The SaaS Growth Podcast - Masterful Founders

Ever wondered if an AI tool can help you ace your next job interview?In this episode, Ethan Bloom shares the 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/

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

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

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/

What’s the most important factor for business success? Hint: It’s not technology or AI. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of mindfulness, compassion, and building human-oriented relationships in business with an expert Dr. Bruno Roque Cignacco.
Key topics covered:
🌟 How mindfulness can boost creativity and decision-making.
🌟 Why compassion creates trust and leads to long-term success.
🌟 The impact of fear-based workplaces versus psychologically safe environments.
🌟 The principles of the "prosperity mindset" and adding value for all stakeholders.
🌟 The role of gratitude, generosity, and ethical practices in modern entrepreneurship.
Whether you’re a startup founder or seasoned entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you create a thriving business while staying true to your values.
#Entrepreneurship #ProsperityMindset #LeadershipTips #BusinessSuccess #StartupJourney
Connect with Dr. Bruno Roque Cignacco:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bruno-roque-cignacco-sfhea-0609317/
The Art of Compassionate Business - https://www.amazon.com/Art-Compassionate-Business-Principles-Human-Oriented-ebook/dp/B0CL1GZQZB/
Connect with the host Wilhelm Laubach (Will)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/

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/

Want to know how to effectively sell your B2B product or service without feeling like a pushy salesperson?
In this episode, we dive deep into B2B sales strategies with Blagovest Alexandrov, a sales veteran with 20 years of experience across Europe.
He shares invaluable insights on everything from cold calling and LinkedIn outreach to face-to-face networking, specifically tailored for startup founders and entrepreneurs.
Key Topics Covered:
📞 Cold calling mastery and handling rejection with confidence
💬 LinkedIn outreach that actually gets responses
🤝 Face-to-face networking secrets at industry events
👥 How to spot and hire great salespeople
🎯 Tips for introverted founders in sales
🔗 Building authentic business relationships
📈 Practical lead generation strategies
🧠 Sales psychology and communication techniques
Whether you're just starting your sales journey or looking to level up your B2B game, this episode has actionable insights for every stage of your business growth🚀
#B2BSales #salesstrategy #Entrepreneurship #SalesSkills #LinkedInMarketing #StartupTips
Connect with the host Wilhelm Laubach (Will):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/
Connect with Blagovest Alexandrov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blagovest-alexandrov-9bb489178/

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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