Melissa Kwan, Co-Founder and CEO at eWebinar, is one of my closest friends whose brutal honesty is something I rely on almost daily. She's bootstrapped three companies and had one exit, all while traveling the world as a nomad.Melissa's story reflects her belief that work should never come at the cost of one's life, as this idea helps you live life to the fullest.Today, Melissa dives into some juicy, unconventional insights about how she started her company and what success really looks like in the tech world.Specifically, Melissa covers:- Prioritizing your happiness over only revenue when approaching business.- The balance between creating a safe space and seeking adversity to grow.- The playbook for hiring contractors and working without employees.- How to decide on the right equity split with a cofounder.- Optimizing your business for fun and advocating that for your team.- Why finding product-market fit takes time.- Low cost marketing and growth tactics.- Why founders need to build a personal brand in 2023 and how to do it right.Resources:- Master Community Led Growth to skyrocket your business https://FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com - Run hundreds of engaging webinars without you having to be there. https://ewebinar.com- Follow Lloyed Lobo https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyedlobo- Follow Melissa Kwan https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissakwan - Traction Community https://tractionconf.ioThis episode is brought to you by:Leverage Community-Led Growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots To Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull, and many more to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#product #marketing #innovation #startup #bootstrapping

In this episode, Henry Shi, Co-Founder at Super.com shares how they grew to more than 7 million customers and raised over $100 million in funding. Specifically, Henry dives into:- How him and his cofounders validated the idea for Super  and found product-market fit.- Key things founders should focus on in the early stages.- Tactics for driving customer acquisition and growth.- Who to hire and how to build a team from the early stages through hypergrowth and scale.- Lessons from raising money from top investors.- Navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.Learn more at https://tractionconf.ioThis episode is brought to you by:Leverage Community-Led Growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots To Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from the some of most iconic brands in world like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull, and many more to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#product #marketing #innovation #startup #generativeai #AI #hypergrowth #fintech

Cameron Deatsch, CRO at Atlassian, shares how they reached $40B success by building and scaling a community, measuring community ROI, and navigating challenges. He also gives unconventional advice for founders and highlights the importance of self-reflection and hiring an executive coach.

Why do some companies have loyal, cult-like followings while others blend into oblivion? Is a good product enough to win in the market today?In a world where traditional marketing is losing its edge and products are struggling to stand out, a thriving community is your biggest asset.However, building and nurturing a community takes time - relationships cannot be an afterthought. When put front and center, a community can be a great acquisition channel, product feedback mechanism, brand differentiator, retention lever, and growth moat.In this session, Jason Lemkin, Founder at SaaStr, and Lloyed Lobo, Cofounder at Traction discuss the journey behind creating the world's largest community for SaaS and Business software, where hundreds of thousands  across the globe actively engage through mega conferences, events, meetups, podcasts, blogs, social media, and more.Specifically, Jason and Lloyed dive into:- Audience vs community, what is the difference- Getting your community started, bringing people together, and seeding it at the beginning- How to ensure your community sticks and sustains for the long haul- The most impactful way to add new members- Unique strategies and tactics to keep the community engaged and drive interpersonal connections between members- The key metrics for community successGrab a copy of From Grassroots to Greatness: 13 Rules to Build Iconic Brands with Community Led Growth at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.comLearn more at https://tractionconf.ioLearn more about SaaStr at https://www.saastr.com/This episode is brought to you by:From Grassroots To Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules to skyrocket your business with Community Led Growth, featuring tactical advice from iconic brands like Apple, Atlassian, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, and many more. Grab your copy at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.comEach year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#community #clg #communityledgrowth #marketing #startup

Matt Oppenheimer, Co-Founder and CEO of Remitly, shares his journey of transforming money transfers for immigrants, growing from 0 to 4.2 million customers and reaching a multibillion-dollar IPO. He discusses the inspiration behind his pursuit, shaped by his friends' struggles with outdated systems. Oppenheimer reveals strategies for user acquisition and retention, the importance of trust in customer relationships, and insights on choosing markets for expansion. He also offers unconventional advice that could change the way founders approach their startups.

Is bigger always better?There's this prevailing notion that a company needs to have thousands of employees working around the clock to create value and become successful.But our guest today has done the opposite.With a team of 80 that works 40 hours a week, he’s managed to rival the growth of his competitors with hundreds of millions in funding and thousands of employees working evenings and weekends.He has also generated more profit than all of them combined.Today, Jason Fried, Co-Founder and CEO at 37signals, shares the playbook for achieving big things with small teams.Specifically, Jason discusses:- The advantage of doing less and staying small in certain areas.- Choosing the most enjoyable hard path in business.- The long-term strategy to remain profitable.- The difference between a Founder and a CEO.- When to bring on a COO.- Why requiring your employees to work nights and weekends indicates your company is broken.- Why the expectation of immediate responses is toxic to a lot of companies.- Maintaining company culture, without unnecessary meetings.- Figuring out prioritization as a small company.- Lessons learned from growing a small team with no funding.Learn more at https://tractionconf.ioResourcesBooks - https://basecamp.com/books Products - https://37signals.com How one dollar made us worth $100,000,000,000 (that's 100 billion) - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/basecamp-valuation-tops-100-billion-after-bold-vc-investment-fried This episode is brought to you by:Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#product #marketing #innovation #startup #bootstrapping

Our guest on this episode of Traction is a legend in Silicon Valley, Keith Rabois, CEO of OpenStore, and GP at top-tier venture capital firm Founders Fund.Keith was instrumental in the success of PayPal, LinkedIn, Slide, Square, and OpenDoor. Eight companies he helped build are publicly traded IPOs with multi-billion dollar market caps or have been acquired for greater than $1 Billion.Today, Keith shares some unconventional tactics for building hyper-growth companies.Specifically, Keith covers:- How he got into tech and PayPal.- Advice to founders dealing with chaos in the market.- How startups should be built.- Finding and attracting undiscovered talent.- Key hires to make from 0 to $10 million and beyond.- Key ingredients to build a company that eventually goes public.- Common mistakes that founders should avoid.Learn more at https://tractionconf.ioLearn more about OpenStore at https://open.store/This episode is brought to you by:Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#product #marketing #innovation #startup #generativeai #AI #founder #hypergrowth

They say success comes at a price, but what about the hidden toll it takes on the minds of those who dare to dream big?Andy Johns is a former Tech Exec and VC who spent the last 15 years investing in and driving growth for some of the biggest tech brands including Facebook, Twitter and Quora, as well as Wealthfront, where he was also president.After several years of working through psychological pain stemming from childhood trauma, Andy left it all to become a mental health advocate and a writer at Clues.Life. Now, he's on a mission to help others heal from emotional pain, transform themselves and discover their life’s purpose.In this session, Andy will dive into the raw reality of mental health and the stigma that has kept it locked away for far too long.Specifically, Andy discusses:- The reason for leaving Silicon Valley and becoming a mental health advocate.- How to uncover deep internal issues within yourself.- Why communities need to be more open about mental health.- Common health challenges for tech employees.- How to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work/life balance.Andy Johns - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjohns/Learn more at https://tractionconf.ioLearn more about Clues.Life at https://www.clues.life/This episode is brought to you by:Intercom enables businesses to connect with their customers at exactly the right moment using powerful messaging and automation. Scale your customer service without additional investment while still providing efficient and personal customer experiences. Eligible startups get advanced Intercom features at a 95% discount. Visit https://Intercom.com/tractionEach year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#startup #founder #mentalhealth #selfcare

Generative AI is all the rage these days. There are thousands of generative AI tools swarming the market, and VC funding for this vertical hit two and a half billion last year.Regardless of the hype, generative AI has the power to transform the way we do business and reshape the entire customer journey.On this episode, Des Traynor, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Intercom, breaks down the hype. Specifically, Des covers:– Use cases of generative AI. – How the entire industry will change with AI's involvement.– Intercom’s approach to AI.– How to deploy at scale.– How the future of generative AI will evolve in the business world.– How to get started without extensive technical expertise.– Potential risks and downsides.– Advice for founders.Learn more at https://tractionconf.ioLearn more about Intercom at https://www.intercom.com/This episode is brought to you by:Intercom enables businesses to connect with their customers at exactly the right moment using powerful messaging and automation. Scale your customer service without additional investment while still providing efficient and personal customer experiences. Eligible startups get advanced Intercom features at a 95% discount. Visit https://Intercom.com/tractionEach year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#product #marketing #innovation #startup #generativeai #AI

Building a unicorn as a first-time founder doesn't happen too often, but Capchase did that in two years while helping other startups get more than $2 billion in non dilutive funding.On this episode, Miguel Fernandez, Co-Founder & CEO at Capchase dives into:- Building a unicorn as a first time founder- Acquiring early customers and getting to product market fit- Funding your company without giving up equity- Bootstrapped vs. venture-backed - How money can mask anything- Leadership principles to institute during stressful times- The top things that make a great company cultureLearn more at https://tractionconf.ioLearn more about Capchase at https://www.capchase.com/This episode is brought to you by:Intercom enables businesses to connect with their customers at exactly the right moment using powerful messaging and automation. Scale your customer service without additional investment while still providing efficient and personal customer experiences. Eligible startups get advanced Intercom features at a 95% discount. Visit https://Intercom.com/tractionEach year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AILaunch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.caContent Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com#product #marketing #innovation #fundraising #fintech #unicorn #SaaS