make (5:01) - Effective Ways to Grow a SaaS Business (5:35) - Importance of Outbound Marketing (6:22) - Importance of Community for SaaS Founders (7:24) - Specific Forums for SaaS Growth (7:53) - Introduction to the SaaS Growth System (8:51) - Unit Economics and Customer Value (9:29) - Critical Metrics for SaaS Founders (10:24) - Calculating Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) (11:07) - Determining Target Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) (11:49) - Importance of Paid Customer Acquisition (12:19) - Outbound Reach and Advertising (12:42) - Acquiring Customers Below Target CAC (13:09) - Outbound Marketing Strategies (14:18) - Educating the Market Proactively (14:33) - Creating a Comprehensive Lead List (15:54) - Utilizing Lead Lists for Marketing (16:21) - Creating Matched Audiences for Ads (16:52) - Email Sequences and Brand Omnipresence (17:34) - Transitioning to Warm Email Lists (19:54) - Importance of a Comprehensive Lead List (22:47) - Importance of Market Education (23:28) - Efficient Sales and Marketing Spend (24:12) - Providing Value in Content (24:23) - Creating Content and Distribution (25:09) - Building a SaaS Content Machine (25:39) - Importance of Founder-Led Content Creation (26:07) - Distribution Formats for Content (26:34) - Calculating Content Impressions (27:12) - Content Impressions and Growth (27:37) - Measuring Content Impressions (29:26) - Recap of the Content Strategy (30:17) - Content Creation Process (31:21) - Scaling and Building a Team (32:55) - Key Team Members for Scaling (33:33) - Building a System That Operates Without You (35:36) - Preparing for an Exit (35:47) - Steps for Scaling and Exiting (36:12) - Raising Capital and Timing (37:13) - Risks of Raising Capital Too Soon (38:00) - Building Revenue and Systems Before Raising Capital (38:46) - Guidelines for Series A and B Funding (39:59) - The Path to a Successful SaaS Exit (40:15) - Preparing for an Exit (41:12) - Working with M&A Advisors (42:10) - Professional Investment Banks for Exits (43:08) - Maximizing Exit Value with Investment Banks (43:39) - Benefits of Working with Investment Banks (44:24) - Final Advice for SaaS Founders (44:49) - Starting Out and Growing Initial Revenue (47:14) - Contact Information for Ryan Allis
The discussion covers the importance of authentic and educational LinkedIn strategies for generating high-value leads and building a robust professional network. Colin provides actionable tips on leveraging LinkedIn effectively, the significance of understanding your audience's pains and obstacles, and the benefits of a genuine approach to business relationships. This insightful conversation is a must-watch for B2B entrepreneurs looking to supercharge their LinkedIn presence and drive meaningful connections.Connect with Colin:https://www.rainmakergrows.com00:00 Introduction to Scaling Companies00:29 Meet Colin Hirdman01:40 The Journey of Monkey Island Ventures03:00 The Birth of Rainmaker05:32 LinkedIn Strategies for Entrepreneurs09:19 Building Authentic Connections on LinkedIn11:35 Rainmaker's Unique Approach21:36 Future Plans and Advice for Entrepreneurs27:51 Conclusion and Contact Information Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy
saas.unbound is a podcast for and about founders who are working on scaling inspiring products that people love, brought to you by https://saas.group/, a serial acquirer of B2B SaaS companies. In episode #25, Anna Nadeina talks with Osman, Co-Founder & CEO at UserGuiding, a no-code product adoption tool. ----------Episode's Chapters-------------- 00:00 - Introduction to UserGuiding and Osman Koc 8:15 - Common Traps for First-Time Founders 13:35 - Raising Funds and Managing Cash Flow 17:21 - The Importance of Community in Entrepreneurship 24:38 - Improving User Onboarding 28:34 - Final Thoughts and Hacks for Founders Osman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/koc/ UserGuiding - https://userguiding.com/ Subscribe to our channel to be the first to see the interviews that we publish twice a week - https://www.youtube.com/@saas-group Stay up to date: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaaS_group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14790796
What can you learn from someone who has acquired 21 businesses? In this special episode of the Buying Online Businesses podcast, Jaryd Krause speaks with Dirk Sahlmer, a former mechanical engineer who has transformed into a serial SaaS acquirer and a prominent figure in the world of mergers and acquisitions. Dirk shares his remarkable journey from the engineering field to becoming a key player in the SaaS and tech acquisition space. You will hear about Dirk's transition from his early engineering career into the world of SaaS and M&A, detailing how he and his team went from acquiring one business a year to managing multiple acquisitions annually. The conversation explores essential insights into funding strategies—whether for established business owners or those looking to make their first acquisition—and dives into the complexities of merging multiple businesses under a single umbrella, including why merging isn't always the ideal strategy. This episode offers a deep dive into the strategies behind building a conglomerate or holding company for software businesses. From growth and retention to the nuances of SaaS acquisitions, Dirk's wealth of experience provides valuable advice for scaling SaaS businesses. Hit the ‘Play' button to tune in! Episode Highlights 02:00 Dirk's journey into SaaS acquisitions 05:20 Type of businesses Dirk acquiring 14:40 How to raise funds for acquisition? 21:40 How to source deals? 29:30 How acquire and merger a business? Key Takeaways ➥ For beginners in SaaS acquisitions, starting with smaller, cash-based acquisitions can minimize financial risks and establish credibility. ➥ Acquiring businesses with proven product-market fit, steady revenue, and low operational complexity often yields better results than turnaround or speculative projects. ➥ When seeking bank financing for online businesses, it's often better to show numbers rather than explaining the model. Using seller financing (aiming for around 20-30%) can be beneficial as it reduces upfront costs and demonstrates seller confidence in the business. About The Guest Dirk Sahlmer was a mechanical engineer, now Saas deal hunter and acquirer. He shares insights on Saas, M&A, strating, scaling and existing software businesses. Connect with Dirk Sahlmer ➥ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirksahlmer/ ➥ https://www.saas.wtf/ Resource Links ➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/ ➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com ➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/ ➥ Motion Invest (Website Hosting) - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO ➥ SEM Rush (SEO tool) - https://bit.ly/3lINGaV ➥ Active Campaign (Email Software Provider) - https://bit.ly/3DCwYQH
Video In today's video, Victor Purolnik, the founder of Trustshoring, answers one of the most burning questions in every SAAS Founder’s mind right now: Will AI kill my business? What impact will it have on our business model, and how can we adapt? Victor also looks at the latest trends and trajectory and which SAAS […]
In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, we talk with Hana Mohan, co-founder of MagicBell, about her path through the tech industry. Hana shares her early fascination with computers, her educational journey through competitive exams, and her eventual transition from electronics to software development. The conversation also touches on her startup experience and the challenges faced along the way. Hana reflects on her career journey, discussing the importance of finding the right job fit and the decision to transition from employee to entrepreneur. She shares insights from her experiences building products, and the challenges faced in the startup world. The discussion also covers her time in Combinator, the process of raising capital, and her vision for the future of her current venture, MagicBell.00:00 Introduction04:15 What is Hana Doing Today09:56 First Memories of a Computer18:40 Early Interests / Life Growing Up30:06 Pursuing Engineering in India43:20 Transitioning from Electronics to Software52:15 Becoming an Entrepreneur1:01:30 Shifting Focus to B2B SaaS1:09:40 Learning from Experiences 1:15:30 Following Your Product's Path1:22:20 Starting MagicBell1:33:20 Contact Info Connect with Hana: Linkedin:https://es.linkedin.com/in/unamashanaTwitter: https://x.com/unamashanaMentioned in today's episode:Magic Bell – https://www.magicbell.com/Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog!Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/ Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/ Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs
In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a SaaS business established in May 2019 in the business and SEO niches. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $6,359 per month in net profit, why the seller has decided to sell, the lessons learned from running the business, and much more. Visit https://app.empireflippers.com/listing/71096 to learn more about this business.
Building meaningful connections with individuals using different channels can be more effective than running an ABM program that only provides a shallow understanding of what's happening within an account. In this week's SaaS Backwards podcast episode, we spoke with Dmitri Lisitski, Co-Founder and CEO at Influ2, a person-based advertising platform that allows you to reach specific people within target accounts and see who interacts with your ads.Dmitri takes us behind the scenes and discusses how his frustration with imprecise ABM platforms led to the creation of Influ2, which aims to solve this problem by targeting individual decision-makers within an account rather than only providing this broad view.We discuss the orchestration between sales and marketing and the significance of nurturing relationships over time in enterprise sales. Dmitri explains how the best thing marketing can do for salespeople is target the same account they're trying to chase and influence their decision, build awareness, and track intent. Our conversation also covers the role of thought leadership in generating conversations and supporting the sales process, the impact of AI on content creation, and attribution challenges in B2B marketing.This episode provides valuable insights for SaaS CEOs, CMOs, and B2B marketing and sales professionals.Key takeaways from this episode:The humanization of sales and marketing in the enterprise motionWhy the use of AI in content development falls flat and what to do insteadMeasuring the impact of advertising on revenueOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!
In the B2B SaaS world, achieving sustainable growth is no small feat. It involves more than just capturing quick wins; it requires a well-thought-out strategy that ensures long-term success. In this episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS Podcast, host Joran Hofman sat down live with Ferdinand Goetzen, a founding partner at the Growth Syndicate, at the B2B Rocks SaaS event in Paris, where Ferdinand shared his key tips for building a strong SaaS business and offered valuable insights into this complex process. Key Timecodes (0:56) - Building a Sustainable SaaS Business (1:26) - Defining Sustainable Growth (2:51) - The Changing Landscape of Growth (4:55) - The Power of Brand Influence (6:13) - High Intent Lead Generation Strategies (9:37) - Four Key Growth Strategies for B2B (11:34) - Harnessing Thought Leadership and Outbound (16:53) - Best Practices for Sustainable Success (19:04) - Real-World Examples of Effective Branding (23:39) - The Role of User Experience in Growth (24:01) - Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Growth (30:43) - Tips for SaaS Founders' Success
Web and Mobile App Development (Language Agnostic, and Based on Real-life experience!)
In this episode, Krish Palaniappan interviews Rod Telpizov, CEO of SmartJobBoard. They discuss the journey of launching and growing a SaaS business, the importance of choosing the right market, navigating business challenges, and the critical role of resilience in entrepreneurship. Rod shares insights on leveraging AI tools to enhance product offerings and provides advice for those looking to integrate AI into their software development processes. The conversation emphasizes the need for operational efficiency and the significance of identifying the best customer profile for sustainable growth. Takeaways Choosing the right market is crucial for success. Operational efficiency and growth must be balanced. Resilience is essential in navigating challenges. AI tools can significantly enhance product capabilities. Start small when integrating AI into your product. Identifying your best customer profile is key to growth. Niche markets can protect against larger competitors. Building a network is vital for business success. Adapting to market needs is necessary for survival. Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in tech. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Smart JobBoard and Rod Telpizov 03:01 Launching and Growing a SaaS Business 06:06 Choosing the Right Market for Success 11:58 Navigating Business Challenges and Operational Efficiency 19:47 The Importance of Resilience in Entrepreneurship 24:03 Leveraging AI Tools for Competitive Advantage 30:10 Skills for Integrating AI in Software Development
In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a SaaS, application, and subscription business created in February 2020 in the business niche. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $6,222 per month in net profit, why the seller has decided to sell, the lessons learned from running the business, and much more. Visit https://app.empireflippers.com/listing/79481 to learn more about this business.
In this episode, John Kaplan and John McMahon are joined by Sasha Anderson, Global Head of Customer Success at Canva and customer success management (CSM) expert to explore the evolving role of CSMs in sales organizations. The discussion covers whether CSMs should be more commercially focused or technical, based on product complexity and pricing models. Sasha emphasizes the importance of driving customer value and usage, especially in consumption-based models where revenue is tied to product usage. The conversation also delves into the challenges of specialization, the need for alignment between sales and CS teams, and the importance of performance metrics and operating rhythms. Practical advice is provided on building a high-performance culture within CSM organizations. This episode is a must-listen for leaders aiming to optimize their customer success strategies.Tune in and learn more on this episode of The Revenue Builders Podcast.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESConnect and learn more about Sasha Anderson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-b-anderson/HERE ARE SOME KEY SECTIONS TO CHECK OUT[00:00:43] The Evolution of the CSM Role[00:01:32] Commercial vs. Technical Focus for CSMs[00:02:22] Impact of Consumption-Based Models[00:04:30] Challenges and Strategies in CSM[00:08:47] The Shift from Customer Support to Business Partner[00:11:13] Aligning CS with Revenue Goals[00:16:55] Building Strong Relationships Between CS and Sales[00:19:42] The Importance of Customer Engagement Models[00:28:58] Aligning Sales and Customer Success[00:31:18] The Importance of Specialization[00:31:55] Pros and Cons of Specialization[00:34:52] When to Consider Specialization[00:38:11] Performance Management in Customer Success[00:46:51] Building a High-Performance Culture[00:48:55] Operating Cadence in Customer SuccessEnjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox: https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0HIGHLIGHT QUOTES[00:28:47] "Tight handoffs are so important...if you don't understand that there's a competitor sitting right there that understands it and they're willing to take advantage of that opportunity."[00:49:21] "The whole point of the operating cadence is a couple different things: everyone should know what's expected on them on what cadence too."[00:52:12] "If you want one of these roles in CS, in today's environment, you better know how to communicate up."[00:53:28] "As a CS leader, you're responsible for owning the narrative with your C suite, with your customers, with your board about what's happening in the business. And if you don't own the narrative, somebody else is going to own it for you."
The First 100 | How Founders Acquired their First 100 Customers | Product-Market Fit
Chris Ronzio founded Trainual, a software platform that helps businesses document their processes, policies, and procedures in one place. It provides a centralized location for employees to access training materials and ensures that everyone is on the same page. Trainual also offers features such as onboarding checklists, quizzes, and analytics to track employee progress and improve training effectiveness. Trainual has raised to date more than $33.75 million from notable investors such as Altos Ventures, The Shark Group CEO Daymond John, Indeed Co-Founder and Chairman Rony Kahan, PandaDoc CEO Mikita Mikado, TSheets Co-Founder Matt Rissell, 8x8 CEO David Sipes, 4490 Ventures, MATH Venture Partners and PHX Ventures.To date, the company powers the ops behind more than 10,000 businesses across countless industries in 177 countries.Where to find Chris Ronzio:• Website: Employee Onboarding, SOP & Training Software | Trainual• LinkedIn (7) Chris Ronzio | LinkedInWhere to find Hadi Radwan:• Newsletter: Principles Friday | Hadi Radwan | Substack• LinkedIn: Hadi Radwan | LinkedInIf you like our podcast, please don't forget to subscribe and support us on your favorite podcast players. We also would appreciate your feedback and rating to reach more people.We recently launched our new newsletter, Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle. Please subscribe Here.It is Free and Short (2min).
In this episode of SaaS Fuel, we chat with Anthony Nitsos, founder and lead guru at SaaS Gurus - who provides essential financial strategies and insights to help SaaS startups maintain precise cash forecasts, build resilient financial systems, and navigate metrics for sustained growth and maximized company valuation.Anthony dives into the financial metrics that every startup should track, such as Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR), net retained revenue, gross margin, and customer acquisition cost (CAC). He also discusses the importance of standardized financial statements, accurate accounting systems, and the differentiation of true recurring revenue with ARR to avoid pitfalls and boost valuation. Tune in for practical advice on improving software implementation efficiency, strategic hiring, and mitigating AI risks in accounting and finance.Key Takeaways00:00 Maximize company worth: focus beyond daily operations.05:07 Future revenue, job satisfaction, and revenue concentration.11:25 Planning is crucial to wisely spending $5,000,000.16:42 Financial statements must follow SaaS for benchmarking.23:44 High hosting and support costs reduce margins.28:33 SAP and NetSuite moved to faster SaaS implementations.34:53 Invest investment, get higher returns; dominate market.41:36 Seek salespeople ready for change; offer 50/50 comp.42:43 Create a sales playbook to ensure consistency.50:58 Ensure sales orders have all necessary customer details.54:29 AI will transform accounting functions, streamlining transactions.01:00:52 Be cautious of financial AI security threats.Tweetable Quotes"There's no forward-looking projection, or maybe they put one together to get their financing round, but nobody's updated it since it's not being refreshed on a monthly basis with actuals." — Anthony Nitsos 00:10:48"There are just so many things that can be really overwhelming to a starting CEO or even one that's experienced where somebody like me and my team come in, you know, we do this for a living." — Anthony Nitsos 00:11:58 "If you think that you're gonna go out and hire cheap resources and train them into it, you're already starting down the slippery slope of what I call the extinction level event of running out of cash." — Anthony Nitsos 00:37:36 The CEO's Playbook for Success: "You need to be really figuring out what that playbook is so that you can hand that off to somebody because sooner or later, and it's gonna be a lot sooner than you think if you're successful." — Anthony Nitsos 00:43:36"Whoever has the gold makes the rules." — Anthony Nitsos 00:50:55"The sales ops function for me is really one that starts that where it really starts for me as the finance guy is when you say you've closed a deal, have you really closed it from a documentation perspective?" — Anthony Nitsos 00:52:39The Risks of AI in Finance: "If you're in finance and you have control of somebody's bank account, then you should be very nervous. And you should be really extra cautious about anything. You trust your gut." — Anthony Nitsos 01:01:08 SaaS Leadership LessonsMastering Cash Forecasting: Effective cash management is crucial for SaaS startups at any stage. It's important to maintain an accurate cash forecast to avoid financial missteps. Anthony suggests that a precise 12 to 18-month cash forecast is vital for informed decision-making and to ensure financial stability. Without it, startups risk flying blind and making poor financial decisions.Tracking...
Landon Taylor created two successful digital marketing services businesses before starting a product-powered business with recurring revenues. His first agency drove traffic to its customers, which led to his second business, Best Company, which produced qualified leads for large home services businesses through its bestcompany.com consumer review site. Their work in consumer reviews led them to his latest business, Snoball, a word-of-mouth marketing platform they use to predictably and efficiently drive customer referrals. With their systematic approach and some human-in-the-loop help, Snoball creates a scalable customer acquisition channel for large home services businesses in the US. Landon speaks openly about his approach to “parlay” one business into another to create new businesses that are larger and more valuable than the last. Rather than raising big VC funding, Landon invests his own resources to find and create new businesses. Quote from Landon Taylor, CEO of Snoball “Fear can be debilitating for an entrepreneur. If you fear failure, if you take a leap and you're gonna fail, you'll be paralyzed. You won't be able to move forward, see opportunities, and take risks that will open up doors. “You've gotta get to the mindset that failure is not fatal. Everybody who's been successful has failed multiple times, right? So just take the leap. It can be a small leap. Or it could be a mental leap of believing that I can build, I can create, I've got something unique. “It might be as simple as wanting to do a LinkedIn post, but you hit this wall of ‘I can't.' So get beyond that to believe I can, I've got something unique, I can build, I can create.” Links Landon Taylor on LinkedIn Snoball on LinkedIn Snoball website BestCompany.com website Sponsor This week's podcast is sponsored by my friends at Cypress Growth Capital. For 15 years, Cypress has provided non-dilutive growth funding to bootstrapped SaaS founders, including many successful founders I've interviewed here on this podcast. Connect with Cliff Sentell at cypressgrowthcapital.com/practical to find out how they can help with your practical growth plans. The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com.
saas.unbound is a podcast for and about founders who are working on scaling inspiring products that people love, brought to you by https://saas.group/, a serial acquirer of B2B SaaS companies. In episode #1, Anna Nadeina talks with Pavel Prokofiev, Head of M&A at saas.group.Chat with Pavel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavelprokofiev/ Sell your company - https://saas.group/ Subscribe to our channel to be the first to see the interviews that we publish twice a week - https://www.youtube.com/@saas-group Stay up to date: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaaS_group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14790796
Justuno is a website marketing automation platform that's tried a lot of different strategies for speeding up the development of integrations their customers need.From building integrations in-house to outsourcing to different varieties of embedded integration platforms, Justuno has tried a variety of integration strategies. Their CTO and Director of Partnerships share the pros and cons of each strategy, and what B2B SaaS companies should consider when choosing the best way to scale your integration efforts.-- Launch integrations for customers in days instead of months with Pandium's integration deployment platform. Learn more about Pandium here: https://www.pandium.com/Pandium is the only embedded integration platform that facilitates faster code-first development of integrations, allowing B2B SaaS companies to launch integrations at scale without sacrificing customization and control.
Mike Kovarik is the founder and former CEO of Attribytes, a software company he started, grew, and successfully sold in just over five years. Mike was a data analytics leader at large food distributors, where he discovered a chronic challenge with low-quality product data in their massive e-commerce systems. He quit his job, built a product with a friend, and his former employer became his first customer. Attribytes grew steadily in the next few years, serving food distributors and retailers in the US, with Mike making the first sales and slowly adding new employees. He invested his savings in the company and raised just over $2 million from a strategic and several angel investors in Phoenix, Arizona. They grew to nearly $5 million in ARR in 2019 with just over 20 employees. In 2020, Mike sold the company to Syndigo, a larger data management provider that served the same industry. He joined Syndigo for over a year to lead the acquisition of other data management companies to expand their product offerings. When their acquisition strategy changed in 2022, Mike left to take a break and then acquire and retool another vertical software company called ShopControlller. Quote from Mike Kovarik, founder of Attribytes "I built a little spreadsheet and I put in what our revenue was, what our current valuation was, and then what that exit would look like after taxes for me, just to see what that dollar amount was. We were at almost $5M ARR, and we were getting interest from acquirers, so it was already interesting. "I created another spreadsheet to show what would happen if we raised big VC funding and invested that lover for 5-10 years to grow. What rate of return would I get? How would we be diluted? What annual recurring revenue would we need to get to, and what valuation would that be? What would my dollar amount be? "The reality is that the amount for me would be pretty close to the same if we sold now or raised a big VC round. And I'm not trying to risk everything to potentially buy a plane. I could have a big exit now and have a lake house and a place in Flagstaff, and my kids' kids will be good. What else do I need?" Links Mike Kovarik on LinkedIn Attribytes on LinkedIn Syndigo website ShopController website The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com.
Welcome to another episode of The Ecommerce Braintrust podcast hosted by Acadia's Head of Retail Marketplaces Services Julie Spear. Today, we are joined by two special guests: Paul Sonneveld, CEO & Co-Founder of MerchantSpring, and Acadia's Director of Retail Operations, Jordan Ripley. We're diving into the complex decisions behind building vs buying software at an agency and SaaS company, using customer feedback to shape what you deliver to the market, and where we see the industry headed in this multichannel e-commerce world. Make sure you tune in to find out more! KEY TAKEAWAYS In this episode, Julie, Paul, and Jordan discuss: Origins and evolution of MerchantSpring: from an in-house tool for managing multiple e-commerce platforms like Amazon and eBay to a shift towards SaaS for agencies. Multi-channel support and feature parity across different platforms. Specific focus on agency needs and saving customers' time by providing a unified interface. Balancing between roadmap developments and quality of life improvements. Core focus areas: feature parity, profitability, and retail media support using agile methodology. Importance of customer lifetime value and sourcing share analysis. Challenges of overinvesting in features like eBay item specifics, driven by local market demands but limited broader interest. The evolution of the company's approach to idea generation based on client feedback. Future developments include enhancing retail media, profitability analysis, and expanding into Southeast Asia and Japan. Homogenizing retail data across various channels. Advantages and strategies for early considerations of data homogenization. Exploration of clean room developments to unify client data. Future updates and developments to look forward to from MerchantSpring.
What happens when something that was good enough isn't good enough anymore?Unscalable hands-on experiments work great in the early stages of a business. But what if you run into the scale problem without wanting to? (And what do you do about it when everything explodes while you figure it out?)This episode is sponsored by Podscan.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/doing-things-that-dont-scale-unintentionally/The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/337-doing-things-that-don-t-scale-unintentionallyCheck out Podscan to get alerts when you're mentioned on podcasts: https://podscan.fmSend me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvidYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw
saas.unbound is a podcast for and about founders who are working on scaling inspiring products that people love, brought to you by https://saas.group/, a serial acquirer of B2B SaaS companies. In episode #39, Anna Nadeina talks with Cornelius, Co-Founder at Opinary, and CIO / CEO of the SaaS division at Affinity Global.Subscribe to our channel to be the first to see the interviews that we publish twice a week - https://www.youtube.com/@saas-group Stay up to date: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaaS_group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14790796
>> Get My Book (Buy Back Your Time): https://bit.ly/3pCTG78 >> Subscribe to My Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3W2tjp2 Here's why I fell in love with the SaaS business model… You build the software once. And get paid every month. Recurring revenue. If I lost all my money, followers, and network today, I'd still know exactly how to build a SaaS company from scratch. Building a SaaS business might seem daunting, especially if you're just starting out. A lot of people think they need to raise capital, hire a very expensive development team, and spend years in the red before their product takes off. But the key? Start with the problem, validate your solution, and then build and refine your product. You don't need a huge team or a ton of money… Just a solid plan and the right approach. My 7-step guide is your map, and it includes: How to pinpoint the exact problem your SaaS should solve The secret to building a prototype without wasting time or money 4 steps for creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) quickly IG: @danmartell X: @danmartell
The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
Ara Mahdessian is the Co-Founder and CEO @ ServiceTitan, one of the great vertical SaaS business of the last decade. Today the company powers over 11,800 trade customers and has raised over $1.4BN from some of the best including Bessemer, Battery, Index, ICONIQ and more. Their latest valuation pegged the business at a reported $7.3BN. In Today's Episode with Ara Mahdessian We Discuss: 1. The $7BN Company That Did Not Want To Raise VC Money: Why did Ara not want to raise VC funding in the early days? What convinced Ara to change his mind? Why did he choose Byron and Bessemer? Does Ara believe that ServiceTitan would have been the success that it is, if it had raised in today's market, a $5M on $25M seed round? What would they have done differently? 2. How to Master Going Upmarket: What are Ara's biggest lessons on what it takes to go upmarket? How does the product need to change? How does the org of the company change? When is the right time to go upmarket? What did ServiceTitan get wrong in their move into enterprise? What did Ara learn from this? 3. How to Build a Brand in SaaS and Have Premium Pricing: What are some of Ara's biggest lessons in how to build the best brand in vertical SaaS? What works in brand building in SaaS? What does not? What would he do differently? What have been Ara's biggest lessons on pricing? ServiceTitan is 3x their competitors, how does Ara think about what is required to have such premium pricing? 4. How to Master the Second Product & Be the Best at Customer Success: When is the right time to do a second product? Why is it too late to wait for PMF with your first product to do the second product? What product did ServiceTitan wait too long to release? What did they learn? What product did they release too early? What did they learn? What are the two core reasons why customer success is the most important element in a business? 5. The Core Pillars of Great Leadership: Why do product builder founders have such an increased chance of success in startups? Why do you have to have expertise in the domain you are hiring for to hire the best? What does truly great leadership mean to Ara today? How has his style of leadership changed? What has Ara learned from soccer that he has applied to being a CEO?
In this episode of the SaaS Revolution Show our host Alex Theuma is joined by Tim Schumacher, co-founder of saas.group, as he shares his insights on exiting your SaaS business. "The one thing that's moved the needle every time is being open about certain problems which appear in one business and solving them myself, in a way, and that usually made a good business. And those were always been than the ones where I was just looking at some general trend I didn't really understand, those were my failures." Tim shares: - Growing his first business: from three friends in a garage to 300 people (before then selling to United Internet!) - His beginnings in angel investing and what constitutes a fundable founder - A saas.group snapshot: 20 companies acquired ranging between $1-$10M ARR - The key steps involved with acquisitions (and why soul searching is #1) - His advice to founders considering an acquisition... and why it's important to remember valuation is just one factor! and more.Check out the other ways SaaStock is serving SaaS founders
Brian Abernethy, founder of Utopaya, is an expert in helping SaaS leaders navigate the complicated process of adding payments monetization to their product offerings and business strategies. With a long history in the payments industry, Brian has worked with hundreds of early-stage SaaS leaders and their investors to optimize their payments strategies. In this expert podcast interview, Brian explains the basics of payments monetization for practical SaaS founders, answering questions like these: When should SaaS companies consider monetizing payments and when is it not a good fit? What are the first steps to adding a profitable payments offering to your SaaS product? What's happening in the payments industry to make it easier or harder for SaaS companies? How do investors value payments offerings in a SaaS business? What are the biggest misconceptions and mistakes that SaaS companies make when get started with payments? How can SaaS businesses lower their payments bills for the credit card customer they take from their customers? Quote from Brian Abernethy, principal at Utopaya “Most software companies are looking to include some type of fintech offering. Payments is typically the first one of those. These software companies want to own not only the bigger portion of revenue, of course, but also mprove the customer experience. “Recent consolidation in the fintech and payments industry has created new options for SaaS companies to monetize payments. The big payments providers are now much bigger and have moved upmarket, creating a gap. Many new payments players are designed for smaller SaaS companies, with purpose-built platforms, APIs, and more support for integrated software solutions. “There are more compelling solutions for SaaS companies to launch truly white-labeled, profitable, and easier-to-implement payments solutions. Also, the market data show that it does positively change the customer experience, so these smaller payment companies are winning share at a fast clip.“ Links Brian Abernethy on LinkedIn Utopaya on LinkedIn Utopaya website The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com.
Even the most seasoned entrepreneurs have to understand their numbers if they want to successfully establish and scale a business. With 20 years experience, Cameron Hemphill is one of these entrepreneurs who has leveraged financial data to make strategic decisions and scale his SaaS business, Growth99, into a $10 million company — and it's still growing. During its first year, Growth 99 faced significant challenges, taking eight months to gain traction and generate just $7,000 in monthly recurring revenue. In this episode, Cameron shares how he scaled the company to reach $100,000 in monthly recurring revenue by their third year, enabling massive growth and paving the way for long-term success. Cameron and host Danielle Hayden also discuss the importance of strategic hiring, technology in automating processes, and maintaining discipline over motivation. Learn how to buy back your time, reach your goals, and start enjoying your business! Key Takeaways: Discipline is key to business growth and long-term success, especially during the slow early stages of scaling and achieving profit. Strategic hiring will help you delegate low-value tasks, allowing you to focus on reaching business goals and reclaiming your time. Automating processes with technology enhances scalability by lowering expenses and increasing efficiency. Bookkeeping is the foundation of business management, so it's crucial to regularly review key metrics and financial data in order to make strategic business decisions. Make your money work for you by managing personal finances and investing in income-generating assets. Topics Discussed: Cameron's money story and money mindset (1:38) Founding Growth99 and the advantages of a SaaS business model (3:46) Early challenges and growth of the business (6:00) Building an effective team and his evolving role as a business owner (8:50) Cameron's approach to understanding the numbers at Growth99 (12:02) How Cameron uses financial data to make business decisions (18:48) Personal financial management and investment strategies (22:57) Connect with Cameron Hemphill: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/cameronhemphill/ Website | https://growth99.com/ Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/medical-millionaire/id1549585189 Connect with Kickstart Accounting Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc
Alison Taylor and Trevor Johnston are the co-founders and co-CEOs of Jane, an online platform for health and wellness practitioners that makes it simple to book, chart, schedule, bill, and get paid. They join Ramli on the show to talk about product-market fit and how customer service is at the heart of a product-led business. They then go through the steps they have taken (and still take) to overcome growing pains. Show Notes [01:17] How the Jane app came to be and scaled with just one “customer support” team [05:34] The signup process is a way to get customers committed and to get them on the product journey [08:00] Why Alison and Trevor decided not to go with the freemium model [09:48] About Jane's high-touch onboarding experience [12:26] Prioritize loyal customers over sales [15:23] The evolution of Jane's signup process [19:30] About Jane's org structure and support system [23:48] The challenge of hiring and helping people develop their careers [28:05] How marketing and engineering fit in Jane's org structure [30:05] Alison and Trevor's advice for product-led startups About Alison Taylor and Trevor Johnston Alison Taylor has been in the healthcare space as a business manager since 2008, and she believes in the integration of work into life and life into work. She hired Trevor's creative agency to brand her clinic, Canopy Integrated Health, which she opened in 2011. Trevor Johnston loves doing creative things with technology to create enjoyable experiences and to solve people's problems. He co-founded Thought Shop Creative Inc. and was its lead digital guy until 2016. Jane is his first app and his first foray into coding. Profile Jane Alison Taylor's LinkedIn Trevor Johnston's LinkedIn
The SaaS Podcast - SaaS, Startups, Growth Hacking & Entrepreneurship
Juan Ignacio Garcia is the founder and CEO of Boopos, the #1 platform for buying and selling profitable online businesses with built-in financing for qualified buyers. Show Notes: https://saasclub.io/397 Join Email List: Get weekly SaaS learnings, new podcast episodes, and actionable insights right in your inbox: https://saasclub.io/email/ Join Community: SaaS Club is the community for early-stage SaaS founders and entrepreneurs: https://saasclub.co/join
In today's episode Aj breaks down the Podcast - Lead Generation/Pipeline Development Strategy a bit more in detail and depth!
In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, few stories captivate the imagination, like that of Rob Imbeault, a seasoned founder who has successfully built and exited multiple ventures. In this exclusive interview, Rob shares insights into his remarkable journey, offering a glimpse into the highs, lows, and invaluable lessons learned along the way.