A Product Market Fit Show | Startup Podcast for Founders

Kazi Ahmed, Founder of Carbon6, achieved a remarkable $210M exit in just three years by leveraging existing Amazon brands rather than creating something new. He discusses the frantic pace of aggressive acquisitions that nearly drained their cash reserves and the painful pivot necessary to reach profitability. Kazi shares insights on why chasing perfect ideas can doom startups, the overrated nature of customer interviews, and the art of executing a roll-up strategy. His journey emphasizes immediate action over perfect planning in the fast-paced world of startups.

Discover how one founder turned LinkedIn posts into a powerful sales channel without going viral. Learn about a startup that rebounded from a 95% downround to reach $400M ARR. Hear how a stagnant business transformed by addressing a crucial customer pain point, skyrocketing from $3M to $25M in revenue. Plus, explore Cleerly's dramatic turnaround just days from bankruptcy. This podcast reveals that constraints can be a secret weapon for innovation and growth in the startup journey.

Jannick Malling, co-founder of Public.com and a fintech innovator, shares his journey in revolutionizing stock market access. He discusses the explosive growth from a beta to millions of users, driven by fractional shares and savvy marketing during the GameStop surge. Jannick emphasizes the importance of a relentless product focus and solving enduring problems for sustainable success. Plus, he reveals unique strategies for capturing virality and building a strong community among investors.

Jack Kuveke, an entrepreneur and startup commentator, dives into the chaotic world of recent startup headlines. He discusses Adam Neumann's shocking ability to secure $500 million for WeWork 2.0 while unpacking a corporate espionage scandal between Deel and Rippling. The conversation humorously explores how the rise of AI startups valued at $34 billion, despite zero revenue, reflects the bizarre state of venture capital. Kuveke also critiques consumer debt trends in America, emphasizing the absurdity of financing ice cream with Klarna and DoorDash.

Forrest Zeisler, Co-founder of Jobber, shares his inspiring journey from receiving six months of rejections to achieving an impressive $100M ARR. He discusses the emotional rollercoaster of landing their first customer, navigating investor skepticism, and the importance of incremental improvements over quick wins. Forrest emphasizes how the right investors can shape a startup's destiny and why chasing ‘silver bullets’ rarely works in the pursuit of product-market fit. His candid storytelling offers invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Koen Droste, Founder of Polarsteps, transformed a personal travel tracker into a $10 million app with 10 million users—despite losing 90% of users overnight. He shares how ignoring conventional advice and focusing on word-of-mouth growth led to their viral success. By obsessing over Net Promoter Score (NPS), they achieved explosive organic growth. Droste emphasizes that quality over speed and avoiding distracting partnerships are crucial for early-stage founders aiming for product market fit.

Jordan Boesch, founder of 7Shifts, shares his inspiring journey from a teenager solving his dad's restaurant scheduling woes to leading a software used by 50,000 restaurants. He emphasizes the power of customer feedback over funding, revealing how strategic partnerships fueled his growth. Jordan discusses managing near-failure, surviving burnout, and the importance of establishing core values for a resilient company culture. He also offers insights on using SEO effectively and why customer complaints can signal success.

Wesley Tian, founder of the AI headshot app Aragon, shares his incredible journey from being broke and rejected by VCs to hitting $10M ARR in just two years. He reveals bold strategies like guerrilla marketing, optimizing landing pages, and leveraging affiliate blogs that drove early sales. Wesley discusses the importance of timing and niche focus amidst competition, as well as his experiences with customer support and managing burnout. His insights provide practical tactics for founders looking to navigate their own paths to success.

Mike Salguero, founder of ButcherBox, shares his journey from raising $30M for a failed startup to bootstrapping ButcherBox to $550M in revenue. He emphasizes the importance of product-market fit versus investor expectations. Listeners will learn how focusing on customer needs and ditching vanity metrics fueled his success. Mike discusses the benefits of bootstrapping, transforming challenges into opportunities, and the ethical commitment to sustainable meat production. His insights are invaluable for early-stage founders aiming for genuine traction.

Gopi Rangan, Founder of Sure Ventures and a dedicated podcaster, shares insights from his journey investing in 30 early-stage startups. He reveals a three-step framework for identifying the right VCs, emphasizing the importance of business acumen over brand names. Gopi explains how to balance vision and execution in pitches, offering a unique 2-minute test to spot genuine early-stage investors. His practical tips on structuring pitches and strategic networking are essential for founders navigating the challenging pre-seed landscape.