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Struggling with costs in your healthcare organization? Reach out to Michael. Click Here for more info Episode Summary In this inspiring conversation, Michael Levitt welcomes Ciara, founder of Eventist, a leading SaaS company that revolutionized ticketing for dance competitions. What began as a side project for a friend turned into a thriving event management platform serving studios, festivals, and large-scale competitions. Ciara's story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of solving real problems through technology. Building a SaaS Business from Scratch After losing her job, Ciara chose to create something new. What started as a personal favor evolved into a full-fledged software company addressing a gap in the dance competition industry. Michael commends her for transforming a career setback into a successful entrepreneurial journey. Together, they explore how identifying underserved markets can lead to sustainable business growth. Aligning Developers with Industry Experts Michael and Ciara dive into the challenge of bridging the gap between developers and industry specialists. They discuss how effective requirement gathering and clear communication lead to better, more intuitive software, especially in niche markets like event ticketing. Ciara shares how this alignment allowed her team to build solutions that meet real user needs rather than assumptions. Designing for User Experience, Not Just Features Feature requests can pile up fast, but Ciara knows that usability matters most. She and Michael examine why prioritizing user experience is critical, even if it means saying “no” to certain requests. Drawing parallels to healthcare and other sectors, Michael explains how miscommunication between end users and designers can lead to frustration, while Ciara highlights the importance of serving the majority of users who rely on core functions every day. Turning Customer Feedback into Action Listening to customers does not mean building everything they ask for. Ciara explains how her team implemented a feature voting system, giving users a transparent way to influence the product roadmap. Michael suggests that reaching out to clarify feedback can turn casual users into loyal advocates, showing that thoughtful communication fosters trust and retention. The AI Bubble and Software Evolution Michael and Ciara discuss the similarities between today's AI boom and the early 2000s dot-com era. While AI offers immense potential, Michael notes that many tools being created today will not stand the test of time. The future belongs to products that solve real problems with precision, human oversight, and authentic value. Building a Foundation for Scalability Ciara credits Eventist's adaptability to a strong infrastructure developed over three years. This solid foundation allowed her team to expand into studio management and festival scheduling without rebuilding from scratch. Michael praises this long-term mindset, explaining that scalable success depends on a stable architecture, not shortcuts. Database Discipline and Developer Sanity Ciara shares a golden rule for developers: stabilize your database schema before launch. Her six-month schema freeze policy helps avoid late-night emergencies and production chaos. Michael highlights how this disciplined approach prevents cascading issues and builds user confidence in the reliability of a system. Eventist: Empowering the Dance and Event Industry In closing, Ciara discusses how Eventist empowers dance studios and event organizers with transparent pricing that includes free ticketing software with a flat 25-cent fee per ticket and a 1.9 percent fee for studio tools. Listeners can explore more about her work and updates through Eventist.ca to learn about Ciara's software. Explore workplace and leadership insights at BreakfastLeadership.com/blog. Listen to more episodes of the Breakfast Leadership Show, ranked in the Top 2 percent of global podcasts by ListenNotes.
I ask Kent -- how to get a full-stack role at a great product-focused team given the AI scenario around. I added a mini-question as well that -- I want to build my own small things on the side, may be they can turn out to be a SaaS business, so will a full-time role be viable to let me do my own small things on the side...? Looking forward to your thoughts Kent! -- Vivek Getting a Developer Job in the AI chaos
What if you could turn a $5K/month business into $80K/month in under a year? That’s exactly what Chan Yuenenyi did. In this episode, Jaryd Krause chats with the founder and CEO of EssayGrader AI—the world’s leading AI grading platform trusted by over 100,000 educators. When Chan bought the business, it was generating only $5,000 per month. Fast-forward less than a year later, and he’d scaled it to $80,000/month, hitting $1M in annual recurring revenue. But here’s the twist: Chan didn’t chase shiny tactics or massive ad budgets.He used precision. Systems. Deep understanding of what users actually need. Before founding EssayGrader AI, Chan managed a billion-dollar product line at OpenText. So, he knew one thing most first-time buyers miss—buying a business is easy. Growing one takes vision. In this conversation, you’ll discover how he:
Andrew Gazdecki is the founder of Acquire, previously known as MicroAcquire, the largest startup acquisition marketplace. I've spoken to many indie hackers about selling their businesses, many of whom have done so using Andrew's platform. Before starting the Acquire, Andrew spent 8 years bootstrapping Bizness Apps to $10m ARR before being acquired by a private equity firm. You might also know of Boostrappers.com, the site Andrew started, sharing stories of bootstrappers. Finally, he also wrote a book called Getting Acquired, which tells his story and outlines exactly how you can sell your business.Timestamps00:00 - Intro01:20 - Startup and acquisition trends Andrew is seeing03:34 - Ideal time to sell your business05:10 - Should you build to sell?07:19 - How to make your business look good to a potential acquirer08:59 - Twitter/X and bootstrapping10:24 - How would Andrew Gazdecki start a business today11:52 - The best marketing channel for a bootstrapped business12:56 - The most unlikely acquisition outcome13:35 - Which business types have the highest multiples15:26 - The future of acquire.com15:56 - RecommendationsRecommendationsBook: Impossible to InevitablePodcast: All In PodcastEntrepreneur: Jack Dorsey
It’s not the numbers that make a business thrive—it’s the people, the trust, and the purpose behind it. In this revealing episode, Jaryd Krause sits down with Antoine Minoux, Principal Product Designer at Yelp and a serial entrepreneur who has founded, grown, and sold multiple successful SaaS ventures, including Improvmx and VoilaNorbert. Together, they unpack what really happens behind the scenes of buying, scaling, and selling online businesses—and the emotional intelligence required to do it right. Antoine shares his candid reflections on navigating acquisitions, from spotting undervalued opportunities to balancing multiple ventures and knowing when it’s time to sell. They explore how trust and transparency form the foundation of any successful deal, why valuation isn’t just about numbers, and how emotional awareness can be the difference between a smooth exit and a painful one. Through Antoine’s firsthand experiences, this conversation provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs looking to grow not just through innovation but through strategic acquisition and authentic relationships. Together, they explore: ✔️ Why buying an existing business can be less risky than starting from scratch✔️ The emotional and relational side of business acquisitions most founders overlook✔️ How to balance multiple ventures without losing clarity or momentum✔️ The right way to approach valuation and negotiation in SaaS deals✔️ Lessons learned from multiple exits—and why selling doesn’t always mean letting go Whether you’re an aspiring acquirer, a seasoned founder, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, exits, and the role of trust in entrepreneurship.
Brett Gilliland, founder of Elite Entrepreneurs, joins Greg to discuss how they help ambitious founders navigate the tough leadership journey from $1M to $10M in revenue. Brett shares how co-creating a clear, practical Purpose, Values, and Mission form the foundation of scalable organizations. He explains why moving from founder-led chaos to aligned leadership teams is the critical step that separates $1M experiments from $10M companies. With clear meeting rhythms, disciplined execution, and strong hiring practices, Elite Entrepreneurs has helped hundreds of founders become happy CEOs and build companies that run without constant founder involvement. Brett reveals the personal transformation required for founders to evolve into true CEOs who can enjoy their business more as it grows. You can reduce chaos, scale your teams, and rediscover the fun of running your business once you shift focus from “I” to “we.” Key Takeaways Growth Brings Freedom: Founders who learn let go in the right way often rediscover fun, profit, and time. Leadership Teams Required: Scaling past $3M–$10M depends on building a capable senior leadership team. Meeting Rhythms Drive Scale: Annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly cadences keep teams aligned. CEO Core Roles: Set the vision, build the team, and secure resources—everything else gets delegated. Hiring as Marketing: Culture-fueled job postings act like a “bat signal” for the right candidates. This Interview Is Perfect For SaaS founders at $1–5M in ARR Business owners feeling “stuck” at their current stage CEOs ready to build their first real leadership team Entrepreneurs who want growth and a life Quote from Brett Gilliland, founder of Elite Entrepreneurs “All of us get stuck in some way. We know there's a better way. We see other people figuring it out. I should be able to do this, we say, but we just didn't know what to do. "You have to do work on your business in a deliberate way. And those who do the work consistently make progress. We help them lay out the path from $1 to 10 million. Here are the things that you do. It's proven, it's practical. “Whoever has been consistent with it, quarter after quarter, month after month, week after week, doing the things that we're talking about, they start stacking wins. “Then all of a sudden, 18, 24 months later, we're at a place where we've tripled in revenue, we've doubled in team, it's fun, I've got some time back in my life. It does take time, but it's totally doable. I've seen it over and over and over again. Links Brett Gilliland on LInkedIn Elite Entrepreneurs on LinkedIn Elite Entrepreneurs website Podcast Sponsor – Designli This podcast is sponsored by Designli, a digital product studio that helps entrepreneurs and startups turn their software ideas into reality. From strategy and design to full-scale development, Designli guides you through every step of building custom web and mobile apps. Learn more at designli.co/practical. 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 or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com. Practical Founders CEO Peer Groups Be part of a committed and confidential group of practical founders creating valuable software companies without big VC funding. A Practical Founders Peer Group is a committed and confidential group of founders/CEOs who want to help you succeed on your terms. Each Practical Founders Peer Group is personally curated and moderated by Greg Head.
#615 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! (Original Air Date - 3/11/25) 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. Watch the video podcast of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a SaaS business created in September 2018 in the business niche. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $31,255.00 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/87162 to learn more about this business.
Yuval Selik is co-founder and CEO of Promomash, a software platform and managed service for Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands to manage their trade promotions and field marketing activities. Yuval is a former CPG founder who encountered the expensive, complex, and crucial process of managing trade promotions with stores and distributors. Promomash launched in 2015 to serve mid-sized CPG companies that don't have custom software and their own teams to manage promotion spend and budget compliance with retailers. With 125 employees, they now serve over 500 customers with their software and optional analysts who can perform complex sell-through reconciliation and spend analysis. Yuval and his co-founder raised under $1 million from angel investors to get started, and the company is now profitable and growing steadily. Yuval also hosts The 7 Hats Podcast, which helps entrepreneurs master the seven key areas of their lives, ensuring both success and fulfillment. Quote from Yuval Selik, the founder and CEO of Promomash “That's really the reason why we did not raise funds from big investors, because I don't want to have the pressures of somebody on my board telling me that I have to grow 50%, 80%, or 100% year over year. “Sometimes you need to pull back in order to fix your product. Sometimes you need to push forward and step on the gas a little bit. But that decision needs to be my decision, not a VC investor's decision. “Others in our market that raised big VC funding, in our competitive landscape. They are not run by their founders; they're run by their investors” Links Yuval Selik on LinkedIn Promomash on LinkedIn Promomash website The 7 Hats Podcast 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 or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com.
In this raw and eye-opening episode, Jaryd Krause chats with Matthew Tse—a former Big Tech software engineer who ditched the corporate grind to buy his way into freedom through online business. Today, he runs ImprovMX.com, a SaaS business he acquired after sifting through countless deals, failed startup attempts, and plenty of trial and error. Matthew doesn’t sugarcoat it. He shares the highs, the mistakes, and the exact process that helped him land the right acquisition to replace his income and build a life on his own terms. In this no-BS conversation, you’ll discover: ✔️ How many businesses do you really need to analyze before finding “the one”✔️ The critical mindset shifts that help you push through failed deals and land a winner✔️ Why chasing small, cheap businesses can actually cost you more in the long run✔️ The price range Matthew now recommends for friends looking to buy online✔️ His top growth levers for scaling SaaS—starting with retention before expansion If you’ve ever wondered how long it actually takes to buy an online business—or what it feels like to transition from employee to owner—this episode pulls back the curtain on the entire journey.
Also available on YouTube: youtu.be/gGdS45JY2YoAndrew Le and Tu Pham acquired Edit Order, a distressed Shopify app with a terrible reputation, for just 2x revenue in 2015. Ten years later, they've transformed it into Cleverific—a multi-million dollar order editing powerhouse.Guests:Andrew Le - Co-founder & Lead Developer, CleverificTu Pham - Co-founder, Marketing & Design, CleverificWebsite: https://cleverific.com/SponsorsSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.com/unofficialZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTWork with KurtApply for Shopify Help - ethercycle.com/applySee Our Results - ethercycle.com/workFree Newsletter - kurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.
When a strategic acquirer or private equity firm comes knocking, they'll ask for more than your headline ARR number. In episode #309, Ben Murray shares the seven critical numbers that buyers want to see before moving forward with a deal. These SaaS metrics and investor metrics are not only central to due diligence but also directly impact your company's valuation. From ARR and contracted ARR to retention and RevRec policies, you'll learn what to prepare now so you're ready for the call — whether it's tomorrow or two years from now. The point is to be prepared! What You'll Learn: - The 7 metrics that this giant investment fund wants to see - Preparing your 4 key data sources - Don't wait; be prepared today Why These Numbers Matter: - Fundraising & Exits: Acquirers use these metrics to assess risk, scalability, and long-term value. - Valuation Impact: Clean data on ARR, retention, and profitability drives higher multiples. - Investor Confidence: Reliable reporting reduces due diligence friction and builds trust. Don't fall prey to "deal fatigue!" Resources Mentioned:
In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a SaaS business created in May 2023 in the social media, business, and advertising niches. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $7,801.00 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/86296 to learn more about this business.
Dan Uyemura, founder of the top-rated gym software company PushPress, joins Ryan Atkinson on The UpFlip Podcast to share his journey of building a successful SaaS business. As a former internet engineer and gym owner, Dan intimately understood the need for better software development in the fitness industry, leading him to create PushPress. This episode dives into the core challenges and triumphs of building a software company from the ground up.Learn about the surprising inspiration behind the company name, the long game strategy that drove business growth, and the valuable lessons he learned about identifying market needs and building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).Tune in to hear Dan's candid insights on scaling a software platform, the importance of listening to customer feedback, and his unwavering commitment to providing genuine value. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to refine your business strategy, this episode offers a practical look into the SaaS market.Takeaways:- Entrepreneurship often involves turning frustrations into opportunities, as Dan built PushPress to solve his own problems with gym software.- Customer service can be a significant differentiator, especially in the early stages of building a SaaS company.- Authenticity and a genuine love for your customer base are crucial for long-term success in niche markets.- Scaling a vertical SaaS business can be a slow and steady process, requiring patience and perseverance.- Your initial product might be more of a learning tool, and you need to be prepared to rebuild or significantly iterate as you understand customer needs better.- Listening to customer feedback and allowing it to guide product development (like PushPress Grow) can lead to significant revenue streams.- Having a strong conviction about your product and target audience can help you make strategic decisions, including when to say "no" to potential clients.- A holistic marketing approach, including SEO and paid advertising, becomes important for sustained growth.- Building a successful SaaS company requires a long-term perspective and the ability to weather numerous challenges.- Providing value to your customers should be the primary driver, with financial success being a result of that value creation.Tags: SaaS, Tech Ventures, Software Development, Business Growth, Business FundingResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/3ZJxGqn Connect with Dan : https://www.instagram.com/danielsan/?hl=en
Sameer Narkar is the founder and CEO of Konnect Insights, a global SaaS company based in Mumbai that provides an omnichannel customer experience platform to consumer brands in 100 countries. Sameer created Konnect Insights in 2015 to help customer service teams respond to customers who mention their brands on social media. The product and company have expanded from a slow start working through marketing agencies in India to now distributing through ISV partners in all major global regions. The Konnect Insights product includes social listening, ticketing, reputation monitoring, and social media analytics. They have grown to 140 employees, hundreds of customers, and $7 million ARR--without any outside funding. In this episode, Sameer talks about: Selling through agency and ISV partners to grow efficiently Competing with large, well-funded software companies How he thinks about how AI can help them compete Why he hasn't sold the company or raised outside funding Quote from Sameer Narkar, founder and CEO of Konnect Insights “When you start a software company, you have all odds against you. You don't have enough money. There's no reason why customers would trust you against the established products. There is a 99% chance that you'll fail. “But if you're really passionate about what you're building, then don't look too far ahead. Try to achieve your smaller goals or get from zero to one. So just build something and get some early customers. We figured out a way for agencies to be interested in selling our solution to bring it to market. “Then meet directly with your end customers. It's very easy for tech founders to sit in the office and build a product the way they think. That doesn't work. Many founders think that if they take a half-baked product, they won't get another chance. But that's not the case. You need to build relationships to help you improve and grow..” Links Sameer Narkar on LinkedIn Konnect Insights on LinkedIn Konnect Insights 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 or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com.
In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a SaaS and Application business created in February 2017 in the digital media, technology, and information niches. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $1,487.00 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/84971 to learn more about this business.
Why would a founder sell their business when it's thriving? It's a question we hear often—and what we call the “entrepreneur's dilemma.” In this episode, Managing Directors Mike Lyon and Jeff Bean unpack why selling during a growth phase, though counterintuitive, can lead to better outcomes. They discuss how buyers value momentum, the risks of holding on too long, and how founders can maximize value by leaning into growth.Securities offered through Vista Point Advisors, member FINRA/SIPC. This has been provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation. It is not intended to address all circumstances that might arise. The views expressed herein may change at any time subsequent to the date of issue. Opinions contained herein should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results. Outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances. Any examples used in this material are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Testimonials from past clients may not be representative of the experience of other clients and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Clients are not compensated for their comments.
Sean Hoban was co-founder and former CEO of Kimble Applications, a leading professional services automation (PSA) software for organizations to manage their professional services business's entire operational and financial lifecycle. Sean and his co-founders had already started, grown, and sold a pro services organization before creating a PSA product and building a SaaS business. With a little funding from the founders and a few angel investors, Kimble started efficiently and grew steadily, eventually raising a practical minority funding round from private equity investors Accel-KKR in 2018. The company grew to $30M ARR before selling most of the company to Accel-KKR in 2021, which merged two PSA companies to create Kontata. In this episode, Sean discusses some of their deepest strategic opportunities: Learning to grow a SaaS business versus a professional services organization Building on the Salesforce platform and working in that ecosystem Starting in the UK and expanding to Germany and the US Quote from Sean Hoban, former CEO and co-founder of Kimble Applications “One of the most powerful ways I learned as a CEO is to find and talk to other founders in London who were in a similar situation. We would meet for beers, share ideas, and chat on WhatsApp. “If you have a specific problem, it was valuable to talk to other founders in the same growth stage. And these were founders, not hired CEOs. “It's a lonely job as a CEO. And being able to talk to somebody else who is in a similar position can be cathartic and very helpful.” Links Sean Hoban on LinkedIn Kantata on LinkedIn Kantata SX (formerly Kimble Applications) website Accel-KKR 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 or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com.
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
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
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
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.
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
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).
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.
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.
>> 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?