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Indie Founder

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Nov 4, 2023 • 1h 37min

#316 - Interviewing Dagobert About How to Avoid Burnout as a Founder

Have you ever experienced burnout and its impact on your health? Well, Dagobert shares his personal experience with burnout and how it led to a significant shift in his work-life balance. We also dive into the importance of therapy for mental health and how it played a crucial role in Dagobert's recovery.LinksFollow Dagobert's TwitterJoin The WBE CommunityTry PodSqueezeBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimetsampsThe challenges of becoming official (00:04:43)Tiago and Dagobert discuss the process of becoming an official company and the frustrations and complexities they faced with the tax system.The benefits of using Lemon Squeezy (00:06:57)Dagobert explains how using Lemon Squeezy as a merchant of record can simplify the tax burden and accounting process for online businesses.The complexities of the tax system (00:10:16)Tiago and Dagobert discuss the complicated nature of the tax system, including the different tax rates in different countries and the deductions that can be made to reduce taxes.The burnout and realization of goals (00:11:21)Tiago discusses his burnout and how he became obsessed with reaching a monthly income of $10,000, only to realize it didn't solve all his problems.The risks and peace of mind (00:12:09)Tiago talks about the peace of mind he feels with his recurring income, although there is a small chance it could go to zero.The collapse and symptoms of burnout (00:18:10)Dagobert describes the moment his body broke down due to burnout, experiencing symptoms such as racing heart, tingling sensations, and anxiety.The burnout realization (00:22:24)Speaker 2 discusses how he initially dismissed the idea of burnout but eventually realizes that it is the cause of his symptoms.Impact on the business and relationship (00:25:16)Speaker 2 explains how his burnout affected the business and caused stress for his partner, leading to the collapse of the business.Living in constant stress (00:27:43)Speaker 2 reflects on how he got used to living in constant stress and denial as an entrepreneur, leading to his burnout.The challenges of relying on Twitter for income (00:31:59)Speaker 2 discusses the stress and pressure of depending on Twitter for income and the need to go viral.Dealing with burnout and self-care (00:33:02)Speaker 2 shares their experience of burnout and the steps they took to address it, including meditation, journaling, and therapy.Transitioning to a job and financial stability (00:34:04)Speaker 2 talks about the decision to find a job for financial stability and the relief it brought to both themselves and their partner.The trust and autonomy in the new job (00:42:46)Speaker 2 talks about being given complete autonomy in their new job as a product manager and the trust placed in them by the company.The value of experience and skills (00:44:16)Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 discuss how the skills and experience gained over the years have made Speaker 2 valuable in their current role.Success and recognition in the startup (00:49:41)Speaker 2 reflects on how their past failures and experiences in building startups have been recognized and valued by the founders of the current startup they work for.The beginning of the entrepreneurial journey (01:00:17)Tiago discusses the criteria that would make him sell his business and the challenges he may face in the future.Lucy's current situation (01:02:06)Dagobert talks about how Lucy is still trying to make the business work and the financial struggles she is facing.Differences in moving on (01:05:46)Dagobert explains how he has moved on from the business while Lucy is still trying to find a way to make it work, despite the challenges she faces.Recognizing and Preventing Burnout (01:10:35)Discussion about the importance of recognizing burnout and tips for preventing it, including the recommendation of therapy.The Importance of Finding the Right Therapist (01:11:36)Speaker 2 shares his skepticism about therapy and the importance of finding a therapist who understands the body and can provide a different perspective.Unlocking Stuck Energy in the Body (01:17:12)Explanation of how therapy can help unlock stuck energy in the body, leading to more clarity and the ability to make decisions.The decision-making struggle (01:20:00)The speakers discuss the struggle of decision-making and how it can be influenced by fear and hesitation.The importance of therapy for founders (01:21:06)They discuss the benefits of having a therapist by your side as a founder, helping to provide clarity and objectivity in decision-making and potentially saving time and avoiding ego-driven decisions.Couples therapy for co-founders (01:23:14)They explore the idea of co-founder therapy and how it can help address issues and improve communication between co-founders, potentially preventing mistakes and improving the overall success of the startup.Regaining Power and Mental Support (01:29:30)Tiago compares being an entrepreneur to being an athlete and discusses the importance of mental support in achieving success.Learning Soft Skills and Balancing Work (01:30:50)Dagobert talks about learning soft skills, finding balance, and prioritizing health and enjoyment in his work.New Powers and Taking a Different Approach (01:33:03)Dagobert shares his new perspective on work, focusing on having productive and meaningful hours rather than overworking himself.
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Oct 26, 2023 • 31min

#315 - How to Sponsor a Conference with your Indie Business

Have you ever sponsored a conference to grow your business? In this episode, I, an indie maker, and my co-founder Joao, dive into our experience sponsoring a conference in Berlin for our company, Podsqueeze. We were initially worried about being scammed, but we ended up sealing a sponsorship deal for $700. I chat about the perks of attending such events, like networking and potential client acquisition. However, we also faced challenges, like feeling uncomfortable with aggressive self-promotion. Despite the setbacks, we made valuable connections. Tune in as I reflect on the importance of having an official presence and the value of networking at conferences.LinksJoin The WBE CommunityTry PodSqueezeBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimetsampsIntroduction to sponsoring a conference (00:01:30)The host explains why he and Joao decided to sponsor a conference in Berlin and the importance of marketing.Finding a conference to sponsor (00:02:48)The host discusses the difficulty of finding affordable conferences to sponsor and how they discovered Pod Fest Berlin.Preparing for the conference (00:09:15)The host talks about their preparations for the conference, including designing t-shirts and getting flyers and banners ready.The organization of the event (00:12:09)The speaker discusses the lack of effort in organizing the event and the disappointment of not having many podcasting-related activities.Meeting other sponsors (00:13:07)The speaker talks about meeting the other sponsors of the conference, including representatives from Prodigy and McKee.Feeling ignored and demotivated (00:17:48)The speaker shares their frustration with being ignored by some podcasters and feeling demotivated after a long day of networking.Distributing the Flyers (00:21:33)The host talks about his experience distributing flyers at the conference and the mixed reactions he received from people.Creating an Official Pod Squeeze Booth (00:22:18)The host describes how they set up a table with their laptop and flyers to create an official booth for Pod Squeeze, which changed the way people perceived them.Exploring Partnerships (00:23:12)The host discusses their efforts to close partnerships with other companies, including discussing a potential API integration with Podigee and exploring a collaboration with Mackie for a giveaway.
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Oct 23, 2023 • 1h 14min

#314 - Interviewing Daniel about the Ups and Downs of Building Wundertax

I am interviewing Daniel, the CEO of Wundertax. He takes us on a journey from Hong Kong to Germany, sharing his experiences in entrepreneurship and the creation of Wundertax. We dive into the challenges of starting a business, securing funding, and navigating co-founder dynamics. Daniel also shares insights from his time in Amsterdam and how Wundertax focuses on customer needs and market trends. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on startups, entrepreneurship, and the complexities of tax filing.Checkout WundertaxLinksJoin The WBE CommunityTry PodSqueezeSponsor the podcastBuy WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsThe Ups and Downs of Daniel's Journey [00:00:30]Daniel, the CEO of Wundertax, shares his experiences and challenges as a founder.Wunndertax: Making Taxes Simple [00:01:27]Daniel introduces Wonder Tax, a tool that simplifies the tax process, and discusses its benefits.From Hong Kong to Germany [00:02:05]Daniel talks about his background, growing up in Hong Kong, studying in Germany, and his experiences working for Rocket Internet and Foodpanda.Pressure from families and the issue of affordability in Hong Kong [00:09:51]Discussion about the pressure from families and the high cost of living in Hong Kong, leading some young people to move to other countries.Entrepreneurial background and first business idea [00:11:05]Conversation about Daniel's family background and his early interest in entrepreneurship and building things.Building the first version of the tax tool and its success [00:13:50]Explanation of how they built the minimum viable product (MVP) using an Excel sheet and freelancer, and the subsequent viral success of the tool.The problem is more important than the solution [00:20:20]Discussion on the importance of focusing on solving customer problems rather than coming up with innovative solutions.The process of building a business and product people want [00:22:13]Talk about the importance of having a vision but also considering the needs and wants of customers when building a business.The marketing mix and peak revenue during tax deadline [00:26:09]Explanation of the marketing strategies used, including Facebook marketing and Google ads, and the significant increase in revenue during the tax deadline period.Building Monetization [00:29:02]Daniel discusses the decision to introduce monetization to their platform and the positive response from customers.Raising Series A Funding [00:32:05]Daniel talks about the ease of raising funding after implementing monetization and the process of negotiating with investors.Growing the Team and Spending Money [00:37:48]Daniel describes how they used the funding to hire more employees, expand their office, and throw parties, while also feeling pressure to deliver on their promises.The decision to become CEO [00:38:38]The speakers discuss how the CEO is typically the more outgoing and investor-facing role in a company, while the COO is more inward-facing.The challenges of growth and profitability [00:39:36]The speakers talk about the pressure to continuously raise funds and grow, and how some companies struggle to become profitable.The decision to part ways with the co-founder [00:44:22]The speakers discuss the conflicts and disagreements between the CEO and co-founder that led to the decision to no longer work together.Daniel's move to Amsterdam [00:48:31]Daniel discusses his decision to move to Amsterdam for four years and work on a moving platform.The challenges of raising the next round [00:50:22]Daniel talks about the difficulties he faced in raising the next round of funding for his startup.The downfall of the company [00:52:56]Daniel explains the challenges faced by his co-founder and the company, leading to the departure of the CEO and most of the employees.Starting Wonder Tax [00:57:57]Daniel discusses the initial meeting with the team from Wonder Tax and their confusion about his ideas.Growing the Company [00:59:00]Daniel talks about the changes they made when he became CEO, including hiring more staff and launching new products.Addressing the Fear of Taxes [01:05:30]Daniel explains how Wonder Tax tries to address people's fear of doing their taxes by providing easy-to-understand content and a user-friendly tool.The design and competition dilemma [01:08:04]Discussion on how to navigate competition in terms of design and following other companies' paths.The importance of mobile experience [01:10:02]Exploration of the significance of mobile experience for easy tax cases and the focus on improving the mobile app.Considering market demand and strengths [01:11:07]The CEO emphasizes the need to consider customer and user preferences while also focusing on the company's strengths and current customer base.
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Oct 12, 2023 • 14min

#313 - This Is Going To Be a Huge Marketing Bet

I have some exciting news to share - our company has decided to sponsor a podcasting conference in Berlin as part of our marketing strategy. I'll be discussing our experimentation with different approaches like cold emails and automation, as well as our current focus on sponsoring conferences. Join me as I talk about my goals for attending the conference, the frustrations of non-business tasks, and the constant feeling of dissatisfaction that entrepreneurs often experience. Plus, I'll be sharing a new feature we've developed and inviting you to join me at an upcoming event in Berlin.LinksJoin The WBE CommunityTry PodSqueezeSponsor the podcastBuy WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsThe conference sponsorship [00:01:29]Thiago discusses the marketing strategy of trying different channels and scaling successful ones, including sponsoring a podcasting conference.Testing conferences as a marketing strategy [00:02:37]Thiago explains the decision to test sponsoring smaller conferences to reach target users and evaluate the return on investment.Challenges with company infrastructure and bureaucracy [00:07:01]Thiago expresses frustration with setting up the company infrastructure, dealing with taxes, and the complexity of bureaucratic processes.The worry of losing it all [00:10:57]Thiago discusses the common concern among entrepreneurs about the fear of losing their money and success, even when they have achieved significant wealth.The excitement and frustrations of being an entrepreneur [00:11:54]Thiago reflects on the excitement and fulfillment of working for himself, but acknowledges the frustrations that come with being an entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of loving what you do in order to succeed.Introducing the new video clips feature [00:12:59]Thiago announces a new feature on their platform: video clips. He explains that this feature has the potential to attract more traffic and shares his excitement about its potential success. However, he mentions that he currently lacks the time and energy to fully focus on it.
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Sep 27, 2023 • 20min

#312 - How To Hire Top Freelancers for Your Indie Company

Have you ever wondered what it's like to hire new team members for a bootstrapped company? Well, in this episode, I'll be sharing my personal experience with hiring for my company, PodSqueeze. It all started when I hired a content agency to write ebooks, which turned out to be a success. But when we needed blog posts for SEO, we reached out to them on Twitter and decided to work on a freelance basis. Then came the time to hire a freelance developer, and the response on Twitter was overwhelming. After careful consideration, I selected Reeshav from India. Tune in to hear about my positive hiring experience and the progress we've made with Reeshav. And don't forget to support the podcast and join the indie maker community!Content AgencyReeshav - FreelancerLinksJoin The WBE CommunityTry PodSqueezeSponsor the podcastBuy WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsHiring a Content Writer [00:01:23]Discussion about the need to hire a content writer for SEO purposes and the unsuccessful attempt to find a cheap writer on Fiverr.Working with a Content Agency [00:03:30]Exploration of the decision to work with a content agency for ebook writing and the positive experience with the agency Knitting and its partners, Nithin and Kartik.Hiring a Freelance Developer [00:06:42]The host's desire to hire a freelance developer and the process of finding potential candidates through a simple tweet on Twitter, including the filtering process based on skills and rates.Finding the right vibe [00:10:12]Tiago discusses the importance of finding someone with a nice vibe and who is uncomplicated to work closely with.The bias in video applications [00:11:03]Tiago reflects on the bias in the video applications he received, with only one application from a woman and a majority of applications from men.Selecting the candidates [00:12:58]Tiago talks about selecting two candidates, one from India and one from Italy, for interviews and discusses the importance of having in-person chats to understand each other's goals and expectations.
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Sep 22, 2023 • 11min

#311 - The Most Uncertain Times: Navigating the Ups and Downs of PodSqueeze

 I'll be reflecting on the ups and downs of our journey so far, including the initial success and growth of our company. But I also have concerns about the market and AI trends. I'll be sharing my three conditions for deciding whether to continue with PodSqueeze, and expressing my unwavering passion for this project. Oh, and I'm thrilled to announce the release of our new video feature! Plus, I can't wait to tell you about my upcoming holiday plans. Connect with me on Twitter and if you're an entrepreneur looking for a supportive community, check out our select-based community. Let's dive in!LinksJoin The WBE CommunityTry PodSqueezeSponsor the podcastBuy WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsThe initial success and traction [00:01:32]Discusses the excitement and rapid growth experienced after launching PodSqueeze, reaching milestones, and the initial momentum in the AI market.The slowing down of growth and concerns about the market [00:02:47]Addresses the decrease in growth rate, the decline in AI trend popularity, and the uncertainty about the future of PodSqueeze in a shrinking market.The release of the new video feature and upcoming holiday [00:08:00]Mentions the development and release of a video feature, the stress and excitement surrounding it, and the upcoming holiday plans.Initial success and traction [00:10:01]Tiago mentions the initial success and traction experienced after launching PodSqueeze.Slowing down of growth [00:10:01]Tiago discusses the slowing down of growth for PodSqueeze.Concerns about market and AI trends [00:10:01]Tiago expresses concerns about the market and AI trends and how they may impact PodSqueeze.
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Sep 17, 2023 • 41min

#310 - How To Legally Create an Indie Company and Minimize Taxes

In this podcast, the speaker shares their experiences and challenges of setting up an indie company and minimizing taxes. They discuss finding the right legal and accounting support, exploring tax considerations for online businesses, and the frustrations of creating a company. They also discuss setting up an indie company in Estonia, struggles with choosing a name, and understanding the tax system.
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Sep 9, 2023 • 33min

#309 - Tips for Indie Makers Perform at The Highest Level

Are you an indie maker looking to perform at your best? In this episode, I dive into strategies for reaching the highest level of productivity. Discover the power of structuring your day and finding a routine that suits you. As a fellow night owl, I emphasize the importance of working with your natural body and brain rhythms. Plus, I reveal the benefits of sleep, cold showers, and intermittent fasting. Learn how to boost productivity, conquer distractions, and find relaxation through meditation. And don't forget to share your tips and suggestions for future episodes! Reach out to me today.LinksJoin The WBE CommunityTry PodSqueezeSponsor the podcastBuy WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsHow to Perform at the Highest Level [00:01:13]Discussion on the importance of structuring one's day to perform at the highest level, drawing parallels with athletes and other professions.Being a Night Owl [00:04:23]Tiago shares his experience as a night owl and the benefits of accepting and working with one's natural sleep patterns.The Benefits of Cold Showers [00:07:09]Tiago talks about the benefits he has experienced from taking cold showers, including improved tolerance to cold, potential immune system boost, and a mindset shift.Reducing Calorie Intake and Productivity [00:10:10]Tiago discusses how he reduces his calorie intake by practicing intermittent fasting and how it affects his productivity.Importance of Food and Productivity [00:12:03]Tiago talks about how the food he eats affects his productivity and how eating less helps him stay focused and avoid feeling tired or sleepy.Managing Distractions and Increasing Productivity [00:13:02]Tiago shares strategies for managing distractions while working, including taking breaks to do minor tasks and avoiding the temptation to use social media or browse the internet.The importance of meditation [00:19:27]Meditation as a tool for stress relief and problem-solving.Balancing work and personal life [00:20:32]Struggles with knowing when to stop working and the never-ending tasks.The value of rest and prioritizing mental health [00:21:42]Recognizing the need for rest, setting priorities, and avoiding burnout.The value of your hour [00:29:38]Tiago discusses the importance of assigning a monetary value to your time and making decisions based on that value.Making smart investments [00:30:44]Tiago explains how to make calculated decisions by exchanging tasks based on their value and ensuring they don't exceed the value of your time.Supporting the podcast [00:31:50]Tiago shares ways to support the podcast, including becoming a member of the community, which costs $10 per month.
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Sep 2, 2023 • 46min

#308 - Interviewing Taylin Simmonds Founder of Ghostlii

I had the pleasure of interviewing Taylin Simmonds, the co-founder of Ghostlii, a content marketing agency. Have you ever wondered how to find success as an entrepreneur while staying true to your artistic vision? Well, Talyn shares his incredible journey as an indie maker and entrepreneur, exploring the fascinating intersection of art and business. We dive deep into topics like finding product-market fit, thriving in saturated markets, and the power of building an audience and brand.About TaylinTwitterGhostliiPodcast LinksJoin The WBE CommunityTry PodSqueezeSponsor the podcastBuy WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsFinding Product-Market Fit [00:02:38]Dylan talks about the importance of finding product-market fit and how Ghostly shifted their focus from growing social media followers to building a valuable brand and audience.Artistic Entrepreneurship [00:03:34]Dylan discusses his perspective on the intersection of art and entrepreneurship, highlighting how entrepreneurship can be a vehicle for artistic impact and creating something incredible.Selling Art and Managing Expectations [00:05:14]The conversation explores the challenge of balancing artistic integrity and commercial success, with Dylan sharing insights on how musicians can find a niche that appeals to both artistic expression and market demand.The journey to $10k per month [00:10:20]Dylan shares how he reached $10k per month in just 30 days and discusses the importance of lead generation.Building relationships through content [00:12:14]Dylan explains his approach to networking by creating high-value content that attracts the attention of industry leaders.The importance of skill stacking and failures [00:15:55]Dylan emphasizes the importance of acquiring skills and experiencing failures before finding success in entrepreneurship.The mindset shift after reaching success [00:18:44]Discussion on how reaching success can challenge one's identity and mindset, causing anxiety and pressure.The journey of building a successful business [00:19:33]Exploration of the challenges faced in scaling a business and the personal growth required to sustain success.Using psychedelics for personal transformation [00:23:11]The guest shares his experience with ayahuasca and MDMA therapy as tools for personal transformation and identity change.Psychedelic experiences and personal growth [00:25:08]Dylan discusses how psychedelic experiences can open doors to new thoughts, states of being, and personal growth.Imposter syndrome and embracing failure [00:27:03]Dylan shares his thoughts on imposter syndrome and how it is a natural part of trying new things and embracing failure as a way to learn and iterate.Goals and priorities in indie companies [00:32:05]Dylan talks about his goals and priorities in his indie company, emphasizing the importance of viewing businesses as stepping stones for learning and growth.Scaling as a Self-Improvement Vehicle [00:32:53]Discussion on the benefits of scaling a business for financial and location freedom, but recognizing that it may not be the ultimate goal.Passion for Educating and Creating [00:33:53]Desire to transition into e-learning and decentralized education, and the challenge of being a creator and capturing attention.Finding Clarity and Direction [00:34:49]Importance of having clarity on the direction of one's business and being open to iterating and testing different paths.The pursuit of growth [00:41:05]Dylan discusses different motivations for entrepreneurship and the desire for growth in business and personal life.The need for constant growth [00:42:09]Dylan argues that while businesses don't always need to grow, individuals should always be growing in some domain, and for many, that domain is business.The desire to keep pushing oneself [00:43:27]Dylan explains how once money stops solving problems, the next challenge becomes finding fulfillment and enjoying life, which can be achieved through pushing oneself in business.MentionsAyahuasca (psychedelic): Mentioned at 00:24:03Joe Dispenza: Mentioned at 00:25:08MDMA therapy: Mentioned at 00:25:08Peter Levels: Mentioned at 00:28:31"12 and 12" mindset: Mentioned at 00:28:31Hermosa: Mentioned at 00:30:16 (unclear if it refers to a person or a concept)Elon Musk: Mentioned at 00:31:06Mark Zuckerberg: Mentioned at 00:31:06Bootstrapping: Mentioned at 00:31:06Indie hacking: Mentioned at 00:31:06Monkey Ran: Mentioned at 00:32:05 (unclear if it refers to a person or a company)Topic: Books and AuthorsMark Manson: Mentioned in the context of trying on different beliefs. (Timestamp: 00:36:18)Topic: Lifestyle and Success SymbolsMcDonald's: Mentioned in the context of working at a job with no leverage. (Timestamp: 00:39:31)Topic: Education and LearningE-learning: The speaker expresses interest in e-learning businesses and decentralized education. (Timestamp: 00:33:53)Topic: Conversations and InteractionsTony Dean: Mentioned as someone the speaker had a conversation with about maintaining lifestyle and freedom while growing a business. (Timestamp: 00:40:41)
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Aug 26, 2023 • 41min

#307 - What I wish I’d known when I started Indie Hacking

Explore the keys to success in indie hacking, including learning and experimenting, having financial stability and prioritizing mental health. Discover the audience-first approach, finding product-market fit, and the importance of time. Reflect on the decision to quit a job or side hustle. Learn about starting from scratch, trying new things, and automating marketing efforts. Dive into launching online products, preparations for Product Hunt, and the significance of having a co-founder.

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