Startup Stories - Mixergy

By Andrew WarnerSociety & Culture Business Education

Startup Stories - Mixergy episodes

March 30, 2016 #1284 BetterHelp founder on risking everything to bootstrap – with Alon Matas
Listen to the nerve today’s guest had with his idea. He had this idea that maybe you wouldn’t want to go to a therapist’s office when you have an issue. Maybe in the world today, you don’t want to drive out and sit on a therapist’s couch and just talk, maybe you want to use your phone, use technology to talk to your therapist.
It’s the kind of an idea that if you talked to an investor, they might have sent him to a therapist. They might have said, “No, this doesn’t work.” But he didn’t. He bootstrapped it. He risked his family’s livelihood, his personal livelihood, and he built up his business.
What I want to understand in this interview is a little bit about the nerve involved in that, a little bit about the decision making process. I want to know how he got his customers and how he ended up with a real big hit on his hands, one that he ended up selling.
His name is Alon Matas and he is the founder of BetterHelp, which is the world’s largest online counseling platform.
Alon Matas is the founder and CEO of BetterHelp which is the world’s largest online counseling platform.
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 18 min
March 28, 2016 #1283 How to craft the perfect pitch (and get backed) – with Evan Baehr
You guys don’t see my desk. I know most of you are listening to the podcast so you don’t see jack. But I will tell you that on my desk is this stack of mail that I still have to get through.
That’s why I was so excited when a while back, I’d see these cars drive through San Francisco. They’d have this little mailbox flag on them. They were so striking you couldn’t help but almost get into an accident just to look at them.
When I went back to Google what this company did, I discovered that Outbox, the company behind those cars actually wanted to scan your mail, and let you look at it on your computer. I thought that the company was just the future. That’s the way things ought to be. And then it wasn’t.
That website today redirects to a whole new business. It’s this whole new business that the founders of Outbox switched into.
Today I’ve got the founder here with me. His name is Evan Baehr. I’m looking forward to finding out what happened with Outbox, how he transitioned to Able.
He’s also the author of a book called “Get Backed: Craft Your Story, Build the Perfect Pitch Deck and Launch the Venture of Your Dreams.” It is a book on raising money by a guy who’s done it and written with the experiences of other people who have done it.
Evan Baehr is a Co-founder of Able (formerly Outbox) which helped users to control of their postal mail by giving them access to digital copies.
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
March 25, 2016 #1282 How Uberflip segmented verticals to find the right users for their product – with Randy Frisch
How many times in your life do you come up with a great idea, one that you can be proud and excited to show people?
Today’s guest had that. He was excited about it and he started showing it to people, but the feedback that he got helped him realize, “Wait, this is a cool idea, but it’s not a great business.”
So then he and his cofounder asked themselves an important question, one that changed everything for them, one you’ve seen me talk about in many of these interviews here on Mixergy. The question was, “What’s the pain that our users have that we can create software to solve?”
So they started talking to users. In fact, they segmented their users and you’ll find out why. Once they started talking to different segments of users, they hit on it–an idea that led to a company called Uberflip.
Randy Frisch is the cofounder of that company. Uberflip is a CMS for content marketing. I’ll explain what that really means in this interview.
Randy Frisch is the co-founder at Uberflip which is a CMS for content marketing.
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
1 hr 12 min
March 23, 2016 #1281 How Greenrope uses a reseller network to compete with giants like Infusionsoft – with Lars Helgeson
Let me tell you the challenge that today’s guest has. You’ve never heard of him, you’ve never heard of his company–but you’ve heard of his competitors.
So, let me ask you this–if you were in his place, what would you do? How would you compete with these big guys and still claim your customers, build your product and grow your business? There’s one word that will sum up what he’s done that’s different–resellers.
Lars Helgeson is the Founder of GreenRope which is a web-based CRM, email marketing, event management, and project management system.
I want to talk to him about how he built a reseller network to get around these big marketers who he’s competing with. I want to find out how he’s talking to his customers to know what to build for them so his resellers have something valuable to sell.
Lars Helgeson is the Founder of GreenRope which is a web-based CRM, email marketing, event management, and project management system.
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.
BrandBucket – If you’re starting a company or if you’re starting a new project for your current company and you want someone to package all of the branding for you, go to BrandBucket. You’ll end up with a name that fits your company and a brand that fits the name—for less than the price you’d pay for a really hot domain. You don’t have to be a designer. You don’t have to hire a creative agency—BrandBucket vets the brands for you. if you need a full brand to get your business started, go to BrandBucket.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
54 min
March 21, 2016 #1280 How Collin Stewart successfully pivoted an unsuccessful CRM company
Today I’ve got with me a guy who used to listen for years and I’m so proud to have him on here to talk about how he built up his company.
His name is Collin Stewart. He is the founder of Carb. Carb helps companies build their outbound sales teams.
Before that Collin started voltageCRM. You’ll find out in this interview why mentioning it makes him wince and how he pivoted to where he is today.
Collin Stewart is the founder of Carburetor, which helps companies build their outbound sales teams.
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
GoToWebinar – When you’re trying to create demand you need a cost-effective way to reach your target audience. My recommendation? Use Citrix GoToWebinar
Keep attendees engaged with interactive polls, live chat and respond to feedback in real time. You’ll even see reports on attendance and performance metrics of your events. GoToWebinar lets you present to hundreds with confidence. Start connecting and converting today with your free 30-day trial at GoToWebinar.com
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 14 min
March 18, 2016 #1279 Performable founder returns to discuss HubSpot acquisition – with David Cancel
One of the first interviews that I did was with the guy you’re about to meet today and I heard the full interview before interviewing him today.
I’m so glad to have him back on here because I’ve watched his career just keep growing and growing since that interview. Last time we talked about how he built all the other businesses he built and at the end of the interview, we talked about this new company that he started which was called Performable.
Since then, he sold Performable to a company that went public is now worth over $1 billion. It’s a fantastic business and I want to ask him what happened that took Performable from an idea to a business that was eventually sold.
You can also check out his first interview here.
David Cancel is co-founder of Performable, which offers easy-to-use, do-it-yourself tools that helps web sites improve convert more visitors into customers.
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
March 16, 2016 #1278 How Gizmodo creator Peter Rojas left to launch Engadget with Jason Calacanis
There was a period where I was turning my back on technoloIy, on the internet and I just felt like, “Ah, who cares?” I was living in Venice Beach and just enjoying life.
Then I started reading these gadget blogs. Engadget was my favorite. I couldn’t stop hitting refresh on the page waiting for the next article to come up.
Engadget was a blog that taught me about podcasting. Yeah, podcasting I learned about on Engadget. Well, that got me into Gizmodo and a bunch of other things and they brought me back into tech.
Today I have the founder of that blog. His name is Peter Rojas. He went on to cofound GDGT in 2009 and sold both companies to AOL. I’m glad to have him on here at Mixergy.
Peter Rojas was co-founder of GDGT, a venture-backed social commerce startup.
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 14 min
March 14, 2016 #1277 How improving one page can 4x your sales – with Brian Moran
You know how everyone talks about the different pages on your site and how you can improve them to dramatically grow your business?
Well, the truth is, there’s actually one page that might have more impact than all of those combined, one page that can actually 4x your sales, says today’s guest. And that’s the page where people actually pay.
Brian Moran is the founder of SamCart. It’s an e-commerce shopping cart that actually helps small businesses grow.
I’ve heard that some people are changing nothing but that one page to grow sales. I invited him here to talk about how being in the content space led him to build an audience that helped him find the product to start selling and creating.
Brian Moran is the co-founder of SamCart, an e-commerce shopping cart that helps small businesses get their store up and running online faster.
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.
GoToWebinar – When you’re trying to create demand you need a cost-effective way to reach your target audience. My recommendation? Use Citrix GoToWebinar
Keep attendees engaged with interactive polls, live chat and respond to feedback in real time. You’ll even see reports on attendance and performance metrics of your events. GoToWebinar lets you present to hundreds with confidence. Start connecting and converting today with your free 30-day trial at GoToWebinar.com
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 8 min
March 11, 2016 #1276 How Graham Cochrane went from food stamps to building a $600,000/yr blog
The thing about entrepreneurship is that, at least for me, ever since I became an entrepreneur, whenever I saw a homeless man in the street, I always thought one day that could be me and it would just scare me.
Today I’ve got a guest who started a company blogging. He started creating YouTube videos and teaching. He was building up an audience and all the things you’re supposed to do, all the things they tell you. He did it. And then he went on food stamps.
This fear that I had actually became his reality, as much as he didn’t want it. He went in kicking and screaming. We’ll find out why he had to kick and scream and what got him to finally do it.
Graham Cochrane is the founder of The Recording Revolution, a site dedicated to making better sounding music in their home studios.
Graham Cochrane is the founder of The Recording Revolution, a site dedicated to making better sounding music in their home studios.
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.
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.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 5 min
March 09, 2016 #1275 #AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur’s Take on Leadership, Social Media and Self-Awareness
I think most people know him, but just in case, today’s guest is Gary Vaynerchuk. He is the founder of the digital social agency, VaynerMedia. They work with brands like Spotify, Mountain Dew and Budweiser. They help those brands with creative social media campaigns, ad buying and so much more.
His latest book is called “#AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur’s Take on Leadership, Social Media and Self-Awareness.”
I discovered in this book what VaynerMedia is worth. I zeroed in–out of all these pages, I zeroed in on one number. Find out that and so much more in this interview.
Gary Vaynerchuk is the founder of VaynerMedia, the digital social agency that works with brands like Spotify, Mountain Dew and Budweiser. They help those brands with creative social media campaigns, ad buying and so much more.
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.
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.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
42 min