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Startups For the Rest of Us

Latest episodes

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Feb 20, 2025 • 27min

Episode 759 | TinySeed Tales s4e6: Does AI + Pivot = Success?

Colleen Schnettler, co-founder of Hello Query and an experienced startup entrepreneur, dives into her journey of pivoting in the SaaS landscape. She reflects on the emotional challenges after a co-founder breakup and reigniting her passion for shipping products. Colleen discusses the tough decisions surrounding market viability for her AI-assisted SQL report builder, weighing the needs of internal BI teams against marketing insights. Her stories highlight resilience, the importance of feedback, and navigating the complexities of product development in the ever-evolving tech world.
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34 snips
Feb 18, 2025 • 45min

Episode 758 | Do Free Trials Suck?, What Moves the Needle, and More Listener Questions (with Derrick Reimer)

Discover ingenious strategies for launching a SaaS product in crowded markets, including the importance of transparent positioning against competitors. Dive into the complexities of free trials and their true objectives—understanding customer motivations and the impact of urgency on conversions. Learn how to pinpoint what drives business growth, as well as pre-launch marketing tactics that build anticipation. Gain insights on navigating bottlenecks and aligning daily tasks with your bigger business goals to enhance efficiency and success.
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Feb 13, 2025 • 15min

Episode 757 | TinySeed Tales s4e5: Founder Breakups, Crushing Failures, and the Future

Colleen Schnettler, a developer and entrepreneur, co-founded Hello Query but faced significant challenges along her startup journey. She candidly shares the emotional impact of her co-founder breakup and the sense of crushing failure that followed. Colleen discusses the struggle to realign their product vision with market needs and the uncertainty of moving forward solo. Her insights on sacrifice, resilience, and the need for clarity highlight the complex landscape of entrepreneurship and personal growth.
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48 snips
Feb 11, 2025 • 43min

Episode 756 | Why Great Product Management Is Critical for Your Startup

Brendan Fortune, Director of Product Management at Customer.io, brings his wealth of SaaS experience to the discussion. He emphasizes the crucial role of product management in startups and shares frameworks for driving product success. The conversation dives into understanding customer behavior as the basis for product decisions. Brendan also discusses the innovative concept of pricing flywheels and how to establish a 'fair' value metric, illustrating the delicate balance of pricing experimentation for growth.
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26 snips
Feb 6, 2025 • 16min

Episode 755 | TinySeed Tales s4e4: Customer Interviews + Pivoting

Colleen Schnettler, a developer and co-founder of Hello Query, dives into her startup journey focused on embedding custom reporting features in SaaS applications. She shares valuable insights gained from recent customer interviews that led to a pivotal shift in their strategy. The discussion highlights the balance between product quality and launching minimum features, as well as techniques for effective customer outreach. Colleen also reflects on the importance of understanding user problems, ensuring that their product aligns with real customer needs.
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47 snips
Feb 4, 2025 • 25min

Episode 754 | Broken Freemium, SaaS Plateaus, and More Listener Questions (A Rob Solo Adventure)

In a solo adventure, Rob dives into the tricky world of freemium strategies and when it might be best to avoid them. He tackles the transformative impact of AI on the SaaS landscape and the risks posed when larger players enter the market. There’s also a thoughtful discussion on how to handle growth plateaus and monetize effectively. Additionally, explore the complexities of spinning off products and the strategic considerations behind it. Tune in for practical insights to boost your software business!
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14 snips
Jan 30, 2025 • 23min

Episode 753 | TinySeed Tales s4e3: Co-Founder Conflicts + Renaming a Business

Colleen Schnettler, a developer and entrepreneur, shares her journey as the co-founder of Hello Query, previously known as Hammerstone. She candidly discusses the emotional trials of co-founder conflicts and emphasizes the value of open communication. The conversation dives into their decision to pivot their product offering to a SaaS solution focused on internal reporting, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned along the way. Colleen also shares insights on finding product-market fit in a competitive landscape.
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77 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 36min

Episode 752 | The State of SEO in 2025

Lars Lofgren, an SEO expert with 15 years of experience, delves into the rapidly evolving landscape of SEO. He discusses how changing Google algorithms and the rise of AI content are reshaping strategies for online visibility. Key topics include the staggering revenue potential driven by SEO traffic, the emerging phenomenon of 'parasite SEO,' and essential adaptations for bootstrappers. Lars emphasizes balancing AI tools with authentic content creation as marketers navigate this dynamic environment.
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17 snips
Jan 23, 2025 • 31min

Episode 751 | TinySeed Tales s4e2: From Developer to Manager

Colleen Schnettler, co-founder of Hammerstone and an experienced developer, shares her journey from coding to managing. She discusses the tough pivot to a focused product stack and the development of a new reporting MVP. Colleen opens up about the complexities of transitioning roles, including the challenges of hiring and how it impacts team dynamics. Her insights reveal the struggles and rewards of being a manager, emphasizing the importance of feedback and communication for a thriving business.
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45 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 36min

Episode 750 | Making Your First Hire, Testing Prices, And More Listener Questions (with Laura Roeder)

Laura Roeder, founder of Paperbell and former creator of MeetEdgar, shares valuable insights for bootstrapped SaaS founders. She discusses practical steps for hiring your first team member on a budget and the importance of testing pricing with existing customers. Laura highlights targeted content strategies to attract leads and the significance of knowing your best customers. She also emphasizes leveraging limited resources effectively to build a pipeline of potential clients.

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