

Listen to my call with Sam Ovens
Sep 16, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Sam Ovens, CEO of Skool.com and former founder of Consulting.com, shares his unconventional journey to success. He emphasizes the importance of product development driven by user needs and founder involvement. Ovens challenges the idea that a strong social media presence is crucial for success, advocating instead for core business skills. He also reflects on navigating rapid growth, the pressures it brings, and the significance of authentic engagement in leadership. His insights are both eye-opening and actionable!
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From Photoshop To Figma Obsession
- Sam taught himself design by tracing PNGs in Figma after initially using Photoshop for UI mocks.
- He spent long hours in Figma and was invited to exclusive betas because of his heavy usage.
Founder As Primary Designer
- Sam built School because he deeply understood creators' needs and was frustrated by existing tools.
- He learned Figma by tracing images and spent years designing the product himself to retain control.
Hire Engineers Before Polishing Portfolios
- Find exceptional technical talent before finalizing product details and prioritize engineer quality over optics.
- Ship fast with engineers who refuse to build bad conceptual designs to avoid slow, buggy products.