Let's dive headfirst into the crazy world of starting your own business. We're going to chat about how "running your own show" can be freeing, but also comes with its own set of challenges. We'll explore what it really means to be your own boss – making your own rules and calling the shots in your business. But, let's not forget, the journey of an entrepreneur is all about grabbing those chances and trying out different things to hit it big. Join me as I share my own stories and draw inspiration...
Dec 01, 2023•15 min
Andrew Hudson ( @MyBuddyAndrew ) is an indie hacker who has taken an unconventional journey. From getting his hands dirty as an auto mechanic to now paving the way as a software entrepreneur, Andrew shares how skills honed in the garage fuel his tech ventures, Hauling Buddies and WrenchRadar. We get under the hood of his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs of running a two-sided marketplace for pet transportation and how his knack for logical thinking and compartmenta...
Nov 29, 2023•58 min
If you’re shopping for books this Black Friday, here are the 15 most impactful books I read before and during my SaaS founder journey. From entrepreneurship to marketing and customer interaction, you’ll have a lot to put on your Black Friday shopping list. My own work is available for 50% off on Gumroad for a few days, too. Use the code BFF for Zero to Sold , The Embedded Entrepreneur , and Find your Following . And now, let’s grow your library with the likes of Rob Walling, John Warrillow, Mich...
Nov 24, 2023•16 min
Rob Walling (@robwalling) unpacks the fascinating world of SaaS businesses, touching on topics like scaling, diversification, and the role of AI in SaaS projects. Rob shares his unique stair-step approach to building a SaaS business and paints a realistic picture of the challenges faced by a SaaS founder and the potential rewards of running a successful SaaS company. The man has released almost 700 podcast episodes about bootstrapping SaaS businesses. He knows how that works, from the birds-eye ...
Nov 22, 2023•56 min
How can we master the art of managing constraints and turning obstacles into opportunities? With intentional choices. Join me as I candidly share my experiences of juggling a media business and several SaaS businesses — while still making time for a life beyond business. You'll discover the techniques I use to stay focused, consistent, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. It's about setting boundaries, creating one-to-many processes, and being intentional with your time. This episode is spo...
Nov 17, 2023•13 min
Channing Allen (@channingallen ) is the co-founder of Indie Hackers. Today, Channing and I uncover the secrets of thriving in the indie hacking scene from someone who is wrangling thousands of Indie Hackers every day. We delve into intriguing discussions that debunk the myth of the 'death of indie hacking' and guide you through the complexities of building a robust community where collaboration and competition coexist. Learn how constraints can inspire creative problem-solving, and the effects o...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Should you build an indie business on top of OpenAI? Absolutely. It's not in OpenAI's interest to build niche solutions that compete with indie hacker startups. It's in their interest to enable them. Today, we dispel a myth about building AI startups. The community is caught up in a strange back-and-forth between “look at all these amazing opportunities” and “don’t build, OpenAI is just going to make your startup evaporate.” If you’re an indie hacker and you wonder which of these is actually hel...
Nov 10, 2023•13 min
Do you truly know yourself? Have you ever wondered about your multidimensional identity —the many layers of who we are and to whom— and the role it plays in finding your purpose? Well, Sakshi Shukla knows, and she's going to take you on her journey of self-discovery. Today, I delve into a profound conversation with Sakshi about her transformation from a medical professional to a successful content strategist, and the pivotal role self-awareness played in this journey. And of course, how she foun...
Nov 08, 2023•55 min
What does it even mean to be " authentic" online? Just posting things you want other people to see? Sharing everything, treating people like friends? Or maybe it's being extremely professional at all times. With audiences in the hundreds, 1000s, and millions, the old rules of what it means to be yourself in front of others don't apply anymore. We have to recontextualize our self-presentation online, to be able to both feel like we are ourselves and to make our audiences feel that they get to see...
Nov 03, 2023•11 min
Dickie Bush ( @dickiebush ) discusses Ship 30 for 30, a movement he started to transform writing from a solitary to a communal activity, now a structured course. Along with Nicholas Cole, their partnership propelled Ship 30 to new heights. They emphasize the role of community and social media like Twitter in refining ideas and building credibility. Our discussion contrasts digital and traditional writing, explores content creation challenges like imposter syndrome, and shares tips for resonating...
Nov 01, 2023•57 min
Indie Hacking Isn't Dead — It's Just Less Hacky. The transformation of Indie Hacking over the years creates new challenges and opportunities for Indie Hackers in today's competitive landscape. The shift from community-driven collaboration to a more competitive environment makes distribution and expertise more relevant than ever. Indie Hacking has evolved into a lifestyle that requires skill and strategic distribution. Discover the strategies and approaches reshaping the Indie Hacking landscape, ...
Oct 27, 2023•12 min
My guest today, Pieter Levels, claims that "Indie Hacking is dead." Yet, Pieter runs several indie AI startups (and a few traditional ones), totaling $250,000 in revenue every month. So, how can he be a successful indie hacker while dismissing the foundations of his work? It turns out that Indie Hacking is very much alive. But it has changed significantly. And Pieter has been there from the early days. Today, Pieter and I talk about what it means to be an Indie Hacker in the age of AI tools, pla...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Accessibility is one of the most overlooked aspects of being a creator, but it is an incredibly powerful tool to make long-term friends and, ultimately, more money. Today, we’ll dive into how creators can leverage being accessible as a driver for growth. The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/accessibility-for-profit/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3179a05c The video: https://youtu.be/IJlgfUQFTFo You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfoun...
Oct 20, 2023•14 min
We hire specialists. Deep knowledge in one field, not many skills in all the others. We value and celebrate specialists with promising career paths, titles, and promotions. Can generalists exist in a world of such intricate and complex work requirements? The person who made me realize that it's possible is Milly Tamati , a staunch defender and empoweress of generalists all over the world. I chatted with Milly about the employability of people who don’t fit into a category, why generalists are th...
Oct 18, 2023•51 min
Today, I explore the world of microcommunities - small, but incredibly lucrative communities. I examine how microcommunities are different from general online communities, and how they offer valuable opportunities for creators to distribute and monetize their work. I discuss the income-generating potential of being part of, or even starting, these microcommunities, and how the key lies in their single-minded focus on a specific topic. With an interaction between members and progress that is much...
Oct 13, 2023•16 min
Journey with me as we dive deep into Aaron Francis' transformation from a coder to a teacher. Discover the intricate dance of building in the open. Aaron lays bare his path, detailing how he crafted his screencasting masterclass and managed to balance his day job, side hustle, and family life, all while forging his unique brand. In this episode, we unpack the looming shadow of criticism and how the mere thought of being ridiculed can paralyze many of us. The paradox? Embracing this very fear mig...
Oct 11, 2023•51 min
Ever felt annoyed seeing someone else selling a copy of something you made? It's a problem many small business owners face. Today, I'm diving into how to protect your ideas and keep others from copying them. It's not just about having a great product. I'll show you how to strengthen your business by reaching more people and making a name for yourself. Being active online and sharing your work can make a big difference. Also, having a business isn't just about protecting your ideas, but making sm...
Oct 06, 2023•11 min
This is a masterclass in personalized marketing. Brennan even convinces me to ramp up my own efforts! Listen in as I uncover the power of personalized marketing with Brennan Dunn, author of 'This is Personal.' Brennan offers valuable insights into how indie hackers and solopreneurs can best learn about their customers and utilize that knowledge for revenue generation. He explores why personalization works, how audience segmentation should be done, and where data collection should start, providin...
Oct 04, 2023•58 min
Are you tired of the mainstream narrative that success as a software developer can only be pegged to the scale of your projects or the economic output of your code? This episode of Bootstrap Founder challenges that perception. With a focus on the inspiring journey of indie hacker Tony Dinh, we delve into the beauty of simple, practical solutions. Rather than grandeur and disruption, we explore the significance of niche appeal and how meaningful success can be achieved outside the realms of billi...
Sep 29, 2023•9 min
Unearth the secrets of YouTube monetization and growth in our conversation with YouTube creator Aprilynne Alter. Prepare to be enlightened as Aprilynne reveals her journey, from retaking control of her editing process to experimenting with an array of content styles and formats. We dive into her daring exploration of NFTs and the groundbreaking transformation that led her to focus her content on educating others about YouTube. We'll take you on a journey through the strategies that make YouTube ...
Sep 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Buckle up for a voyage into the intricate world of software feature decision-making! Promising to equip you with insights from my journey, this episode helps you navigate the choppy waters of determining which attributes to include in your software business and which ones to abandon. We'll unravel my personal blueprint for assessing feature requests and enhancements, with a particular focus on the crucial understanding of 'the job to be done.' Together, we'll dissect the correlation between feat...
Sep 22, 2023•13 min
Getting started often brings valuable lessons that shape our paths in life; my chat with Erica Schneider, an expert in building authentic personal platforms, is a testament to this. We navigated the terrain of creating an authentic personal brand, focusing on the courage it takes to do so and the power of authenticity in the digital realm. Erica's journey from persona to person, the struggles with online negativity, and her triumphant return to authenticity offer profound insights for anyone asp...
Sep 20, 2023•56 min
It's time to celebrate! This podcast has just reached 250 episodes, and I have a few lessons to share from along the way. The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/what-i-learned-from-250-podcast-episodes/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/657e0da2 The video: https://youtu.be/9KTS-bJx5R0 You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter...
Sep 15, 2023•18 min
I finally got to talk to Amanda Goetz, a marketer-turned-full-time-creator, who's generously poured out her wisdom on navigating the creator economy. Amanda's journey from corporate life to the creator economy is filled with valuable lessons about embracing awkward self-promotion, overcoming 'Cringe Valley', and the journey of (maybe?) writing a book. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to carve out a calm niche in a world full of "hustle culture," or just for those curious abo...
Sep 13, 2023•56 min
Three mistakes are common when early-stage founders plan their strategy: scoping, revenue sources, and lack of validation. Let's dive into why we trip up on these issues and what to do about it. The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/avoiding-the-entrepreneurial-planning-trap/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e2bb7424 The video: https://youtu.be/oGLf5YqXdA8 You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfo...
Sep 08, 2023•14 min
Get ready to revolutionize your SaaS product signup process with some unique strategies, insights, and actionable tips from our much-awaited conversation with Ruben Gamez. We delve into Ruben’s innovative practices — temporary changes to the signup process, leveraging surveys for data collection, and dealing with competitors in the e-signature business. We dissect the world of customer segmentation, the merits and demerits of freemium, and effective ways to solicit customer feedback. Listen clos...
Sep 06, 2023•57 min
Have you ever felt deflated upon discovering that your brilliant business idea already exists in the market? Well, you're not alone. I'm Arvid Kahl, and I argue that this should be viewed as a robust validation signal rather than a reason to abandon your idea. We delve into how competition indicates interest and a potential market for your product. We'll also discuss how this presents a unique opportunity, especially for solopreneurs and indie hackers, to make different choices that appeal to un...
Sep 01, 2023•9 min
Get ready to learn everything about product marketing from our guest today, Corey Haines. Corey is a marketing pro who knows a lot about selling the right products to the right people. He talks about problems that indie hackers often face and gives helpful tips to solve them. He also invites us behind the scenes of his new business, Conversion Factory, which helps young companies with their marketing. We chat about how Corey went from doing freelance work to starting his own company with two fri...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Instead of writing a lengthy article this week, I pointed my iPhone at my face, clipped on a wireless mic, put the puppy in the background of the shot, and hit record. I share my thoughts about forcing yourself to take breaks, even when you feel like you shouldn’t. I dive into the times in my life when that sentiment caused me massive mental health issues, and I point out a few misconceptions that contributed to that self-delusion. If you’re having trouble taking breaks, this is for you. And if ...
Aug 25, 2023•26 min
Emmet Gibney truly walked the path less taken. Today, you'll hear about an extraordinary journey from customer support to interim CEO of Rewardful. You'll gain insights into how Emmett skillfully braved the transition following the company's acquisition by a private equity group. This episode will acquaint you with the power of referral and affiliate programs, and how they can provide the much-needed edge to entrepreneurs in their quest for growth. This conversation with Emmett is a goldmine of ...
Aug 23, 2023•58 min
