Indie Bites Why you should build a sweaty startup instead of an indie SaaS - Flo Schirmer
22 snips
Jun 2, 2025 Flo Schirmer, an entrepreneur with a diverse background in DTC brands and home security, unpacks the concept of 'sweaty startups'—service-based businesses that generate quick revenue. He shares his journey from window cleaning to launching a successful home security company. The conversation dives into the challenges of customer acquisition and how blending traditional services with tech can amplify growth. Flo also presents innovative business ideas, like a garage organization service for affluent neighborhoods, illustrating the potential in overlooked markets.
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Flo's Window Cleaning Kickoff
- Flo started a window cleaning business by buying secondhand equipment and knocking on doors over a weekend, making nearly a thousand pounds quickly.
- He realized this business gave faster and more tangible revenue than any tech startup profits he'd seen.
How To Start A Sweaty Startup
- Find a product to sell and a supplier or installer, then go door to door to gather leads and follow up persistently.
- Build a simple website and use SEO and ads to expand customer reach after validating the business.
Tech Skills Create Edge In Old Industries
- Tech professionals have an edge applying their skills in old-fashioned, uninnovative industries where competition lacks sophistication.
- Enhancing these businesses with modern tools and systems can make you look like a genius without being one.
