
Building With Buyers
You're a startup founder. You think your product is amazing and feel like more people should be buying. But the road is long and slow. It feels like you're stuck. There's always one thing I ask startup founders: have you talked to your customers? This is a show about early stage startup growth but unlike other shows about early stage startup growth, only we explore the role customers play in helping startups build to the next round. Hosted by Anna Furmanov.
Anna turns customer insights into compelling positioning and messaging for startups, visit furmanovmarketing.com to see how.
Latest episodes

Dec 29, 2023 • 7min
181 - BONUS: Do You Know How To Answer "What's The ROI On This?"
This episode is sponsored by Riverside, your all-in-one podcast and video platform. Go to https://creators.riverside.fm/Anna and use the code MSM23 for 15% off.
OK, final episode of 2023! I swear this time, this was just too important to leave until next year.
Just coming off the last episode with Natalie Marcotullio (Navattic) we talk a lot about measuring our marketing efforts. Huge challenge for marketers and founders and will continue to be a huge challenge because the methods we use for marketing continue to change over time: is the stuff we’re doing actually working? Should we start this marketing effort? Should we keep doing this marketing program?
A lot of times we hear the question: "What's the ROI on this?" If you’re hearing that question and it makes you cringe, you’re not alone.
For more content, subscribe to Modern Startup Marketing on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show!
And whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. fractional head of marketing for early stage startups >> www.furmanovmarketing.com
2. sponsor my Top 5% podcast and get startup founders, marketers and VCs hearing about your brand >> https://podcast.furmanovmarketing.com/
3. sign up to get my monthly early stage startup marketing newsletter where I’m sharing playbooks and insights and cracking some jokes
You can also find me hanging out on LinkedIn, definitely say hello and tell me what you're building >> www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov

Dec 25, 2023 • 48min
180 - Podcast, Ads, Positioning: What's The ROI? (Natalie Marcotullio, Head of Growth & Ops at Navattic)
This episode is sponsored by Riverside, your all-in-one podcast and video platform. Go to https://creators.riverside.fm/Anna and use the code MSM23 for 15% off.
Merry Christmas! You can snuggle up to the fireplace with this final episode of 2023.
I’ve been working with the Navattic team for 1+ years now as an advisor, great team and super love the space they're playing in and the problem they're solving.
I’ve had Natalie on the show before, check out Ep. 139 “To Be The Company That Seems To Be Everywhere, You Need To Eliminate The Funnel Mindset.”
This time we focused on the loaded question "what's the ROI?" on various marketing initiatives.
About Navattic:
Founded: 2020
Funding: Seed ($5.4M total)
Description: Create interactive product demos to let prospects get hands-on with your product (without bugging engineering).
In this episode:
Why did you podcast;
Why did you stop;
Will you start back up again with the podcast;
LinkedIn Thought Leadership Ads vs. traditional paid ads and top learnings;
The interactive demo space is so competitive, how’re you thinking about your positioning;
AMA - Natalie asks me her burning question.
You can find Natalie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-marcotullio/
Learn more about Navattic: https://www.navattic.com/
Check out their podcast Revenue on the Rocks: https://pod.co/revenue-on-the-rocks
For more content, subscribe to Modern Startup Marketing on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show!
And whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. fractional head of marketing for early stage startups >> www.furmanovmarketing.com
2. sponsor my Top 5% podcast and get startup founders, marketers and VCs hearing about your brand >> https://podcast.furmanovmarketing.com/
3. sign up to get my monthly early stage startup marketing newsletter where I’m sharing playbooks and insights and cracking some jokes
You can also find me hanging out on LinkedIn, definitely say hello and tell me what you're building >> www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov

Dec 18, 2023 • 12min
179 - MaaS (Marketing as a System) Step #10: GTM Strategy
In this episode, the podcast explores Step 10 of the MaaS process, which is Go-to-Market Strategy. It covers the significance of integrating previous work, prioritizing marketing channels, developing content, and creating a one-page marketing plan. The episode also provides tips for creating valuable content, highlighting the importance of original thinking, research, and content creation strategies.

Dec 11, 2023 • 42min
178 - Why Your Logical Marketing Content Is Creating More Doubt Than Trust (Peter Light, Co-Founder & CEO at Lumen Energy)
This episode is sponsored by Riverside, your all-in-one podcast and video platform. Go to https://creators.riverside.fm/Anna and use the code MSM23 for 15% off.
Peter Light is Co-Founder and CEO at Lumen Energy. Peter and I worked together back in 2021 and at that time Lumen was just a handful of people and they were building out their GTM strategy, positioning, messaging, and team.
About Lumen Energy:
Founded: 2020
Funding: Series A ($15.3M total)
Description: Lumen enables commercial buildings to generate new income from clean energy.
In this episode:
The early days of Lumen Energy (Seed stage) - who did you bring onto the GTM team, what was your GTM strategy;
How did you build trust with prospects as an early stage startup;
What were the high points and what were the struggles at Seed stage;
How much advice did you follow from your early investors;
Why is marketing important and why do you think marketing can be so misunderstood;
AMA - Peter asks me his burning question.
You can find Peter on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pelight/
Learn more about Lumen Energy: https://getlumen.com/
For more content, subscribe to Modern Startup Marketing on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show!
And whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. fractional head of marketing for early stage startups >> www.furmanovmarketing.com
2. sponsor my Top 5% podcast and get startup founders, marketers and VCs hearing about your brand >> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anna-furmanov
3. sign up to get my monthly early stage startup marketing newsletter where I’m sharing playbooks and insights and cracking some jokes
You can also find me hanging out on LinkedIn, definitely say hello and tell me what you're building >> www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov

Dec 8, 2023 • 29min
177 - BONUS: Why Happiness Is So Misunderstood In Business (Josh Lowman, Founder at Gold Front)
This episode is sponsored by Riverside, your all-in-one podcast and video platform. Go to https://creators.riverside.fm/Anna and use the code MSM23 for 15% off.
Josh Lowman (CCO and Founder at Gold Front) joined me on the show for the second time for this BONUS episode. Check out Ep. 84 “What I've Learned From Category Designing 50+ Startups” where Josh shares how he's helped startups like Robinhood, Newsela, Uber, Bizzabo, and Clari create and own their category.
In this episode:
Why we leave happiness out of the business equation;
Why happiness matters;
Josh shares two mind tools that can help;
Tying it back to category design (HINT: the world is telling us to be reasonable);
Josh and I category design my own business.
You can find Josh on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joshlowman
Learn more about Gold Front: www.goldfront.com
For more content, subscribe to Modern Startup Marketing on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show!
And whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. fractional head of marketing and advising for early stage startups >> www.furmanovmarketing.com
2. sign up to get my monthly early stage startup marketing newsletter where I’m sharing playbooks and insights and cracking some jokes
3. Sponsor my Top 5% podcast and get startup founders, marketers and VCs hearing about your brand >> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anna-furmanov
You can also find me hanging out on LinkedIn, definitely say hello >> www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov

Dec 4, 2023 • 10min
176 - MaaS (Marketing as a System) Step #9: Case Studies
This episode is sponsored by Riverside, your all-in-one podcast and video platform. Go to https://creators.riverside.fm/Anna and use the code MSM23 for 15% off.
It's Season 4 of the Modern Startup Marketing podcast and this episode is me continuing to share MaaS (Marketing as a System) which is the systematic approach to marketing that I built over almost 4 years of working with VC-backed early stage startups.
In this episode I cover Step 9: Case Studies including what it is, why it's important, who should own this work, and how to do it right. I'll be mixing in some more MaaS-focused episodes over the course of the season.
For more content, subscribe to Modern Startup Marketing on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show! I would love that so much.
And whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. fractional head of marketing and advising for early stage startups >> www.furmanovmarketing.com
2. sign up to get my monthly early stage startup marketing newsletter where I’m sharing playbooks and insights and cracking some jokes
3. Sponsor my Top 5% podcast and get startup founders, marketers and VCs hearing about your brand >> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anna-furmanov
You can also find me hanging out on LinkedIn, definitely say hello >> www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov

Nov 27, 2023 • 53min
175 - How The Things You Do Early Stage Scale As You Grow (Krish Ramineni, Co-Founder and CEO at Fireflies)
Krish Ramineni, Co-Founder and CEO at Fireflies, discusses growing from Seed to Series A, differentiation in a crowded space, and top focus areas for growth. They also explore marketing strategies, balancing problem education with talking about solutions, and the importance of understanding the 'why' behind marketing decisions.

Nov 20, 2023 • 12min
174 - MaaS (Marketing as a System) Step #8: Designing Other Website Pages
This episode is sponsored by Riverside, your all-in-one podcast and video platform. Go to https://creators.riverside.fm/Anna and use the code MSM23 for 15% off.
This episode is also sponsored by PDCflow, payment management made easy. Visit pdcflow.com/flow-billing to learn more.
It's Season 4 of the Modern Startup Marketing podcast and this episode is me continuing to share MaaS (Marketing as a System) which is the systematic approach to marketing that I built over almost 4 years of working with VC-backed early stage startups.
In this episode I cover Step 8: Designing Other Website Pages including what it is, why it's important, who should own this work, and how to do it right. I'll be mixing in some more MaaS-focused episodes over the course of the season.
For more content, subscribe to Modern Startup Marketing on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show! I would love that so much.
And whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. fractional head of marketing and advising for early stage startups >> www.furmanovmarketing.com
2. sign up to get my monthly early stage startup marketing newsletter where I’m sharing playbooks and insights and cracking some jokes
3. Sponsor my Top 5% podcast and get startup founders, marketers and VCs hearing about your brand >> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anna-furmanov
You can also find me hanging out on LinkedIn, definitely say hello >> www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov

Nov 13, 2023 • 53min
173 - Using Story To Switch From Just A Vitamin To The Painkiller Customers Need (Brad Pedersen, Co-Founder at Lomi)
This episode is sponsored by Riverside, your all-in-one podcast and video platform. Go to https://creators.riverside.fm/Anna and use the code MSM23 for 15% off.
This episode is also sponsored by PDCflow, payment management made easy. Visit pdcflow.com/flow-billing to learn more.
Brad Pedersen is Co-Founder and Chairman at Lomi and Pela. We're focusing on Lomi in this episode (B2C). I always get so many takeaways from talking to B2C startups that I can carry over into B2B, and that's why I love this convo.
About Lomi:
Founded: 2022
Funding: crowdfunding using Indiegogo ($7.2M!) and then got VC backed
Description: electronic device which turn your food scraps, organic waste, compostable packaging and home bioplastics into compost (plant food); they've already shipped 20,000+ units
In this episode:
Why does story matter with your marketing;
How to listen for the problem your customers actually want to hear about;
What is marketing and why does it work;
Why do superfans love Lomi and how do you further leverage that to create more superfans;
What can B2B early stage startups learn from the way that Lomi approaches marketing;
AMA - Brad asks me his burning question.
You can find Brad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-pedersen-77075012/
Check out his book coming out in November: https://startupsantabook.com/
Learn more about Lomi: https://lomi.com/
Learn more about Pela: https://pelacase.com/
For more content, subscribe to Modern Startup Marketing on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show! I would love that so much.
And whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. fractional head of marketing for early stage startups >> www.furmanovmarketing.com
2. sponsor my Top 5% podcast and get startup founders, marketers and VCs hearing about your brand >> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anna-furmanov
3. sign up to get my monthly early stage startup marketing newsletter where I’m sharing playbooks and insights and cracking some jokes
You can also find me hanging out on LinkedIn, definitely say hello and tell me what you're building >> www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov

Nov 6, 2023 • 13min
172 - MaaS (Marketing as a System) Step #6 + #7: Homepage Wireframe + Design
This episode is sponsored by Riverside, your all-in-one podcast and video platform. Go to https://creators.riverside.fm/Anna and use the code MSM23 for 15% off.
This episode is also sponsored by PDCflow, payment management made easy. Visit pdcflow.com/flow-billing to learn more.
It's Season 4 of the Modern Startup Marketing podcast and this episode is me continuing to share MaaS (Marketing as a System) which is the systematic approach to marketing that I built over almost 4 years of working with VC-backed early stage startups.
In this episode I cover Step 6 + 7: Homepage wireframe + design including What it is, Why it's important, Who should own this work, and How to do it right. I'll be mixing in some more MaaS-focused episodes over the course of the season.
For more content, subscribe to Modern Startup Marketing on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show! I would love that so much.
And whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. fractional head of marketing and advising for early stage startups >> www.furmanovmarketing.com
2. sign up to get my monthly early stage startup marketing newsletter where I’m sharing playbooks and insights and cracking some jokes
3. Sponsor my Top 5% podcast and get startup founders, marketers and VCs hearing about your brand >> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anna-furmanov
You can also find me hanging out on LinkedIn, definitely say hello >> www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov
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