Leveling Up with Eric Siu

ConvertKit is one of the biggest success stories of the 2010s online business world. Today we are joined by their founder and CEO Nathan Barry! Nathan started ConvertKit after realizing the value of email marketing and the ways in which companies were missing important parts of the service he envisaged. We get to hear about this part of the story, leading up to the beginnings of the company and then the early successes that they experienced after launching. A completely transparent company, Nathan shares a lot of vital and interesting statistics from ConvertKit before we get into Nathan's strategy for targeting new customers that has served them so well. He also emphasizes the importance of storytelling at ConvertKit, believing that customers do not only buy into the service but also the story. We discuss product-led growth, ConvertKit's recent adoption of the freemium model and public appearances that Nathan makes at the moment, so do not miss it! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:44] The full range of services offered by ConvertKit and their company mission. [01:08] Nathan's background in design, blogging, and writing, and how this led to ConvertKit. [02:59] Early days at ConvertKit and the success they experienced from the get-go. [04:02] Nathan's approach to entrepreneurship and why he chooses to focus on one company. [07:29] Growth phases for the company and how long it took to get up to 100k MRR. [10:17] The pricing model at ConvertKit and how they charge.  [10:57] Important numbers from the business and their choice to be transparent. [11:53] Smart targeting and the lessons that Nathan learned about zeroing in.  [15:01] Nathan's social media strategy and becoming visible to new prospects. [15:57] ConvertKit's choice to make the shift to a freemium model recently.  [19:56] Benefits of a great free and product-led growth. [21:10] The role of webinars and podcasts in the trajectory of ConvertKit. [24:50] How many podcast appearances Nathan makes at the moment. [25:53] Nathan's must-read book recommendation! [26:21] A great tool for business growth according to Nathan. [27:32] The founder and company that Nathan is currently following. Resources From The Interview: ConvertKit Nathan Barry  Nathan Barry on Twitter Tim Ferriss    App Design Handbook   MailChimp  Pat Flynn  Why I Switched from AWeber to Infusionsoft to ConvertKit Gretchen Rubin ConvertKit Baremetrics   HubSpot Chris Guillebeau   Figma  Vlad Magdalin   Webflow   Must read book: Anything You Want   Leave Some Feedback:   What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed   Connect with Eric Siu:    Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter    

Today on Leveling Up we are joined by the CEO of BELAY, Tricia Sciortino! BELAY is a virtual staffing solutions company that provides clients with the assistance they need in order to grow. Tricia was recently promoted to the role of CEO after 9 years in the COO position at the company, having been the first employee of BELAY in 2010! We talk about working remotely and the benefits this has offered BELAY's clients and, indeed, BELAY themselves. Tricia talks about what an exciting journey it has been watching her company and the industry in general grow over the last decade. She shares about how BELAY offers a solution to the problem of finding great employees and partners and the ways in which BELAY goes above and beyond some of their competitors. Tune in get it all! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast![01:05] Tricia's work history leading up to and during her employment at Belay.[03:35] The difference between BELAY and other virtual assistant services. [06:29] The rigorous vetting system that BELAY employs with candidates.[07:09] How BELAY makes money and gets customers started on their service.[08:10] Assistant buy-out and full-time employment of a BELAY candidate.[08:48] Growth rates at BELAY and their standing in relation to similar companies. [10:01] The roster and range of services that are offered through BELAY.[10:20] Lead sources at BELAY; referrals, advertising partnerships and sponsorships. [11:30] Important lessons that Tricia has learned in the assistant space.[13:42] Tricia's own practices with her assistant and benefits of constant communication. [14:54] A favorite business book selection from Tricia![15:10] A great growth-tool recommendation from our guest. [15:31] Who Tricia is currently following and inspired by! Resources From The Interview: BELAY Tricia Sciortino on Instagram OptinMonster Bryan Miles UpWork   The 4-hour Workweek    eHarmony  Inc 5000  Salesforce Zoom   Sarah Blakely Spanx Gary V Ariana Huffington Thrive Michael Hyatt  Daymond John Grant Cardone   Must read book: The Founder's Mentality   Leave Some Feedback:   What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed   Connect with Eric Siu:    Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter    

Today we have Christina Stembel, the founder and CEO of Farmgirl Flowers, joining us. After years of trying to raise capital, Christina realized that the only way she could retain the integrity of her business vision was to bootstrap the company – and it paid off in a big way. Being a female founder, she came up against the many implicit biases around women-owned businesses and failed to get the investments many other male-owned companies pulled off without showing any results. Today, Christina has the only female-owned large-scale e-commerce B2C flower company and made a remarkable $32 million in revenue last year. She talks about her business philosophy of high-quality, being entirely self-taught, how she saves on marketing, establishing a healthy company culture, leadership, and her secrets to building a superstar team.  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast![00:35] The origins of Farmgirl Flowers as a business, not a passion project.[01:33] Using the In-N-Out Burger business model and applying it to the flower industry.[02:12] The philosophy of doing something simple with excellence while reducing waste.[02:39] Almost running out of money a year and a half in and deciding to bootstrap.[02:50] Nine years later, 165 employees, and finishing 2019 with over $32 million in revenue. [03:15] The investment offers they have had being situated in Silicon Valley.[03:20] Actively trying to raise capital for three years and why she turned down three offers. [03:59] Not compromising but building the healthy, sustainable company she envisioned.  [04:31] The implicit biases she encountered as a female owner trying to raise capital. [05:03] Being the only female-owned large-scale e-commerce B2C flower company.[05:46] Not fitting the model for most VCs with a perishable product and small margins.[06:38] Higher quality at higher price points and other ways Farmgirl Flowers makes money.[08:05] The benefit of not having to spend what competitors do on marketing.[09:49] Christina’s self-taught knowledge about flowers, logistics, and distribution.[10:05] Working at Stanford University as the head of catering and how that prepared her. [11:09] Taking five and a half years to afford and get national shipping off the ground.[12:36] Their goal of opening two distribution centers and another one in 2021.[13:31] How Christina has learned to be a better leader and the mistakes she initially made.[14:24] Spending at least 20% of her time on her team and building the right culture.[15:08] The irony of being told that she is “unfundable” because she doesn’t have a team. [16:12] Building a superstar team by hiring people that no one else would believe in. [17:12] Learning about vulnerability as a leader from Brené Brown. [18:13] The importance of being thoughtful and strategic about business growth.  Resources From The Interview: Christina Stembel on LinkedIn Farmgirl Flowers In-N-Out Burger Kevin O’Leary on Women-Led Businesses Brené Brown  Katrina Lake on LinkedIn Stitch Fix Must-read book: Anything by Brené Brown!     Leave Some Feedback:   What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed   Connect with Eric Siu:    Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter  

Hey everyone! Today, I share the mic with Ismael Wrixen, group CEO of FE International, the market leader in the sale of SaaS, e-commerce, and content businesses. Ismael is a returning onto the show to fill us in on recent developments at FE. Tune in to hear Ismael talk figure jumps in revenue and deals, why the firm prefers using a cash on success pricing strategy over retainers and the quantity ratios and strategy differences between FE’s handing of deals in E-commerce, SaaS, and content spaces respectively. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review  here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on  iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Hey everyone! This week, I share the mike with Steli Efti, Founder and CEO of Close, an inside sales CRM. Tune in to hear to learn the kind of feedback you should be looking for, how to ensure the best product-market fit and how Close relies on content marketing and podcasting to help them grow and be successful. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Hey everyone! Today, I share the mic with Liam Martin, founder of three companies: Time Doctor, Staff and Running Remote.   Tune in to hear how long you should expect to wait before seeing success from your SEO efforts, how to build a remote team at scale and how Liam is able to balance running his three companies. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

What is it about companies that not only survive, but grow to be super powers? Tune in to hear Eric Siu dive into what Warren Buffet looks for before investing in a company and how you can apply it to your business. Click here to watch the full YouTube video  Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here. Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes. Get the non-iTunes RSS feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Twitter @Ericosiu Instagram @Ericosiu

Are you trying to land a 6-figure marketing job? Tune in to hear Eric Siu reveal what he (and other CEOs) like to see when scanning a resume.  Apply these tips to your job application process and you will not be disappointed. Click here to watch the full YouTube video  Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here. Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes. Get the non-iTunes RSS feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Twitter @Ericosiu Instagram @Ericosiu

Hey everyone! Today, I share the mic with Kamal Ravikant, a VC, author, mountain climber, and has served in the army!  We are lucky enough to have him on the show to share some of his wisdom about the startup game and beyond. Tune in to hear Kamal’s fascinating life story, why he decided early on in his career that he preferred starting companies rather than joining someone else's vision and how his desire for a better kind of investor led him to the role of VC. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Hey everyone! Today I share the mic with Jason VandeBoom, founder of ActiveCampaign. ActiveCampaign is a customer experience automation platform that has been around for over 15 years! Tune in to hear Jason give insight on how to scale a team at a small company, where to find outside funding and how he was able to find the right product-market fit, which led to ActiveCampaign’s long-term success. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter