What does it take to bootstrap a startup for five years and then raise millions in funding? Shane Murphy, founder of Boostly, reveals his extraordinary journey from living frugally to revolutionizing restaurant marketing. Discover the unexpected benefits of joining Y Combinator and learn how to maintain control through multiple funding rounds. Join Shane and Stu as they dive deep into pivoting products, scaling sales teams, and the art of the startup exit. Gain invaluable insights on bootstrapping, fundraising, and building a business poised for exponential growth to fuel your startup success.

This week, I sat down with Gonzalo Tudela, founder of Examind, to discuss his journey to tackling academic integrity in higher education. Gonzalo offers insights into the realities of entrepreneurship in education technologies. Discover how he pivoted his approach when faced with resistance, learning valuable lessons about product positioning and understanding customer needs. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and offers practical advice for anyone looking to disrupt an established industry.

In this week's episode, meet Will Martin, the 22-year-old Spanish entrepreneur disrupting the B2B SaaS space with his company, Founder Video. Will shares his journey from learning English to closing his first client and reveals the power of content creation in driving sales. Discover how Will's unique approach to client retention and his passion for building relationships has fueled his success. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone looking to leverage content marketing for business growth and learn the potential of creating a content-driven sales engine. Get ready for an example of entrepreneurial grit, the value of staying in the game, and a discussion about the true motivations behind building a business.

Step into the world of edtech entrepreneurship with Justin Hewett, the visionary founder and CEO of Flashlight Learning. Discover how he navigated the challenges of balancing a thriving business with a growing family of six children, and learn the secrets behind Flashlight Learning's remarkable impact on English language learners. Justin shares insights on bootstrapping, maintaining company ownership, and upgrading leadership teams as your startup scales. Join me as we uncover the passion, perseverance, and strategic thinking that drives one of edtech's rising stars.

Ryon Hays is an incredible entrepreneur. Despite facing devastating setbacks, including losing everything multiple times, enduring physical injuries, and encountering personal betrayals, Ryon has chosen not to give up and keep trying every time. In this episode, he opens up about the lessons he's learned from his failures and the importance of understanding one's true motivations for pursuing entrepreneurship. Ryon's story serves as a powerful reminder that success is not just about financial gain but also personal growth and self-discovery. Join Stu and Ryon as they explore the challenges of transitioning from entrepreneurship to corporate life and discuss the valuable insights gained from Ryon's unique experiences. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity.

This week on Startups With Stu, I sat down with Sharon Soliday, an entrepreneur making a difference in the offerings of speech pathologists. Sharon reveals how she grew her company to over 100 employees across six states, sharing insights on maintaining quality service at scale. Learn about her innovative approach to company values, the art of working yourself out of a job, and the intricacies of selling a business. Sharon's advice on trusting your instincts and taking calculated risks is a must-hear. Tune in for a dose of entrepreneurial wisdom, personal finance tips, and the power of giving back.

Dive into the world of startup innovation with Christian Durfee, founder of InvestLink Social, as he shares his startup experiences. Discover how InvestLink Social is revolutionizing the fundraising landscape by connecting founders and investors through a unique social networking platform. Get an insider's perspective on the thriving Utah startup ecosystem and learn why it might be the next Silicon Valley. This episode is packed with info for founders and investors alike. So come with us as we get ready for lift off!

In this episode of Startups with Stu, we dive deep into the topic of entrepreneurship with Marc LeFevre, founder of Kalibrate AI. Marc shares his experiences with transforming an idea into a revenue-generating business, offering insights on finding the right co-founders and navigating the challenges of bootstrapping. Host Stu Draper, a seasoned entrepreneur, in turn, offers advice on scaling, sales strategies, and avoiding common bootstrapper pitfalls. This episode is packed with advice for aspiring and current entrepreneurs alike. Don't miss this in-depth conversation that will help you understand the gritty realities and potential triumphs of startup life.