The Bootstrapped Founder

The "creator economy" is a dream of self-fulfillment and freedom for many. But once you're in it, it can quickly look bleak.

Today, I dive into a world where everyone tells you to be consistent and trust the process. Let's examine the tension between creativity and attention.

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/rethinking-the-creator-economy/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/289-rethinking-the-creator-economy

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Thibault Louis-Lucas (@tibo_maker), or Tibo for short, is the indie hacker and innovator behind successful ventures like TweetHunter and Taplio — which he sold for over $10M!

In this episode, we unravel Thibault's thrilling journey from the joys of product creation to the intricacies of selling a business on the global stage. He shares his strategies for tripling revenue post-acquisition, the pivotal role of community engagement, and his candid insights on AI risks, nomadic lifestyles, and the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned developer, join us for an enlightening conversation that's as much a masterclass in the art of SaaS as it is a celebration of community and adaptability in the digital age.

Tibo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tibo_maker

00:00:00 Building Products
00:17:22 Building Stable Efficient Software Product
00:24:59 AI Risks and Nomadic Lifestyle Discussion
00:33:52 Video Content for Indie Hackers
00:41:31 Building in Public, Power of Feedback

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/thibault-louis-lucas-selling-a-10m-saas-and-building-another-one/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/288-thibault-louis-lucas-selling-a-10m-saas-and-building-another-one 

The video: https://youtu.be/csp6vI8lKt4

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

• (00:00) - Building Products

How can you provide white-glove customer service if you don't even know what it looks like? That —and a few very exciting development with my recent SaaS project(s?!)— will be what I want to share with you today.

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/white-glove-onboarding/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/287-white-glove-onboarding

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Asia Orangio (@AsiaOrangio), CEO of Demand Maven, joins me as we dive into the world of customer discovery and (go-to) market strategies. We'll discuss real-life examples, like a Gantt chart tool maker who grew their business through customer feedback. This episode is a practical guide on balancing passion with profit and tackling early-stage marketing and growth challenges.

And if you kinda suck at surveys, this one is for you.

In our conversation, Asia and I unravel the importance of customer interviews and debunk the myth that customers aren't willing to share their thoughts. We also explore key decisions in scaling a business, from expanding your audience to smart hiring choices. Whether you're just starting or already on your entrepreneurial journey, this episode offers valuable insights into maintaining a consistent customer base and steering your business's marketing strategy.

Asia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AsiaOrangio
Asia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asiaorangio/

00:00:00 Early Stage Marketing and Growth Challenges
00:12:37 Overcoming Inhibition to Conduct Customer Interviews
00:18:21 Considering Go-to Market and Freemium Strategies
00:30:17 Navigating Audience Expansion and Maintaining Consistency
00:36:24 Hiring and Building a Team
00:46:19 First Hire Selection and Fractional Hires

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/asia-orangio-crafting-a-growth-blueprint-for-emerging-startups/ 

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/286-asia-orangio-crafting-a-growth-blueprint-for-emerging-startups 

The video: https://youtu.be/tQaf64794lw

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

• (00:00) - Early Stage Marketing and Growth Challenges

What's more important? Impact or Influence? Or does one facilitate the other?

You'll learn what makes niche influence so valuable in an episode where I am briefly joined by a founder celebrity who has an opinion about a question I asked last week.

Throughout their reply, you'll find out just why influencing has very little to do with taking selfies.

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/voices-of-influence-how-expert-feedback-shapes-saas-success/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/285-voices-of-influence-how-expert-feedback-shapes-saas-success

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Kasey Jones (@ABetterJones) is a maven in the realm of authentic online identity.

As an entrepreneur who has weathered the storm of digital exposure, Kasey joins me to dismantle the barriers of vulnerability and self-doubt that so often plague professionals as they carve their space in the social media landscape.

In a world where sharing too little leaves you invisible and sharing too much can overwhelm, Kasey walks me through the art of strategic self-revelation. If you're grappling with imposter syndrome or hesitant to share your personal journey for professional impact, this conversation is for you. Kasey opens up about her own highs and lows, including a failed NFT project, to showcase the transformative power of embracing our entire narrative online.

Tune in for an episode that promises to embolden you to craft a personal brand that resonates with authenticity, fosters community, and propels personal growth.

Kasey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ABetterJones

00:00:00 Overcoming Fear, Building Personal Platform
00:07:42 Social Media
00:19:18 Sharing Lessons and Vulnerability on Social Media
00:29:11 Recognizing Failure, Healing, and Vulnerability
00:36:49 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Growth
00:41:12 Building Relationships and Sharing Unique Experiences

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/kasey-jones-the-art-of-strategic-self-revelation-in-the-digital-age/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/284-kasey-jones-the-art-of-strategic-self-revelation-in-the-digital-age

The video: https://youtu.be/ILpRrH0bpHo

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Founders often listen to the wrong signals when validating their businesses. Let's dive into common validation traps today.

I see three major traps indie hackers have to face: 1) confusing users with customers, 2) getting a bit too much support from our founder peers, and 3) listening to the wrong segments of our user base.

Why do we listen to the wrong people? Founder optimism! We have a built-in confirmation bias — otherwise, we'd never do something as stupid as building our own business... Here's why we fall prey to it, how it works, and how we can escape the trap.

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/business-validation-traps/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/283-business-validation-traps

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Kevon Cheung (@MeetKevon) is an expert builder-in-public. The moment his life pivoted with the birth of his daughter is where our conversation begins, and it's a profound one. As we traverse Kevon's journey, we uncover the raw intricacies of aligning one's personal mission with one's entrepreneurial spirit. He bares the soul of his SaaS venture, giving us a real-world look at the trials of founding a company while emphasizing the critical role of a financial safety net. This is a story about authenticity, sharing the highs and lows of business creation and the impactful legacy that transparency can bring.

Kevon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeetKevon

00:00:00 Building in Public
00:13:59 Course Creation and Building Community Challenges
00:19:55 Building in Public Challenges and Misconceptions
00:28:52 Defining and Exploring Building in Public
00:32:30 Building in Public — again and again
00:41:44 Building Authentic Self Representation

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/kevon-cheung-embracing-vulnerability-in-startup-culture/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/282-kevon-cheung-embracing-vulnerability-in-startup-culture

The video: https://youtu.be/UDRD66f_fQ4

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

2023 saw an explosion of AI. 2024 will make 2023 look like cheap fireworks next to the Death Star's superlaser.

SaaS founders either go with the flow or are swept away. Here's where I see AI tooling going, how software founders can adapt and adopt these technologies, and what consumer expectations around conversational AI will mean for your marketing, customer service, and feature roadmaps.

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/ai-and-the-future-of-saas/ 

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/281-ai-and-the-future-of-saas

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Dominic Monn (@dqmonn), the pioneering founder of MentorCruise, shares the secrets behind building a flourishing online mentorship community that transcends the traditional face-to-face model. Dominic reveals how MentorCruise fosters authentic relationships between mentors and mentees through a rigorous verification process, ensuring a trusted and effective learning environment. Whether you're a mentor, a mentee, or just curious about the virtual mentorship space, this episode offers a wealth of insights into creating genuine connections and a thriving platform for growth.

Dominic Monn on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dqmonn

00:00:00 Building and Scaling a Vetted Marketplace
00:13:05 Startups, Hiring, and Building a Marketplace
00:20:29 Pricing and Evolution of Mentorship Platform
00:29:48 Metrics and Tools for Marketplace Growth
00:41:13 Building a Business in Switzerland

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/dominic-monn-crafting-a-thriving-online-mentorship-community/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/280-dominic-monn-crafting-a-thriving-online-mentorship-community

The video: https://youtu.be/U80K_1sw3lc

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

• (00:00) - Building and Scaling a Vetted Marketplace