Masterful Founders

Lessons from SaaS founders and industry leaders. Years of insights distilled into 30–60 minute interviews, each focused on one key growth topic.
After building our own SaaS and working with hundreds of startups, we share the lessons we wish we had as founders.
Find our courses, plus the accelerator list, at masterful.info.
Watch our interviews on YouTube: youtube.com/@masterful-info
Episodes
Episodes



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/
replighthouse.com



Thursday Dec 12, 2024
How to Handle Narcissistic People in Business - Kristina Vuteva (EP34)
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Are you wondering how to spot and handle narcissistic people in your business life? In this episode, psychology expert Kristina Vuteva shares invaluable insights about working with narcissistic personalities in business settings.
Key Topics:
🔹 How to recognize narcissistic behavior in business
🔹 The "mirror tactic" - why narcissists connect so quickly
🔹 Why narcissists can be great achievers but dangerous partners
🔹 Setting boundaries while maintaining professional relationships
🔹 Real-life examples of narcissistic behavior in startups
🔹 How narcissists influence team dynamics and company culture
🔹 Strategies for protecting yourself while working with narcissists
Expert Tips:
🔸 Don't avoid narcissists - learn to work with them strategically
🔸 Stay aware of your boundaries at all times
🔸 Watch for quick commitments and rushing decisions
🔸 Observe how they treat team members differently
🔸 Pay attention to pressure and tension in relationships
🔸 Document your contributions and ideas
#BusinessAdvice #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPsychology #Narcissistic
Connect with the host Wilhelm Laubach (Will):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/
Connect with Kristina Vuteva:
https://www.instagram.com/kristina_vuteva/?hl=en
tiktok.com/@kristina_vuteva
https://kristinavuteva.com/



Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
From Leads to Deals - Strategies to Scale Your Sales Funnel - Marketing Consultancy 4
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Want to know how to effectively market your B2B SaaS product? Discover proven strategies from marketing expert Wilhelm Laubach who shares insights on transitioning from personal network sales to scalable marketing approaches.
Key Topics Covered:
💼 LinkedIn Marketing Strategy for B2B
📝 Lead Magnet Creation & White Paper Effectiveness
🔄 B2B vs B2C Marketing Approach
📊 Sales Funnel Optimization
🎯 Retargeting Strategies
🤝 Event Marketing Follow-up
📱 Content Marketing & Social Media Presence
Wilhelm shares his expertise on:
- How to utilize LinkedIn ads effectively
- Creating valuable lead magnets
- Building relationships with decision-makers
- Converting leads through proper follow-up
💡 Need help with marketing strategy for your business? Connect with Wilhelm Laubach (Will) for personalized consultation and discover how to scale your business effectively:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilhelmlaubach/
#B2BMarketing #LinkedInMarketing #StartupGrowth #MarketingStrategy #LeadGeneration
Connect with guest Dr. Thomas Suwelack:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-thomas-suwelack/