In this episode, we dive into everything from scaling a business without killing the fun to automating workflows and filtering out 806 applicants. Ian breaks down Noco’s rapidly growing sales pipeline and how their flexible subscription model is finally clicking with customers. Wes shares his philosophy on keeping Eli5 lean, solving client problems that spawn new business ideas, and the painful process of hiring top-tier talent.We also discuss the AI-powered creative workflow tool Flora, how to properly validate a business idea, and why Stripe subscriptions don’t work for high-ticket B2B SaaS. Oh, and we kick things off with JD Vance memes and a nostalgic Mad Men rewatch.Timestamps:(0:00) Intro & JD Vance Memes(1:06) Rewatching Mad Men & Coca-Cola Ad(2:41) Noco Pipeline Filling Up(4:10) Noco’s New Subscription Model Clicks(7:05) Scaling Up vs. Keeping it Fun(10:07) Eli5 as an Idea Engine(14:00) Relaunching Paradigm for Product Design as a Service(19:50) How to Validate a Business Idea(25:00) Wes’s Recruitment Grind(28:09) Noco Hiring a Banger Designer(30:07) Automation at Noco(32:30) The Challenges of Automating Billing(35:00) AI-Powered Creative Workflows (Flora)(38:12) Wrapping UpThe WORK IN PROGRESS podcast hosted by Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman, two founders who are scaling and refining their businesses every day.Wes Botman is founder and CEO at ⁠⁠Eli5⁠⁠ (https://eli5.io), a software studio making complex ideas simple and accessible.Ian Piepenbrock is CEO at ⁠⁠Noco⁠⁠ (https://noco.agency), an agency dedicated to helping B2B SaaS and tech companies grow through strategic web design and branding.Watch/listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cOqBRMjjgcXKSDDIboKrt?si=6990da66e09e4ef2Follow us on X for more raw insights, thoughts, and a good dose of founder reality:Wes: ⁠⁠@wesbotman⁠⁠ (https://x.com/wesbotman)Ian: ⁠⁠@lamswolprins (https://x.com/lamswolprins)