Startup Stories - Mixergy

By Andrew WarnerSociety & Culture Business Education

Startup Stories - Mixergy episodes

November 20, 2017 #1523 How Steve Sims built a business on being likeable
Today’s guest is a little bit different. He’s not a tech entrepreneur. He didn’t build his company in his dorm room.
He had kind of a winding road to get here, and the reason that I’m having him on is I think this story is going to be useful for you, but also I’m just freaking fascinated by the guy.
He has a kind of personality that makes you just like him. I know that seems kind of like wishy washy and dorky, but we shared a cab on the way back to a hotel and I just said, “I dig this guy. I really just like him.” And I said, “I want to know how he’s so freaking likable,” and so that’s what this interview is about.
Steve Sims is the founder of Bluefish, is a concierge service for VIPs and executives who want luxury and adventure.
Steve Sims is the founder of Bluefish, is a concierge service for VIPs and executives who want luxury and adventure.
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.
Pipedrive is a sales management tool for small teams with big ambitions. It visualizes one’s sales pipeline and helps to make sure important activities and conversations won’t get dropped. Salespeople really like it because it’s easy to use and intuitive. Managers like it because they don’t need to nag their team to use their CRM. It also sports built-in forecasting, integrations with other software such as Google Apps, MailChimp and Zapier and a powerful API.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
59 min
November 17, 2017 #1522 A founder faces pivoting or failure (8 separate times)
I was invited to do an interview on stage of Podcast Movement, and soon after I got off the stage, this guy who looked like a rockstar came over to talked to me.
He started telling me about his company, Proven, and how it’s hiring software for small businesses. I thought, “Does the world needs another piece of software to like hire?” I thought this was a solved problem. That was until he told me how much revenue he’s doing, and what he’s doing to grow the business.
Pablo Fuentes is the founder of Proven. We’re going to find out how he came up with a bunch of really bad ideas that were close to the idea for Proven and they all seemed to fail.
Pablo Fuentes is the founder of Proven, a job post site for small businesses.
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.
Pipedrive is a sales management tool for small teams with big ambitions. It visualizes one’s sales pipeline and helps to make sure important activities and conversations won’t get dropped. Salespeople really like it because it’s easy to use and intuitive. Managers like it because they don’t need to nag their team to use their CRM. It also sports built-in forecasting, integrations with other software such as Google Apps, MailChimp and Zapier and a powerful API.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 3 min
November 15, 2017 #1521 The parts of entrepreneurship no one wants to talk about
Before we started, I was talking today’s guest about how so many entrepreneurs, even close friends of mine, will just hide whenever something goes wrong and not talk about it. As a result, we get this impression that everyone is doing well because when they’re not doing well we don’t know about it.
With that said, I’ll tell you that today’s guest will talk about it. She had a period where she was in the fetal position, with $50 in the bank, and I want to know how she got to that point and what happened that allowed her to grow past it.
Melinda Wittstock is the founder of Verifeed which identifies and engages relevant word of mouth influencers as your viral virtual sales force.
Melinda Wittstock. She is the founder of Verifeed which identifies and engages relevant word of mouth influencers as your viral virtual sales force.
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.
Pipedrive is a sales management tool for small teams with big ambitions. It visualizes one’s sales pipeline and helps to make sure important activities and conversations won’t get dropped. Salespeople really like it because it’s easy to use and intuitive. Managers like it because they don’t need to nag their team to use their CRM. It also sports built-in forecasting, integrations with other software such as Google Apps, MailChimp and Zapier and a powerful API.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
0 min
November 13, 2017 #1520 How to use infoproduct marketing tactics to sell physical products
A lot of the first-time entrepreneurs that I interview here are often just out of school, sometimes even have built their businesses in dorm rooms, but today’s guest is not like that.
He started his company in his late forties. Steven Sashen is the founder of Xero Shoes, which creates minimalist shoes and sandals that will help you run and walk the way nature intended.
I want to talk about how he’s built this company by not getting crushed by the giants. And I want to find out the marketing techniques that he’s using. I think anyone in the audience, whether they have an info-product or physical product can learn from his story.
Steven Sashen is the founder of Xero Shoes, which creates minimalist shoes and sandals that will help you run and walk the way nature intended.
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.
Pipedrive is a sales management tool for small teams with big ambitions. It visualizes one’s sales pipeline and helps to make sure important activities and conversations won’t get dropped. Salespeople really like it because it’s easy to use and intuitive. Managers like it because they don’t need to nag their team to use their CRM. It also sports built-in forecasting, integrations with other software such as Google Apps, MailChimp and Zapier and a powerful API.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
0 min
November 08, 2017 #1519 I dig deep into DropshipLifestyle
A part of me is skeptical that today’s guest is just ANOTHER guy with a website teaching people how to drop ship and get rich quick.
But the other part of me knows there’s something I can learn from him. Whether it’s how he’s getting customers, how he communicates his product and his sales process.
Anton Kraly is the founder of DropshipLifestyle, a step-by-step coaching program that enables you to build an online business.
Anton Kraly is the founder of DropshipLifestyle, a step-by-step coaching program that enables you to build an online business.
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.
If you need anything designed–a new web page, a new landing page, a new logo, DesignCrowd will do it for you. They ask you what you’re looking for, who you are, what your company is like. They will give you lots of options, you pick the one you like, pay for it, and they guarantee results. It’s that simple. Find out how DesignCrowd is different than the other companies and go to designcrowd.com/mixergy.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
0 min
November 06, 2017 #1518 How do you scale company culture?
Today I have Jeff Epstein, the founder of Ambassador, who I interviewed about four years ago.
Since I last had him on Ambassador has grown 5x. I want to find out how he’s grown and scaled his team. I want to spend a lot of time talking about company culture for a business that has grown so fast.
Jeff Epstein is the founder of Ambassador, an all-in-one referral software.
Jeff Epstein is the founder of Ambassador, an all-in-one referral software.
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.
Pipedrive is a sales management tool for small teams with big ambitions. It visualizes one’s sales pipeline and helps to make sure important activities and conversations won’t get dropped. Salespeople really like it because it’s easy to use and intuitive. Managers like it because they don’t need to nag their team to use their CRM. It also sports built-in forecasting, integrations with other software such as Google Apps, MailChimp and Zapier and a powerful API.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 4 min
November 03, 2017 #1517 Magento founder Yoav Kutner on open-source products
Today’s guest and his team created Mageneto, a commerce software so many of my guests say they used to build their sites.
They sold to eBay and Yoav, who’s here today, wrote a nasty post about eBay which he later removed. I want to find out about that.
I also want to find out how he went from a guy who basically started out in a closet, creating a software that was used by so many, to coming up with new products.
Yoav Kutner is the founder of Oro Commerce, a b2b e-commerce platform.
Yoav Kutner is the founder of Oro Commerce, a b2b eCommerce 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
0 min
November 01, 2017 #1516 How to create a brand (Not just a product)
It used to be really hard to create a brand. But I’m seeing now with Instagram and other social media platforms businesses are able to do it.
That’s what today’s guest has done. Rachael McCrary is the founder of Jewel Toned, a lingerie and shapewear company.
I want to know how she created a brand and how she is getting people to think about her products.
Rachael McCrary is the founder of Jewel Toned, a lingerie and shapewear company.
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.
Athletic Greens – Athletic Greens sees health and wellness as a long-term investment. They know that in order to perform at your best and live a fulfilling life, you need the right nutrition. That’s why Athletic Greens produces the most complete health supplement with 75 Ingredients covering 11 areas of health—everything you need to power through your day and achieve your goals.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 3 min
October 30, 2017 #1515 How childhood homelessness and the military made Jake Hare a better founder
There are a few things that make today’s guest unique. He’s an entrepreneur building a consulting agency catering to unfunded startups.
He was also homeless at one point and I want to find out how that influenced how he thinks about money and business.
Lastly, I want to know how he systemizes his business.
Jake Hare is the founder of Launchpeer, which helps entrepreneurs around the world build, launch and scale tech startups.
Jake Hare is the founder of Launchpeer, which helps entrepreneurs around the world build, launch and scale tech startups.
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.
If you need anything designed–a new web page, a new landing page, a new logo, DesignCrowd will do it for you. They ask you what you’re looking for, who you are, what your company is like. They will give you lots of options, you pick the one you like, pay for it, and they guarantee results. It’s that simple. Find out how DesignCrowd is different than the other companies and go to designcrowd.com/mixergy.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 14 min
October 27, 2017 #1514 How William Moore built a company so good Ross Perot wanted to buy it
Today’s guest created a company and sold it to Ross Perot—Ross Perot!
It’s called Rothwell International. It’s a contract programming company focused on object technology and, of course, we’re going to talk a little bit about the company that he’s got now.
William Moore is the founder of AlphaDog Fast Trading, an online educational game that teaches you to be a better trader by enabling you to practice by using real historical data.
William Moore is the founder of AlphaDog Fast Trading, an online educational game that teaches you to be a better trader.
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.
ActiveCampaign – Improve your marketing & sales processes by upgrading to an automated platform. Start sending follow-up that adapts to your customers’ behavior so you are sending the perfect message at the perfect time. You’ll have happier customers and higher conversions. See why over 150,000 marketers use ActiveCampaign to create intelligent marketing that gets better results.
If you’re with one of their confusing competitors and you want something new, you owe it to your business to check out ActiveCampaign.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 15 min