The Bootstrapped Founder

We delve deep into the world of online communities, exploring their growth, evolution, and the disruptive elements that can lead to their downfall. Drawing compelling parallels with traditional villages, we seek to understand the role of trust, shared culture, and considerate interaction in these digital spaces.We touch on the dynamics that can lead to the erosion of online communities, such as inconsiderate self-promotion and the mass influx of new members who lack a shared understanding of the community's values. Drawing inspiration from Immanuel Kant's teachings, we discuss how short-term gains can often lead to long-term reputation costs.The podcast episode offers insights on how to contribute positively and build a reputation as a valued member of these virtual communities. It serves as a guide to navigating the complex dynamics of online spaces, focusing on their enrichment rather than erosion.The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/things-that-kill-the-village/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f317d6bbThe video: https://youtu.be/gakz2PeCYGYYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

Ever found yourself stepping into a role that you never expected you'd be in? That’s what my guest, Brian Sierakowski, did when he took over as CEO of Bearmetrics, a company that he had not founded, but was handed over to him after an acquisition by a private equity firm. Entering an existing team, dealing with the weight of expectations, and managing an already functioning business with its own culture and values, Brian's journey is a roller coaster of challenges and learnings that he’s eager to share with you today.Brian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bsierakowski/The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/brian-sierakowski-leading-an-acquired-business/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/2ec803d1The video: https://youtu.be/XWjC4w_cD7gYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis episode is sponsored by Acquire.com (00:00) - From Indie Hacking to Acquired Businesses (06:39) - Taking Over an Acquired Business Challenges (12:09) - Improvements and Changes in the Business (26:14) - Cancelling Subscriptions and Learning From Feedback (34:33) - Managing Expectations in Public Settings (42:24) - Career Transition Options and Considerations (53:27) - Dual Perspective in Building a Business (01:05:23) - Selling Your Business

Learn about the power of eventual reciprocity and how it can benefit your business. Discover how giving without expecting anything in return can lead to long-term success, and find out how to strike the perfect balance between offering free content and monetizing your trade secrets. Don't miss out on this valuable lesson in entrepreneurship and audience building.The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/eventual-reciprocity/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/bb7d24fbThe video: https://youtu.be/6T_fRdQukMoYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

Step into the world of Tony Dinh, an accomplished indie hacker famed for his ability to craft products with show-stopping aesthetics while keeping them public on Twitter. Tony, who holds the helm in the product design world, made waves with his browser extension, Blackmagic, and his unique pricing and revenue model approach. Our chat offers a deep dive into Tony's journey and his decision-making process during the Twitter API price increase, eventually leading to the sale of Blackmagic to HypeFury. His insights on product design and experiences as a front-end engineer are worth their weight in gold.00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:24 How do you get good at design? 00:07:50 Working in enterprise businesses first. 00:13:08 Selling as an indie hacker. 00:18:18 How to complete the sale? 00:23:02 Transitioning the ownership. 00:28:31 Running into platform risk. 00:34:13 The launch of the product. 00:38:42 Do you have a process for internal documentation? 00:47:22 How do you deal with clones? 00:51:19 The importance of having a ProductHunt-compatible audience. 00:55:39 What’s your current software portfolio like? 01:01:09 What to do when you’re stuck? Tony on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tdinh_meThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/tony-dinh-ups-and-downs-of-an-indie-hacker-journey/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ee414120The video: https://youtu.be/i99OHAacxbkYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis episode is sponsored by Acquire.com! Go to http://try.acquire.com/arvid/ to get started with making sure you run a sellable business. (00:00) - Introduction (01:24) - How do you get good at design? (07:50) - Working in enterprise businesses first. (13:08) - Selling as an indie hacker. (18:18) - How to complete the sale? (23:02) - Transitioning the ownership. (28:31) - Running into platform risk. (34:13) - The launch of the product. (38:42) - Do you have a process for internal documentation? (47:22) - How do you deal with clones? (51:19) - The importance of having a ProductHunt-compatible audience. (55:39) - What’s your current software portfolio like? (01:01:09) - What to do when you’re stuck?

Here the three common pitfalls that can sabotage your efforts to build a Twitter audience: transactional interactions, focusing on “free,” and a tonal mismatch. Learn how chasing virality, relying on transactional attention, and curating a negative tone can all backfire in the long run. Find out what kind of attention you should be seeking to build lasting relationships with your followers and grow your personal brand.The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-bad-kind-of-attention/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/74843be8The video: https://youtu.be/BGVSA1-B4AUYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

Are you a bootstrapper who's never considered raising investment money? Or maybe you're a die-hard VC-funded growth hacker who can't imagine running a business without that extra cash infusion. Either way, Jason Cohen's journey from bootstrapping to raising millions will give you a fresh perspective on the funding debate.Jason discusses his personal discovery of wanting a different journey with WP Engine, which led to raising money after two years of bootstrapping. We also uncover the importance of understanding your competitors instead of demonizing them, in order to develop a unique strategy for your own business.Jason has seen and done a lot as a founder. No matter what stage of this journey you’re on, you will learn something today.00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:27 Raising money for bootstrapped companies. 00:09:16 When is it bad to sell your business? 00:15:31 The problem with self-imposed ignorance. 00:19:11 Founder mental health issues00:23:04 How to hire people who are better than you. 00:27:26 The importance of having a consistent strategy. 00:31:20 The reality distortion field of a software business. 00:34:59 Do you ever consider building a solopreneur business again? 00:40:37 Do you ever consider not being a founder anymore? 00:45:12 The value of building a public network. 00:54:12 The importance of building public. 01:01:03 The importance of social media. Jason on Twitter: @asmartbearThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/jason-cohen-two-exits-two-unicorns/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b349aec5The video: https://youtu.be/fMniLsLl5ncYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis episode is sponsored by Acquire.com! Go to http://try.acquire.com/arvid/ to get started with making sure you run a sellable business. (00:00) - Introduction (01:27) - Raising money for bootstrapped companies. (09:16) - When is it bad to sell your business? (15:31) - The problem with self-imposed ignorance. (19:11) - Founder mental health issues (23:04) - How to hire people who are better than you. (27:26) - The importance of having a consistent strategy. (31:20) - The reality distortion field of a software business. (34:59) - Do you ever consider building a solopreneur business again? (40:37) - Do you ever consider not being a founder anymore? (45:12) - The value of building a public network. (54:12) - The importance of building public. (01:01:03) - The importance of social media.

Are entrepreneurs born or made? Find out as we explore the profound impact of nature and nurture on the development of an entrepreneurial spirit. Discover how family stories, socioeconomic status, and exposure to diverse narratives shape your perspectives and behaviors. Uncover what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur in the digital age.The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/entrepreneurship-isnt-genetic-its-memetic/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f85b818bThe video: https://youtu.be/vm4c4KQSKu0You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

Andrew McIntosh is a first-gen entrepreneur. And so am I. And we both needed help along the way. From building a sustainable and inclusive community for first-gen entrepreneurs to discussing the power of business coaching and growth mindset, you'll gain valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship without a safety net. Learn from a successful underdog's story and get inspired to take your own entrepreneurial journey to the next level. No matter what your parents say.Andrew on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrew_drivesThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/andrew-mcintosh-first-generation-entrepreneurs/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e49eaaa6The video: https://youtu.be/Iez5Qcz6JOsYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis episode is sponsored by Acquire.com! Go to http://try.acquire.com/arvid/ to get started with making sure you run a sellable business. (00:00) - Introduction (02:08) - Learning by doing by making mistakes. (06:04) - The importance of having a support network. (10:43) - Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. (14:07) - Have you always been crazy or is this a new development? (20:41) - Coaching vs. coaching. (24:28) - Building a digital community that is asynchronous. (28:19) - Community building and accountability in business. (32:47) - Entrepreneurship starts with a community. (37:35) - Share your wins and losses. (42:20) - Entrepreneurship as a vehicle for freedom. (49:35) - Getting people to the point where they graduate. (52:41) - The importance of sharing your story and building a community.

Are you responding to customer service requests as quickly as possible? You may think it's the best strategy, but this dedication comes at a hefty price. Today, I will share my experience with the pros and cons of super-quick customer service responses, the role of software tooling, and how to balance response speed with good business sense. Discover the layered approach to customer service that will help you have your speedy cake and eat it, too.The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/responding-fast-to-customers-a-good-idea/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/5d404f4dThe video: https://youtu.be/J8qbNR3rz0wYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com (00:01) - Intro (01:38) - Customer service response times (03:42) - Proving that I’m the real deal (05:13) - The importance of prioritizing customer service and productivity (06:55) - How to embrace the bots (09:32) - Don’t act like your bots are people (11:12) - Optimizing for response speed

Today, I’m talking to Moritz Dausinger, a serial indie hacker with several exits under his belt. Moritz most recently pivoted his software business Refiner after 18 months of trying to figure out a way forward. Well, now he’s found it. We will chat about figuring out how to structure sales, how and who to hire, and if he wants to sell this business again, for a third time.Moritz on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mdausingerThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/moritz-dausinger-serial-indie-entrepreneurship/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/215b9c09The video: https://youtu.be/8jiwJZyMjEIYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis episode is sponsored by Acquire.com! (00:00) - Introduction to today’s episode. (03:04) - How did you get involved with the indie hackers podcast? (10:11) - It’s never just about execution. (16:40) - The importance of bootstrapping. (20:16) - Getting funding for Refiner. (24:47) - How to outsource your technical work. (29:29) - How did you decide to sell your company? (35:47) - The importance of building a good relationship with the seller. (38:38) - Sharing your story in public. (42:23) - The importance of sharing your story. (47:50) - Bridging the gap between sales and customer service. (51:56) - Pricing structure for dual models. (57:43) - How expensive is it to run a database server? (01:03:08) - What is the perfect sellable business?

Are you struggling to find the balance between the utility of your product and its perceived value? Let’s explore the biggest misconception in entrepreneurship and discover how to create a high-utility business at the intersection of your fields of interest. Find out what Swiss Army knives have to do with it, too!My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/utility-pricing-and-entrepreneurship/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/d8b22900The video: https://youtu.be/G4KZWbYutEsYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo at usepinto.com/learn

Kevin McArdle bought my SaaS. For millions. And now, I get to talk to him about all things acquisition. In our chat, we discuss the importance of annual exit planning for startup founders, we explore the mindset and framework necessary for building a successful and sellable business, as well as the benefits of stepping outside of your normal workplace to think strategically. With practical advice and personal anecdotes, this conversation is a must-watch for any entrepreneur looking to achieve long-term success — and a big life-changing check at the end.Kevin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kevin_McArdleThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/kevin-mcardle-the-man-who-changed-my-life-and-could-change-yours/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/d938c4ceThe video: https://youtu.be/Wx0hEK0zNPUYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Join me on a thought-provoking journey as I explore the challenge of balancing authenticity and public opinion on social media. Discover the struggle faced by an entrepreneur and creator who wants to build a Twitter audience while staying true to themselves. Yours truly. I'll ask the tough question: how much of my "true self" should I reveal in the public domain?My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/self-censorship-on-twitter/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9216f800 The video: https://youtu.be/6Hk5qbjXZJk You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo at usepinto.com/learn

Are you feeling burnt out or overwhelmed by societal expectations?Today, I’m talking to Paul Millerd, author of “The Pathless Path.” We talk about hustle traps, the stories we tell ourselves about success, and our obsession with productivity. Learn how to connect with yourself, rediscover leisure as a positive force in your life, and find "the others."Discover how to expand your horizons and find your own way in life, all while building and teaching in public.Paul on Twitter: https://twitter.com/p_millerd/The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/paul-millerd-walking-the-pathless-path/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/14e38471The video: https://youtu.be/fqAN89v8DQ4You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com (00:00) - Introduction. (00:52) - Finding the pathless path. (07:04) - Taking action will lead to more action. (11:01) - Goals and aspirations. (17:08) - Leisure and Laziness. (24:09) - Generosity and not focusing on numbers. (27:57) - Why money doesn’t matter (33:44) - How writing helped me make sense of life. (38:28) - How to avoid bullshitting yourself. (43:08) - How to live your life. (50:34) - Finding Paul

Discover how to make your Twitter profile a promise of a fruitful long-term relationship with your future followers. Today,. let’s explore the biggest misconceptions surrounding Twitter profiles and how optimizing your profile can turn visitors into followers. From the purpose of your profile to the importance of using real estate wisely, you’ll find the common mistakes people make and how you can avoid them. My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/twitter-teardowns-3-low-hanging-fruit-to-massively-improve-your-twitter-presence/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/20b5a449The video: https://youtu.be/_Ia8dnuXOg8You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo at usepinto.com/learn

"Imposter syndrome isn’t just a moment of self-doubt — it’s all-encompassing. It prevents founders from taking action, from taking a risk in the first place."This week, Dr. Julie Gurner shares with me how high performers combat the challenges founders commonly face. She’s a performance coach and Doctor of Psychology. We’ll talk about dealing with imposter syndrome, burnout, how to deal with the avalanche of advice on Twitter, and why it is so hard for founders to cope with stress.The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/dr-julie-gurner-founder-mental-health-101/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/bb3e42caThe video: https://youtu.be/RjIZ8g0sxZwYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com (00:00) - How common is Impostor Syndrome? (02:42) - How social media can impact your business (08:00) - Vulnerability is not just a means of sharing negative feedback (13:33) - Diversity & Building in Public (17:54) - How to avoid falling into the Impostor Syndrome (22:35) - The importance of taking incremental steps (26:29) - Optimizing your business (32:18) - The importance of meditation (37:15) - The importance of having a routine that you enjoy (44:02) - The problem with the word "expertise" (47:43) - The importance of confidence in entrepreneurship (51:07) - Incorporating philosophy into your own life

Sharing your journey as an entrepreneur can be scary, but it's a great way to connect with your audience and demonstrate your expertise. Let's explore the difference between sharing business insights and trade secrets, and construct a Share/Don't Share list to help you decide what to share with your audience.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/how-to-build-in-public-without-revealing-too-much/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9ed43fa8The video: https://youtu.be/iq_DetrM-DEYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo at usepinto.com/learn

Joe Masilotti is the founder of RailsDev —a reverse job board— and a Turbo Native consultant. In this conversation, we explore Joe Masilotti's philosophy on entrepreneurship and his focus on empowering software developers to find work. Joe's approach to monetizing Open Source is particularly interesting: he gives away his product for free with an eventual revenue share. We delve into the various marketing strategies that Joe uses for his different business ventures, including cold emailing, content marketing, and live coding. The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/joe-masilotti-building-in-public-and-monetizing-open-sourceThe podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ebd473b8The video: https://youtu.be/uxfUZ31QYGYYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com (00:00) - Introduction (04:00) - B2B vs. B2C (08:12) - How to monetize? (14:24) - Reverse job boards (19:27) - Coding in public. (25:06) - Transparency (32:23) - Monetizing open source projects (37:57) - Selling the business (44:48) - The ideal future (49:25) - Overlap between marketing and cold email marketing (56:30) - Building in public and empowering people

If you're an entrepreneur looking to start a digital business, you might be tempted to aim for a "forever business" right from the start. However, pursuing this approach can be dangerous. Today, you'll learn how to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital entrepreneurship, build successful businesses that serve your customers and owners, and avoid the pitfalls of pursuing a "forever business" from day one.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/why-entrepreneurs-are-choosing-short-lived-businesses-over-forever-businessesThe podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e1eb3929 The video: https://youtu.be/lzYc5ArzTsw You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!

In this episode, I interviewSimon Høiberg, an active software engineer, founder, and YouTuber. Simon shares his strategies for balancing his roles as a creator and maker, and discusses the importance of incorporating personal experience into his content. He also delves into the power of intrinsic motivation and joy in entrepreneurship, and how he gamifies his life to prioritize these elements. The conversation touches on topics such as productivity, mental health, team management, and burnout prevention.Join me and Simon for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, content creation, and personal growth. Be inspired by Simon's passion for empowering entrepreneurs, and learn how you can incorporate joy and intrinsic motivation into your own entrepreneurial journey.The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/simon-hoiberg-building-a-saas-that-works-for-youThe podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/05f2d837The video: https://youtu.be/U0cUsvxHtn0You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com (00:00) - On not burning out (04:53) - Coding mindset for entrepreneurs (09:38) - How to pick the right social media management tool. (14:14) - THe power of community (21:18) - What does a good lifetime deal look like? (24:53) - Allow customers to leave your product. (31:58) - The funnel and the web. (37:24) - Sharing your journey and success. (42:07) - How long does it take to build a youtube channel? (45:38) - A day in the life of an entrepreneur without burning out. (50:52) - The importance of having an empty calendar.

Have you ever searched for the perfect resume to get hired? Or tried to create a product that appeals to everyone? This essay explores the logical fallacy of wishful reasoning and the importance of picking a niche. Discover why building a successful product means addressing a specific set of needs for a particular group of customers, and why a well-defined niche is the best place to start.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-dangerous-misconception-founders-have-about-their-market/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e22791e5The video: https://youtu.be/jRc37k7I46s You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!

Evelyn J. Starr is a brand-building expert. We talk about finding the right niche, having a community-centric long-term perspective, and how brands evolve —you might call it “grow up”— over time. Here’s Evelyn.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmEvelyn's Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvelynJStarrThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/evelyn-j-starr-the-evolution-of-a-brand/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/69cc34f4The video: https://youtu.be/CTKESAugLP8You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com (00:00) - What’s the biggest misconception about building brands? (01:44) - Do other brands influence the perception of your brand? (06:26) - What is the core of your business’s brand? (10:11) - How to pick a niche that is just right. (16:34) - What is too big of a niche to start a business? (21:46) - The evolution of a brand over time. (27:53) - What’s the difference between a serious brand and an adult brand? (33:19) - Tips on how to find your fans. (37:30) - The importance of having a differentiator in the space. (40:26) - Most people want to help. Most of the time you’re going to get a yes. (47:13) - The importance of being relatable to your audience.

Building in public is a popular trend in entrepreneurship. However, it may not always be the best approach. Entrepreneurs should consider their personality traits, the nature of their business, and their competitive advantages before deciding whether to adopt this approach. Building in public is about generosity, transparency, and community, and can be a powerful way to gain customers' trust, build a brand, and grow a business if these values align with the business model and personal style — but not always.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-flip-side-when-not-to-build-in-public/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/815ae514The video: https://youtu.be/GoJB6ngrS1M You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!

Today, I’m talking to Jack Ellis, the co-founder of Fathom Analytics, a privacy-conscious web analytics business that I personally use for all my web properties. The company that Jack co-founded with Paul Jarvis competes directly with Google on their linchpin advertising product. That’s a pretty high order. We chat about Jack's role in a growing successful software business and just how much he hesitates to go from coder to manager. We dive into choosing reliable dependencies to power an always-on SaaS business and how to deal with migrating customers from Google to Fathom.Here’s a deep dive into a successful technical SaaS business. Here’s Jack Ellis.Jack on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackEllisMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/jack-ellis-taking-on-google-as-a-bootstrapper/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/cda46335The video: https://youtu.be/oGjrUs0JB8wYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis interview is sponsored by Acquire.com

People would rather sift through fake AI results than see yet another ad. Something is happening in advertising, and the creator economy is affected greatly.The shift towards trust-based advertising is a wake-up call for founders and creators when crafting their marketing strategy, as honesty, integrity, and trust are now essential components of a successful approach to outreach.Here are the steps that you need to take to keep up with this development.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/in-pod-we-trust-how-creators-can-best-juggle-credibility-and-sponsored-content/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7ff5761eThe video: https://youtu.be/AZFbKUSmq_IYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!

When Fatih started his sticker business Stikkernet, his peers asked him, “You’re a developer; why don’t you write this from scratch?” His response? “Why should I?”Today, I'm talking to my dear old friend Fatih Kadir Akın — or fka for short. We discuss his unexpected journey of building a successful business out of a simple idea. Fatih shares his experience with building Stikkernet and how he grew his audience through community building. We chat about the challenges of logistics when shipping internationally and how Fatih found solutions that worked so well it lead to an exit.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/fatih-kadir-akin-selling-a-global-sticker-business/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/155fff77The video: https://youtu.be/ijU4vYrBDwoYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis interview is sponsored by Acquire.com (00:00) - Introduction (02:51) - Stikkernet (10:05) - How Fatih became a sticker expert in Turkey (18:28) - The perfect product for community-based marketing. (29:02) - Sticker Mule (33:03) - What is developer relations? (38:17) - Do you still get to code? (41:52) - Community-building (47:54) - The pressure of starting a business.

What happens when we encounter something so novel that our minds can't fully comprehend it? Today, let’s explore the "Rubber Band Effect" and how it impacts both journalists and entrepreneurs alike. Learn how to build products that fit seamlessly into your customers' workflows and how to effectively communicate the results your product can achieve, without overwhelming them with the complexity of the underlying technology.The Ai researcher's video "The A.I. Dilemma": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoVJKj8lcNQMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-rubber-band-effect/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ad970e30The video: https://youtu.be/iHxd1iKI970 You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!

“As an entrepreneur, you need someone you’ve been through shit with already” — and that’s exactly why Dagobert and Lucie are the perfect power couple co-founders. I chatted with @dagobertrenouf about overcoming struggle, growing a business together, and dealing with the lack of motivation when things get complicated.We discuss the power of Twitter and building an audience before creating a product. Dagobert shares his personal journey with Logology and how he lost motivation before finding inspiration from his Twitter community. He also talks about the importance of understanding customers' problems before building a product and how he plans to apply this lesson to Logology 2.Hope you’re ready for an emotional journey of entrepreneurship. My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/dagobert-renouf-the-emotional-journey-of-entrepreneurship/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/2b57060d The video: https://youtu.be/4aOLgJC8CKUYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis interview is sponsored by Acquire.com

Using ChatGPT as a writing partner helps strengthen arguments by acting as an editor, proofreader, and devil's advocate. It prompts the AI to provide counterpoints and can detect emotional subtext, highlight missing pieces of the argument, and suggest better examples. This adversarial writing approach with generative AI results in writing that is both in the author's voice and accessible to a wider readership.00:00:14 Intro00:01:33 ChatGPT as a writing buddy00:03:13 Bias-busting with a Devil's Advocate00:04:48 Other uses of ChatGPT00:06:13 Fact-checking00:07:22 Emotional arcsMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/writing-with-a-nemesis-using-chatgpt-to-strengthen-your-arguments/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/562c4b5fThe video: https://youtu.be/3Rk17om7crUYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!

Few people had an impact on my founder journey as Dr. Sherry Walling — and she didn't even know. But I got to tell her! We discussed burnout, imposter syndrome, and stress among founders. Sherry explained the need for mental health professionals who understand the unique challenges of entrepreneurship and shared that burnout is a diagnosable issue. While entrepreneurs have more control over their work, long hours and hustle culture can still lead to burnout. Her book, "The Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Shit Together," helped me during a period of burnout while selling my business. Now, you get to learn from her and her deeply actionable insights into founder psychology.00:00:00 Introduction to Sherry Walling00:03:13 Mental health in the entrepreneur community.00:09:17 Do entrepreneurs have control over their destiny?00:15:22 How do you find good mastermind groups?00:21:52 Mental health is not always called mental health00:28:20 Grief is the emotional reaction to loss00:34:06 You can have relationships with people who don’t get it.00:40:24 Mental health apps are not a replacement for therapy.00:45:59 Why aren’t more people talking about mental health?The WIRED article about mental health apps: https://www.wired.com/story/are-mental-health-apps-worth-trying/My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/dr-sherry-walling-the-reality-of-burnout-for-entrepreneurs/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/dc436cce The video: https://youtu.be/hIwaExsScWkYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis interview is sponsored by Acquire.com

This week, I got on my first post-COVID trip and headed to Denver, Colorado for MicroConf 2023.It.Was.Awesome.Unsurprisingly, being in the same room with 250 other bootstrapped SaaS founders is one of the nerdiest things you can do. And it was as enlightening as it was nerdy. I just arrived back home in Canada a few hours ago, so I took the opportunity to share my insights from the conference on my podcast. Enjoy!00:00:14 Intro00:02:26 What is MicroConf? 00:08:42 STIR00:11:21 The talks00:16:34 The speaksessionsers00:19:19 My session on mental health00:25:43 Feeling isolated00:28:31 How to start a conversation about your own experience.00:34:37 Mental health as a founder is paramount.00:37:25 MicroConf is more than just a conference00:43:28 Things outside the conference hallMy MicroConf EU 2019 attendee talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TheiytjsZoYMicroConf Connect: https://microconf.com/connectMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/microconf-us-23-recap-what-happens-when-250-saas-founders-meet/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9d12dbc0The video: https://youtu.be/8ty4NNbVnMoYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!

When it comes to building an "owned audience," nothing beats an email list. Louis Nicholls is a newsletter expert, and he shared with me how to monetize a list, how to grow it reliably, and why cold emails are often done spectacularly wrong.Louis will show you how to do email right.00:00:00 Why did you choose to build SparkLoop?00:05:23 Grow an audience, monetize a list00:09:07 How do you maintain customer quality in a network?00:14:55 Advice on how to cross-link your knowledge with other channels.00:18:48 How much is too much in terms of "buying" subscribers?00:21:59 What makes a newsletter word of mouth-worthy?00:27:48 Struggling with self-promotion00:31:51 What makes a good or a really bad cold email?00:36:44 Why all cold emails look the same00:42:57 Why a good message is never cold00:48:57 Borrowed audiences always have riskMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/louis-nicholls-growing-your-newsletter/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/8e4bcbf9The video: https://youtu.be/FNolzZtXjLIYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

ChatGPT is everywhere. But can we build businesses on it? What risks will we face? Let's dive into the future of entrepreneurship in a world where AI is ubiquitous.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/chatgpt-goldmine-or-minefield-for-indie-hackers/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/efd69983The video: https://youtu.be/J4eNi1uqxUIYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!

Marie and Ben are a power couple. Together, they run Notion Mastery, an intense workshop for people who want to use Notion professionally and productively. In our conversation, we'll dive into platform risk, building a sustainable educational business, how to work together as a couple, and why social media distribution matters a lot to educational founders. Enjoy!00:00:00 What can we learn from permaculture? 00:04:55 How do you make it profitable?00:10:57 Building an info product on top of a shifting platform?00:13:28 How do you keep your courses relevant in the future?00:19:14 Perfectionism is a huge problem00:22:12 How do you speak to an audience that is so diverse?00:27:33 Are you a user or are you a builder? 00:29:52 Channels that have worked the best.00:33:55 Partnerships00:37:16 How to build a business with yout partner.00:43:08 What is needed to keep a long-term event like this running?00:46:34 The breathing businessMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/marie-poulin-benjamin-borowski-digital-permaculture/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/faf48b60The video: https://youtu.be/Dr0Uty8heyo You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/

Artificial scarcity, a marketing tactic that fosters urgency in customers, can lead to short-term financial gains but raises ethical concerns and negative consequences in the creator economy. Drawbacks include damaging relationships, promoting impulsive purchases, and exacerbating global inequality. While there are exceptions, such as outcome-oriented communities and front-loading financial gains, adopting an abundance mindset and cultivating genuine relationships is a more sustainable long-term strategy in the digital realm.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/artificial-scarcity-damages-the-creator-economy/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/37d137dbThe video: https://youtu.be/0ypM30tG1MgYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!

Most of Josh Spector's newsletter issues are just a few sentences. Sometimes, just a link. And still, advertisers and readers alike flock to Josh's emails. In our conversation, you will learn why brevity is so attractive, how to make sure you're telling the right stories to the right people, and how to build systems that keep people coming back for more.00:00:00 How to think about scarcity00:04:16 Josh's newsletter(s)00:08:49 Ads that feel less like ads00:12:21 Why you need to know what you want to sell00:16:20 How Josh got started00:22:02 Advertising is just another way for people to connect00:26:32 Maintain and improve the quality of your audience00:30:51 How to get people to subscribe to your newsletter00:34:54 Why you need to shorten your email newsletter00:39:28 How to use video as part of your content strategy00:48:12 Empathy with the needs of your audience00:51:31 Helping your reader00:57:16 Having an audience centric approach to businessMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/josh-spector-saying-less-and-making-more/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6bbf0f6eThe video: https://youtu.be/AND8f7I_Tr0You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/Sponsored by Acquire.com.

This is probably the most concentrated and well-produced podcast I've been on in a long while. And I want to share it with you here today as a bonus episode.Kudos to @YongSooChung for putting his money where his mic is. He spent a lot of time, money, and energy to make this episode happen. This is a great ep, and if want to learn about my whole founder journey, I recommend a listen.Here's the original show: https://www.firstclassfounders.com/life-changing-wisdom-with-arvid-kahl-from-selling-a-saas-business-to-becoming-a-creator/Yong-Soo Chung on Twitter: https://twitter.com/YongSooChung

What are the factors involved in choosing a solid business name? From securing an available domain to choosing a unique name for SEO reasons, I delve into the linguistic and cultural considerations of choosing a business name, including avoiding potentially offensive or negative connotations in various markets.I also emphasize the importance of trademarking the business name and domain to protect from infringement and legal disputes. Future-proofing a business name involves securing social media handles and reevaluating and possibly undertaking a rebranding process if the business's direction changes significantly or the target audience's preferences shift over time.This podcast episode offers practical insights and tips on choosing a fitting business name that represents your brand's identity and promise. https://namemesh.pro/ : Generates domain name suggestions based on your keywords. https://www.shopify.com/tools/business-name-generator Offers a variety of business name ideas based on your input. Lean Domain Search: Matches your keyword with thousands of potential domain names. Namium is great, too.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-art-of-naming-your-business/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9c485402The video: https://youtu.be/HDGSrHBrLtk You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Localazy! use the coupon ARVID for 25% off.

Peter knows how to get good domains and turn them into businesses. He's selling onions, helps dude ranchers get clients, and will share his approach to monetizing domains as well as purchasing them on the cheap side. Peter's been building online marketplaces for a while, and he'll teach you how he approaches setting up profitable businesses.00:00:00 Peter’s unique approach to building a business.00:02:59 The right mindset to become an entrepreneur.00:05:46 Getting into domain name investing.00:11:11 The domain name investing path.00:16:20 The importance of having a domain first.00:20:08 What’s a directory marketplace like?00:26:43 The domain-first approach is genius.00:30:00 The importance of no-brainer pricing.00:33:37 How to use a domain portfolio to build your business00:39:22 Peter is not afraid of going into a new industry.00:44:21 The importance of having a good domain name.00:52:13 Industries to avoid00:58:48 Peter's worldMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/peter-askew-domain-expertise/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/da30dbceThe video: https://youtu.be/vGN8fPLg4Nw You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/Sponsored by Acquire.com.

Here are my personal strategies for achieving consistency in content creation, which encompass implementing accountability systems, connecting with my audience, and reaping financial and lifestyle rewards. Additionally, I explore the difficulties of maintaining motivation and the vital role of community in this process.I recount my own story, beginning with the launch of a blog and ultimately leading to the development of a self-perpetuating content creation cycle. Throughout this journey, I've expanded my income sources by securing sponsorships and authoring books. By highlighting the significance of consistency, I aim to inspire others to adopt it as a guiding principle in their own creative endeavors.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/how-i-stay-consistent/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7bd407f4The video: https://youtu.be/K3qSwVT1Sh0 You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/

Justin Jackson has been successfully bootstrapping Transistor.fm with a small team throughout the ups and downs of a shifting economy. He even rejected massive clients to be able to keep running a calm and self-funded business. Find out just how important it is to stay independent, resilient, and nimble, and what building on open standards has to do with that.00:00:00 Justin Jackson00:01:24 The world of ideas00:10:32 Understanding the context of advice.00:15:58 The importance of attribution00:20:49 What’s the most important metric?00:25:29 What’s your company for?00:29:56 Having a team that can execute at the highest level00:35:34 The repercussions of decisions00:40:41 Simple things are more resilient than complicated things00:45:26 Platform risk00:51:22 The problem with centralized discoverability01:00:53 The importance of open standardsMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/justin-jackson-bootstrapping-transistor-fm-on-open-standards/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1740724b The video: https://youtu.be/y0yIZ-O8nNQYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/Sponsored by Acquire.com.

Looking to build a successful SaaS business? Don't just focus on product-market fit. In this video, learn about the Solution-Workflow Fit, a crucial element to consider for success. Discover why the medium in which your solution is implemented and the workflow of your customers matter just as much as the technical side of your solution. See real-life examples and learn how to research your target industry's existing workflows, design your solution to fit between existing tools, and adapt your solution to fit your customers' needs. Achieving solution-workflow fit is key to creating a successful SaaS business that truly helps and empowers your customers.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-saas-solution-workflow-fitThe podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f9bf24a1The video: https://youtu.be/eb5cS5Z1vBkYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/

Rob Fitzpatrick is a serial entrepreneur, a writer, a community leader, and a very curious human being. I talk to Rob about building an incredibly complicated business, the world of self-publishing, what AI tools can and will do for humanity, and how to build communities that can run by themselves.00:00:00 Rob Fitzpatrick00:03:38 The challenges of building the Useful Books business00:10:01 A rare breed00:14:47 The passion discount00:21:12 What’s changed in self-publishing?00:26:43 What’s your pet peeve of the publishing industry?00:32:48 Knowledge production00:39:06 Short-term wins are not going to be around for long00:42:21 Different voices for the same content00:47:39 Prose be gone00:54:26 Staying accountable in an accountability community00:57:45 Late-stage communities01:02:26 Rob’s passion and the purpose of communitiesBrandon Sanderson's class on Indie Publishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHdYX418PaAThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/rob-fitzpatrick-tinkerers-thinkers-and-teachers/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/fd014e11The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPF3a0px68You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This interview is sponsored by Acquire.com

How to secure your product, the business, and an eventual exit, including using established frameworks, outsourcing to secure third-party vendors, and having clear and complete account separation. The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/securing-your-saas/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6c645953The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNOr7BheIz8 You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/

Troy Hunt (of HaveIBeenPwned fame) is a cybersecurity expert who has been around long enough to be able to give actionable and pragmatic security advice without complicating things.In our conversation, we chat about best practices for securing your SaaS business, how to get your family to be more secure, what it means to vet your vendors, if you should build your own authentication and why passwords just won't die.After this conversation, you will know how to adequately secure your SaaS business without having to spend thousands of dollars.00:00:00 Troy Hunt00:00:59 The 1 thing SaaS founders get wrong00:05:14 Why you shouldn’t build your own authentication00:09:17 Library update management00:13:42 Using third-party services00:19:08 Data breaches and security expectations00:26:39 Browser extensions00:31:53 What is the right amount of security?00:37:11 Giving your customers security options00:42:13 The Have I Been Pwned + 1Password deal00:48:18 Password managersThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/securing-your-saas-with-troy-hunt/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/d2244c65 The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRM-UrS440s You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This interview is sponsored by Acquire.com

Goodhart's law is powerful and important to remember for every creator: when a measure becomes a target, people tend to optimize their behavior to meet that target, which can lead to unintended consequences. You'll see examples of this law in action, including in education and social media, and learn the negative consequences of over-optimizing for follower count. But I won't let you go without prevention methods and tips for building a quality audience on social media.00:00:00 Intro00:01:51 Goodhart's Law00:03:28 The Pitfalls of Focusing on Follower Count00:07:32 The Negative Consequences of Over-Optimizing for Follower Count 00:09:18 Prevention Methods00:12:16 How to Build a Quality Audience on Social Media The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/dont-fall-for-the-follower-count-trapThe podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/33be4469The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1HtIy5JyHIYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Fathom Analytics.

Today, I’m talking to Matt Wensing — the founder behind Summit and tweeter of many often controversial things. We talk about bootstrapping a financial SaaS, how to deal with integrations, and when to take funding. Here’s Matt.00:00:00 An exchange of stories00:04:54 What’s your strategy?00:09:31 Writing long-form00:15:05 Bridging the gap between invention and commercialization.00:19:56 Creators and salespeople.00:25:58 How a little bit of cash can change the trajectory of your business.00:34:34 Bootstrapping is not a shot in the dark00:41:48 The importance of trust (in the crypto space.)00:47:55 Centralization has to occur for other people to benefit00:54:58 How not to leave people behind00:59:29 How do you look at platform risk from both sides?00:1:05:06 The nature of platformsThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/matt-wensing-publish-your-juicy-thoughts/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f7deea33The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pBYsl1UxeYYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This interview is sponsored by Acquire.com

Stair-stepping into software entrepreneurship is a great way for developers to start their own businesses without taking on massive risks. Building a plugin on an established platform allows developers to leverage existing user bases and traffic to grow their business quickly, while also being aware of the risks associated with platform dependency, profit-sharing, and limited flexibility.My interview with Collen Schnettler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpcYTO5x3cYRob Walling's Stair-Stepping: https://robwalling.com/2015/03/26/the-stair-step-method-of-bootstrapping/Preetham Nath: https://www.preetamnath.com/blog/grow-shopify-micro-saas-to-25k-mrr-in-14-monthsThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/stair-stepping-with-plugins-platforms-to-build-on/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/51643e63The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjOHqn4PJZMYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Drata.

Today, I’m talking to Colleen Schnettler, co-founder of Hammerstone and build-in-public podcaster. We talk about getting bootstrapper-compatible funding, juggling way too many projects, and selling a business when you know it’s time to move on. Here’s Colleen.00:00:00 A lot of podcasts00:06:01 Building on Heroku00:12:25 Building on Marketplaces00:16:59 Dealing with support requests00:21:49 Pressure to sell?00:26:27 Hammerstone00:31:24 Business Value00:35:46 Value of value 00:41:11 The risks of having just a few big customers00:46:12 Getting bootstrapper fundingThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/colleen-schnettler-stair-stepping-into-saas/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/281dbe46The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpcYTO5x3cY You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This interview is sponsored by Acquire.com

Arvid shares what writing can bring to the founder table.Self-funded entrepreneurs can benefit from honing their writing skills, as it can be used to communicate ideas and thoughts clearly, attract attention, foster relationships, and build a personal brand. The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/writing-for-founders/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/735924e4The video: https://youtu.be/1R5scFwM5XwYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Drata.