Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots

Nilan Peiris, VP of Growth at TransferWise, discusses growth sources, handling failure, studying user evangelism, launching in a new market, and scaling globally. TransferWise Nilan on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Dermot Daly, founder and CEO of Tapadoo, discusses being a developer early in the iOS ecosystem while differentiating themselves now as it's become a more crowded market-space, building your ideal company, and developing apps for med-tech devices. Tapadoo xCake Finish Big Slendertone Dermot on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Camille Fournier, author, speaker, and Managing Director at Two Sigma, discusses her path from Director of Infrastructure Engineering to CTO, lessons learned from tech team management, and the importance of defining core-values. Two Sigma Rent the Runway The Manager's Path David Cancel on Giant Robots Camille on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Jennifer Dary, founder of Plucky, discusses purpose, process, longevity, relationships, and trust by turning the tables and giving Chad a corporate counseling session. Plucky Hopscotch Design Festival Metis Upcase Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners 1:1 Starter Pack Jennifer on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

David Cancel, CEO & Co-founder of Drift, discusses bringing the personal touch back to sales through conversational marketing, validating an idea, competition, and differentiating yourself through communication & marketing. Drift True Startup Competition Brooklyn Boulders HYPERGROWTH Seeking Wisdom Podcast David on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Adam Marchick, CEO & co-founder of Alpine AI, discusses pioneering vocal analytics, making a better experience for digital commerce on vocal platforms, and operating in an early stage market. Alpine AI Adam on Twitter Thank you Alpine AI for providing a transcript of today's episode Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Sara Tateno, founder and CEO of Happity, shares her journey from BBC Radio, to coding bootcamp, to startup founder. Happity Radio 1's Essential Mix Mums in Tech Makers Academy Trigg Life Mapper Ignite Accelerator Sara on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Ernesto Moreno, business coach, entrepreneur, & restaurateur, joins Chad to discuss transforming a restaurant using lean methodology, focusing on your strengths, and finding creativity in running a business. Arepas Lean Startup Methodology The E-Myth Revisited- Michael E. Gerber The ONE Thing- Gary Keller Arepa & Co. Ernesto on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Tracy Osborn, author and the creator of WeddingLovely, joins Chad to talk about juggling projects, redefining your core customer base, the feeling of giving up control when hiring, and publishing via Kickstarter. WeddingLovely Hello Web App The Startup Curve Django Girls Tutorial Hello Web App: Intermediate Concepts Hello Web Design thoughtbot Books Hello Web Books Nathan Barry on Giant Robots Limedaring.com Tracy on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad discusses reflection & goal planning, the scope of internal projects, and balancing time & team structure for both client & product work with Allen Pike, CEO & co-founder of Steamclock Software. Steamclock Software WeddingDJ Stables and Volatiles Dunbar's Number Allen on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by George Brocklehurst, development director of thoughtbot NYC, to discuss the methodologies, tools, and use cases in working with machine learning. What is Machine Learning?- George Brocklehurst Named-Entity Recognition Stanford Named Entity Recognizer PyTorch Hoptoad (now Airbrake) Turning Design Mockups Into Code With Deep Learning- Emil Wallner Machine Learning Course on Coursera fast.ai Fundamentals of Machine Learning for Predictive Data Analytics- John D. Kelleher Named Entity Recognition: Downloading Recipes Kaggle Competitions Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

In 2003, five friends came together to form thoughtbot. In this special episode, we take a look back on the founding of thoughtbot, and it's first years, told from the perspective of the original founders and early partners. From their first meeting in college, to the dramatic first work-experience that led them to create thoughtbot, to the eventual breakup and reformation, we explore the events that led thoughtbot to become the company it is today. Matt Tucker Calvin Swaim Willie Conrad thoughtbot Worcester Polytechnic Institute Disc Pino's Pizza Build a Blog Demo Shotgunflat Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Pamela Pavliscak, founder of Change Sciences, about human-centered design thinking, and incorporating well-being & ethics as a measure of success. Change Sciences Value Sensitive Design Nudge- Richard H. Thaler IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems Ethics in thoughtbot's Purpose Statement Designing for Happiness- Pamela Pavliscak Pratt Institute SoundingBox Pamela on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Andrew Carroll, CPA and independent CFO, to discuss how the new tax regulations will affect freelancers, small business, & solopreneurs. Also, recommended strategies for savings, retirement, and investing for entrepreneurs. CFO Andrew Quickbooks Online Gusto Andrew on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Curtis Herbert, independent app developer and creator of Slopes, to discuss balancing client and product work, the pros & cons of a seasonal app, the importance of outreach, and experimenting with non-traditional business models. Slopes Breakpoint Studio Curtis on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Max Seelemann, co-founder and lead developer of Ulysses, to discuss app-review, the complexities of multi-platform releases, initiating a full-app rewrite, and switching to a subscription pricing-model. Ulysses Writing App Sunk Cost Fallacy 'Ulysses Switches to Subscription' Blog Post Max on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Anne Halsall, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Winnie, discussing intention in branding, assumptions about features, balancing local and remote work, and quantifying growth. Winnie Winnie on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

The tables are flipped and Chad is interviewed by Alan Wick, at our Playbook Launch Party, on the lessons learned from starting thoughtbot, company methodology, and looking towards the challenges & opportunities of the future. thoughtbot Playbook Crossing the Chasm- Geoffrey A. Moore Geoffrey Moore on Giant Robots thoughtbot /purpose Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots! Thank you to Storyblocks for sponsoring today's episode!

Chad chats with Maria Parker, CEO of Cruzbike, about running your first Kickstarter, issues with scaling production, and the challenge of shifting public perceptions. Hopscotch Design Festival Cruzbike Crossing the Chasm- Geoffrey A. Moore 3000 Miles to a Cure Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots! Thank you to Storyblocks for sponsoring today's episode!

Chad talks with Chris Savage & Brendan Schwartz, co-founders of Wistia, about building/launching new products, hiring, and managing company identity & vision. Wistia Chris & Brendan on Giant Robots Wistiafest video marketing conference Soapbox Thank you to Storyblocks for sponsoring today's episode!

Chad is joined by Aleen Simms, an organizer for App Camp For Girls, to discuss the importance and logistics of their new Indiegogo Campaign. Head over to the App Camp Indiegogo via tbot.io/appcamp to have your donation matched today! App Camp for Girls Volunteer! Volunteer Interest Form The Incomparable Podcast Aleen on The Incomparable Network Originality Podcast Aleen on Twitter Check out our newest podcast, Crossroads. Thank you to Storyblocks for sponsoring today's episode!

Chad is joined by Amy Webb, Professor at the Stern School of Business NYU and Founder & Quantitative Futurist at The Future Today Institute, to discuss distilling trends, incremental decision making, and the role of organizational management on the outcome of a company's future. Future Today Institute The Innovator's Dilemma- Clayton M. Christensen Exponent Podcast Microsoft Tay Bot Botness Scale The Signals Are Talking: Why Today’s Fringe Is Tomorrow’s Mainstream- Amy Webb Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by designer and author Jarrod Drysdale to discuss lessons learned from shutting down Cascade, writing about design, cultivating content for your audience, and design's evolving role within organizations. Jarrod on Giant Robots TheorySprints design course Studio Fellow Proximity School of Design Jarrod on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Anders Brownworth, Chief Evangelist at Circle, to discuss zero-cost transaction fees, cryptocurrency, and re-envisioning modern payment systems. Circle Disruptive Innovation- Clayton Christensen The Critical Path Podcast Anders on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Thomas Smale, founder of FE International to discuss valuations, selling SaaS businesses, and tips to make your product more attractive to potential buyers. The Developer's Path Video FE International SaaS Valuations: How to Value a SaaS Business in 2017 Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by author Geoffrey A. Moore to discuss the concepts in Crossing the Chasm and how they relate to scaling consulting. The full transcript for this episode Crossing the Chasm- Geoffrey A. Moore "How Great Leaders Inspire Action"- Simon Sinek TED Talk Seth Godin on Giant Robots Behind the Cloud- Marc Benioff, Carlye Adler Zone to Win- Geoffrey A. Moore Microsoft Re-Designs the iPod Packaging Geoffrey's Homepage Geoffrey on Linkedin Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Laurie Young to discuss The Developer's Path, a panel discussion hosted at thoughtbot London on how companies and developers can work together to achieve reciprocal growth. Developer's Path Panel Video thoughtbot Playbook- Apprenticeship Makers Academy Rails Girls London RailsBridge Over the Air Apprentice.io Laurie on Twitter

Chad is joined by Sara Chipps, cofounder of Girl Develop It & CEO of Jewelbots, to discuss integrating with custom hardware, building a community of young coders, working with retailers, and branding. Sara on Giant Robots Jewelbots #JewelbotsBuild First Lego League Radical Candor Podcast Zero to One- Peter Thiel Robot Conference Room Signage Sara on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Code School & Envy Labs founder Gregg Pollack to discuss optimal work environments and building a company to support Open Source Projects. Gregg on Giant Robots Starter Studio Brené Brown The Human Element Code Pop Upcase Sell Your By-Products Dive into Neovim on Upcase Gregg's Blog Gregg on Twitter Panel Discussion: The Developer’s Path Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by author, blogger, entrepreneur, and marketer Seth Godin to discuss the organizational introspection required to move from the cutting edge to the mainstream. The full transcript for this episode Seth on Giant Robots Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us: Seth Godin The Dip: Seth Godin thoughtbot Playbook Crossing the Chasm: Geoffrey A. Moore R/GA Google Ngram Viewer Jeff Koons altMBA The Marketing Seminar Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Mike McKenna, CEO of Shotgunflat, to discuss cultivating a business in the town in which one grew up, working with family, the effect of adding a sales team to a consultancy, and the legislation of craft-brewing. Shotgunflat Thirsty Goat Brewing Mtn Wknd Mike on Twitter Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by thoughtbot designer Kim Goulbourne to discuss inspiration, side projects, and winning a Webby Award! The Webby Awards Bitter Renter "Suck it Zillow. I won!" No Questions Asked Made By Bourn Kim on Twitter Kim on Instagram Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Chad is joined by Nick Charlton, thoughtbot developer and co-host of the Build Phase podcast, to give their impressions on all the news out of the WWDC17 Keynote & Platforms State of the Union. Build Phase WWDC17 Keynote Platforms State of the Union I/O '17 discussion on The Bike Shed Encoding and Decoding Custom Types Argo Become a Sponsor of Giant Robots!

Ben outlines his next steps, reflects on his time at thoughtbot, and hands the proverbial podcast reins over to Chad. Ballroom Dancing Onboarding on Giant Robots The Art of Product Podcast Art of Vim Intro- Ben acting in a smoking jacket Upcase Refactoring From Good to Great "Blurred Lines"- Kyle Fiedler

Ben bids adieu to thoughtbot, and outlines his plans, hopes, and fears for the future. Upcase FormKeep How to negotiate the Long, Slow, SaaS Ramp of Death- Gail Goodman The Stairstep Approach to Bootstrapping- Rob Walling Natalie Nagele on Giant Robots Vim University

Derrick gets technical about Drip's performance optimization, and reflects on pre-conceived opinions in regards to tactical & strategic planning after receiving some constructive criticism. Upcase FormKeep Studio Pics New Relic

Ben and Derrick recount their experiences and lessons learned speaking at MicroConf. Upcase FormKeep MicroConf Hedonic Treadmill Thank you to our sponsor this week, FreshBooks

Ben is joined this week by Spencer Fry, founder of TypeFrag, Carbonmade, Uncover, and Coach, to discuss carryover lessons of successful startups. Upcase FormKeep TypeFrag Carbonmade Coach Why I Started Coach Being a Solo Founder Notation Capital Perseverance Pays Off Creativity, Inc. Spencer on Twitter Thank you to our sponsor this week, FreshBooks

As we prepare for MicroConf, Ben takes a new tact on his talk after giving an early demo, and Derrick recounts a positive pair-programming experience. Upcase FormKeep Screenhero Thank you to our sponsor this week, FreshBooks

On FormKeep, Ben implements custom redirects on form submissions and starts a test to remove up-front credit card collection, as well as discusses evaluation of feature requests. On Drip, Derrick walks through the app with new devs, considers on-boarding automation, and continues his refactoring project. Upcase FormKeep thoughtbot Laptop Setup Script Therapeutic Refactoring Rack::Attack Thank you to our sponsor this week, FreshBooks

Derrick welcomes new Javascript and Rails developers to Drip. Ben prepares a content deal and interviews a Content Manager for Upcase, discusses the benefits and methodology to Vim proficiency, works on an integration with Wistia, and ponders growing / selling apps. Upcase FormKeep How to Find Your Genius Zone- Laura Garnett Surviving Your First Week in Vim Wistia Startups For the Rest of Us What It's Like Buying a $128k Side Project Thank you to our sponsor this week, FreshBooks

As Ben and Derrick prepare their talks for MicroConf, Ben shares his tips and habits for talk preparation and public speaking. Upcase FormKeep Ben's Pre-Talk Checklist How to Talk to Developers Thank you to our sponsor this week, FreshBooks

Ben & Derrick reflect on the S3 outage and how it affected their services, and muse on managing user perceptions. Derrick submits a talk to MicroConf on what it means to be "customer driven", and begins a refactoring effort to rework Drip's integration system. On Upcase, Ben integrates a referral widget, and enables subscription pausing, while on FormKeep he fixes a trial plan selection bug. Upcase FormKeep AWS S3 Disruption Postmortem The Netflix Simian Army Chaos Monkey Octopus Gem MicroConf Referral SaaSquatch Thank you to our sponsor this week, FreshBooks

Ben & Derrick welcome Anna Jacobsen, Education Director at Drip, to discuss customer demos / onboarding, sales and retention strategies, customer success, and best practices within Drip. Upcase FormKeep Drip Drip Certification Course Lessons Learned From a Year of Product Demos at Drip- Anna Jacobsen @ MicroConf Rob Walling on Giant Robots Calendly 59 Days of Code Hashtag Fresno Anna on Twitter Thank you to our sponsor this week, FreshBooks

On FormKeep, Ben runs an A/B test on trial length and adds a short onboarding survey, meanwhile wrapping up team signups and working on a content licensing deal for Upcase. Derrick reports back from his machine learning class, and discusses an issue in quality assurance testing. Upcase FormKeep Account Details MicroConf: Starter Edition Jason Cohen - Designing the Ideal Bootstrapped Business: MicroConf Talk Stripe Radar

Derrick travels to Portland to visit fellow bootstrapper friends, Ben recounts his recent conference travel, and a discussion of their most pivotal hires as well as account rescue techniques. Upcase FormKeep Big Snow Tiny Conf The Startup Echo Chamber is Making You Deaf Lessons Learned From a Year of Product Demos at Drip- Anna Jacobsen @ MicroConf

Derrick celebrates a great shipping week, completing both 'live segments' and a Drip certification course. Ben recounts the rollout & results of the Upcase + Tapas promotion, and reflects on its successes and possible pitfalls. Upcase FormKeep Efficiency Starts With a Haircut Shipping Hat Fire Cider Drip Certification Course Upcase + Ruby Tapas

Ben presses to meet the Upcase & Tapas launch deadline, and shares some lessons learned from its preparation, promotion, and launch. On Drip, Derrick rolls out more UI updates, is looking to hire JavaScript and Rails engineers, and details his hiring & interview process. Upcase FormKeep Upcase & Tapas ConversionCast

Ben halts the search for a marketer to instead hire a sales consultant and focus on growth himself, and announces a collaboration with Ruby Tapas. Derrick enrolls in a machine learning class, and contemplates Drip team & work structure. Upcase FormKeep What My Calendar Looks Like- Jason Fried Upcase + Tapas Promo Ruby Tapas Mastering Product Launches How We Structure Our Work and Teams at Basecamp Wistia Machine Learning Class Thank you to our sponsor this week Mobile Dev + Test Conference from Techwell

Derrick takes a solo retreat to reflect on new goals for Drip, and draws up preliminary plans for scaling team size / structure, as well as speeding up velocity through parallelism. Ben shares his experience with GrowthHackers Projects, hides the lowest plan and implements an automated annual upgrade reminder, pitches a content partnership for Upcase, considers a thoughtbot products bundle, and realizes a need for a mentor. Upcase FormKeep The Zen Founder Guide to Founder Retreats ZenFounder Podcast Appointed GrowthHackers OmniFocus Ruby Tapas Predictable Revenue- Aaron Ross & Marylou Tyler