Startups For the Rest of Us Episode 786 | Questions About Bootstrapping SaaS to a $90M Exit (with Kevin Wagstaff)
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Aug 5, 2025 Kevin Wagstaff, co-founder of Spectora, shares insights from his journey of bootstrapping a SaaS company to a remarkable $90 million exit. He dives into the importance of early traction in Facebook groups and the delicate balance between growth and work-life commitments. Wagstaff discusses the nuances of surviving churn in a high-turnover market, while also highlighting how consulting helped fund the initial phases of his business. He offers unique strategies for niche SEO and the competitiveness of online communities, emphasizing authentic engagement over aggressive marketing.
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Use Facebook Groups For Early Growth
- Use Facebook groups for early marketing and offer discounts initially to gain trust.
- Engage directly with users to foster relationships and emphasize access to founders.
Accept Temporary No Work-Life Balance
- Accept temporary no work-life balance as part of startup grind.
- Use growth feedback loops like rising MRR to fuel long-term effort.
Join Competitors' Groups Respectfully
- Join competitor-run Facebook groups respectfully, focusing on industry benefit.
- Build trust with vulnerability and consistent, helpful community engagement over years.