Have you ever dreamt of launching a startup but worried about the dangers of scaling too quickly? Or maybe you're already running a business that feels stuck, unable to reach its full potential. This is the podcast for you. Join host Matt Watson as he explores the fascinating world of entrepreneurship with Dave Hirsch, a seasoned investor and turnaround specialist. Together, they'll crack the code on fundraising, growth strategies, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that can sink even the most...
Jun 11, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you poured your heart and soul into building a game-changing SaaS product, only to find crickets chirping when it comes to sales? Fear not, fellow entrepreneur, because you're in the vast company of frustrated founders. This episode of "Mastering Software Sales" dives deep into the trenches of selling software with industry expert Matt Wolach. Matt, a former technical founder who himself battled fierce competition in the early days, pulls back the curtain on the biggest challenges SaaS foun...
Jun 06, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you feel like you're flying blind when it comes to your software? In today's episode, we dive deep into the world of observability - it's not just monitoring on steroids, and we'll explain why. Our guest, Charity Majors, co-founder and CTO of Honeycomb, will break down the concept and how it's changing the game for developers. Get ready to hear about: Observability 1.0 vs. 2.0: Is your toolkit stuck in the past? We'll explore the evolution of this critical practice. AI in Debugging: Friend or...
Jun 04, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Did you know traditional breast cancer screenings can miss early signs of the disease? In this episode, we get an exclusive look into MedCognetics, a company using AI to revolutionize breast cancer detection. Matt Watson chats with guest Tim Cogan, MedCognetics co-founder & CTO, about how AI can: Catch cancer earlier: Imagine AI spotting subtle abnormalities that might escape the human eye, leading to earlier intervention and potentially better outcomes. Free up doctors' time: AI could becom...
May 30, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are you tired of the same old outbound sales tactics that just don't work? In this episode, we'll be joined by entrepreneur Steve Claydon, founder of The Outbound Game, to chat about shaking things up with gamification and personalization. Steve used to be stuck in the trenches of sales, and let's face it, it can be a grind. But he realized there had to be a better way to motivate salespeople and drive results. That's where gamification came in. We'll hear how Steve used fun and competition to t...
May 28, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are robots about to take over your lawyer's job? Not quite, but Artificial Intelligence is poised to revolutionize the legal industry. In this episode, Matt Watson ventures into the world of immigration law with Josh Waddell, co-founder of VisaLaw.ai. Josh isn't just another lawyer; he's a legal tech pioneer who saw the limitations of traditional practice and decided to disrupt it from within. We'll hear how his law firm embraced AI to automate tedious tasks, leaving lawyers free to focus on com...
May 23, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever heard the term "CTO" and wondered what it actually means? In the wild world of startups, the role can be a bit of a mystery. In this episode, we're joined by Adelina Chalmers, also known as the "Geek Whisperer." Buckle up as we dissect the ever-evolving role of a startup CTO. We'll crack open the code on how CTOs can translate techie jargon into investor gold, and explore the crucial (but often overlooked) skill of self-awareness for these tech titans. This episode is packed with insights t...
May 21, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever gotten hit with a chargeback? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the world of e-commerce fraud with Qi Cao, the co-founder and CEO of Chargeblast, a company helping merchants fight back against unfair chargebacks. Qi Cao went from scientist to entrepreneur after experiencing the pain of chargebacks firsthand. Now, he's helping businesses win back revenue and avoid costly disputes. But Chargeblast's journey wasn't always smooth sailing. We'll hear how Qi Cao pivoted from B2C to ...
May 16, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of your tedious onboarding routines for new hires and useless knowledge bases no one seems to use? This episode of Startup Hustle is your guide to conquering knowledge transfer in the digital age. We chat with Greg DeVore, CEO of ScreenSteps, a software platform that's helping companies slash onboarding times and boost employee productivity. In this episode, you'll learn: How to ditch the clunky manuals and build a system for capturing and organizing knowledge fast. A sneaky trick to separ...
May 14, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this compelling episode, join Matt Watson as he sits down with Stefan Schmidt, a seasoned CTO coach and author of the acclaimed book "Amazing CTO." Together, they discuss the pivotal role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), exploring crucial insights on when to bring one on board and the critical errors to avoid in the selection process. Stefan underscores the importance of idea validation before engaging a CTO or developer and suggests starting with a PowerPoint slide deck to gather feedbac...
May 09, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt Watson interviews Robby Yates, co-founder and Chief Everything Officer of FollowApp, a networking software company. They discuss Robbie's journey from being a salesperson to becoming an IT guy and starting his own company. They also talk about the importance of networking, the challenges of being a non-technical founder, and the benefits of white labeling. Robby shares tips for effective networking and emphasizes building a strong team and listening to oth...
May 07, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us as Chase Harmer, a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years in the fintech industry, dives deep into the challenges and innovations of building a fintech company with heart. In this episode, we explore the intersection of financial technology and charitable giving through Chase's latest venture, Wishes—a platform designed to transform how we support causes we care about. Episode Highlights: The Genesis of Wishes: From overcoming compliance hurdles to raising $30 million, Chase shares the...
May 03, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Steve Wolfe, managing partner and co-founder of Growth Street Partners, joins Matt Watson on the Startup Hustle podcast to discuss practical fundraising for founders. They explore the challenges faced by practical founders in raising money and the drawbacks of traditional venture capital funding. They emphasize the importance of founder market fit and the advantages it brings. They also discuss the benefits of having a growth equity firm like Growth Street Partners as an investor, including the ...
May 01, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Rob Snyder, the founder and CEO of Reframe, about product market fit and the challenges of being an entrepreneur. They discuss the definition of product market fit, the importance of customer case studies, and the need to focus on solving specific problems for a target audience. Rob shares insights from his program for founders and emphasizes the value of talking to customers and iterating on the sales pitch. They also touch on the difficulty of scaling an...
Apr 24, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Feeling trapped on a workaholic hamster wheel? This episode of Startup Hustle dives deep into the entrepreneur's struggle for work-life balance and that elusive thing called happiness. Join serial entrepreneur and travel addict Michael Motamedi as he discusses aligning your company goals with your desire to, you know, not die alone. We'll crack the code on the "happiness threshold" (it's not about that third yacht) and explore why fixing your water heater might be more fulfilling than you think....
Apr 17, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode of Startup Hustle is a goldmine for aspiring entrepreneurs! Yaniv Bernstein, host of the StartUp podcast and founder of Funding Fit, joins the show to dish on the exciting and often messy world of startups. Ever heard of "entrepreneurial ADHD"? Yaniv, a former Google employee who freely admits to this condition, dives into the challenges founders face, including the pitfalls to avoid. Learn from his experience to dodge common mistakes and build a venture that thrives, not dives. Is ...
Apr 10, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us as Matt Watson chats with Greg Head about the power of in-person events like the SaaS Open. We're talking about ditching the Zoom fatigue and forging real connections with founders who GET IT. They discuss the value of talking to other entrepreneurs and attending events. They highlight the power of community and the benefits of connecting with like-minded individuals. They also touch on the importance of in-person events and their impact on building relationships. The conversation emphas...
Apr 05, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you ever feel like you're the only one getting things done at your startup? This episode is for you! Matt Watson chats with Greg Schmedding, a problem-solver with a proven track record in the staffing industry, about the critical hires every startup needs to flourish. In this episode, you'll learn: Why delegating and letting go are essential for startup growth (and how to do it without losing control) The biggest hiring mistakes founders make (think: promoting that talented developer to CTO w...
Apr 04, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt Watson chats with Rex Kurzius, founder and CEO of Asset Panda, about the exciting (and sometimes messy!) world of building a global SaaS company. Get ready to hear about: The entrepreneurial itch: Rex, a serial entrepreneur, shares his insights on what drives him to build new businesses constantly. From home inventory to global asset tracking: Discover how Asset Panda pivoted from a consumer product to a successful B2B solution for tracking assets worldwid...
Apr 02, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wonder what happens when you buy out your business partner? Join Jeff Munn and Matt Watson, the new CEO of Full Scale, as they go through Matt’s entrepreneurial rollercoaster in the first 90 days! In this episode, you'll hear: Matt's origin story: From problem solver to accidental business owner, Matt shares his hilarious and relatable journey. Leadership lessons learned (the hard way): Matt dives into the challenges and triumphs of taking over a company he once co-ran. Going global (and th...
Mar 28, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered how entrepreneurship can change communities? This episode dives deep into business ownership with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, a leader with an impressive track record in government, education, and philanthropy. Now, she's at the helm of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a powerhouse dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, especially women and people of color. Here's what you won't want to miss: Inspiring stories: Dr. Wallace shares her incredible career journey, from di...
Mar 27, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever felt like your website is about to crash from a sudden surge in traffic? Our guest founder knows that feeling all too well. In this episode, we chat with the Chief Innovation Officer of WP Engine, Jason Cohen, about the company's incredible journey and his own path from burnt-out developer to successful entrepreneur. You'll learn: How Jason's early struggles with WordPress led to the creation of a billion-dollar business. The surprising secret weapon that helped WP Engine stand out from the...
Mar 26, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join Matt Watson for a blast-from-the-past reunion with his long-time friend, Danny Zaslavsky! This episode dives deep into Danny's fascinating journey, from growing up in a car dealership to becoming the founder of a tech startup, DealerCue. Matt and Danny reminisce about their early days working together, the challenges they faced in the car business, and the power of technology to revolutionize the industry. They'll discuss: The Birth of DealerCue: How Danny's experience managing a car dealer...
Mar 21, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever struggled to find reliable contractors for your home repairs? You're not alone! In this episode, we'll hear from Bo Lais, the CEO and founder of Lula. He started out helping homeowners but discovered a hidden goldmine in the property management industry. Bo and his wife faced the same challenge as many homeowners: finding qualified contractors. This led them to create a platform to connect homeowners with reliable professionals. But what they learned along the way was even more val...
Mar 19, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of dead-end jobs and feeling stuck in your career? Hope is on the horizon. In this episode, Matt Watson chats with Kadima Careers's Founder, CEO & Chief Accelerator, Alan Stein. Alan, a seasoned professional with a unique career path, shares his insights on: Fast-tracking your career and exploring side hustles: Learn how Alan went from being "tired of getting fired" to helping others land their dream jobs, and explore his experiences on both sides of the interview table. Crafting a win...
Mar 14, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you feel lost in the world of product development? Are you struggling to gain traction, validate your idea, or build a team that delivers? In this episode, we're joined by Adam Judelson, founder and CEO of First Principles Catalyst, to dissect the common problems tech companies face with product development. From the challenges of early-stage startups to building the right product team, Adam brings his wealth of experience. Matt and Adam have an uber-dynamic conversation on the following topi...
Mar 12, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wonder how to create a product that caters to both small businesses and giant corporations? Join Matt Watson as he dives deep into the world of product strategy with Jeff Weiner, CEO of Realquantum. Discover how the company revolutionized commercial real estate appraisal software and the crucial differences in catering to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) vs. enterprise giants. They dive deep into Jeff's journey, from recognizing the industry's need for innovation to building a platf...
Mar 07, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wonder how top brands create ads that resonate with you on a personal level? In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt Watson dives into AI-powered marketing with Matt Swalley, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Omneky. Discover how Omneky's platform leverages cutting-edge AI to: Craft hyper-personalized ads: Target different age groups, cultures, and individuals with tailored messages that resonate. Generate and optimize ad creatives: Unleash the power of AI to test and refine your ad ...
Mar 05, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Forget drones, the future swims! Imagine a world where robots don't fly, they dive - not through water, but through mountains of sand, grains, and powders. This isn't science fiction, it's the reality being built by Lorenzo Conti, the engineer behind a revolutionary technology. Join Matt Watson as he digs deep into the technology behind moving through "granular materials" with unprecedented efficiency. In this episode, we dive headfirst (pun intended!) into Lorenzo's fascinating journey: From di...
Feb 29, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join host Matt Watson as he goes into the complex world of automotive technology with a twist of entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode, Matt sits down with the innovative mind behind WebBuy and the visionary founder of Pauldron, CTO Steve Dimock. Buckle up as they traverse through the rugged landscapes of Montana, exploring the untamed frontier of tech industry growth. From the emergence of pioneering companies like Onyx to the burgeoning computer science programs igniting young minds, Montana...
Feb 27, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
