
SaaS Builder Podcast
Being a SaaS founder is hard.Product-market fit. Customer acquisition. Culture. Cash flow. Scaling… It’s a lot!There’s no roadmap, no magic formula—just hard-earned lessons from those who’ve been there.The SaaS Builder Podcast cuts through the noise to bring you actionable tactics and fresh perspectives from SaaS founders, growth strategists, and finance leaders.Join Randy Wootton—CEO of Maxio and seasoned SaaS leader—as he hosts conversations with the voices shaping the SaaS industry. From founders scaling startups to CFOs mastering financial growth, Randy & his guests unpack the decisions, strategies, and challenges that define success in SaaS.No fluff. No filler. Just the conversations that move your SaaS business forward.---P.S. We're always on the lookout for SaaS experts. For speaking inquiries, fill out this form. For all other inquiries, email podcast@saasbuilderpod.com.Produced by I Hear Everything
Latest episodes

Mar 7, 2025 • 3min
Do all SaaS companies need an in-house compliance team?
Ahikam Kaufman, founder and CEO of Safebooks AI, delves into the essential governance role within the office of the CFO. He shares insights from Gartner about top priorities for CFOs in 2025, emphasizing governance and data analytics. Ahikam highlights staggering statistics from PwC and KPMG, revealing that a significant percentage of companies going public face material weaknesses in internal controls. His discussion underscores the critical need for automated systems to enhance data trust and prevent financial governance pitfalls.Connect with:Ahikam Kaufman: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 6, 2025 • 6min
One word that describes the future of high-volume transaction management in SaaS
Join Ahikam Kaufman, founder and CEO of Safebooks AI, as he delves into the nuances of high-volume transaction management, emphasizing the importance of quality over mere accuracy. Discover his insights on transitioning from monthly to daily transactions, providing businesses with real-time monitoring capabilities to swiftly address discrepancies. Learn from Kaufman’s perspective on how automation and systems can bolster financial oversight, referencing real-world examples like the challenges faced by Macy’s and the innovative practices at Amazon. A valuable discussion awaits for anyone interested in enhancing finance automation and anomaly detection in high-volume environments.Connect with:Ahikam Kaufman: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 5, 2025 • 3min
Invest in AI-driven tools or traditional manual processes for financial analytics & monitoring?
Ahikam Kaufman, founder and CEO at Safebooks AI, shares insights on leveraging AI and machine learning for anomaly detection across enterprise systems. He advocates for prioritizing AI-driven monitoring tools due to their read-only nature, which mitigates risk and enhances visibility without making irreversible changes. This approach can benefit businesses by augmenting monitoring capabilities, especially in environments lacking such infrastructure. Gain valuable perspectives on using AI to complement traditional accounting practices while ensuring data integrity and security.Connect with:Ahikam Kaufman: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 4, 2025 • 4min
Should SaaS companies prioritize financial data governance in their growth strategy?
Join Ahikam Kaufman, founder and CEO at Safebooks AI, as he delves into the critical role of financial data governance within SaaS growth strategy. Ahikam shares insights on how private companies can strategically prepare for an IPO and manage financial accuracy to meet stakeholder and investor expectations. He also emphasizes the importance of automating financial processes as companies scale, drawing on experiences from both private and public company perspectives. Discover the cultural shifts and mindset changes necessary for transitioning to public company operations long before the IPO moment.Connect with:Ahikam Kaufman: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 3, 2025 • 22min
How is AI driving innovation in the Office of the CFO?
Ahikam Kaufman, founder and CEO of Safebooks AI, dives into how AI is revolutionizing financial governance. He discusses the three foundational layers of the CFO's office and highlights the efficiency gained by leveraging AI for data integrity and anomaly detection. Learn how these innovations can reduce manual work in financial reporting and improve compliance through automation. Discover insights into the evolving role of accountants and how AI can augment rather than replace human expertise in finance.Connect with:Ahikam Kaufman: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 28, 2025 • 4min
What strategies do you recommend SaaS companies implement to reduce churn and efficiently manage their cash burn rate?
Alan Taylor, COO at Maxio, dives into strategies to reduce churn and manage cash burn rates. He emphasizes an ROI-focused approach across the company and advises against getting distracted by shiny new tech, urging a focus on mission-critical systems that deliver clear customer value. The episode also introduces the "porpoise strategy," a financial approach advocating for achieving EBITDA positivity periodically to maintain financial control. Gain practical insights into smart cash management and sustainable growth strategies for SaaS companies.Connect with:Alan Taylor: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 27, 2025 • 11min
What team structures or hiring trends correlate with successful SaaS companies in the current market?
Alan Taylor, COO at Maxio, shares insights on building successful SaaS teams by blending industry expertise with high potential entry-level hires. He emphasizes the importance of promoting internal growth and maintaining an ROI-focused approach across the organization. Taylor also discusses strategies to reduce churn and manage cash burn, highlighting the significance of mission-critical workflows and careful evaluation of new investments. This episode provides valuable guidance for creating agile teams and sustaining growth in the SaaS industry.Connect with:Alan Taylor: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 26, 2025 • 2min
Did the Maxio Institute Report reveal any vertical-specific differences in SaaS industry growth?
Alan Taylor, COO at Maxio, shares insights on how vertical-specific differences are shaping growth in the SaaS industry. He highlights the notable expansion in cybersecurity, driven by new challenges introduced by AI, boasting growth rates approaching 50%. Conversely, industries heavily disrupted by AI, like media, e-commerce, and retail tech, face slower growth as competition intensifies. This episode emphasizes using market insights to set realistic goals and navigate SaaS growth challenges effectively.Connect with:Alan Taylor: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 25, 2025 • 4min
What's the single most important driver of growth for SaaS companies?
Alan Taylor, COO of Maxio, shares insights on the essential drivers of growth for SaaS companies, emphasizing the importance of deeply understanding your market. He explains how mastering your market shapes product and go-to-market strategies, ultimately fueling long-term growth. Taylor also highlights the value of integrating diverse backgrounds within teams to combine industry-specific expertise with proven functional skills, leading to exceptional success in scaling a SaaS business. Listen for actionable advice on maintaining market awareness and leveraging customer feedback for strategic advantage.Connect with:Alan Taylor: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 24, 2025 • 23min
The Maxio Institute B2B Growth Report
Alan Taylor, COO at Maxio, shares valuable insights from the latest Maxio Institute B2B Growth Report. Discover key trends in the B2B SaaS market throughout 2024, including the growth dynamics of companies under $1 million and the influence of AI and cybersecurity on the industry. Alan also delves into the impact of hybrid pricing models and how interest rates affect financial decision-making. With a hint of optimism for 2025, explore firsthand predictions gathered from SaaS founders about growth expectations and the trend towards efficiency and EBITDA positivity.Connect with:Alan Taylor: Website // LinkedInRandy Wootton: Website // LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.