Masterful Founders

Most founders make mistakes that slow their success. We did too. Now we're sharing what we and other experts have learned so you can move faster.
As a founder, it is hard to see what you don’t yet know. You try, fail, and learn through costly trial and error. We help you uncover blind spots and understand what truly matters for growth. With our help, you can gain years of hard-earned experience in a fraction of the time.
Watch our interviews on YouTube: youtube.com/@masterful-info
Join our community with courses: https://masterfulhub.com/
Episodes
Episodes



Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
In this episode, I sit down with Masha Moisseyeva, founder of a B2B SaaS startup helping tech companies comply with EU cybersecurity regulations. We talk about how she landed her first 6 paying clients, validated her idea in just 3 months, and built a product after understanding the real problems in the market.📌 Whether you’re just starting out with a software product or you’re trying to pivot your existing startup, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies and honest insights.#saas #clientacquisition #startups #SaaSMarketing #B2BSaaS



Monday Apr 14, 2025
How to Choose the Right Business Partner (So You Don’t Regret It) EP42
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Want to grow fast and avoid startup failure? It starts with the *right people*. In this interview with Pavan Konanur, co-founder of Hoja.ai, we break down exactly how he chose his co-founders, what mistakes to avoid, and how their app reached 60,000 downloads in just three weeks. Learn how to build a team that won’t hold you back — and how to launch faster with less risk.✅ Find the right co-founder✅ Balance creativity & execution✅ Avoid team conflict✅ Make faster launch decisions#StartupTips #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #TeamSuccess ✨ If you’re an early-stage founder trying to get your first users, this episode is for you. It’s about building trust, understanding your ideal clients, and staying grounded while growing fast.👍 Don’t forget to like the video if you find it helpful, and subscribe for more interviews with real founders doing real work.📥 Get free startup marketing tips from me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/?locale=en_UShttps://www.hoja.ai



Thursday Apr 10, 2025
How to Launch Your AI Tool Faster & Smarter - Lessons from Ethan Bloom (EP41)
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Behind-the-scenes journey of building Acedit.ai, an AI-powered Chrome extension that helps people feel confident and prepared in online interviews. From late-night coding sessions to nailing product-market fit, Ethan opens up about the struggles, lessons, and wins along the way.
🔑 What you’ll learn:✅ Why Ethan built Acedit.ai and how it helps job seekers in real time✅ The importance of shipping early (even when it feels unfinished)✅ Smart ways to collect user feedback and analyze product performance✅ SEO growth hacks that actually work (especially for startups!)✅ B2C vs B2B strategies and lessons learned✅ Real talk about marketing burnout, Google Ads frustrations, and growing organically✅ How to stay focused and not get overwhelmed with "growth advice overload"Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a solo founder, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of startup building - this one's packed with golden advice.#Startup #Founders #ProductLaunch #JobInterviewTips Connect with Ethan Bloom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanbloom/https://www.acedit.ai/Connect with the host Wilhelm Laubach (Will)https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/



Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
What if the real reason your startup isn’t growing… is that you’re targeting the wrong people?In this powerful episode, Sam Davis (co-founder of Blunge.ai) opens up about the underestimated success factor that nearly derailed his AI startup: getting the buyer persona wrong.We unpack the emotional rollercoaster of speaking to “interested” users who never buy, chasing feedback from the wrong crowd, and how a single power user changed everything.If you’ve ever felt lost in product development, drowning in feedback, or struggling to find your audience — this is for you.🎯 Key topics:The danger of vague buyer personasHow to know when to pivotWhy negative feedback is actually a sign of tractionWhen to ignore what people say they want🔗 Try Blunch: https://www.blunge.ai/Connect with the host Wilhelm Laubach (Will)https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/ —Follow for more real startup stories and founder insights. Subscribe for weekly episodes that go beyond surface-level advice.#startup #entrepreneurship #buyerpersona #founderstory



Thursday Feb 27, 2025
The Real Story of Our First SaaS Startup: Wins, Failures & Hard Lessons
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Our first SaaS startup was anything but smooth. We faced feature creep, financial struggles, and tempting opportunities that weren’t what they seemed.In this story, Wilhelm unpacks the mistakes, the wins, and the crucial lessons for every entrepreneur looking to avoid common pitfalls.Connect with Wilhelm:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/https://www.masterful.info/#SaaS #StartupJourney #Entrepreneurship #TechStartup #StartupMistakes #Bootstrapping #BusinessLessons #StartupLife



Thursday Jan 30, 2025
How to Build an Irresistible Offer (EP39)
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Want to know why most startups fail and how to avoid their mistakes?
In this episode, we dive deep with Arias WebsterBerry, founder of Launch Ignition, who shares his 15 years of entrepreneurial experience and reveals the three critical areas where most startups struggle.
Key Topics Covered:
🎯 Creating Your Perfect Avatar: How to identify and understand your ideal customer
💰 The Million Dollar Message: Crafting a compelling pitch that sells
🎁 Building an Irresistible Offer: Why great ideas don't sell themselves
🤖 The Power of Automation: Setting up systems for scalability
📈 Establishing Predictable Lead Sources
💼 Overcoming Sales Anxiety: Why avoiding sales means avoiding business
Remember: "If you're marketing to everyone, you're marketing to no one."
#StartupAdvice #Entrepreneurship #MarketingTips #BusinessCoaching #StartupMistakes #SalesStrategy
Connect with Arias WebsterBerry:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariasweb/
https://ariaswebsterberry.com/
https://www.launchignition.ai/
Connect with the host Wilhelm Laubach (Will)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/



Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Smart PR Tactics for Cash-Conscious Startups - PR Expert Jonathan Mest (EP37)
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
How can startups harness PR as a powerful marketing tool, even on a shoestring budget?
This episode dives into the essentials of public relations for startups.
Key Topics Covered:
🤝 Why PR isn't just for big companies
📖 The advantages of authentic storytelling over traditional ads
✍️ How to create compelling narratives to grab media attention
💡 Real-life examples of startups using PR successfully
🤖 The role of AI in crafting pitches and finding the right media
💰 Tips to secure press coverage without breaking the bank
If you’ve ever thought PR was too expensive or complicated, this episode will change your perspective!
#StartupMarketing #PublicRelations #Entrepreneurship #MediaStrategy
Connect with the host Wilhelm Laubach (Will):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/
Connect with Jon Mest
https://justreachout.io/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmest/



Thursday Dec 19, 2024
Thursday Dec 19, 2024
Want to know how successful startups build powerful reputations that attract customers, talent, and investors?
In this episode, brand strategist Bonnie Caver shares her 20+ years of experience helping companies build and maintain strong reputations.
Learn why reputation is more than just managing perceptions - it's about strategically creating what you want to be known for.
Key Topics:
🎯 Why reputation is currency for your business
🔄 The difference between managing and building reputation
🏢 How company size affects culture and communication
🎯 Common breaking points in startup growth (75, 150, 250 employees)
💡 The importance of having a clear brand focus vs trying to be everything
🤝 How to handle stakeholder communication during changes
🚀 The role of AI in modern brand building
Bonnie's expert advice helps startups understand:
🔸 Why you can't be everything to everybody
🔸 How to prioritize different stakeholders
🔸 Why people resist change and how to manage it
🔸 The importance of building trust before crisis hits
🔸 Why reputation should be a CEO-level priority, not just marketing
🔔 Subscribe for more expert interviews and startup strategies.
#Branding #StartupGrowth #Reputation #BusinessStrategy
Connect with the host Wilhelm Laubach (Will):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/
Connect with Bonnie Caver:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniecaver/
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