Startup Hustle

Ever gotten hit with a chargeback? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the world of e-commerce fraud with Qi Cao, the co-founder and CEO of Chargeblast, a company helping merchants fight back against unfair chargebacks.   Qi Cao went from scientist to entrepreneur after experiencing the pain of chargebacks firsthand. Now, he's helping businesses win back revenue and avoid costly disputes. But Chargeblast's journey wasn't always smooth sailing. We'll hear how Qi Cao pivoted from B2C to B2B, bootstrapped his company, and leveraged data to achieve explosive growth.   We'll also discuss:   Chargebacks in e-commerce: Why merchants lose most disputes, and how to fight back. Bootstrapping and growth strategies: How Chargeblast achieved success without venture capital. Cost-saving hacks for startups: Cutting costs with AI tools and data-driven decisions. The future of AI in FinTech: Separating hype from reality.   So buckle up, entrepreneurs! This episode offers insights to help you win the chargeback battle and grow your business.     Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/   Visit the Chargeblast website:  https://www.chargeblast.com/    Learn more about Qi Cao: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiuqi-cao/    Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/    Highlighted Discussion Points Chargeblast is a startup that helps merchants maintain low chargeback rates by alerting them before payment processors. 0:31 Chargebacks in e-commerce, with insights on industries affected and strategies for resolving disputes. 8:47 Bootstrapping, unit economics, and growth strategies for startups. 13:06 Advertising strategies for early-stage companies, focusing on targeting and margin growth. 18:45 Cost-saving strategies for businesses, including using AI tools and tracking ROI. 23:48 AI in finance, Chargeblast's product, and entrepreneurship advice. 30:21 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg DeVore, CEO of ScreenSteps, dives into the transformative world of knowledge transfer. He shares innovative strategies for streamlining onboarding, making training materials digestible, and embracing AI to reduce onboarding times significantly. With 20 years of bootstrapping experience, Greg highlights the importance of collaboration—especially in family businesses—and how to separate foundational knowledge from detailed instructions. Tune in for actionable insights to enhance employee performance and foster a thriving work environment.

In this compelling episode, join Matt Watson as he sits down with Stefan Schmidt, a seasoned CTO coach and author of the acclaimed book "Amazing CTO." Together, they discuss the pivotal role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), exploring crucial insights on when to bring one on board and the critical errors to avoid in the selection process. Stefan underscores the importance of idea validation before engaging a CTO or developer and suggests starting with a PowerPoint slide deck to gather feedback. Moreover, he advocates for aligning with a co-founder who not only shares the product vision but also has industry expertise. As the conversation unfolds, Stefan navigates the intricacies of company expansion, underscoring the pivotal role of delegating tasks and strategically appointing team leaders. He underscores the critical need for CTOs to shift towards strategic direction, avoiding the trap of being consumed by routine coding tasks. Leveraging his wealth of experience, Stefan's book serves as a treasure trove of wisdom, providing CTOs with 140 actionable rules meticulously tailored to their needs. From mastering delegation techniques to nurturing employee growth and circumventing common challenges, his insights offer indispensable guidance for navigating the ever-evolving realm of technology leadership.   Takeaways Validate your idea before hiring a CTO or developer Find a co-founder who shares the product vision and has experience in the industry Delegate tasks and hire team leads as the company grows Focus on strategy and vision as a CTO, rather than getting caught up in day-to-day coding   Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5   This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io   Visit the Amazing CTO website:  https://www.amazingcto.com   Learn more about Stephan Schmidt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanjschmidt   Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz    Highlighted Discussion Points Validating startup ideas before hiring developers. 0:51 Finding a technical co-founder for a startup. 5:22 Hiring a CTO for early-stage startups, with insights on product vision, ownership, and team leadership. 10:13 Challenges faced by CTOs in scaling their teams, including delegation, team leads, and maintaining technical expertise. 17:30 CTOs prototyping and delegating tasks to bring joy to the job. 26:37 CTO coaching, delegation, and leadership challenges. 30:47  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Michael Motamedi, a serial entrepreneur and travel addict who hosts the No Fixed Address podcast, dives into the quest for work-life balance. He explores the often-overlooked connection between personal fulfillment and professional success, humorously challenging materialistic ideals. Discover the concept of a 'happiness threshold' and hear about the surprising joy in mundane tasks like fixing water heaters. Plus, Michael shares his entertaining experiment using AI in travel planning, revealing how relinquishing control can lead to enriching experiences. Get ready for laughs and insights!

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.