In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt Watson interviews Robby Yates, co-founder and Chief Everything Officer of FollowApp, a networking software company. They discuss Robbie's journey from being a salesperson to becoming an IT guy and starting his own company. They also talk about the importance of networking, the challenges of being a non-technical founder, and the benefits of white labeling. Robby shares tips for effective networking and emphasizes building a strong team and listening to others. He also highlights the importance of perseverance and believing in oneself as an entrepreneur. Important Takeaways Networking is a valuable tool for entrepreneurs and should be approached with intention and a focus on helping others. Building a strong team and listening to advisors are crucial for success as a non-technical founder. White labeling can be a game changer for a business, allowing for easier promotion and increased revenue. Effective networking requires being yourself, not wearing a mask, and following up with contacts. Raising funds can be challenging, but networking events can lead to unexpected opportunities. It's important to embrace rejection and keep going, believing in oneself and the value of the product or service being offered. Don't miss this insightful conversation about becoming a non-tech founder in the tech world.    Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io   Visit the Follow App website:  https://thefollowapp.co    Learn more about Robby Yates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-yates-130105    Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz   Highlighted Discussion Points Creating a software company, challenges and lessons learned. 0:31 Entrepreneurship, trust, and business growth. 6:03 Pricing sensitivity and value-based pricing, with a focus on B2B vs. B2C. 10:53 White labeling software, networking, and app deployment. 12:43 Networking strategies for introverts and extroverts. 17:49 Using software to manage networking at events. 22:33 Entrepreneurship, networking, and fundraising challenges. 25:41 Building a tech company, overcoming challenges, and staying motivated. 30:44  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us as Chase Harmer, a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years in the fintech industry, dives deep into the challenges and innovations of building a fintech company with heart. In this episode, we explore the intersection of financial technology and charitable giving through Chase's latest venture, Wishes—a platform designed to transform how we support causes we care about. Episode Highlights: The Genesis of Wishes: From overcoming compliance hurdles to raising $30 million, Chase shares the behind-the-scenes of starting and scaling a fintech venture focused on solving real-world problems, such as hotel booking issues and incentivizing charitable donations with cashback rewards. A New Era for Charities: Discover how Wishes is redefining charitable giving by ensuring transparency, reducing administrative costs, and enhancing donor engagement through innovative features like virtual cards and a rewards system. Blockchain Meets Charity: Learn about the role of blockchain in fintech and how Wishes utilizes this technology alongside traditional systems to create a hybrid model that promotes transparency and efficiency in charitable transactions. The Cost of Innovation: Chase breaks down the financial realities of building a fintech company—from the initial $2 million launch cost to ongoing platform and compliance expenses. Strategic Nonprofit Partnerships: Hear how Wishes is not just a tech platform but a community builder, fostering strong connections between nonprofits and donors, and addressing challenges like homelessness through financial technology. Looking Ahead: Chase discusses the future of fintech in the nonprofit sector and his vision for scaling Wishes to ensure a positive impact on the charity landscape. Don't miss this insightful conversation about the fusion of technology and philanthropy, where passion meets purpose in the fintech space.   Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io   Visit the Wishes Inc. website:  https://www.wishes.inc   Learn more about Chase Harmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-harmer-657a5b5   Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz   Highlighted Discussion Points Entrepreneurship, FinTech, and building a charity-related FinTech company. 0:32 Building a tech company in FinTech, compliance challenges, and scaling. 3:42 Charity platform Wishbone, its features, and how it solves problems in the charity space. 9:48 Charity work and nonprofit alignment in FinTech industry. 15:31 Blockchain technology and its potential in the financial industry, with a focus on transparency and revenue generation for non-profit organizations. 18:07 The high costs of building and maintaining a FinTech company, including compliance, platform fees, and ongoing expenses. 23:45 Startup challenges and nonprofit fundraising strategies. 29:08 Nonprofit fundraising and payment processing. 31:38 Disrupting the nonprofit charitable giving industry with innovative technology. 37:01 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Wolfe, managing partner of Growth Street Partners, discusses practical fundraising for founders on the podcast. They highlight founder market fit, the challenges of traditional VC funding, and the benefits of growth equity firms like Growth Street. Insights include the importance of industry experience, customer relationships, and strategic funding for SaaS companies.

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Rob Snyder, the founder and CEO of Reframe, about product market fit and the challenges of being an entrepreneur. They discuss the definition of product market fit, the importance of customer case studies, and the need to focus on solving specific problems for a target audience. Rob shares insights from his program for founders and emphasizes the value of talking to customers and iterating on the sales pitch. They also touch on the difficulty of scaling and the limitations of traditional business education in teaching early-stage startup strategies. The conversation explores the challenges of finding product-market fit and starting a business. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer needs and simplifying the process of building a startup. Matt and Rob discuss the common struggles of not knowing how to build the right product or sell it effectively. They highlight the need to listen to customers' problems rather than their proposed solutions and to frame everything in the context of a customer success story. The conversation also touches on the value of a Harvard degree in entrepreneurship and the ongoing desire to start new ventures. Tune in to learn that product market fit is not all that complicated.   Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io   Visit the Reframe website: https://www.robsnyder.org   Learn more about Rob Snyder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsnyder1   Highlighted Discussion Points Product market fit, with a focus on repeatable customer success stories. 0:31 Helping startups find product-market fit through customer understanding and messaging. 3:47 Finding and serving early customers for startups. 9:18 Product market fit and scaling a business. 16:21 Product development and customer feedback. 22:02 Product development and customer success. 28:14 Product market fit and pivoting in startups. 31:22 Product development and scaling startups. 37:08  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling trapped on a workaholic hamster wheel? This episode of Startup Hustle dives deep into the entrepreneur's struggle for work-life balance and that elusive thing called happiness. Join serial entrepreneur and travel addict Michael Motamedi as he discusses aligning your company goals with your desire to, you know, not die alone. We'll crack the code on the "happiness threshold" (it's not about that third yacht) and explore why fixing your water heater might be more fulfilling than you think. Plus, Matt finally admits he might have a delegation problem. (Spoiler alert: he does.) This episode is for you if: You’ve ever dreamt of quitting your job and living on a beach in the Philippines (turns out happiness might be cheaper than you think) You struggle to define success without a Scrooge McDuck money bin You're tired of feeling guilty about not working 24/7 (hint: Mr. Beast takes breaks, too) You secretly believe AI can plan your next vacation (spoiler alert: Michael tried it with AI travel assistant GuideGeek) Get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe re-evaluate your life plan. Because, let's face it, chasing happiness on a hamster wheel is exhausting. Tune in and buckle up for a thought-provoking ride!   Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io   Listen to the ‘No Fixed Address’ podcast:  https://matadornetwork.com/podcasts/no-fixed-address   Learn more about Michael Motamedi: https://www.michaelmotamedi.com   Try the AI travel assistant Michael uses: https://guidegeek.com Highlighted Discussion Points: Entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and personal goals. 0:52 Finding happiness threshold through aligning personal and professional goals. 6:22 Defining happiness threshold and understanding why people work. 10:50 Finding purpose and happiness through creative hobbies and entrepreneurship. 15:40 Work-life balance, entrepreneurship, and happiness. 20:35 Delegating tasks and lowering expectations for entrepreneurs. 28:36 Work-life balance, travel with AI, and personal growth. 34:42  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of Startup Hustle is a goldmine for aspiring entrepreneurs!  Yaniv Bernstein, host of the StartUp podcast and founder of Funding Fit, joins the show to dish on the exciting and often messy world of startups. Ever heard of "entrepreneurial ADHD"?  Yaniv, a former Google employee who freely admits to this condition, dives into the challenges founders face, including the pitfalls to avoid.  Learn from his experience to dodge common mistakes and build a venture that thrives, not dives. Is venture capital the holy grail?  Not necessarily.  Matt Watson and Yaniv have a fascinating conversation about the VC game, unpacking the truths behind those astronomical return expectations.  They'll also explore the bootstrapping path and how to decide which route is right for you. Hiring a killer dev team is crucial for any startup.  But how do you do it?  Yaniv, with his background in software engineering, offers insights on building the perfect tech squad for your dream venture. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways, whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a newbie with a million-dollar idea.  Tune in and learn how to navigate the startup world, avoid costly mistakes, and hire the A-team to make your business successful!   Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io   Visit The Startup Podcast website:  https://www.tsp.show   Learn more about Yaniv Bernstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein   Highlighted Discussion Points Entrepreneurship, startups, and hiring dev teams. 0:32 Entrepreneurship, startups, and avoidable mistakes. 1:31 Parenting and startup analogies. 3:36 Venture capital, scaling, and business criteria. 6:52 VC fund expectations and founder mindset. 12:01 Venture capital, founders' responsibilities, and control. 18:30 Venture capital, cost-savings, and VC value add. 22:03 Entrepreneurship, VC investment, and personal motivations. 25:34 Bootstrapping and high-growth businesses. 31:05 VC funding and bootstrapping for business growth. 36:59  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us as Matt Watson chats with Greg Head about the power of in-person events like the SaaS Open. We're talking about ditching the Zoom fatigue and forging real connections with founders who GET IT. They discuss the value of talking to other entrepreneurs and attending events. They highlight the power of community and the benefits of connecting with like-minded individuals. They also touch on the importance of in-person events and their impact on building relationships. The conversation emphasizes the practical aspects of running a SaaS business and the challenges founders face.  In this episode, you will learn about: Talking to other entrepreneurs and attending events can provide valuable insights and support. Building a community of like-minded individuals can be energizing and help overcome challenges. In-person events allow for deeper connections and a different level of understanding. Practical founders focus on the nitty-gritty of growing a business without relying on big funding. Networking and learning from others in the entrepreneurial community is essential for success. Overall, the episode emphasizes the value of networking and learning from others in the entrepreneurial community.   Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io   Visit the Practical Founders website: https://practicalfounders.com   Learn more about Greg Head: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregheadaz   Highlighted Discussion Points Entrepreneurship, community, and networking. 0:31 Entrepreneurship, networking, and growth at SaaS open conference. 1:28 Entrepreneurship, business growth, and SaaS industry insights. 6:00 Business growth challenges and strategies. 9:43 The importance of networking for SaaS founders. 15:39  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you ever feel like you're the only one getting things done at your startup? This episode is for you! Matt Watson chats with Greg Schmedding, a problem-solver with a proven track record in the staffing industry, about the critical hires every startup needs to flourish. In this episode, you'll learn: Why delegating and letting go are essential for startup growth (and how to do it without losing control) The biggest hiring mistakes founders make (think: promoting that talented developer to CTO way too soon!) The importance of building a strong foundation before scaling your team How to identify and hire talented individuals who might not have the experience on paper but have the potential to be superstars Why Matt Watson says his best hire wasn't the most experienced, but the one who believed most in their approach How to create a repeatable and scalable sales system (and the challenges of managing an offshore team) The importance of self-awareness in key hires - building a team that complements your strengths and weaknesses This episode is packed with practical advice to help you build the dream team your startup deserves. So, tune in and get ready to learn about making key hires for your company!     Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/   Learn more about Gregg Schmedding: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gschmedding/  Highlighted Discussion Points Key hires for startups with guest Greg Schmedding. 0:31 Sales experience and problem-solving in the staffing industry. 1:10 Key hires for startups and entrepreneurs. 3:25 Hiring and trust in leadership positions. 7:52 Entrepreneurship, leadership, and team building. 12:00 Hiring key personnel and playbooks for success. 19:24 Hiring and recognizing greatness in early-stage companies. 22:47 Hiring key personnel for a growing company. 27:01 Leadership, process, and culture in a sales team. 31:22 Key hires, focusing on root growth. 37:06 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt Watson chats with Rex Kurzius, founder and CEO of Asset Panda, about the exciting (and sometimes messy!) world of building a global SaaS company. Get ready to hear about: The entrepreneurial itch: Rex, a serial entrepreneur, shares his insights on what drives him to build new businesses constantly. From home inventory to global asset tracking: Discover how Asset Panda pivoted from a consumer product to a successful B2B solution for tracking assets worldwide. Localization and the challenges of global markets: We explore the complexities of data privacy, language barriers, and cultural differences when selling software internationally. Unexpected use cases: From weird machines to body parts, Rex reveals the surprising ways companies worldwide use Asset Panda. Global marketing strategies: Matt and Rex discuss the various approaches to marketing a SaaS product internationally, including organic search and partnerships. The importance of customer fit: Learn why identifying the ideal customer profile is crucial for success in the global SaaS market. Compliance in a globalized world: We delve into the challenges of data privacy regulations like GDPR and how to navigate them effectively. The power of partnerships: Discover how Rex's MSP program leverages local partners to provide exceptional customer support worldwide. The rewards of going global: Rex shares the satisfaction of providing value to customers internationally and building strong relationships. Join us for an insightful discussion on the exciting world of building a global SaaS company!   Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io   Visit the Asset Panda website:  https://www.assetpanda.com    Learn more about Rex Kurzius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rex-kurzius-%F0%9F%90%BC-517aa9   Highlighted Discussion Points Entrepreneurship, business ideas, and asset tracking. 1:27 Tracking assets globally with localization and language support. 6:48 Tracking assets and managing inventory globally. 12:02 Global marketing strategies and challenges. 17:01 Global expansion, customer profiles, and compliance challenges. 22:04 Data privacy and compliance challenges for SaaS companies. 27:11 International business challenges and partnerships. 31:05 Global SaaS company challenges and successes. 37:46  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wonder what happens when you buy out your business partner? Join Jeff Munn and Matt Watson, the new CEO of Full Scale, as they go through Matt’s entrepreneurial rollercoaster in the first 90 days! In this episode, you'll hear: Matt's origin story: From problem solver to accidental business owner, Matt shares his hilarious and relatable journey. Leadership lessons learned (the hard way): Matt dives into the challenges and triumphs of taking over a company he once co-ran. Going global (and the awkwardness that comes with it): Matt gets real about leading a team of 300+ employees in the Philippines. Building a tech powerhouse: We explore Matt's plans for scaling Full Scale, including his bold marketing strategies. The entrepreneur's struggle is real: Matt and Jeff Munn chat about the stress, excitement, and constant hustle of running a business. Growth without burnout: Matt shares his honest journey towards achieving sustainable growth while maintaining his sanity. ‍ This episode is packed with insights, hilarious anecdotes, and practical advice for anyone considering the entrepreneurial path or anyone who just wants a glimpse into the crazy world of startups! Don't miss out! Tune in today!     Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/   Visit the Jeff Munn  website:  https://jmunn.com/    Learn more about Jeff Munn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmunn/  Highlighted Discussion Points Entrepreneurship and business ownership with Matt Watson. 0:32 Entrepreneurship, business growth, and leadership. 2:39 Leadership transition and cultural differences. 8:25 Leadership and change management in a tech company. 13:14 Ideal client for software development services. 18:30 Risks and growth strategies for a software development company. 20:33 Entrepreneurship, stress, and balance. 25:31 Business growth, leadership, and marketing goals. 30:09 Business growth and leadership decisions. 35:04 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.