Startups With Stu

We showed up to conferences and we had humans all over our booth. So many humans that our neighbours were complaining" - this is how Trevor Erikson describes Stukent's early disruptive entry into the academic publishing space, where he served as the company's first hire and CMO. From pioneering personalized marketing campaigns (including tracking down professors' favorite candy bars from around the world) to scaling email strategies that helped grow Stukent to tens of millions in valuation, Trevor reveals the innovative tactics that transformed a basement startup into an educational technology leader serving over a million students. His experience juggling side hustles while building companies offers a real playbook for both marketers and founders. Now at Deviant Ink, he's proving that mixing digital innovation with passion markets is a winning formula. For entrepreneurs looking to scale through authentic marketing, this episode shows why personal touches and real connections beat conventional marketing every time.

"I was living in my parents' basement making $15 an hour when suddenly Merrill Lynch paperwork showed up saying I was worth $3 million" - this is how Dan Handy describes his first major exit, but it was just the beginning of his remarkable journey in technology entrepreneurship. From pioneering the freemium model in web hosting to scaling Bluehost to $65 million in revenue without raising external capital, Dan reveals the innovative strategies that powered his success, including a game-changing partnership with WordPress and a revolutionary approach to affiliate marketing. His candid discussion about making pivotal decisions provides a masterclass in startup leadership, while his current ventures in golf technology demonstrate why the most promising opportunities often emerge from combining technological innovation with non-technical industries. For entrepreneurs seeking to bootstrap their way to success, this episode illuminates why effective cash flow management and strategic partnerships frequently matter more than having the perfect idea.

"The only thing harder than starting a hemp food business in 1998 was doing it as a guy with a ponytail," jokes Mike Fata, who turned his personal health transformation into a revolutionary business that would forever change the hemp food industry. Starting Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods with just $50,000 in first-year sales, Mike persevered through a decade of unprofitability, regulatory battles with the DEA, and countless skeptics who laughed at his vision. His determination paid off when he sold the company for $419 million to Tilray in 2019. Now wearing his signature "GROW" hat, Mike shares raw insights about building a $100M company while reaching only 2% of his target market, proving that success often comes to those who simply stay in the game longer than everyone else. This episode is packed with practical wisdom about raising capital (turning his mom's $5,000 investment into an $80,000 return), finding your authentic story, and why he chooses to keep working despite his massive exit. For entrepreneurs wondering if they have what it takes, Mike's journey shows that success often comes down to one thing: Stick-to-itiveness.

Connect with Mike: 

LinkedIn: Mike Fata 

Book: "Grow: 12 Unconventional Lessons for Becoming an Unstoppable Entrepreneur"

"I had a university degree in one hand and a two-month-old baby in the other" - this is how Keri-Ellen Walcer turned simple nursery rhymes into a business touching thousands of families. What started with knee bounces in her living room grew into a network of 50 licensees blending music, movement, and early childhood development. After selling her first company and becoming an entrepreneurship professor, she's back with MusiGo Inc., showing how business and family life can thrive together. This episode is filled with practical wisdom about bootstrapping, scaling organically, and the incredible ripple effect of nurturing your first customers. With just two responses to her first marketing campaign, she built a relationship that would bring her 25 more business partners over the next decade. Keri-Ellen's story reminds us that sometimes the best business ideas come from simply solving problems in our own lives, and success often starts with treating every small win like gold.

From ranch hand to digital marketing mogul, Michael Johnson's entrepreneurial journey is a masterclass in building a service-based business. In this episode of Startups with Stu, the CEO of Get Found First shares how early lessons from 4-H sales and a pivotal private jet meeting shaped his path to success. Gain insider perspective on the strategic acquisition that transformed competitors into partners, leading Johnson to scale his agency to 40 employees and $8 million in revenue. Packed with practical insights on going "all in," mastering strategic communication, and building lasting client relationships, this conversation delivers invaluable lessons for anyone looking to build and scale their business. This episode provides a roadmap for turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality through strategic thinking, persistence, and the power of relationships.

From bootstrapping a SaaS company to a successful exit, Jared Nygren's entrepreneurial journey is a blueprint for startup success. Now leading Apruv, a customer retention platform transforming the pest control industry, Jared shares his playbook for building and scaling tech companies without massive funding. Learn his innovative approach to building an overseas development team, navigating co-founder dynamics, and the strategic decision between bootstrapping versus raising capital. Whether you're debating taking investor money or splitting equity with a co-founder, this episode delivers battle-tested wisdom from founders who've been in the trenches. Plus, you won’t want to miss Stu's insights on networking and fundraising that every startup founder needs to hear.

What does it take to build multiple successful income streams as an entrepreneur while maintaining a full-time career? Meet Dr. Jen Riley, a marketing professor at Vanderbilt who’s rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship through her unique path of consulting, teaching, and authorship. In this candid conversation with Stu Draper, she demolishes the Instagram-perfect myth of startup life while sharing battle-tested strategies for building a sustainable business. Learn why understanding your "runway" is crucial and how Dr. Riley built her success while working jobs from retail to Lyft driving. Whether you're a side hustler or a full-time entrepreneur, this episode delivers practical wisdom about personal branding, resource management, and the real grind behind entrepreneurial success. 

Discover the entrepreneurial journey of Nick Greer. In this captivating episode, Nick reveals how he went from being rejected three times by BYU's business school to selling his first company after eight and a half years, proving his doubters wrong. Get an intimate look at his philosophy of "protecting the base". Nick also shares vulnerable insights about his early struggles and how his faith played a crucial role in his success. Listen as Nick challenges traditional business thinking and reveals why following your gut (and divine guidance) is crucial for entrepreneurial success. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs at any stage, from Nick's three key questions for aspiring business owners to his refreshing perspective on work-life balance and building sustainable companies.

In this week’s episode, Chris Deaver, author of "Brave Together," unveils the secret sauce behind some of the world's most innovative companies. Chris shares his experiences from Apple, where he helped transform some of Apple’s team culture. Discover how breaking free from traditional hierarchies and fostering true collaboration can lead to groundbreaking results. Chris reveals the importance of asking questions over providing answers, and explains why even star players need to embrace teamwork for long-term success. This episode is packed with invaluable insights for entrepreneurs and leaders. Learn how to create a culture that acts as a perpetual motion machine, propelling your business to new heights while inspiring your team to do their best work.

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.