Startups For the Rest of Us

Episode 766 | Close.com's Amazing Run to $40M ARR (with Steli Efti)

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How do you achieve both success and longevity in SaaS?

In episode 766, Rob chats with Steli Efti about growing Close.com to over $40 million in ARR. Steli shares insights into the importance of maintaining strong co-founder relationships over 12 years, navigating crises, and the importance of emotional resilience in entrepreneurship. They also dive into Close's recent pricing shift to introduce a lower entry-level plan.

Topics we cover: 
  • (2:08) – Reflecting on 12 years of SaaS at Close
  • (3:50) – Strong co-founder relationships
  • (11:24) – Longevity and consistently showing up
  • (20:23) – Surviving moments of crisis
  • (29:27) – Launching a more affordable pricing tier
  • (34:40) – Getting back into the content game
    • Links from the Show: 
    • Exit Strategy by Sherry Walling, PhD & Rob Walling
    • Close
    • Close Sales Guides
    • Episode 498 | Selling During a Pandemic with Steli Efti
    • The 0 to $30 Million Blueprint
    • Steli Efti (@Steli) | X
    • Steli Efti | LinkedIn

      • If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!

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      Startups For the Rest of UsBy Rob Walling
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