Startup Stories - Mixergy

By Andrew WarnerSociety & Culture Business Education

Startup Stories - Mixergy episodes

June 08, 2016 #1314 How Caren Merrick started WebMethods in her basement and sold it for $546 million
A few weeks ago, I got an email back from one of our fans who said, “I heard this interview you did and I thought maybe I should volunteer to do an interview.” As I read her backstory, I couldn’t believe how much she’d done and I said to the team, “Find a way. Let’s get her on.” Here she is today.
Caren Merrick is her name. She cofounded webMethods. It’s a pioneer in the business to business ecommerce innovation space. We’ll talk about what that means. She helped take the company public in 2000. It eventually sold to Software AG in 2007 for $546 million.
She is a serial entrepreneur who’s still going. Her latest startup is called Pocket Mentor. It’s a mobile app for leaders like you, the person who’s listening to me who want to grow their teams and their businesses.
Caren Merrick is the cofounder of webMethods, a pioneer in the business to business e-commerce innovation space.
Sponsored by
Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now.
HostGator is your one-stop shop for all things web hosting. From design and marketing services to easy-to-use website builders, they are with you every step of the way. Thanks to their 24/7 – 365 days a year live support – which you can get via chat, phone and email – any and all questions you have can be answered in no time at all.
HostGator offers unlimited disk space and bandwidth, an easy to use control panel, one click WordPress installs and more.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
53 min
June 06, 2016 #1313 Exclusive: LessAccounting, the Startup That Challenged QuickBooks, Just Sold – with Allan Branch and Steven Bristol
Six years ago I interviewed the founder of LessAccounting, which challenged the giant QuickBooks by doing less. It had fewer features, a cleaner designer and less clutter.
In an exclusive Mixergy interview, the founders of LessAccounting, Allan Branch & Steven Bristol, are announcing that they sold it.
Allan Branch & Steven Bristol are the founders of LessAccounting, small business accounting software with a cleaner designer and less clutter.
Sponsored by
Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy
Reactor Core is a unique infrastructure of coding schools, engineers, educators, hackers & more who believe in the transformative power of education. Our network of schools (Hack Reactor, MakerSquare, Telegraph Academy, Remote Beta, & Mobile Makers) produce the best workplace-ready software engineers. Our team is revolutionizing efficiency in business and leadership with comprehensive and profound practices. Visit ReactorCore.com to learn more.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
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1 hr 4 min
June 03, 2016 #1312 Timo Rein on growing Pipedrive from 1,000 customers to over 30,000
There’s a piece of software that I use that’s built by the entrepreneur you’re about to meet today. It’s called Pipedrive. You’ve heard me talk about it forever because it changed our whole business. We used to struggle keeping track of all the potential interviewees that we have here on Mixergy and convincing somebody to say yes to an interview.
I got really excited about Pipedrive about three years ago and I said, “There’s got to be an entrepreneur behind this business. I have to have him on here to do an interview.” And I did. If you go back to that interview from 2013, you’ll see that I talked to Timo Rein, the founder of Pipedrive, about where he came up with this idea, how he got his first customers, how he grew it up, how he struggled to get funding, how his cofounder got into a little bit of health issues, how he was rejected by Y Combinator when he tried to get funding from them, how he really struggled and how he celebrated when he hit 1,000 customers.
But that’s not where the story ends for businesses. Ideally, you go beyond it. Timo has. He’s grown his business dramatically.
I want to know how do you take a business that’s doing well and get it to scale up even bigger? What happens? What goes into it? So, I invited Timo to come back here and do a second interview and we’re going to find out what happens after you find product market fit, after you get your first thousand customers, how you grow from there.
Timo Rein is the founder of Pipedrive, sales pipeline software that gets you organized.
Sponsored by
Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now.
HostGator is your one-stop shop for all things web hosting. From design and marketing services to easy-to-use website builders, they are with you every step of the way. Thanks to their 24/7 – 365 days a year live support – which you can get via chat, phone and email – any and all questions you have can be answered in no time at all.
HostGator offers unlimited disk space and bandwidth, an easy to use control panel, one click WordPress installs and more.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 3 min
June 01, 2016 #1311 How Doist competes in a world full of to-do apps – with Amir Salihefendic
Here’s what’s amazing about today’s guest: he created a to-do app in a world that was just full of to-do apps, project management software, and people who didn’t need any of it, people who just wanted to use a post-it note.
Really, in a world full of competitors, in walks this guy with the guts and the nerve to say, “I’ve got something else, something better, something different. You should sign up.” And a few months later, he says, “You should also pay me if you want it to be really good. And it didn’t die. It didn’t fail. The company just kept growing and growing and growing.
Amir Salihefendic is the founder of Doist, which makes Todoist, a tool that can help you get things done individually or as a team.
Amir Salihefendic is the founder of Doist, which makes Todoist, a tool that can help you get things done individually or as a team.
Sponsored by
Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now.
HostGator is your one-stop shop for all things web hosting. From design and marketing services to easy-to-use website builders, they are with you every step of the way. Thanks to their 24/7 – 365 days a year live support – which you can get via chat, phone and email – any and all questions you have can be answered in no time at all.
HostGator offers unlimited disk space and bandwidth, an easy to use control panel, one click WordPress installs and more.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 6 min
May 27, 2016 #1310 How a former prisoner launched Pigeonly, a startup for inmates
A few months ago I was in Las Vegas and I met this guy, Steven, who’s been listening to Mixergy for a long time. He walks up to me and says, “Andrew, you should interview the founder of my company.” I said, “What’s the company?” He said, “Pigeonly.” I go, “I know Pigeonly.” I know them because I heard this great piece on NPR about them and then I started reading all over how they got funding from Y Combinator. The story is incredibly exciting and captivating.
This entrepreneur went to prison, learned business in prison, came up with an idea based on his experience and frustrations from prison, launched the business, grew it, got revenue, got funding–unbelievable success story.
I’m so excited to have him on. His name is Frederick Hutson. He is the cofounder of Pigeonly. It’s a startup focused on serving the US prison population. They do things like allow prisoners to get photos from their loved ones or make phone calls to their loved ones.
Frederick Hutson is the cofounder of Pigeonly, a startup that allows prisoners to get photos from their loved ones or make phone calls to their loved ones.
Sponsored by
Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now.
Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
57 min
May 25, 2016 #1309 How Dollar Beard Club is hitting $8M in its first 8 months – with Chris Stoikos
I was so skeptical of today’s guest’s revenue that I asked him to show me his Stripe data.
He did and as you’ll see in this interview, I was SHOCKED when I saw the numbers.
Chris Stoikos says he was the kind of guy who always had trouble focusing on one thing. At the time he started Dollar Beard Club he was living in a house with six other dudes who were all working on different businesses.
He says that guy is very different than the guy he is today. I want to find out how he got there. Chris Stoikos is the founder of the Dollar Beard Club, which sells grooming supplies to guys with beards.
Chris Stoikos is the founder of the Dollar Beard Club, which sells grooming supplies to guys with beards.
Sponsored by
HostGator is your one-stop shop for all things web hosting. From design and marketing services to easy-to-use website builders, they are with you every step of the way. Thanks to their 24/7 – 365 days a year live support – which you can get via chat, phone and email – any and all questions you have can be answered in no time at all.
HostGator offers unlimited disk space and bandwidth, an easy to use control panel, one click WordPress installs and more.
Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
39 min
May 23, 2016 #1308 Workflow and sales techniques from the co-creator of ACT! – with Pat Sullivan
I’ve got an entrepreneur who has been focused on CRM for decades.
What used to just be address books has became much more powerful. CRM allows you to keep track of who you are interacting with to build better relationships and to close more sales.
Today’s guest got into the space because he was a sales person who learned that collecting information about his customers and prospects helped him close more sales and do better business.
Pat Sullivan co-created ACT!, which is the software that I used when I was still in school and working for Dale Carnegie. One of the first things they did was hand me ACT! and they said, “Here, use this. Whenever we talk to a client, make notes about what we learned about that client in here so that you have it for yourself so other people on the team have it for themselves too.”
He’s since created two other companies, Saleslogix and Ryver, a team collaboration software that makes it really easy for teams to communicate with each other.
Pat Sullivan is the CEO and co-creator of ACT! which was sold to Symantec. He since created two other companies, Saleslogix and Ryver, a team collaboration software that makes it really easy for teams to communicate with each other.
Sponsored by
Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now.
HostGator is your one-stop shop for all things web hosting. From design and marketing services to easy-to-use website builders, they are with you every step of the way. Thanks to their 24/7 – 365 days a year live support – which you can get via chat, phone and email – any and all questions you have can be answered in no time at all.
HostGator offers unlimited disk space and bandwidth, an easy to use control panel, one click WordPress installs and more.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 5 min
May 20, 2016 #1307 How to launch a two-sided marketplace from day one – with Jerry Nettuno
Get this, you know how hard it is to create a marketplace? Well, today’s guest found a way to make it easier for himself.
Take a marketplace for hairstylists, for example. You’d have to get a whole lot of hairstylists in there or else you wouldn’t get the customers. But why would you get hairstylists if you have no customers? Or maybe you get customers first but you have no hairstylists, so it makes no sense for the customers to be there because they’re going to be upset that they can’t book an appointment because they don’t have anyone local.
Well, today’s guest found a way to deal with that chicken and egg problem that all marketplaces have and he built a growing business.
Jerry Nettuno is the founder of Schedulicity, an appointment scheduling software for small and medium-sized businesses.
Jerry Nettuno is the founder of Schedulicity, an appointment scheduling software for small and medium-sized businesses.
Sponsored by
Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now.
HostGator is your one-stop shop for all things web hosting. From design and marketing services to easy-to-use website builders, they are with you every step of the way. Thanks to their 24/7 – 365 days a year live support – which you can get via chat, phone and email – any and all questions you have can be answered in no time at all.
HostGator offers unlimited disk space and bandwidth, an easy to use control panel, one click WordPress installs and more.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 3 min
May 18, 2016 #1306 How Russell Brunson solved the biggest challenge of online sales
Today’s guest was selling things online and was really good at it, but he had this problem…
It took a long time to make funnels. Frankly, that’s a problem that I have too.
Every part of creating a sales experience is challenging. So, he said, “I’m going to build a solution, something that makes it easier.” And he did.
It worked for him and it worked for so many other customers that it’s become this really big business that you’ve probably heard of–even if you’re selling online.
We’re going to get to hear how the company was built and about some of the challenges along the way. Russell Brunson is the founder of ClickFunnels, an easy way to market, sell or deliver products online.
Russell Brunson is the founder of ClickFunnels, which provides an easy way to market, sell or deliver products online.
Sponsored by
Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now.
Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 8 min
May 16, 2016 #1305 Working 80hrs/wk? No time to launch a company? Watch this interview – with Robbie Allen
Joining me today is a guy who I’m really proud to introduce to my audience. He’s a hard worker–and when I say hard worker, wait until you hear what this guy did.
When you go to AP, and so many other sources, it feels like a human being wrote an article that’s interesting and explains a topic really well. But it’s actually system built by today’s guest. It’s his software that actually wrote the article based on the stats.
Robbie Allen is the founder of Automated Insights, a natural language generation platform that takes data and turns it into stories that sound like a human being wrote it.
He launched it while working a full-time job. He sold it back in February 2015 and I’m excited to have him here to talk about how he did it.

Robbie Allen is the founder of Automated Insights, a platform that allows you to generate thousands of personalized articles in the time it takes to write just one.
Sponsored by
Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now.
HostGator is your one-stop shop for all things web hosting. From design and marketing services to easy-to-use website builders, they are with you every step of the way. Thanks to their 24/7 – 365 days a year live support – which you can get via chat, phone and email – any and all questions you have can be answered in no time at all.
HostGator offers unlimited disk space and bandwidth, an easy to use control panel, one click WordPress installs and more.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 2 min