
The Bootstrapped Founder
Arvid Kahl talks about starting and bootstrapping businesses, how to build an audience, and how to build in public.
Latest episodes

16 snips
Feb 14, 2025 • 12min
375: Mute those “Dings”
Drowning in notifications can cripple your focus and productivity. Discover the speaker's personal battle with anxiety brought on by relentless alerts. Learn practical strategies for managing notifications without losing sight of essential updates. Tune in for tips on balancing deep work and critical business signals, ensuring you reclaim your mental clarity while navigating the chaotic world of a SaaS business.

36 snips
Feb 7, 2025 • 24min
374: Indie Hacking Databases at Scale
Databases can be daunting, especially for indie founders facing budget constraints and customer demands. The conversation dives into mastering database management, emphasizing the importance of scalability and efficient indexing. Learn about the challenges from transitioning to larger systems while maintaining performance. Discover valuable insights from personal experiences in running sizable SaaS offerings, shedding light on the intricacies of handling terabytes of data.

61 snips
Jan 31, 2025 • 17min
373: Delete Your Backlog
Discover the power of pruning your feature backlog for greater clarity and impact. Learn how reducing a list from 120 to 15 items can drastically lighten your mental load. The discussion emphasizes prioritizing high-impact tasks and leveraging customer feedback. Streamlining your backlog not only boosts productivity but also aligns your product development with real user needs. Embrace the philosophy that sometimes, less truly is more!

21 snips
Jan 24, 2025 • 12min
372: Indie Hacking & the Singularity
The discussion dives into the fascinating future of technology, imagining a world where minds connect like the Borg. Indie hackers are urged to navigate the rapid advancements of AI, emphasizing the importance of community and precise niching. Strategies to protect unique innovations are highlighted as essential in this fast-paced digital age. Tune in for insightful tips on thriving amid change!

37 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 5min
371: Brian Sierakowski — Mastering Product Communication
Brian Sierakowski, founder of ChangeBot and TRMNL, shares his journey of building successful SaaS and hardware startups. He discusses the importance of effective changelogs in product communication, emphasizing transparency and customer feedback. Brian also explores AI's role in managing changelogs and how it can enhance user trust. He highlights the significance of privacy and security in the modern tech landscape, as well as innovative projects that boost developer productivity and address the complexities of IoT development.

37 snips
Jan 17, 2025 • 8min
370: Building Systems That Work While You Don't
This week, the speaker shares how their businesses continued to thrive even during illness, emphasizing the power of resilient systems. They delve into performance monitoring tools like Sentry and AppSignal, crucial for maintaining software uptime. The importance of creating self-sustaining business processes is highlighted, showcasing how tackling issues proactively can enhance efficiency and allow founders to focus on recovery and personal well-being. Discover how building reliable systems can empower entrepreneurs to weather unexpected challenges.

39 snips
Jan 10, 2025 • 12min
369: Expect-AI-tions
Discover how expectations around AI are rapidly evolving in the software realm. The discussion compares AI's integration to groundbreaking visualization methods in film. Learn why software founders must adapt or risk being left behind. AI is no longer just a tool; it’s becoming an essential assistant that improves efficiency and decision-making in everyday tasks. Tune in to explore this vital shift in technology and its implications for the future of business.

20 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 37min
368: Johannes Jäschke — From Hypnosis Innovation to Business Exit
Johannes Jäschke, founder of Hypnu, transformed an academic idea into a successful hypnosis app for insomnia and anxiety. He shares his journey from skepticism to innovation, highlighting the rise of hypnosis amid the pandemic. Discussing the cultural significance of hypnosis and meditation, he emphasizes scientific backing and accessibility. Johannes also delves into the emotional aspects of business exit and the importance of mentorship for non-technical founders. His insights inspire others to prioritize societal impact over superficial tech trends.

80 snips
Jan 3, 2025 • 14min
367: The Biggest Opportunity of 2025
Explore the transformative power of agentic AI set to revolutionize the software industry by 2025. Discover the shift towards local AI, emphasizing data privacy and the evolving roles of software engineers. Learn about the importance of trust and authentic connections in a future dominated by technology. The discussion highlights the need for businesses to balance innovation with genuine human interaction for lasting success.

103 snips
Jan 1, 2025 • 56min
366: Omar Zenhom — Crafting Success Without a Tech Background
Omar Zenhom, founder of the now-sold WebinarNinja, discusses his journey as a non-technical founder in the tech world. He shares insights on building a support network, leveraging personal branding during his business's sale, and the importance of customer feedback in product development. The conversation also touches on overcoming public speaking fears, maintaining mental health while running a SaaS business, and the role of kindness in professional growth. With a focus on transparency and niche markets, Omar continues to inspire fellow entrepreneurs.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.