Dan Balcauski speaks with Jason Ray, co-founder and CEO of Paperless Parts, a Boston-based SaaS company revolutionizing the custom part manufacturing industry. Jason shares his journey from Navy logistics to entrepreneurial success, highlighting the challenges of scaling a SaaS company, identifying real customer pain points, and learning from rapid growth funded by venture capital. Jason emphasizes the critical role of a great CFO, the evolving responsibilities of a CEO, and the resilience needed to persist through difficult phases. Tune in for invaluable insights on scaling a SaaS business, building the right team, and maintaining perseverance.

00:30 Meet Jason Ray: From Navy to SaaS
01:21 The Search Fund Journey
01:55 Discovering the Software Opportunity
05:05 Building the Marketplace
07:34 Pivot to Quoting Tool
14:37 Challenges in Scaling
21:39 The Importance of Financial Outcomes for Employees
22:42 Challenges in Scaling from 5 to 15 Million ARR
26:29 The Role of a CFO in Business Growth
30:40 The Impact of Venture Capital on Business Strategy
34:49 Navigating Financial Constraints and Growth Expectations
39:42 Reflections on Success and Mentorship
41:25 Final Thoughts and Advice for SaaS CEOs

Guest Links
Connect with Jason Ray on LinkedIn
Paperless Parts