The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator Podcast

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Episodes

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EarlyNode

Dive into the world of Bootstrapped SaaS Startups with our Host Nikolas Chapoupis (CEO @EarlyNode). Each episode gets into the trenches alongside those who were *actually* there when it happened. To reveal the full story of what's working in SaaS right now. - Brought to you by EarlyNode.com

Episodes

How this Founder Started and Grew Two Multi-Million Dollar SaaS Startups in Parallel

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Michael Kamleitner shares his journey from founding a software agency to spinning out two successful products, Swat.io (surpassing $5M ARR) and Walls.io (surpassing $2M ARR). He shares insights into the challenges and decisions that shaped his entrepreneurial path, including the transition from agency work to building scalable products. Tune in to learn more about: ~ The organic development of product ideas based on customer feedback and needs ~...

Sep 22, 2023•31 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast

How this Founder Took On 5 Tech Giants at Once With His Project Coordination Tool

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Vasile Tiplea talks about Heycollab, an all-in-one tool that helps B2B teams coordinate their projects more efficiently. Tune in to learn more about: ~ Evolving internal tools into full SaaS products. ~ Analyzing data to build features that solve customer challenges. ~ Pricing your product for your ideal customer in a competitive market. Timestamp (00:00) - Intro (00:26) - What problem does Heycollab solve? (00:46) - What is a typical job-to-be-...

Sep 19, 2023•21 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast

Simplifying Asset Management for Ultra High Networth Individuals, with Jonathan Fishbeck (founder of EstateSpace)

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Jonathan Fishbeck talks about helping super high net-worth individuals manage all kinds of property efficiently with EstateSpace, a SaaS asset management platform. EstateSpace manages over $1 billion in non-financial assets. Tune in to learn more about: ~ Creating a customer-centered user experience. ~ Pivoting from a services business to a SaaS model. ~ The value of building a strong relationship with your customers. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro ...

Sep 15, 2023•18 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast

Riding Solo: Breaking through as a Solopreneur with Tim Leland (Founder of T.ly)

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, solopreneur Tim Leland discusses the realities of solopreneurship and breaking through in a highly competitive space with T.ly, a link-shortening tool that currently has over 450k users and counting. Tune in to learn more about: ~ Juggling your time as a solopreneur. ~ Gaining traction within a highly competitive space. ~ Making the decision to go into full-time entrepreneurship. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:36) - Why Tim chose to enter the co...

Aug 23, 2023•20 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast

Finding the right sales prospects with Alexandre Abu-Jamra (Founder of Klooks.com.br)

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Alexandre Abu-Jamra joins us to talk about how he prospects customers for Klooks.com.br, a financial spreading automation software. Klooks turns corporate financial statements into standardized data. Tune in to learn more about: ~ Managing a hybrid SaaS and DaaS product. ~ Tips for finding the right prospects efficiently. ~ An uncommon way to build your email list for inbound. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (01:21) - The typical use case for Klooks ...

Aug 21, 2023•27 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast

Turning leads into leases with Dave Freund (Founder of LeaseLeads.co)

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, we’ve got Dave Freund talking about how he transitioned from a service agency to founding LeaseLeads.co, an apartment leasing AI software, in 2022. LeaseLeads.co currently has over 200 customers and doing $1 million in ARR. Tune in to learn more about: ~ Working with freelancers vs hiring in-house. ~ Growing sales successfully with a discount strategy. ~ Transitioning from a service-based agency to a full SaaS business. Timestamps (00:00) - Intr...

Aug 14, 2023•26 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast

How to bootstrap a SaaS startup as a content creator with Brennan Dunn (Founder of RightMessage)

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Brennan Dunn, founder of RightMessage, joins us with his exciting journey from an agency owner to a prolific content creator and then to a SaaS founder. Tune in to learn more about: ~ What “creator habits” helped Brennan in his founder journey? ~ How to approach marketing if you have multiple ICPs? ~ The best way to bootstrap a SaaS company in 2023. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:08) - What problem does RightMessage solve? (00:31) - RightMessage...

Aug 02, 2023•31 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast

Data-Driven Content Creation with Arie Stavchansky (Founder of DataClay)

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Arie Stavchansky joins us to talk about DataClay, his startup, freeing video content creators from boring data entry and making it easy to produce high-quality data-driven content. Tune in to learn more about: ~ How to sell to enterprise customers? ~ The best way to create a demo for your product. ~ How to stay consistent in your entrepreneurial journey? Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:11) - What problem DataClay solves? (01:01) - Who's the typic...

Jul 20, 2023•23 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast

How to hire the best talent by NOT using AI with Jonnathan Koch (Founder of ClipDrop.io, TalentGenie)

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Jonnathan Koch joins us to discuss recruiting in SaaS and how AI is reshaping it – for better or worse. Tune in to learn more about: ~ Bringing back human connection to recruiting. ~ New trends in recruitment, AI, and tech in general. ~ How to manage and run multiple businesses in parallel? Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:13) - Starter story of TalentGenie. (03:10) - Disconnection between candidates & recruiters and starting ClipDrop.io. (12:...

Jun 27, 2023•42 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast

How to use Debt Financing to grow your SaaS, with Steve Benson (Founder of Badger Maps)

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Steve Benson joins us to discuss tech recession and debt financing for SaaS. Tune in to learn more about: ~ How to keep afloat in the looming tech recession? ~ Strategic reason behind using debt financing. ~ Things to keep in mind for debt financing. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:30) - What Problem does Badger Maps solve? (01:43) - Is it a challenge to work with old-school field sales industries? (06:41) - How did Steve handle the impact of COV...

Jun 22, 2023•36 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast

Building SaaS companies the contrarian way, with Outseta Co-Founder Geoff Roberts

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Geoff Roberts joins us with the inspiring story of Outseta. Tune in to learn more about: ~ How to stay determined even without any feasible results? ~ An interesting way to build an incredible team. ~ How to go against what is trending? Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:11) - What Problem Outseta Solves? (01:40) - Story Behind Outseta. (03:56) - What Kept Them Going For 4 Years? (11:12) - Interesting Way To Build A Team. (20:48) - What Fuels Their ...

May 24, 2023•35 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast

Building a Niche SaaS with Your Spouse as Co-Founder, with Lukas Hermann (Co-Founder of StageTimer.io)

In this episode of The Bootstrapped SaaS Operator, Lukas Hermann from stagetimer.io joins us. Stagetimer.io offers a countdown timer for the production houses, helping them manage time with an easy and simple yet effective tool. Tune in to learn more about: 1. How Lukas found a niche market? 2. How has buyer behavior affected Stagetimer’s pricing? 3. Does SEO & search ads still work? 4. Spouse as co-founder: how to make it work? 5. Why taking responsibility is most important part of the foun...

May 17, 2023•37 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast