Startups For the Rest of Us

Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos, shares his experiences in scaling a SaaS company while maintaining culture and brand identity. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from a startup to a multi-million dollar business and the survival of SaaS amid AI agents. The conversation dives into the impact of AI on SaaS platforms and the complex nature of patents for bootstrapped firms. Hewitt emphasizes the importance of community engagement and strategic hiring to sustain values during growth, providing invaluable insights for tech entrepreneurs.

Dive into the intriguing debate of revenue versus profit in the SaaS world. Discover why waiting for permission can stifle innovation. Get inspired by Mike Tyson’s relentless work ethic and George Lucas's visionary creativity as you navigate obstacles. Learn the importance of understanding both income and expenses for true financial health. Remember, you don’t have to be the best to succeed; persistence and a unique vision can set you apart in your entrepreneurial journey.

Derrick Reimer, founder of SavvyCal and Drip, shares vibrant insights from MicroConf 2025 in New Orleans. He discusses the strong sense of community among 260 attendees and highlights impactful talks, including lessons on business exits and homepage positioning. Derrick explores innovative pricing strategies and emotional copywriting, emphasizing simplicity in communication. Excursions add a fun twist, fostering networking over culinary delights. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the event's evolving structure and the exciting future of MicroConf.

Dive into a thoughtful critique of controversial bootstrapping advice that challenges common startup beliefs. Discover why rebranding may not be worth your time and how affiliate marketing won't magically solve your growth problems. Learn about the importance of focusing on effective acquisition channels and the traps of unlimited feature plans. Hear insights on the reality of SaaS scaling, the necessity of specialization in hiring, and the valuable lessons from competitors’ reviews. Buckle up for a groundbreaking discussion!

Brendan Fortune, a product expert with extensive experience in product management, joins to share invaluable insights. They tackle whether your ideal customer is always your highest paying one, exploring the complexities of defining an ideal customer profile. The duo discusses prioritizing feature requests and highlights the balance of art and science in product management. They also delve into effective pricing strategies while emphasizing the importance of competing on value, not just price. This session is packed with strategies for product managers to optimize their focus and decision-making.

In this conversation, Steli Efti, co-founder of Close.com, shares insights from his impressive journey to achieving over $40 million in annual recurring revenue. He highlights the significance of strong co-founder relationships and emotional resilience in facing crises. Steli also discusses a recent pricing shift aimed at making their product more accessible, emphasizing the balance of hard work and smart strategies in the SaaS landscape. With over 12 years of experience, he reflects on lessons learned and the importance of consistently showing up.

Colleen Schnettler, founder of Hello Query, shares her candid journey through the struggles of entrepreneurship. She talks about the tough decision to shut down her SaaS business after grappling with customer acquisition and a co-founder split. Reflecting on her experiences, Colleen reveals valuable lessons learned, including the importance of speed and execution in the startup world. With a new venture on the horizon and early signs of success, she encapsulates resilience in the face of adversity and the evolving nature of a founder's journey.

Jordan Gal, co-founder of Rosie and former founder of CartHook, dives into the world of AI-driven solutions for small businesses. He shares his journey from e-commerce to pivoting towards AI, discussing the challenges of finding product-market fit and the importance of rapid onboarding. The conversation explores how to quickly build an MVP in the AI landscape, the significance of adaptive feature sets, and the balance between creating a strong business model while ensuring fast growth. Gal's insights reveal the transformative potential of AI in entrepreneurship.

Colleen Schnettler, co-founder of Hello Query and a talented developer, shares her entrepreneurial journey in search of product-market fit. She dives into her struggles with cold outreach and navigating a complex data landscape. Colleen discusses the pivotal moments that prompted her to pivot her target audience and reassess product direction. With two paying customers, she emphasizes the urgency of setting a timeline for traction and the importance of defining her value proposition, inspiring reflections on resilience in the startup world.

Explore the intriguing dynamics of public deadlines for startup founders and whether they serve as a boost or a burden. Dive into the essence of 'Doing Great Work' and the vital steps for crafting impactful SaaS businesses. Uncover the hierarchy of skills crucial for navigating the ever-evolving SaaS landscape, emphasizing marketing, product development, and team management. Hear personal anecdotes on the challenges of committing to feature releases while maintaining project rigor. A thought-provoking dialogue perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs!