The Software Startup Specialist Blueprint Helping Founders Go From Idea to Investment

In this week’s episode, Sacha sits down with Stuart Prestedge, entrepreneur and tech startup founder with nearly 40 years in the game, to unpack what it really takes to build a startup that survives, gets funded, and scales with confidence.

Stuart has lived both sides of the founder journey. He has experienced the highs of three exits and the lows of failure. Through it all, he discovered what he is most passionate about now: helping founders succeed from napkin scratch to launch and beyond.

Broadcasting globally from Prague to Miami, this conversation goes deep on the fundamentals that never change, the mindset that keeps founders moving, and the systems that turn early stage chaos into investor ready clarity.

We dig into:

• The hardest lesson from failure and why it is a natural part of innovation
• Tenacity as the real indicator of success and how to keep going through setbacks
• The exit that taught him the most and why flexibility and future proofing matter
• Why founders think they need funding but actually need foundations
• The difference between pitch deck work and building a real investment ready business
• The three founder stages he supports from idea stage, pitch ready, and post launch community support
• Founder credibility and why investors invest in people as much as products
• Sprint sessions for time poor founders and what they learn from the right questions
• Preparing for scale before launch and why de risking is a CEO’s job
• Why co founders and community can be the difference between burnout and momentum
• How Stuart actually markets himself today with simple video ads that build trust
• One word, one habit, one myth including why you should validate before you build

Key Takeaways:

• Failure is feedback, not a verdict
• Strong foundations create confidence for founders and trust for investors
• Flexibility future proofs products without slowing down execution
• Founder story and mission reduce risk and increase investor belief
• Community keeps founders accountable, sane, and moving forward
• Sell and validate before you build the MVP

 Connect with Stuart:

• LinkedIn: Stuart Prestedge
• Software Startup Specialist

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The GTM Poker Table Turning Word of Mouth and ABM Into Predictable Growth

In this week’s episode, Sacha sits down with Andrew Seidman, Co Founder and COO of Digital Reach, to unpack why the best go to market leaders think less like campaign managers and more like high stakes poker players.

With over a decade designing full funnel GTM strategies for enterprises and funded startups, Andrew brings deep expertise across brand, content, rev ops, digital experience, and pipeline generation. The real twist is that his former life in professional poker shaped how he thinks about process, probability, and decision making when outcomes are never guaranteed.

From random acts of marketing to the auto mechanic trust problem, from ABM myths to measurable advocacy systems, this episode is a masterclass in building a GTM engine that compounds.

We dig into:

• Process over outcomes and why short term results do not always prove you are doing the right things
• Marketing as a collection of bets and how probabilistic thinking changes strategy, hiring, and execution
• The auto mechanic trust problem and why buyers choose agencies based on trust, not technical details
• ABM defined for real and why not all accounts are equal
• ABM incentives that actually work and shifting quotas to value based point systems
• Word of mouth as the ultimate ABM channel and why relationships beat fancy tactics every time
• Measuring advocacy through referrals, churn, and advocates created as a growth KPI
• Silos and systems and why ads cannot outrun weak messaging, messy data, or a disqualifying website
• Rev ops investment resistance and why systems work is hard to fund even when it is clearly needed
• AI reality checks including the power and procurement risks across company sizes
• Intent signals at scale and where AI creates leverage instead of noise

Key Takeaways:

• Results are not the whole story and strong processes win over time even when the market shifts
• ABM starts with value curves and treating every lead the same quietly kills upside
• Word of mouth is the strongest entry strategy especially for tightly guarded tier one accounts
• Advocacy is measurable through referrals, NPS, testimonials, and expansions
• Go to market scales only as far as its least mature layer
• AI multiplies clarity and systems but exposes weak foundations

🔗 Connect with Andrew:

• Digital Reach 
• LinkedIn Andrew Seidman

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From Consulting to Commerce Engines: Neil Twa on Amazon FBA, Algorithms, and Scaling With Intention 

In this episode of Uncomplicate It!, I sit down with Neil Twa, CEO and Co Founder of Voltage Holdings and co author of Almost Automated Income with FBA, for a real conversation about walking away from corporate security, embracing risk with intention, and building businesses designed to support life not consume it.

Neil didn’t leave IBM because he had everything figured out. He left because a series of life events created a moment where staying comfortable was no longer an option. From losing a mentor who expanded his view of abundance to being told his division was relocating overseas, Neil shares how those catalysts pushed him to finally take the leap many people talk themselves out of.

We cover

• The moment most people miss because fear feels safer than change
• Burning the boats without burning bridges
• Why hustle culture and vanity metrics quietly break long term success
• Amazon FBA explained beyond hype and misinformation
• How algorithms become engines when you understand demand and intent
• Building brands as saleable assets not side hustles
• Why relationships always outperform transactions

Key Takeaways

• Real leverage comes from systems not hustle
• Almost automated still requires ownership and leadership
• Building to exit forces better decisions from day one
• The best entrepreneurs design businesses around life not ego
• Long term success compounds when purpose value and profit align

This is a practical, no-fluff episode for founders and operators who want to build real leverage, scale with intention, and create businesses that support their life not just their revenue.

Connect with Neil Twa:

Website: https://voltagedm.com/

 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa/

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From Radio DJ to Nonprofit “Whisperer”: Rick Harris on Building Loyalty, Scaling Membership, and Driving Revenue With Intention

In this episode of Uncomplicate It!, I sit down with Rick Harris, CEO of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) and a 30+ year nonprofit veteran known for transforming organizations from struggling to thriving.

Rick’s career started behind the mic as a radio DJ where ratings were instant, competition was constant, and audience connection wasn’t optional. That foundation became his edge: listening like it matters, building loyalty on purpose, and creating the “next thing” before everyone else catches up.

At APMP, Rick scaled global membership from 3,000 to 14,000+ and grew profits from $800K to $4.5M while also pioneering early equal pay strategies and long-term inclusion work rooted in fairness and retention.

We cover:

• Why “word of mouth” is a byproduct not a growth plan
• The real secret of audience loyalty: listening back (not just broadcasting)
• How Rick engineered “bits,” competitions, and community moments that monetized without feeling salesy
• Scaling an association by widening the “slice” (and bringing in industries who didn’t know they were doing proposals)
• The power of a clear value proposition: don’t talk about you talk about what changes for them
• Email copy that converts: topical, measurable, and never copy/paste boring
• Revenue targets that work: strategic plan + action items + monthly measurement
• Equal pay as a retention strategy: remove negotiation games, pay the role, keep talent
• How to keep doing inclusion work even when the landscape gets loud

Key Takeaways:

• The work outside the “studio” (relationships + community) is what builds real growth
• If you say it, demonstrate it, prove it, and promote it people follow
• Competition isn’t just fun it’s a revenue engine when designed intentionally
• The best leaders don’t chase tactics they build plans they can execute and measure
• Fair pay and inclusive leadership aren’t “nice to have” they’re strategic

This is a practical, no-fluff episode for leaders who want to grow membership, revenue, and influence by listening better, leading smarter, and building communities that actually stick. 

Connect with Rick Harris:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-harris-9310392/

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From Corporate to Founder: Aya Kikimova on Fortune 500 Marketing, Small Business ROI, and Building Leap Engine Without Funding

In this episode of Uncomplicated, I sit down with Aya Kikimova, Founder of Leap Engine and former Microsoft marketing leader, to unpack what it really takes to leave “golden shackles,” build a business from referrals, and deliver growth that’s rooted in data, margins, and real ROI, not hype.

Born in Kazakhstan and arriving in the U.S. at 16 with no computer skills, Aya built her way to an MBA and a powerhouse corporate career. In 2021, she walked away from corporate life as a new mom and launched Leap Engine in the middle of the pandemic, no outside funding, no safety net, just skill, resilience, and a mission to make high-level marketing accessible to small businesses.

Today, Leap Engine has generated $100M+ in revenue for 100+ clients, proving that small businesses can get Fortune 500 strategy without paying Fortune 500 prices.

We cover:

• Aya’s journey from Kazakhstan to the U.S. at 16 and how she rebuilt from zero
• How she broke into Microsoft and earned recognition in the top 0.01%
• What $50M/year in ad spend teaches you about accountability, testing, and ROI
• The “golden shackles” moment: leaving corporate as a new mom with no funding
• How Leap Engine grew through referrals and why Aya didn’t plan to start an agency
• The difference between enterprise strategy and what actually works for small businesses
• Aya’s GPS audit (Growth / Profit / Sales) and the numbers founders must know
• When marketing isn’t the answer yet (and why Aya turns businesses down)
• The role of social proof, conversion paths, and clean digital foundations
• AI in marketing: why it’s exciting, but not “set it and forget it”
• The myth Aya wants to bust forever: “Guaranteed results”

Key Takeaways:

• Small business marketing fails when the math doesn’t work not because “marketing doesn’t work.”
• Strong growth starts with LTV, margins, and conversion paths before scaling spend.
• Data-driven testing beats guesswork especially with limited budgets.
• AI can enhance execution, but strategy still needs humans.
• Sustainable growth comes from clarity, not shiny tactics or promises.

This is a grounded, tactical episode for founders who want to spend smarter, build stronger foundations, and grow in a way that actually supports their life not just their revenue.

🔗 Connect with Aya Kikimova / Leap Engine:
 Leap Engine: https://leapengine.co/
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akikimova

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Fix the Foundation Before You Scale: Ryan Caracciolo on the Business Growth Flywheel, Marketing Systems, and Sustainable Revenue

In this episode of Uncomplicated, I sit down with Ryan Caracciolo, Founder & CEO of StriVenta and creator of the Business Growth Flywheel, to unpack why so many businesses stall not because they lack marketing tactics, but because their foundation can’t support growth.

With over a decade of experience helping small, mid-sized, and enterprise businesses align marketing, sales, and retention systems, Ryan is known for cutting through hype and vanity metrics to focus on what actually moves the revenue needle. From website infrastructure to call tracking to CRM adoption, his work centers on building systems that scale without burning teams out.

Ryan is also the creator of Hyperdrive WP, a streamlined website framework designed to eliminate tech debt, improve performance, and give business owners something they actually own without overengineering or bloated subscriptions.

This conversation is a must-listen for founders and operators who feel stuck doing “all the right things” but aren’t seeing real growth.

We cover:

• Why most businesses try to scale before their foundation is ready
• The three non-negotiables for growth: website, call tracking, and a trusted CRM
• Why more traffic is often the wrong goal and how less traffic can convert better
• The Business Growth Flywheel and how it creates alignment between marketing, sales, and service
• Why marketing fails when it’s disconnected from sales and customer experience
• How poor CRM adoption quietly kills momentum (and what realistic timelines look like)
• The hidden cost of tech debt and overbuilt websites
• Hyperdrive WP and how to ship fast without sacrificing quality
• Why clarity beats cleverness in messaging for both users and Google
• How consistency, not shiny tactics, separates businesses that scale from those that stall

Key Takeaways:

• Growth doesn’t come from more tactics, it comes from better systems.
• Marketing should support the entire business, not just look good.
• Quality leads beat high volume every time.
• CRMs fail when teams aren’t aligned, trained, or bought in.
• Sustainable growth is built methodically, not rushed to market.

This is a grounded, tactical episode for founders, business owners, and leaders who want to simplify growth, build trust across teams, and scale without chaos.

🔗 Connect with Ryan Caracciolo:

• StriVenta: https://striventa.com
• Hyperdrive WP: https://hyperdrivewp.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-caracciolo-4374a456/

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From Founder to CEO: Vijay Rajendran on The Founding Framework, Fundraising Psychology, and Building a High-Trust Team

In this episode of Uncomplicated, I sit down with Vijay Rajendran Berkeley, trained executive coach, startup advisor, and former investor to break down what it really takes to evolve from “chief everything officer” into a true CEO.

With two decades supporting founders worldwide (including leading global startup support at 500 Global and advising through GAI Ventures), Vijay has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs through the moments that make or break a company: building teams, navigating co-founder conflict, and fundraising with clarity. His new book, The Founding Framework, turns the messy reality of raising capital into a practical, repeatable process so fundraising doesn’t become a never-ending distraction from building.

This conversation is a masterclass for founders who want to raise smarter, lead better, and communicate in a way that creates momentum internally and with investors.

We cover:

• The real shift founders must make to become a CEO (it’s an identity, not a title)
• Why your first hires should create time, not consume it
• The hidden distrust behind micromanagement and how to build trust without losing standards
• Co-founder conflict: why most startup problems aren’t technical, they’re human
• The 4-part Founding Framework (and what’s actually below the fundraising “iceberg”)
• Storytelling that makes investors remember you (hint: your customer is the hero)
• Investor psychology, social proof, and how momentum drives decisions
• Term sheets + cap tables explained simply for first-time founders
• Why “product-market fit” is becoming product-market evolution in an AI-driven world

Key Takeaways:

• Great leadership is leverage: your job shifts from doing everything to enabling everyone.
• Fundraising is a process, not luck, not networking, not “spray and pray.”
• The most memorable pitches are customer-led stories with emotional clarity.
• Healthy conflict is possible when communication stays high-trust and blame-free.
• In the AI era, speed matters but only when it buys back focus and execution.

This is a grounded, tactical episode for founders, operators, and builders who want to raise capital with confidence and lead teams that actually perform.

🔗 Connect with Vijay:

• Website: https://www.mystartupsystem.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijayarajendran/

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From Taboo to Transformation: Miki Agrawal on Regenerative Innovation, Fungi, and Building Businesses That Shift Culture

In this episode of Uncomplicated, I sit down with Miki Agrawal, serial entrepreneur, cultural disruptor, and the force behind THINX, TUSHY, and now HERO to unpack what it really takes to challenge normalized problems and build companies that don’t just sell products, but change behavior.

Miki has turned conversations society avoids into half a billion dollars in revenue, not through shock value, but through intention, creativity, and world-class execution. From period care to bathroom hygiene to tackling the global plastic crisis with fungi-powered diapers, her work proves that taboo isn’t the problem, complacency is.

This conversation goes far beyond entrepreneurship. We explore regeneration vs. “clean,” ecosystem consciousness, why innovation stalls when we’re afraid to talk, and how one inspired action can ripple into massive global impact.

What we cover:
- Why taboo topics are often the biggest business opportunities
- How questioning “what sucks in my own life” became Miki’s innovation filter
- The cultural cost of silence — and why innovation dies when dialogue stops
- From THINX to TUSHY to HERO: building category-defining products people actually love
- Why best-in-class products are required to change culture
- The global plastic crisis and how fungi can help solve it
- Regeneration as the next evolution beyond “clean” and “eco-friendly”
- Teaching parents to exit diapers sooner (and why delayed potty training benefits no one)
- Soft power, systems thinking, and shifting from individual to ecosystem consciousness
- Why consumers, not corporations, are the world’s most powerful investors

Key Takeaways:
- Innovation begins where discomfort is ignored.
- You can’t change culture without a truly best-in-class product.
- Regenerative thinking beats surface-level sustainability.
- One inspired action, repeated daily, compounds into real change.
- Businesses that honor nature can scale without extraction.

This is a grounded, eye-opening conversation for founders, parents, creators, and leaders who believe business can be a tool for regeneration, not depletion.

🔗 Connect with Miki:

- HERO Diapers: https://herodiapers.com
- Instagram: @mikiagrawal | @herodiapers

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From Complexity to Consistency: Doug C. Brown on Predictable Revenue, Follow-Up & Sales Systems 

In this episode of SAaes Simplified, I sit down with Doug C. Brown, CEO of CEO Sales Strategies and a renowned sales revenue and profit growth expert, for a deeply honest conversation about what really drives sales performance and what silently holds it back.

Doug has built 35+ businesses and helped generate over $960M in sales for himself and his clients. But this conversation goes beyond numbers. We explore how truth, accountability, systems, and follow-up can completely transform results  including one powerful story where a single mindset shift helped a salesperson go from $140K to $2.1M in commissions in one year.

Rather than relying on hype, pressure, or “10X” promises, Doug breaks down a predictable, math-based approach to sales growth that prioritizes clarity, consistency, and human connection even in an AI-driven world.

We cover:

• How honesty with yourself can unlock exponential growth
• Why most sales teams struggle (and why it often starts with leadership)
• The real reason follow-up is where deals are won or lost
• How Doug’s math-based model creates predictable revenue
• Why “10X thinking” often hurts more than it helps
• The compounding power of small, consistent improvements
• Detaching from desperation and selling without pressure
• How systems create freedom instead of burnout
• Where AI supports sales and where humans still matter most
• What founders must focus on before scaling

Takeaways:

• Growth accelerates when truth replaces ego.
• Follow-up is one of the most overlooked revenue drivers.
• Predictable sales come from systems, not motivation.
• Small improvements compound into massive results.
• Sales works best when it’s rooted in service, not pressure.

🔗 Connect with Doug:

• CEO Sales Strategies: https://ceosalesstrategies.com
• Vibitno: https://vibitno.com
• LinkedIn

A powerful, grounded conversation for founders, sales leaders, and business owners ready to stop performing — and start building sales systems that actually work.

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From Hustle to Clarity: Andy Seeley on Simplifying Growth, Marketing & Building Businesses That Last

In this episode, I sit down with Andy Seeley, CEO of Creatively Disruptive, co-owner of Ashworth Strategy, speaker, and creator of CAI (Customer AI),  for an honest, grounded conversation about business growth, marketing clarity, and what actually supports long-term success for founders.

Andy’s journey spans sales leadership, agency building, economic downturns, and helping hundreds of small and service-based businesses navigate growth without burnout. From opening CarMax locations to supporting kids activity centers, e-commerce brands, and local businesses, Andy brings real-world perspective to what works  and what quietly breaks businesses over time.

Rather than chasing hype, hustle culture, or overcomplicated tactics, Andy challenges founders to rethink marketing as communication, build systems that support people, and create businesses that serve life not consume it.

We cover:

• Why hustle alone isn’t the answer to sustainable growth
• The hidden danger of relying on word-of-mouth as a strategy
• How fear keeps founders underpricing, understaffing, and stuck
• Why most businesses don’t fail at marketing, they fail at follow-up
• The role of AI in supporting human connection (not replacing it)
• Building systems that create freedom instead of burnout
• How downturns create the biggest opportunity for market share
• Why clarity, consistency, and communication outperform complexity
• The importance of treating agencies as partners, not vendors
• Redefining success as freedom, impact, and time with family

Takeaways:

• Marketing should feel like communication, not manipulation.
• Growth comes from clarity, not chaos.
• Fear shrinks businesses faster than bad strategy.
• Strong systems give founders freedom — not more work.
• The best businesses are built to support life, not replace it.

🔗 Connect with Andy:

Website: https://creativelydisruptive.com
Ashworth Strategy: https://ashworthstrategy.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyseeley/

A practical, human-centered conversation for founders, business owners, and leaders ready to simplify growth and build businesses that actually work.

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