The SaaS Academy Podcast

"If you're asking for swimming advice, you don't go and talk to someone who has never swum before. You go talk to an Olympic swimmer."

Join Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) as they sit down with Cedric Chin, the genius behind Commoncog.com - an industry leading blog that helps founders accelerate business expertise.

in this episode, Cedrics breaks down the concept of believability and its importance in decision-making, as well as the process of becoming data-driven in business.

He also shares his insights on scaling businesses, working with data, and operations. After this episode you should improve your intuitive decision-making and learn how to truly embrace the data-driven decision-making in business.

00:00 The Importance of Believability in Decision-Making

06:32 Becoming Data-Driven: Understanding Routine and Exceptional Variation

13:37 The Amazon Method: Statistical Process Control and WBR

23:43 Building an Appreciation for Data-Driven Decision-Making

28:33 Accelerating Revenue Growth and Pursuing Business Outcomes

29:29 The Transition to Data-Driven Decision-Making

32:22 The Process Control Worldview

33:20 Debating Summary Metrics in Business

57:31 The Role of Data Tools in Operational Excellence

59:29 The Causal Model of Business Metrics

01:01:55 The Importance of Knowledge in Business

01:20:00 Understanding the Growth Loop and Iterative Improvement

Check out Cedric on:

➤ Commoncog: https://commoncog.com/

➤ Twitter: https://x.com/ejames_c

➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedchin/

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?....

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ [YouTube]( / @saasacademy ) | [Instagram]( / saasacademy ) | [LinkedIn]( / saasacademy ) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook]( / saasacademy ) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHh...)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram]( / mattverlaque ) | [LinkedIn]( / matt-verlaque )

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: [Instagram]( / johnnypage13 ) | [LinkedIn]( / johnnypage )

“Who are you beyond your professional identity?”

Join Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) as they sit down with Steve Schlafman, a former VC who traded the boardroom for the coaching couch. Steve now guides high-achievers, especially founders, through major life pivots and career crossroads.

In this episode, Steve opens up about his own winding path from venture capitalist to life coach, sharing the "aha" moment that sparked his career shift. He goes deep into the fascinating world of "founders in transition," revealing the unique hurdles and unexpected opportunities that emerge when driven individuals decide to hit the brakes

Tune in to hear Steve's unique perspective on the intersection of high performance and intentional living.

(01:17) - Steve's background

(04:15) - The concept of "founders in transition"

(07:50) - Embracing slowing down

(11:48) - Transitioning concepts that also apply to builders

(15:19) - Habits of founders behind successful transitions

(19:31) - The power of internal monologues in high-performing founders

(27:52) - The eventual necessity of slowing down

(31:09) - How Steve helps shape new identities for founders

(37:23) - The connection between a diversified identity and resilience

(43:53) - Steve's "journey inventory" exercise

(48:48) - The moment Steve realized his passion for helping founders transition

(55:39) - Everyone is always going through micro cycles

(58:23) - The concept of being above the line/below the line

(01:05:55) - Living the undivided life

(01:09:44) - The differences between transitioning and deceleration

(01:16:42) - Building appreciation for deceleration

(01:21:27) - VC-backed founders and the integrated life

Check out Steve on:

➤ Personal website: https://www.schlaf.co/

➤ Downshift: https://www.downshift.me/

➤ Twitter: [](https://www.instagram.com/danielpriestley)https://x.com/schlaf

➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schlaf/

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success - [](https://www.amazon.com/15-Commitments-Conscious-Leadership-Sustainable-ebook/dp/B00R3MHWUE)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R3MHWUE

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?utm_campaign=SAPodcast_2023&utm_source=applespotify&utm_medium=shownotes).

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSAcademy) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/saasacademy/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saasacademy/) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SaaSAcademy) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-saas-academy-podcast/id1718719323) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHhhpmDxaFacza6Qpo?si=98bd9025716746c4)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mattverlaque/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-verlaque/)

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnnypage13/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypage/)

“I just read the best fiction of my life and it was my pitch deck from two years ago.”

Join Johnny Page (@johnnypage13) and Matt Verlaque (@mattverlaque) on a new episode of the SaaS Academy Podcast as they sit down with Maddie Bell, CEO of Scheduler.ai. Maddie's journey from Procter & Gamble to co-founding a thriving startup is packed with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Discover how Maddie and her husband successfully balance the challenges of building a company while raising a family. Learn how they've leveraged AI to streamline scheduling and cater to a niche market, proving that technology and personal life can coexist harmoniously.

Maddie opens up about the risks and rewards of leaving a stable job to pursue her passion, sharing her experiences from fundraising rounds and the valuable lessons she's learned along the way.

But it's not just about the tech – Maddie delves into the importance of aligning AI with the core principles of customer connection and business growth. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and achieving a fulfilling work-life balance

(05:40) - Maddie Bell's backstory

(6:34) - Winning two Hackathons (Slack and Square)

(10:32) - Unexpected expansion through 'niching down'

(13:26) - De-risking and setting timelines to go all-in

(21:35) - Expectations before leaving Procter & Gamble and feelings after the fact

(24:30) - Fundraising rounds before and after the change of focus

(26:50) - To patent or not to patent (ROI considerations)

(31:26) - The right and wrong ways to leverage AI

(35:20) - The entry point to start using AI

(37:10) - The three phases of AI (including the two we've seen so far)

(42:45) - Scheduler AI competing with basic ChatGPT wrapped tooling

(47:48) - Intimately understanding the jobs to be done for your customer

(51:40) - The rhythms and habits of Maddie and her co-founder Mike Bell

(55:18) - Maddie's thoughts on 'founders are the ceilings of growth'

(57:15) - The value of coaching

(1:01:48) - "You were digging for oil and you were close but you stopped."

(1:07:30) - What Maddie wants to be remembered for

Check out Maddie’s LinkedIn and her website:

➤ [LinkedIn] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddiebell)

➤ [Website] (https://www.scheduler.ai/)

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?utm_campaign=SAPodcast_2023&utm_source=applespotify&utm_medium=shownotes).

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSAcademy) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/saasacademy/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saasacademy/) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SaaSAcademy) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-saas-academy-podcast/id1718719323) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHhhpmDxaFacza6Qpo?si=98bd9025716746c4)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mattverlaque/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-verlaque/)

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnnypage13/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypage/)

"There's a lot of fear and limiting beliefs and identity things that founders get tied up in."

Join Johnny Page (@johnnypage13) and Matt Verlaque (@mattverlaque) on a new episode of the SaaS Academy Podcast AS they discuss the transition of leadership at SaaS Academy with Dan Martell.

00:00 - Intro / Setting the Stage

01:04 - Reflecting on a Life Changing Hike

03:27 - The Emotional Aspect of Leadership Transitions

04:54 - Creating a Transition Plan

08:02 - Fear and Limiting Beliefs in Relinquishing the CEO Spot

09:27 - Trusting the Talent and Empowering Others

10:24 - Learning to Let Go and Delegate

13:10 - The Pains of a Transition Process

14:08 - The Ego and Accepting Change

21:12 - The Future of SaaS Academy

23:03 - Getting thought leaders to events

24:53 - Attracting Top Talent

26:18 - Collaboration and Building together

28:15 - Strong Infrastructure and Exceptional Customer Experience

29:38 - Dan's future plans with Content Production, Books, and Portfolio of Companies

42:35 - Helping Troubled Youth and Sharing Business Building Experiences

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?utm_campaign=SAPodcast_2023&utm_source=applespotify&utm_medium=shownotes).

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSAcademy) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/saasacademy/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saasacademy/) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SaaSAcademy) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-saas-academy-podcast/id1718719323) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHhhpmDxaFacza6Qpo?si=98bd9025716746c4)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mattverlaque/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-verlaque/)

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnnypage13/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypage/)

“You're standing on a mountain of value. You just can't see it."

Join Johnny Page (@johnnypage13) and Matt Verlaque (@mattverlaque) on a new episode of the SaaS Academy Podcast as they explore the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Daniel Priestley. From diving into $8000 of credit card debt at age 21 to start his first venture, to becoming the Co-founder and CEO of Dent Global—one of the world's leading business accelerators—Daniel's path is truly inspiring.

He also founded ScoreApp, a tool that revolutionizes how businesses generate qualified, data-rich leads. Daniel's insights have been featured in prestigious publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the Huffington Post, and he's recognized as one of the top 25 entrepreneurs in London. Drawing from his book "Key Person of Influence," this conversation is packed with valuable strategies for anyone looking to make a dent in the business world. Tune in and learn how Daniel scaled multiple 7 and 8 figure ventures.

(1:14) - Importance of launching a waiting list

(3:02) - Getting early insight about proper pricing

(5:41) - Daniel’s background in growing businesses

(7:21) - Zeroing in on world-class feature sets

(9:17) - Origins of ScoreApp

(12:17) - Using scorecards to leverage SaaS growth

(16:42) - Advertising works for fueling fires, less for starting

(24:19) - How Daniel built an audience for his book ‘Key Person of Influence’

(29:01) - What is a micro-niche exactly?

(34:48) - Importance of sharing your personal insights publicly

(43:19) - Building a personal brand is about the ideal client, not yourself

(45:00) - What skillsets can be taught and what are the ones you’re just born with?

(51:04) - Biggest struggle that impacted Daniel’s career

(56:43) - Daniel’s debt cycle into a growth cycle

(1:01:55) - The importance of your team

(1:04:55) - Developing assets to reduce dependence

(1:12:27) - Daniel’s thoughts on building a legacy

(1:14:22) - Raising entrepreneurial-minded kids

Check out Daniel on:

➤ [Personal website] (https://danielpriestley.com/ )

➤ [Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/danielpriestley

➤ [LinkedIn] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpriestley?originalSubdomain=uk)

Key Person of Influence: The Five-Step Method to Become One of the Most Highly Valued and Highly Paid People in Your Industry - https://www.amazon.com/Key-Person-Influence-Revised-Five-Step/dp/178133109X

Entrepreneur Revolution: How to Develop your Entrepreneurial Mindset and Start a Business that Works - https://www.amazon.com/Entrepreneur-Revolution-Develop-Entrepreneurial-Business/dp/085708416X

How To Raise Entrepreneurial Kids: Raising confident, resourceful and resilient children who are ready to succeed in life - https://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Entrepreneurial-Kids-resourceful/dp/1781334293

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?utm_campaign=SAPodcast_2023&utm_source=applespotify&utm_medium=shownotes).

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSAcademy) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/saasacademy/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saasacademy/) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SaaSAcademy) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-saas-academy-podcast/id1718719323) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHhhpmDxaFacza6Qpo?si=98bd9025716746c4)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mattverlaque/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-verlaque/)

➤ Follow Johnny Page on:...

“The only difference between a really high performing team member and a high performing entrepreneur is their appetite for risk.”

Today, Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) are joined by guest Dev Basu, CEO of Powered by Search, as they delve into Basu's entrepreneurial journey, starting from selling video games in high school to scaling SaaS companies through effective organic and paid traffic acquisition. He also shares valuable insights on scaling SaaS businesses, from balancing risk and reward to transitioning to a remote team. With a focus on conversions over traffic and the importance of a 'Who It's For' page, the episode provides actionable strategies for SaaS growth, making it a must-listen for SaaS founders and marketers targeting digital age business scaling.

Timestamps:

(0:40) - Introduction

(1:40) - Dev's entrepreneurial journey

(4:03) - The evolution of powered by search

(6:35) - Building a high-performance team

(8:46) - Navigating risks and opportunities

(14:09) - Powered by search's approach to growth

(21:48) - Aligning sales and marketing for success

(24:20) - Unlocking the power of KPAs in marketing

(26:56) - Creating a feedback loop: The secret to organizational success

(28:02) - Revolutionizing compensation plans

(30:54) - Optimizing marketing and sales strategies

(34:57) - Leveraging compensation and flexibility for team success

(37:53) - Building a world-class distributed team

(43:12) - Empowering marketing strategies

(48:54) - Conclusion

Check out Dev Basu on:

➤ Instagram | LinkedIn | Powered by Search

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? Book a FREE growth session.

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter / X | Facebook | Website | Apple | Spotify

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: Instagram | LinkedIn

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: Instagram | LinkedIn

“We understood the problem very well, and it was a very real problem in the market.”

Today, Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) are joined by Marcel Petitpas, co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto as well as head strategic coach at SaaS Academy, as they explore Marcel's journey from a service business owner to a SaaS entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's business model and mastering operations for success. Marcel explores the transition from service to SaaS, emphasizing the importance of identifying real problems, strategic positioning, and efficient service delivery for profitability. The discussion offers valuable insights for SaaS founders on leveraging agency relationships, optimizing operations, and the long-term impact of content marketing for business success.

Timestamps:

(0:33) - Introduction

(3:46) - Marcel's journey: from Apple store to SaaS CEO

(7:41) - The art of transitioning from service to SaaS

(11:22) - The pitfalls of skipping essential business steps

(16:09) - Leveraging podcasts for business growth and authority

(19:59) - Maximizing podcast appearances for lead generation

(23:08) - The long-term impact of content marketing

(25:13) - The journey from passion to expertise in business

(26:59) - The ripple effect of improving service business models

(28:49) - The challenge of agency profitability and client satisfaction

(33:18) - Exploring performance-driven agency models

(39:58) - Leveraging agencies for SaaS growth

(43:36) - Conclusion

Check out Marcel Petitpas on:

➤ Instagram | LinkedIn | Website | Parakeeto

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? Book a FREE growth session.

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter / X | Facebook | Website | Apple | Spotify

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: Instagram | LinkedIn

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: Instagram | LinkedIn

“Your point of view will evolve and improve the more you socialize it to other people.”

Today, Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) share their insights on the importance of content creation for founders. They discuss how initially, they believed branding and market positioning were crucial, but realized that customers care more about their problems being solved. The conversation highlights how personal branding as a founder can significantly impact customer trust and confidence, more so than the organizational brand itself. They emphasize the power of sharing one's unique point of view and experiences to make a difference, encouraging founders to start creating content, no matter how intimidating it might seem initially.

You are now tuned into the SaaS Academy Podcast. Join Matt Verlaque and Johnny Page as they take you behind the scenes of what it takes to become a great SaaS Founder, addressing the challenges, victories, and essential lessons learned in the pursuit of growing a successful business!

Timestamps:

(0:31) - The realization that changed our business perspective

(1:28) - The future of founders: content creation as a necessity

(4:41) - Inspiring founders and the power of building in public

(8:52) - Overcoming the fear of content creation

(16:31) - The impact of sharing your unique point of view

(27:29) - Actionable steps to start your content creation journey

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? Book a FREE growth session.

📢 Shout out to some of our favorite founder creators:

➤ Dan ____ -

➤ Chris Ronzio - Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

➤ Alex Duda - Instagram | LinkedIn

➤ Kyle Racky - Instagram | LinkedIn

➤ Dev Basu - Instagram | LinkedIn | Powered by Search

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter / X | Facebook | Website | Apple | Spotify

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: Instagram | LinkedIn

➤ Follow Johnny Page on:

”I didn't want to fail at going off on my own because I was worried about what other people would think.”

Today, Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) are joined by Kyle Vamvouris, CEO of Vouris, as he shares his journey from a stand-up comedian and gym membership salesperson to becoming a sales consultant for early-stage tech startups, emphasizing the importance of data-driven strategies, repeatable processes, and understanding product-market fit for sales success. They also delve into personal growth, confronting internal dialogues, and finding happiness and freedom beyond professional achievements. Kyle offers valuable insights on building a sales team, the significance of list management, the impact of AI on sales, and the pivotal role of mindset in entrepreneurship.

You are now tuned into the SaaS Academy Podcast. Join Matt Verlaque and Johnny Page as they take you behind the scenes of what it takes to become a great SaaS Founder, addressing the challenges, victories, and essential lessons learned in the pursuit of growing a successful business!

Timestamps:

(0:52) - Introduction

(2:20) - Kyle's journey: from stand-up comedy to sales mastery

(5:29) - The art of building repeatable sales processes

(12:33) - Unlocking the power of phone calls in sales

(15:47) - Navigating the challenges of sales and rejection

(23:34) - Embracing the journey: a new perspective on success

(28:00) - The founder's dilemma: effort vs. outcomes

(29:03) - The hard work and resilience needed for success

(31:09) - The power of internal dialogue and self-reflection

(39:00) - Navigating personal challenges and professional growth

(48:28) - The importance of data and trends in sales and marketing

(57:20) - Conclusion

Check out Kyle Vamvouris on:

➤ Instagram | LinkedIn | Vouris | Check out his new book HERE!

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? Book a FREE growth session.

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter / X | Facebook | Website | Apple | Spotify

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: Instagram | LinkedIn

➤ Follow Johnny Page on:

”Transactionally they're actually more, a higher percentage of younger people volunteering than ever before. They just volunteer less time.”

Today, Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) are joined by Mark Hopwood, President and Co-founder of VolunteerMatters, as they delve into the journey of a SaaS business dedicated to helping organizations manage their volunteer workforce, the conversation reveals how adopting a mindset for clarity, the positive impact of attending intensives for blind spot elimination, and the strategic shift to targeting larger clients significantly propelled the business forward. With VolunteerMatters experiencing substantial monthly recurring revenue growth and optimizing processes for volunteer onboarding, Mark shares the pivotal role SaaS Academy played in rethinking business strategies from pricing to packaging and beyond. He dives into the specifics of moving up-market, leveraging RFPs for growth, and personal evolution as a founder are also explored, showcasing the transformative journey of building a legacy in the nonprofit sector.

You are now tuned into the SaaS Academy Podcast. Join Matt Verlaque and Johnny Page as they take you behind the scenes of what it takes to become a great SaaS Founder, addressing the challenges, victories, and essential lessons learned in the pursuit of growing a successful business!

Timestamps:

(0:38) - Introduction

(1:21) - Unveiling business growth and mindset shifts

(2:35) - A deep dive into business metrics and strategies

(4:09) - Navigating the nonprofit sector

(5:38) - RFPs and sole source contracts

(10:18) - From tech solutions to nonprofit impact

(14:13) - A journey of purpose and volunteering

(18:10) - The future of volunteering: trends, challenges, and opportunities

(21:22) - The power of streamlining volunteer onboarding

(22:39) - Building a legacy through business evolution

(25:23) - Leveraging executive assistants in sales processes

(31:09) - Strategic shifts: moving up market for growth

(34:03) - The transformative journey with SaaS Academy

(38:52) - Conclusion

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? Book a FREE growth session.

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter / X | Facebook | Website | Apple | Spotify

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: Instagram | LinkedIn

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: Instagram | LinkedIn