The Startup Different Podcast

When traditional ads failed, we went full guerrilla—and it actually worked. From postcards to giant fake checks, we share the scrappy, creative tactics that got real results (and laughs) for our startup. If you're tired of burning cash on paid ads, this episode might just change your marketing playbook.

PODCAST LINKS

Website:

https://www.startupdifferent.com

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@StartupDifferent

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-startup-different-podcast/id1707691707

Amazon Music:

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8db9bd4d-b64a-42f6-a3b5-3ad8c8578e96/the-startup-different-podcast

Castbox:

https://castbox.fm/ch/5595828

iHeartRadio:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-startup-different-podc-123590551/

Overcast:

https://overcast.fm/itunes1707691707

Pocket Casts:

https://pca.st/249a4hrn

SOCIAL

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-different

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/startupdifferent/

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@StartupDifferent

Chapters

00:00 – Intro: The Problem With Paid Ads

03:00 – Our Weirdest Guerrilla Wins

06:15 – Why Postcards and Fake Checks Worked

09:30 – Guerrilla Campaigns That Flopped

12:20 – What Makes a Good Guerrilla Idea

15:10 – Guerrilla vs Paid: Which Gets More Leads?

18:00 – Budget, Creativity, and ROI Reality

21:15 – Should Founders Go Guerrilla in 2025?

Do social ads even work—or are you just paying bots to click "like"? In this episode, we break down our own experience with YouTube and Facebook ads, what Prof G had to say about it, and why most founders might be wasting their money. If you're bootstrapping and debating digital ads, listen before you spend a dime.

PODCAST LINKS

Website:

https://www.startupdifferent.com

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@StartupDifferent

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-startup-different-podcast/id1707691707

Amazon Music:

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8db9bd4d-b64a-42f6-a3b5-3ad8c8578e96/the-startup-different-podcast

Castbox:

https://castbox.fm/ch/5595828

iHeartRadio:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-startup-different-podc-123590551/

Overcast:

https://overcast.fm/itunes1707691707

Pocket Casts:

https://pca.st/249a4hrn

SOCIAL

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-different

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/startupdifferent/

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@StartupDifferent

Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Ads vs Organic

02:30 – What Happened With Our YouTube Ads

06:00 – Facebook Ads: Cost and Conversion

09:10 – Prof G's Take: Do Social Ads Work?

12:40 – How to Know If Ads Are Working

15:30 – The Role of Trolls and Bots

18:10 – Should Founders Use Paid Social Early?

21:00 – Final Verdict: What We Learned About Ads

Most founders dream of scaling fast, but resellers can quietly kill your margins, brand control, and growth velocity. In this episode, David and Chris break down real-world pitfalls from founders who handed off sales too early—and paid for it. If you're considering a reseller strategy to accelerate revenue, this is your warning shot (and what to do instead).

PODCAST LINKS

Website:

https://www.startupdifferent.com

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@StartupDifferent

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-startup-different-podcast/id1707691707

Amazon Music:

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8db9bd4d-b64a-42f6-a3b5-3ad8c8578e96/the-startup-different-podcast

Castbox:

https://castbox.fm/ch/5595828

iHeartRadio:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-startup-different-podc-123590551/

Overcast:

https://overcast.fm/itunes1707691707

Pocket Casts:

https://pca.st/249a4hrn

SOCIAL

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-different

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/startupdifferent/

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@StartupDifferent

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of Reseller Partnerships

06:33 Challenges Faced with Reseller Partnerships

12:39 The Importance of Direct Customer Interaction

21:48 When Reseller Partnerships Can Work

26:37 Final Thoughts on Reseller Strategies

A founder rockets from plateau to $120M revenue and a $1.5B valuation—only to see a 50%+ revenue crash two years later. David and Chris break down the rollercoaster and the brutal decisions behind it. At the end of the day, when your startup stalls or surges how do you know whether to push, pivot, or pull the plug?

Most people run from failure—but what if it’s the very thing that drives you? In this episode, David and Chris unpack how fear fueled Howard Schultz’s relentless pitch for Starbucks, despite hearing "no" 217 times. Why do some founders push through while others freeze—and what’s really holding you back?

Bros, Business, Banter. That's us.

It's the trailer for the Startup Different pod.

If every meaningful win in your startup came from struggle...what happens when AI takes that away? Chris hits the wall building with AI tools, David wonders if his kids will ever build resilience, and together they unpack whether AI is eroding the effort that makes real growth possible. This one's for the founders who've earned their scars—and wonder if the next gen ever will.

Think your AI startup is safe? Think again. In this episode, we unpack how foundational models like ChatGPT are steamrolling niche platforms by absorbing their features overnight—and what you can do to survive. From building unique integrations to niche-first moats, David and Chris share five hard-won lessons for AI founders trying to stay in the game before OpenAI levels the field.

The 5 lessons?

1. Don't Compete on Core AI Capabilities
2. Build Moats with Unique Integrations
3. Focus on UX and Workflow, Not Accuracy
4. Target a Niche and Go Deep
5. Build to Exit, Not to Last Forever

We're trying a new format with the pod. Let us know what you think. Today it's "who can confront Elon"? In this unfiltered and wickedly funny episode, David and Chris explore how one man’s ego—Elon Musk—has torched Tesla’s brand, stock, and reputation, all while loyal fans quietly peel logos off their cars. From a 71% profit nosedive to Cybertruck chaos, it’s a masterclass in founder risk, brand backlash, and why empathy still matters. #ElonMusk #TeslaFail #StartupPodcast #Cybertruck #TeslaStock #BrandReputation #BootstrappedFounders #StartupDifferent

What if your biggest growth block isn’t funding or strategy—but you? In this episode, we explore how ego quietly sabotages leadership and limits your team’s potential. Learn how emotional intelligence, real feedback, and a shift in mindset helped Carrie Fabris build a business helping execs lead better—without the burnout.