Startup Stories - Mixergy

A while back I flew to DC for a Mastermind Conference with Joe Soto. And what was interesting to me was that the event was profitable for him. It took a lot of strategizing to make sure the event wasn’t a loss. Well, today’s guest helped him with that. I want to find out how he does it. Andrew is the co-creator of The SAM Event which is is a 2 day event with speakers and entertainers talking about Sales, Advertising and Marketing. Andrew is the co-creator of The SAM Event which is is a 2 day event with speakers and entertainers talking about Sales, Advertising and Marketing. Sponsored byHostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. ActiveCampaign – Improve your marketing & sales processes by upgrading to an automated platform. Start sending follow-up that adapts to your customers’ behavior so you are sending the perfect message at the perfect time. You’ll have happier customers and higher conversions. See why over 150,000 marketers use ActiveCampaign to create intelligent marketing that gets better results. If you’re with one of their confusing competitors and you want something new, you owe it to your business to check out ActiveCampaign. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

I’ve interviewed Rand Fishkin several times and I’ve been beating myself up about a question I asked. I’ve got to bring it up in this interview. Rand Fishkin is the founder of SparkToro which allows you to discover all the sources that influence your audience. I invited him here to talk about marketing because he’s so good at it. Rand Fishkin is the founder of SparkToro which allows you to discover all the sources that influence your audience. Sponsored byPilot – You didn’t start a business to track financial statements or make cash flow spreadsheets. Using Pilot for bookkeeping gives you back the freedom to focus on your business. Pilot does accrual basis bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online, so you’re never locked into a proprietary platform. Plus, you’ll work with the same person each month, so you can rely on them to become an expert in your business. Mixergy listeners get 20% off Pilot Core for 6 months at pilot.com/producthunt. Ahrefs – Ahrefs is a full-suite SEO toolset that helps you grow your search traffic, research your competitors and monitor your niche – powered by the best and most complete data in the industry. Sign up for our paid trial at $7 for 7 days More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Ryan Deiss is the founder of a Traffic & Conversion, a conference for digital marketers. He is also the founder of DigitalMarketer which offers tools and training for digital marketers. A few years ago I went to the Traffic & Conversion Summit for the first time. I bought a ticket not expecting to go to any of the sessions, but I bought a ticket wanting to meet people there. But I underestimated the size of the business and the legitimacy of digital marketing at the time. I want to undo that assumption today and learn how Ryan became one of the best marketers out there. Ryan Deiss is the founder of a Traffic & Conversion, a conference for digital marketers. He is also the founder of DigitalMarketer which offers tools and training for digital marketers. Sponsored byToptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. Pilot – You didn’t start a business to track financial statements or make cash flow spreadsheets. Using Pilot for bookkeeping gives you back the freedom to focus on your business. Pilot does accrual basis bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online, so you’re never locked into a proprietary platform. Plus, you’ll work with the same person each month, so you can rely on them to become an expert in your business. Mixergy listeners get 20% off Pilot Core for 6 months at pilot.com/producthunt. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Entrepreneurship requires a driving passion but what happens when your company is taken to the brink of bankruptcy? Christian Real Bernouin is a Co-Founder of Cuponatic which is an e-commerce marketplace that offers different daily deals on products, services, and getaways. In 2012, Cuponatic was faced with the prospect of bankruptcy. Now, in 2019, it is hitting $5M in revenue annually. Christian Real Bernouin is a Co-Founder of Cuponatic which is an e-commerce marketplace that offers different daily deals on products, services, and getaways. Sponsored byHostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

How do you provide a way for employees to anonymously report misconduct or wrongdoing without fear of retribution? Sylvain Mansotte is a Co-Founder of Whispli which is a secure, anonymous, cost-effective whistleblowing platform. In 2012, Sylvain uncovered $20M in fraud within the company that he had recently joined. His experience led to the creation of Whispli. Sylvain Mansotte is a Co-Founder of Whispli which is a secure, anonymous, cost-effective whistleblowing platform.   Sponsored byHostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

How do you build a brick and mortar business like plumbing into a $50M a year business? John Akhoian is the Founder of Rooter Hero which is a plumbing and rooter service company. John Akhoian built Rooter Hero from the ground up relying heavily on old-fashion marketing techniques and now has 12 locations across California and Arizona.     John Akhoian is the Founder of Rooter Hero which is a plumbing and rooter service company. Sponsored byHostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

How did David Hauser manage to sell Grasshopper for such an enormous sum without any hoopla and turn his focus to nut butter? David Hauser is the Founder of Grasshopper, which is a virtual phone company and author of Unstoppable. David sold Grasshopper back in 2015 for $170 and decided to completely switch direction from running an SaaS company to creating nut butter with his company SuperFat. David Hauser is the Founder of Grasshopper, which is a virtual phone company and author of Unstoppable. Sponsored byToptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. ActiveCampaign – Improve your marketing & sales processes by upgrading to an automated platform. Start sending follow-up that adapts to your customers’ behavior so you are sending the perfect message at the perfect time. You’ll have happier customers and higher conversions. See why over 150,000 marketers use ActiveCampaign to create intelligent marketing that gets better results. If you’re with one of their confusing competitors and you want something new, you owe it to your business to check out ActiveCampaign. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

How do you get customers on board for a revolutionary product before you have even created the product? Maria Paz Gillet is the Founder of Jooycar which gives clients the ability to get real-time data from vehicles. Maria saw the need for “pay for usage” car insurance in Chile and sold the idea to customers before creating Jooycar. Maria Paz Gillet is the Founder of Jooycar which gives clients the ability to get real-time data from vehicles. Sponsored byHostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

What do you do when you realize you’re not the best fit for the company that you helped to launch? Dan Reich is CEO and Co-Founder of Troops.ai which is software that makes sales a team sport by empowering people, automating workflows and supercharging sales performance. After realizing he wasn’t the best person for running the daily business of TULA, Dan found someone else for the job so he could launch Troops.ai. Dan Reich is CEO and Co-Founder of Troops.ai which is software that makes sales a team sport by empowering people, automating workflows and supercharging sales performance. Sponsored byActiveCampaign – Improve your marketing & sales processes by upgrading to an automated platform. Start sending follow-up that adapts to your customers’ behavior so you are sending the perfect message at the perfect time. You’ll have happier customers and higher conversions. See why over 150,000 marketers use ActiveCampaign to create intelligent marketing that gets better results. If you’re with one of their confusing competitors and you want something new, you owe it to your business to check out ActiveCampaign. HostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

How does a copywriter who was spending 100 hours a week writing copy for clients transition to running a successful copywriting company? Ray Edwards is a copywriter and communication strategist for some of the top names in business and the author of the book, How to Write Copy That Sells. Author and copywriter, Ray Edwards’ copywriting course and certification program is bringing in over a million dollars a year. Ray Edwards is a copywriter and communication strategist for some of the top names in business and the author of the book, How to Write Copy That Sells. Sponsored byActiveCampaign – Improve your marketing & sales processes by upgrading to an automated platform. Start sending follow-up that adapts to your customers’ behavior so you are sending the perfect message at the perfect time. You’ll have happier customers and higher conversions. See why over 150,000 marketers use ActiveCampaign to create intelligent marketing that gets better results. If you’re with one of their confusing competitors and you want something new, you owe it to your business to check out ActiveCampaign. HostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

How do you go from losing everything you’ve built up and sleeping on the floor to using that experience to creating a company that has a global-wide impact? Peter Rex is the founder of Trustwork, which allows you to find jobs, hire professionals, buy and sell goods, network and collaborate. Trustwork launched two years ago and already has over 400 employees. Peter Rex is the founder of Trustwork, which allows you to find jobs, hire professionals, buy and sell goods, network and collaborate. Sponsored byThe James Altucher Show – James Altucher has started and ran more than 20 companies and is currently an investor in and advisor to over 30, but at one point, James lost everything. In a matter of months, his account drained from $15 million to $143. Depressed and on the floor, James realized the only way to be truly successful and fulfilled is to “choose yourself.” Now, James Altucher is a bestselling author, successful entrepreneur, angel investor, chess master, & host of The James Altucher Show podcast. Text ANDREW to 50445 to receive James Altucher’s free Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing HostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Is it possible to have a business model that is not only profitable but donates a percentage of revenue to charity? Devin Baptiste is a Co-Founder of GroupRaise which is a company that allows groups to book events in restaurants across the US. GroupRaise helps companies find restaurants to hold events and allows the companies to donate a percentage of the profits to the charity of their choice. Devin Baptiste is a Co-Founder of GroupRaise which is a company that allows groups to book events in restaurants across the US. Sponsored byHostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

How do you recover from a huge mistake that has the potential of sinking your company? Ryan Fyfe is the Founder of Humanity, which is an easy-to-use online employee scheduling and workforce management software. Ryan Fyfe was about to close a big funding round for Humanity when he discovered unethical practices that were going on that affected the company’s sales metrics. Ryan Fyfe is the Founder of Humanity, which is an easy-to-use online employee scheduling and workforce management software. Sponsored byActiveCampaign – Improve your marketing & sales processes by upgrading to an automated platform. Start sending follow-up that adapts to your customers’ behavior so you are sending the perfect message at the perfect time. You’ll have happier customers and higher conversions. See why over 150,000 marketers use ActiveCampaign to create intelligent marketing that gets better results. If you’re with one of their confusing competitors and you want something new, you owe it to your business to check out ActiveCampaign. Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

I didn’t know whether to trust Ryan Levesque last time he was on. He claimed to have a set of sites that turned email subscribers into customers using registration forms that asked questions which helped him segment subscribers. Then I met (and interviewed) founders who used what he called the Ask Method and I realized how effective his approach was. I even started copying it. Now he has a book about entrepreneurship, called Choose. I interviewed him about it. And I was still skeptical. But a bit less than last time. Enjoy. Ryan Levesque is the CEO of The ASK Method Company and the author of the best-selling book, ASK and has just launched his new book, Choose.   Sponsored byHostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. Toptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

How do you go from experiencing phenomenal success to huge loss and have enough confidence to start from scratch? Tomas Gorny is the Founder and CEO of Nextiva which is a business VoIP service solution. Nextiva was entirely bootstrapped and in 2019 is set to hit $170 million in revenue. Tomas Gorny is the Founder and CEO of Nextiva which is a business VoIP service solution. Sponsored byToptal – If you’re having trouble finding developers, Toptal is a network of elite pre-vetted software developers. You tell Toptal what you’re looking for, they search their network for the best people, they test the candidates, and then they present you with only the candidates who meet your individual needs. Once you pick someone you can start work with them the next day. They offer a no-risk trial period. Go to Toptal.com. Get the best of the best right now. HostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint