Startup Stories - Mixergy

Chirag Kulkarni, founder and CEO of Taco, an AI-powered SEO firm, shares his insights on the rapid evolution of search platforms. He discusses how businesses can leverage AI like ChatGPT to enhance their visibility and drive traffic. The conversation highlights innovative marketing strategies, the challenges of navigating healthcare marketing, and the importance of personal storytelling. Kulkarni also reflects on his journey of building Taco in a competitive landscape, emphasizing adaptability and the power of human connections.

Tim Huelskamp, co-founder of 1440, a thriving daily newsletter with over 4 million subscribers, shares his journey from a failed startup to a booming business. He discusses innovative financing strategies that allowed 1440 to grow without traditional funding. The conversation also delves into the future of email newsletters and their role in attracting busy professionals seeking unbiased news. Tim reflects on the importance of user feedback and design choices in boosting retention and profitability, highlighting the balance between passion and sustainable growth.

Jesse Pujji, founder of Gateway X and co-creator of Bootstrapped Giants, dives into the complexities of entrepreneurship and partnerships. He discusses balancing personal strengths and collaboration, while navigating the stress of seeking validation in work. Jesse reflects on the transformative role of AI in business and shares insights into personal investment strategies, revealing the tension between wealth, responsibility, and legacy. Their candid conversation also touches on family dynamics and the importance of open communication in personal relationships.

When Kasey Grelle heard that private equity companies paid marketing agencies to evaluate companies they wanted to buy, she spotted a business opportunity. That realization became Aux Insights, the firm that’s become “the office of the CMO” for private equity companies. Listen to how they got clients & built their business. Kasey is a former reporter who founded Aux Insights, a global advisory firm that acts as the office of the CMO for private equity firms, specializing in digital growth strategy and marketing diligence. When she’s not scaling businesses, she’s up before dawn at 4 AM, savoring the quiet magic of early morning work before the chaos of her three-kid household kicks in. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Tucker Max, an author and entrepreneur famous for his 'fratire' books, shares his rollercoaster journey with Scribe, a ghostwriting and publishing company that faced near-collapse. He discusses the intricacies of self-perception in the business world and the intersection of emotional healing and entrepreneurship through psychedelic therapy. The importance of integrity during tough times and the journey toward sustainable living on his ranch are also highlights. Max emphasizes the value of authenticity and the power of storytelling.

John Doherty, a serial entrepreneur and digital marketing expert, shares his journey from being laid off at Zillow to founding Credo, a digital agency matchmaking firm. He reveals the emotional process of building and selling the business in seven years. John discusses launching EditorNinja, a service for outsourced text editing, driven by his passion for content. The conversation delves into navigating business challenges, the power of networking, and balancing AI with human editing in content marketing for enhanced quality.

Shaan Puri, co-host of the My First Million podcast and creator of The Milk Road newsletter, shares his entrepreneurial journey. He reveals how The Milk Road became his fastest money-making venture, growing to 250k readers in under a year. Shaan discusses his experience with Bebo, from its billion-dollar sale to revitalizing it for a fraction of the price. He highlights the importance of humor, storytelling, and audience feedback in achieving growth in the crypto space and navigates the emotional challenges of business exits, emphasizing a balanced approach to wealth and well-being.

Discover how beehiiv is thriving in the crowded email newsletter space, reaching $15 million in annual revenue. Tyler Denk, a former employee of Morning Brew, shares his journey of applying growth techniques to start his own software company. The conversation highlights the importance of user-centric strategies, innovative tools, and the balance of bootstrapping versus venture capital. Learn about the challenges and creative approaches that are shaping the future of newsletter publishing.

Vlada Lotkina noticed something wrong at her daughter’s school. So she built the solution and sold it for 8-figures. It’s called ClassTag, and it’s a platform where teachers, parents and school administrators can communicate and send out announcements. No flyers, no ridiculously long emails… My favorite part is that she’s a Mixergy listener herself. She literally called a previous guest of mine and got him to invest before her business took off. Vlada Lotkina is the co-founder and CEO of ClassTag, an edtech platform that simplifies communication between teachers and parents. She grew up in Ukraine and watched as her father pursued entrepreneurship during the fall of the soviet union. As a mother in the U.S., her own frustrations with poor school-parent communication inspired her. She eventually exited ClassTag for 8-figures. Sponsored byGusto – The easy payroll and benefits software the Mixergy interviewees love. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Adam Robinson struggled to compete with MailChimp. So he built software that’s too dangerous for them to build. Businesses that use Retention.com can instantly grab email addresses from anonymous website visitors — even if they never fill out a form. To promote his software he made himself into one of the few interesting follows on LinkedIn by picking fights, bringing drama and adding production values. Adam Robinson is the founder and CEO of Retention.com, which identifies email addresses from anonymous website visitors. He previously worked in finance but launched the email marketing company Robly after the 2008 financial crisis jeopardized his career. Following an 8-figure exit, he bootstrapped retention.com to over $21M in ARR. Sponsored byGusto – The easy payroll and benefits software the Mixergy interviewees love. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint