Startup Stories - Mixergy

By Andrew WarnerSociety & Culture Business Education

Startup Stories - Mixergy episodes

July 27, 2016 #1333 A guide to InVision’s lean growth hacking
The guest who you’re about to meet has a software that has been used by almost every serious designer and design firm out there.
That’s exciting enough for me but what makes it even more exciting is that he’s one of the first Mixergy fans. I’m in awe of what he’s built.
Today’s guest is Clark Valberg. He’s the founder of InVision, which transforms your Web & Mobile (iOS, Android) designs into clickable, interactive Prototypes and Mockups.
Clark Valberg is the founder of InVision, which transforms your Web & Mobile (iOS, Android) designs into clickable, interactive Prototypes and Mockups.
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 6 min
July 25, 2016 #1332 The $300M SaaS startup you haven’t heard of yet – with Glenn Elliott
Have you ever felt like the company you started is not the right one? What do you do in a situation like that?
Today’s guest says that he felt like that. He was tired of his business and felt a little stuck because it wasn’t growing as big as he wanted it to grow.
So he came up with a new idea. Today he has one of the biggest startups that I’d never heard of before and I’m so excited to have him on.
Glenn Elliott is the founder of Reward Gateway, which provides employee perks, recognition, communication and engagement surveys.
Glenn Elliott is the founder of Reward Gateway, which provides employee discounts, rewards, and benefits.
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
50 min
July 22, 2016 #1331 How selling dog toys led to a $30,000,000 software idea – with Raad Mobrem
The guest you’re about to hear from is someone who had a problem and created software to solve the problem for himself.
Others started saying, “Hey, we have that problem too; can we use your software?”
And he said no.
He said ‘no’ a few times before he realized he should be saying ‘yes’ and turn it into a product.
Today’s guest is Raad Mobrem. He is the founder of Lettuce, a platform that helped companies manage orders and inventory online.
I’m using the past tense because the company was acquired by Intuit and its’ features integrated into Quickbooks.
Raad Mobrem is the founder of Lettuce, a platform that helped companies manage orders and inventory 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 6 min
July 18, 2016 #1330 How a techie dad built SellHack (while battling a life-changing diagnosis) – with Ryan ODonnell
We’ve got with us Ryan O’Donnell. He’s a guy who says that he and his cofounder are two techie dads who prefer to spend a coffee break in the middle of the day with their kids than with coworkers. They want to build the kind of company that they enjoy working in and that supports their lives. The company that they built is called SellHack.
Sellhack is a browser extension that helps people find leads, build targeted prospect lists and verify email addresses so that they spend less time on data entry and more time talking to customers and closing deals.
I don’t think the description does the business justice, but we’ll bring it to life in the interview.
Ryan O’Donnell is the founder of SellHack, a browser extension that helps people find leads, build targeted prospect lists and verify email addresses so that they spend less time on data entry and more time talking to customers and closing deals.
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.
Converted 2016 is an entire conference dedicated to increasing your leads, sales, and conversions at every stage in your sales process—from the second a new visitor arrives at your website for a very first time—to the day that new visitor joins your email list—to the moment that new lead purchases your first product—becomes your recurring customer—and even goes on to become your advocate and customer for life. We’ll show you how that’s done, step by step.
As a Mixergy fan, you can save up to $250 on the price of your ticket. That’s the “early bird rate” that’s no longer available anywhere else. To claim this discount, visit http://www.leadpages.net/mixergy mixergy to get your tickets.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 5 min
July 15, 2016 #1329 The story behind one of the biggest exits in Spain in 2015 – with Jose del Barrio
Joining me today is an entrepreneur who tried to order some food and it didn’t work out so well.
He had very few options, it wasn’t a good experience, and he decided he could do it better.
And he did. He did way better. Jose del Barrio started a company called La Nevera Roja—“The Red Fridge”—and it’s an online food ordering platform providing delivery and takeaway service.
We’re going to find out how he did it.
Jose del Barrio is the founder of La Nevera Roja—”The Red Fridge”—an online food ordering platform providing delivery and takeaway service.
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.
Converted 2016 is an entire conference dedicated to increasing your leads, sales, and conversions at every stage in your sales process—from the second a new visitor arrives at your website for a very first time—to the day that new visitor joins your email list—to the moment that new lead purchases your first product—becomes your recurring customer—and even goes on to become your advocate and customer for life. We’ll show you how that’s done, step by step.
As a Mixergy fan, you can save up to $250 on the price of your ticket. That’s the “early bird rate” that’s no longer available anywhere else. To claim this discount, visit http://www.leadpages.net/mixergy mixergy to get your tickets.
More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint
Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint
1 hr 5 min
July 13, 2016 #1328 How Ben Kirshner brought meritocracy to digital marketing
Because I’ve been doing this for so long, I get recommendations for guests from people who’ve heard about Mixergy, who know about Mixergy’s history who want certain people to be interviewed here. A few months ago I got an email from a guy who said to me, “Andrew, you should email and interview the founder of my company.”
I looked into him and frankly, the person who made the suggestion even sent over revenue numbers for 2014-2015, and I said, “Yes, absolutely. We’ve got to get this guy on.” I especially like interviewees where someone on the team says, “You’ve got to interview my founder.”
So that’s what we have here with us today. Ben Kirshner is the founder of Elite SEM. It’s a digital marketing agency that kind of flipped the organization chart on its head, which means a lot of things, but one of the things it means is he’s sharing the profits from each sale with each individual employee who’s working on that client’s work. We’ll get into that in the interview.
Ben Kirshner is the founder of Elite SEM, a digital marketing agency specializing in paid search, SEO, CRO, shopping, performance display and paid social.
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 7 min
July 11, 2016 #1327 How simplicity helped Joel Holland grow Video Blocks to $20,000,000+
Here is an entrepreneur who started shooting video and realizing that he was at a disadvantage…
The reason that a lot of video we watch online and on television so interesting is that they have all these different shots. They don’t just start off with a scene. They start off with this aerial shot of Manhattan and then after they’ve shown you the building, they take you into the scene and the conversation starts. Those little things add huge impact. But man, they also add a lot of cost. So today’s guest said, “There’s got to be a better way.” And he built a better way.
Joel Holland, the founder you’re about to meet, created a site called VideoBlocks. It’s a subscription-based provider of stock video and audio. He then expanded it by adding GraphicStock and AudioBlocks which offer graphic and audio.
The company has just grown and grown and grown. I can’t believe how big it’s gotten and we’re going to talk about he did it.
Joel Holland is the founder of VideoBlocks, a subscription-based provider of stock video and audio.
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 10 min
July 08, 2016 #1326 How Peter Muhlmann built a profitable review site
In this interview, I’m going to be interviewing someone whose company I’m seeing a lot now.
When I research companies, I often see that they have this little logo on their sites. It’s the Trustpilot logo. And I’ll be honest with you, when I first heard about this company, I thought, “There’s no way it’s going to succeed, it’s too hard.”
But it did succeed and it’s growing and it’s a really impressive company and I’m curious to see how they did this thing that I couldn’t even fathom succeeding.
The founder of the company is called Peter Muhlmann. He is the founder and CEO of Trustpilot, which publishes reviews for online businesses.
Peter Muhlmann is the founder of Trustpilot, which publishes reviews for online 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 10 min
July 06, 2016 #1325 Former Apple Designer Now Works As A Pickle – with Russ Perry
Russ Perry did this interview wearing the pickle costume that he often wears these days. He quit working at Apple because he wanted to spend more time with his daughter. To make money, he started a consulting company, which he hated.
That’s when he came up with his big idea, Design Pickle. It’s a subscription site that does custom design work for a fixed monthly fee. That business is growing fast, partially because he hustles by doing things like wearing a pickle costume to get attention.
You should listen to the interview to hear the other surprising things he did to grow.
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 11 min
July 01, 2016 #1324 An open discussion on improving Mixergy with the founder of Ties.com
I was at a conference a few weeks ago and this guy comes up to me and he says, “Hey, it’s Omar.” And I recognized him because he and I have been emailing since 2010–about six years now.
He says, “You know, Andrew, I think you could be doing a better job on Mixergy.” So, right away he becomes my favorite person, especially when he started to talk about why.
He started to say that companies that are further ahead have different needs than companies that are just getting started and I’m spending a lot of time on the getting started part, which is exactly what I’d been thinking of a lot over the last few months.
We started talking about what it is he thought I needed to add. Then I interrupted him and I said, “Wait, Omar, let’s do it on camera. Let’s record it because I want to start a more public conversation.”
This is how I learned to ask the right questions. I talk to the people who are going to be listening to the guests who I invite on. I want to find out what they’re looking for.
Today’s guest is Omar Sayyed. Omar is the cofounder and CEO of Ties.com and Scarves.com. We’ll talk about those businesses and how he’s come a long way since we first emailed back in 2010.
Omar Sayyed is the cofounder and CEO of Ties.com and Scarves.com.
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 2 min