Traction Podcast

On this episode, Esben Friis-Jensen, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Userflow, shares lessons from bootstrapping to $5M ARR with a team of 3.Esben discusses several key points:- Product growth is a crucial model for business expansion and has been successful at Userflow.- The effectiveness of search engine marketing in competitive markets and its role in acquiring initial customers.- The CEO's responsibility to stabilize a company whilst encouraging founders to inject new risks for growth.- Esben reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, acknowledging the lessons learned and the importance of past ventures in shaping current success.- Founders should think lean and prioritize gaining paying customers before seeking seed funding.- The realities of VC-backed startups; building smaller, potentially acquirable companies might be a more practical path to success.Resources Mentioned:Userflow websiteThis 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 https://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.AI Launch 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.ca Content 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

In this episode, Sri Batchu, Growth Advisor at Ramp, shares top lessons from helping scale Instacart, Opendoor and Ramp.Specifically, Sri discusses:- Product-market fit as a cornerstone for successful growth.- The critical role of high-quality founders and executives in building a talented team.- Strategies for identifying and effectively reaching target audiences.- Advocating for a focus on payback periods over traditional CAC and LTV metrics.- Insights from Opendoor on managing capital risks and strategic asset management.- The importance of a human-centric approach in B2B marketing.- Effective growth hacks, illustrated by Opendoor’s MLS bidding strategy.- The challenges and tactics of customer acquisition in B2C marketing.Resources Mentioned:Sri Batchu - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sribatchu/Ramp Website - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ramp/Opendoor Website - https://www.opendoor.com/This 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 https://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.AI Launch 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.ca Content 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

On this episode, Spenser Skates, Co-Founder and CEO of Amplitude Analytics, delves into his journey of building and scaling the company from 0 to billion dollar IPO. Spenser discusses:- The pivotal role of understanding your product’s core action and its impact on user experience.- The exhilaration and significance of acquiring the first paying customer for a startup.- Identifying the moment of achieving product-market fit, marked by the first million dollars in revenue, signaling a viable business.- The process of scaling up by hiring key executive roles like CRO, CFO and engineering leaders to prepare the company for next-level growth.- The importance of authentic communication and learning by doing in sales and management roles.- The value of maintaining long-lasting relationships with co-founders and aligning on values for sustainable company growth.Resources Mentioned:Amplitude WebsiteThis 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.AI.Launch 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.ca.Content 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

On this episode of the Traction Podcast, Logan Bartlett, Managing Director of Redpoint Ventures, discusses key strategies for venture capital success and startup growth. With years of experience in venture capital, Logan offers a deep dive into the crucial elements that drive startup success and investment decisions.Logan explores:- His transition from investment banking to venture capital, sharing pivotal learning moments.- Redpoint Ventures’ investment focus, including software, B2B, Fintech, healthcare and AI’s impact.- The effect interest rates and public market trends have on private venture investments.- Balancing product-led growth with traditional enterprise sales in B2B SaaS.- The role of personal branding and community building for startup founders in today’s digital era.Highlighting the importance of aligning venture goals with a startup’s vision, Logan provides insightful guidance for founders navigating the venture capital landscape. Resources Mentioned:Logan Bartlett - https://www.linkedin.com/in/loganbartlett/Redpoint Ventures - https://www.linkedin.com/company/redpointventures/Redpoint Ventures Website - https://www.redpoint.com/The Logan Bartlett Show on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5WqBqDb4br3LlyVrdqOYYb?si=37f3b181b29f400fThe Logan Bartlett Show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theloganbartlettshowLeverage 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 https://FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the US 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.AI.Launch 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.ca.Content 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

Our guest today is Joyce Kim, Chief Marketing Officer of Twilio. With a market cap of more than $10 billion, Twilio is the industry-leading platform that powers customer engagement, from voice and video to SMS and email.Joyce dives into two important trends that will shape the future of marketing — generative AI and first-party data.Specifically, Joyce discusses:- Why do so many CMOs start as engineers?- AI trends that will shape the future of marketing.- The difference between first-party and third-party data.- Effective first-party data strategies you should be doing right now.- Why B2B campaigns can be more challenging than B2C campaigns.- Making sense of generative AI among your marketing tech stack.- Favorite tools and use cases with AI in marketing.- Keeping the human element and authentic voice inside of AI marketing campaigns.Learn more at https://tractionconf.ioLearn more about Twilio at https://www.twilio.com/This 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 US 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.AI.Launch 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.ca.Content 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 

In this episode of the Traction Podcast, Gagan Biyani, Co-Founder and CEO of Maven, and cofounder of Udemy and Sprig shares unconventional lessons from building, failing, and scaling. Specifically, Gagan dives into:- Going from idea to product-market fit and scale.- Navigating founder  issues.- When should you shutdown your startup.- The pitfalls of over-fundraising, explaining how too much capital can lead to losing control over the company’s direction.- Recognizing personal definitions of success, urging founders to reflect on what happiness and fulfillment mean beyond financial gain.- Redefining “hustle” as smart work — using innovative problem-solving to create leverage and achieve more with less, rather than just putting in longer hours.- The importance of adaptability, resourcefulness and continuous learning in successfully navigating the entrepreneurial journey.This conversation highlights the need for founders to align their business journey with their life goals and values. It’s a call for honesty and introspection in the entrepreneurial world, reminding listeners that success is personal and multifaceted.Resources Mentioned:Maven’s official website“From Grassroots to Greatness” (book) Traction Community This 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 https://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.AI Launch 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.ca Content 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 

On this episode of the Traction podcast, Neil Patel, Co-Founder of NP Digital, shares lessons from successes and failures in building and scaling startups and brands to eventually bootstrapping NP Digital  $100 million in revenue.Neil is a New York Times bestselling author, has 4 million monthly blog visitors, more than 50 million downloads on his  Marketing School podcast, and a YouTube channel boasting 31 million views.Specifically, Neil discusses:- How failures and mistakes helped him find success in entrepreneurship.- How he built a massive personal brand to drive growth to many of his ventures.- Key steps he used to bootstrap NP Digital to $100 million in revenue.- The duties of a CEO and the distinction between Founder and CEO.- Top trends that will shape the future of marketing.- How to look for industries with large markets and lower competition.Resources mentioned:NP Digital WebsiteSEO Tool by Neil: UbersuggestLloyed Lobo’s Book: From Grassroots to GreatnessThis 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 #generativeai #AI

In this episode, Leah Tharin, Growth Advisor for scaling B2B companies, dives into how she grew her audience on LinkedIn and Substack from 0 to 40,000 subscribers in just one year.Previously, Leah was the Head of Product at DeinDeal and Jua, and led the core product at Smallpdf to over 50 million monthly active users. Specifically, Leah shares how to:Define your audience and find your unique voice.Tailor content to meet your audience’s needs effectively.Transform your audience into a thriving community by extending your presence beyond social platforms through the use of podcasts, newsletters, and chat platforms.Identify and engage with superfans across various mediums.Plan meetups to build deeper connections with your community.Resources:Product-led Growth for B2B Courses: https://maven.com/leah-tharin Productea with Leah Podcast: https://www.leahtharin.com/p/the-productea-with-leah Leah’s newsletter and blog: https://www.leahtharin.com This 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 https://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.AI Launch 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.ca Content 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

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