Startups For the Rest of Us

Tracy Osborn, an expert on startup dynamics, and Einar Vollset, who delves into economic and tech issues, join a lively roundtable discussion. They explore the looming signs of a recession and what that means for revenue trends. The conversation shifts to Google's antitrust challenges and its impact on competition. They also unpack Dropbox's bold move to permanent remote work and the evolving landscape of commercial real estate. Lastly, concerns about the reliability of job review platforms like Glassdoor are raised, emphasizing the need for authentic feedback.

Brian and Scottie Elliott, co-founders of Gather, share their journey in interior design project management. They discuss the thrill of landing a major enterprise deal that revitalizes their business post-pandemic. The duo emphasizes the importance of customer-funded development and being persistent in sales follow-ups. They candidly acknowledge the challenges of outbound sales and the need to adapt strategies in uncertain times while navigating growth amid changing market conditions.

Keith Perhac, founder of SegMetrics and former owner of a million-dollar marketing agency, shares his bold transition from agency life to SaaS. He details why he chose this path and the unique positioning of SegMetrics in the analytics market. The conversation touches on handling growth plateaus, the emotional complexity of shifting focus, and the importance of customer journey understanding. Keith also emphasizes the challenges of bootstrapping and strategic pricing, adding humor to the mix as he reflects on programming mishaps.

Brian and Scottie Elliott, the dynamic duo behind Gather, share their insights on life and business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living as expats in Mexico, they reveal how the crisis has reshaped their daily lives and financial outlook. While grappling with uncertainties, they've unexpectedly attracted larger clients and enterprise deals, highlighting the surprising shift in the market. From navigating financial anxieties to embracing opportunities amid challenges, their journey is a testament to resilience and adaptation in turbulent times.

Explore the intriguing world of profit sharing, stock options, and equity in bootstrapped startups. Discover how these compensation structures can effectively motivate team members. Get insights on bonuses and which method might best align with your company goals. Delve into the pros and cons of profit sharing versus stock options, and consider their impact on employee engagement and long-term success. Perfect for anyone looking to incentivize their workforce strategically!

Brian and Scottie Elliott, co-founders of Gather, an innovative interior design project management app, dive into their recent surge in monthly recurring revenue, surpassing goals with a current MRR of $8,200. They tackle the psychology of pricing and share insights on raising rates without pushback. The couple also discusses the challenges of transitioning from small firms to enterprise clients, highlighting the ongoing cash burn and the pivotal role of strategic decision-making amidst uncertainty. It's a journey filled with growth, hurdles, and optimism!

In this engaging session, LinkedIn expert Anthony Blatner shares invaluable insights with B2B SaaS founder John Samuelson on leveraging LinkedIn ads effectively. They discuss the importance of targeting specific customer profiles and the optimal company size for Scatterspoke. The conversation highlights strategies for analyzing competitor ads and building successful campaigns, including budget setting and audience size considerations. Listeners learn about the advantages of free trials and educational content to drive conversions and improve customer engagement.

Discover insights from the newly launched 2021 State of Independent SaaS Survey! Dive into the unique traits of bootstrapped SaaS companies and learn why participation matters. Unlock exclusive insights that promise to enhance your understanding of the indie SaaS landscape. This is an essential listen for anyone looking to navigate the world of independent software.

The podcast dives into the emotional rollercoaster of shifting focus from solo practitioners to larger teams. They discuss the anxiety of uncertain growth and the need for a strategic mind shift. The conversation highlights the risks and complexities of increasing prices while adjusting customer outreach strategies. Notably, half of their recent signups stemmed from a cold email campaign. They celebrate recent wins, showcasing impressive progress, and maintain optimism for future growth despite the challenges of scaling.

Join John Samuelson and Colleen Johnson, co-founders of Scatterspoke, a thriving SaaS business that started as a side project. They discuss the exciting journey of transforming a free tool into a successful product, sharing insights on shifting to enterprise customers and the emotional toll of bootstrapping. The duo opens up about the challenges of outsourcing development and the delicate task of re-evaluating pricing strategies, including the tough decision to remove a free tier while maintaining user trust. Their story is both inspiring and educational!