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The SaaS Revolution Show

Lessons in longevity: How Matt Mullenweg scaled Automattic to $500M+ (and what's next)

Apr 17, 2025
Matt Mullenweg, Co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, dives into his journey of scaling Automattic to over $500M ARR. He shares the mission behind Automattic and how AI is reshaping WordPress, including innovations that enhance user experience. Mullenweg discusses vital lessons in leadership, product quality, and customer engagement that fueled his growth. He also reveals what his ideal work week looks like and how he remains motivated as a CEO while navigating the challenges of leadership.
34:55

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Maintaining direct customer engagement in the early stages of a SaaS business enhances product development and fosters strong user relationships.
  • Diversifying product offerings, like Automattic's WooCommerce and Beeper, plays a pivotal role in revenue enhancement and addressing evolving consumer needs.

Deep dives

The Power of High-Touch Engagement

In the early stages of a SaaS business, the ability to engage directly with customers significantly impacts product development and customer satisfaction. Founders and small teams can provide personalized support and gather immediate feedback, which fosters a strong relationship with users. This high-touch approach facilitates quicker improvements and refinements of the product, creating a frictionless experience that is essential for growth. As the company scales, however, transitioning away from this method becomes necessary, but the longer it can be maintained, the better the outcomes tend to be.

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