Growth Everywhere | Entrepreneurial Stories | Business Lessons

Before thinking of building a Amazon or Apple, you have to think of your business as a 'launchpad' first. That's because even if you have a rocket, you can't go to space without a launchpad. We'll talk about the concept and how to do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes down to it, SaaS businesses are valued on their ARR, but surprisingly, some still choose to manage the metrics and analytics that come as a byproduct of their order to cash process themselves. What they need is a platform, because having a single source of truth that drives all these metrics can’t be understated. Today’s guest is Tim McCormick, CEO of SaaSOptics, a platform that provides this very service. Specifically, SaaSOptics is a subscription management platform that provides early-stage and growth SaaS businesses with subscription billing, revenue recognition, financial reporting, and robust SaaS analytics. In our conversation with Tim today, we get into his career in tech running SaaS businesses in the security and energy management space, and the multiple exits he has orchestrated. He then dives into what SaaSOptics does and how they run their business to keep seeing such big growth. He gets into how SaasOptics automates the order to cash process, effectively sitting between the CRM and

Tune in to hear some incredible tactics to get your consulting business up off the ground! These strategies will apply for agencies and consultants alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk about why community is the ultimate unfair advantage and why now is the best time to build one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HubSpot has grown into one of the most credible names in the marketing and sales game in the last few years and we are lucky enough to have Kieran Flanagan, their VP of Marketing on the show today! If you listen to this podcast it is more than likely you know a lot about HubSpot already as we often refer to them, as happy customers of the company and having had a few of their team on the show already. The focus of today's conversation is Kieran's work on the freemium project at HubSpot and the impact that this initiative had on the company and their progress going forward. We speak about freemium and who it might work for; Kieran believes it is not a surefire way to success for every kind of company and links its usefulness to HubSpot to their product-led model. We also get some great insight into the company and how they approach tasks and challenges and Kieran breaks down their pod method for creating teams. Tune in to get it all! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:19] Before we jump into today’s interview, pl

Recently, a couple of entrepreneur friends (+ their families) did something genius that I thought I'd share. Everything is negotiable. During times where the economy is practically shut down, you can find deals in almost every sector. Whether it's booking a great AirBnb to get a peaceful getaway or getting discounts on that software you always wanted to try, these tips will help you destress and enjoy the moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are only two types of entrepreneurs right now:   The fearful and the excited.   I spoke to over 98 entrepreneurs recently and those are the two buckets that instantly stuck out.   And it makes sense: people are afraid of losing their businesses right now. Think about all the restaurant owners that spent 20+ years putting their blood sweat and tears into the business. Or the store in the shopping mall that has had no choice but to close it doors.   Many of those entrepreneurs are paralyzed by fear right now and aren't sure what to do next.   On the other hand, I spoke to two close friends over the weekend and the mindset is world's apart:   They're genuinely excited.   Why? Because they see the world differently:   Instead of being upset at lost revenues, they're pumped about new opportunities. Instead of being worried about the short term outlook, they know they'll emerge stronger than ever. They take EXTRA good care of their team during this time (even the ones that were let go).   If you can be

Today using funnels for conversions seems like a vital part of marketing your products but so much of that is thanks to our guest for today, Russel Brunson. Russel is the CEO of Click Funnels, a SaaS product that provides everything you need to market, sell, and deliver your products and services online through funnels. Click Funnels is approaching $200 million in revenue and they haven't raised a cent in venture capital, so our conversation with Russel today is mostly about the funneling strategies they use to make this possible. First up though, Russel tells the story of Click Funnels’ conception, which involves his initial entrepreneurial ambition of selling DVDs containing instructions for making potato guns. After learning about sales funnels through this venture, and then developing Click Funnels, Russel found that nobody even knew what sales funnels were. We hear from him about how this problem led him to write all his books, which both act as instruction manuals for using and optimizing funnels but al

Should you create content in today's climate? In today's episode Eric talks about how to deal with imposter syndrome and how to build a habit around making content. During these unprecedented times, Eric is opening up a live Q+A to help you protect your mental clarity and grow your business. You see, it doesn't matter how good you are at marketing and sales if your mind isn't screwed on right during turbulent times. If your mind isn't screwed on right, you're screwed. Your mindset will affect your diet, how often you train, how you sleep, how you communicate and much more. Sometimes, life comes at you and you have to learn how to weather the storm. That's the theme for right now: to navigate the rough seas.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ConvertKit is one of the biggest success stories of the 2010s online business world. Today we are joined by their founder and CEO Nathan Barry! Nathan started ConvertKit after realizing the value of email marketing and the ways in which companies were missing important parts of the service he envisaged. We get to hear about this part of the story, leading up to the beginnings of the company and then the early successes that they experienced after launching. A completely transparent company, Nathan shares a lot of vital and interesting statistics from ConvertKit before we get into Nathan's strategy for targeting new customers that has served them so well. He also emphasizes the importance of storytelling at ConvertKit, believing that customers do not only buy into the service but also the story. We discuss product-led growth, ConvertKit's recent adoption of the freemium model and public appearances that Nathan makes at the moment, so do not miss it! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today

Today on Leveling Up we are joined by the CEO of BELAY, Tricia Sciortino! BELAY is a virtual staffing solutions company that provides clients with the assistance they need in order to grow. Tricia was recently promoted to the role of CEO after 9 years in the COO position at the company, having been the first employee of BELAY in 2010! We talk about working remotely and the benefits this has offered BELAY's clients and, indeed, BELAY themselves. Tricia talks about what an exciting journey it has been watching her company and the industry in general grow over the last decade. She shares about how BELAY offers a solution to the problem of finding great employees and partners and the ways in which BELAY goes above and beyond some of their competitors. Tune in get it all! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast![01:05] Tricia's work history leading up to and during her employment at Belay.[03:35] The difference between

Today we have Christina Stembel, the founder and CEO of Farmgirl Flowers, joining us. After years of trying to raise capital, Christina realized that the only way she could retain the integrity of her business vision was to bootstrap the company – and it paid off in a big way. Being a female founder, she came up against the many implicit biases around women-owned businesses and failed to get the investments many other male-owned companies pulled off without showing any results. Today, Christina has the only female-owned large-scale e-commerce B2C flower company and made a remarkable $32 million in revenue last year. She talks about her business philosophy of high-quality, being entirely self-taught, how she saves on marketing, establishing a healthy company culture, leadership, and her secrets to building a superstar team.  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast![00:35] The origins of Farmgirl Flowers as a busines

Hey everyone! Today, I share the mic with Ismael Wrixen, group CEO of FE International, the market leader in the sale of SaaS, e-commerce, and content businesses. Ismael is a returning onto the show to fill us in on recent developments at FE. Tune in to hear Ismael talk figure jumps in revenue and deals, why the firm prefers using a cash on success pricing strategy over retainers and the quantity ratios and strategy differences between FE’s handing of deals in E-commerce, SaaS, and content spaces respectively. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review  here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on  iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone! This week, I share the mike with Steli Efti, Founder and CEO of Close, an inside sales CRM. Tune in to hear to learn the kind of feedback you should be looking for, how to ensure the best product-market fit and how Close relies on content marketing and podcasting to help them grow and be successful. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone! Today, I share the mic with Liam Martin, founder of three companies: Time Doctor, Staff and Running Remote.   Tune in to hear how long you should expect to wait before seeing success from your SEO efforts, how to build a remote team at scale and how Liam is able to balance running his three companies. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is it about companies that not only survive, but grow to be super powers? Tune in to hear Eric Siu dive into what Warren Buffet looks for before investing in a company and how you can apply it to your business. Click here to watch the full YouTube video  Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here. Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes. Get the non-iTunes RSS feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Twitter @Ericosiu Instagram @Ericosiu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you trying to land a 6-figure marketing job? Tune in to hear Eric Siu reveal what he (and other CEOs) like to see when scanning a resume.  Apply these tips to your job application process and you will not be disappointed. Click here to watch the full YouTube video  Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here. Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes. Get the non-iTunes RSS feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Twitter @Ericosiu Instagram @Ericosiu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone! Today, I share the mic with Kamal Ravikant, a VC, author, mountain climber, and has served in the army!  We are lucky enough to have him on the show to share some of his wisdom about the startup game and beyond. Tune in to hear Kamal’s fascinating life story, why he decided early on in his career that he preferred starting companies rather than joining someone else's vision and how his desire for a better kind of investor led him to the role of VC. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone! Today I share the mic with Jason VandeBoom, founder of ActiveCampaign. ActiveCampaign is a customer experience automation platform that has been around for over 15 years! Tune in to hear Jason give insight on how to scale a team at a small company, where to find outside funding and how he was able to find the right product-market fit, which led to ActiveCampaign’s long-term success. Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone! Today, I share the mic with Des Traynor, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Intercom. Intercom solves a problem that many companies grapple with – how to communicate with and support their customers who need quick feedback while they are busy using an application. Tune in to hear Des explain what makes Intercom different from their competitors’ products, what they learned from their biggest marketing blunders and why they emphasize the importance of live events (as well as two reasons they don't expect an immediate ROI from them). Click here for show notes and transcript Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, leave a short review here Subscribe to Growth Everywhere on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed  Connect With Eric Siu:  Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices