Startup Stories - Mixergy

How did The Intern Group grow from a horrible looking WordPress site to a company set to hit over 15 million in revenue this year? David Lloyd is Co-Founder and CEO of The Intern Group which is an international education company that specializes in internship programs. The Intern Group was born from David’s desire to connect interns with businesses. David Lloyd is Co-Founder and CEO of The Intern Group which is an international education company that specializes in internship programs. 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

Why is Chris Ducker teaching entrepreneurship at Youpreneur? He has 2 companies that are doing well. Why get distracted? And, speaking of his companies, how did he create 2 successful companies? That’s what this interview is about. Chris Ducker is the Founder of Youpreneur which is an online academy that has experts that share their expertise on how to build your business and become the go-to consultant in your industry. 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

Acuity Scheduling was in the news because they were acquired by Squarespace. We’re reposting this older interview to show you how Gavin Zuchlinski grew his company with spectacular customer support. Gavin Zuchlinski is the founder of Acuity Scheduling, a 13-year-old calendar scheduling service. Gavin Zuchlinski is the founder of Acuity Scheduling, a calendar scheduling service. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Do you dread the process of hiring people because managing the payment process is such a huge headache? Isaac Oates recognized that paint point and as a result he created Justworks to help entrepreneurs and businesses by giving them access to big-company benefits, automated payroll, HR tools and compliance support in an easy-to-use platform. Six years later, Justworks is one of the fastest growing HR technology platforms with revenue in the tens of millions.     Isaac Oates is the Founder of Justworks, which helps entrepreneurs and businesses by giving them access to big-company benefits, automated payroll, HR tools and compliance support in an easy-to-use platform. 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 company overcome innovation stagnation to bring a new product to the marketplace? Alain Sylvain is the Founder of Sylvain Labs which is an innovation and brand design consultancy. Companies are able to outsource their innovation issues to Sylvain Labs where they help businesses to identify unmet consumer needs and in turn, create new products to meet those needs. Alain Sylvain is the Founder of Sylvain Labs which is an innovation and brand design consultancy.   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. The 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 More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

How do you react when you are told you can’t do something? Do you rise to the occasion and prove the haters wrong or pack up your toys and go home? Francesca Roveda is Co-Founder of SixthContinent which is an e-commerce platform. Francesca was told she couldn’t break into the male-dominated finance industry so she set out to prove she could and SixthContinent was born to give people more purchasing power. Francesca Roveda is Co-Founder of SixthContinent which is an e-commerce 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 does an entrepreneur overcome insecurities and complete failure to refocus and launch a successful company? Erik Bergman is the founder of the online marketing companies Catena Media and Great.com If February 2016, Catena Media went public on the Swedish stock exchange and is valued at $400M USD. Today he is running his new venture Great.com, a similar business as Catena Media but where 100% of the profits will be donated to charity. Erik Bergman is the founder of the online marketing companies Catena Media and Great.com 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

How did a loss of focus and a lawsuit ultimately bring about the demise of KISSmetrics? Hiten Shah is the co-founder of numerous successful SaaS companies, including FYI, CrazyEgg, Product Habits and KISSmetrics. Hiten opens up about how the perfect storm of screwing up product direction and loss of focus along with a lawsuit resulted in the inevitable loss of market share for KISSmetrics. Hiten Shah is the co-founder of numerous successful SaaS companies, including FYI, CrazyEgg, Product Habits and KISSmetrics. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Joining me is a guy who doesn’t really think of themselves as an entrepreneur. He’s more of a techie, but nevertheless, while working a full-time job, he decided I’m going to start this thing on the side. What he started on the side has grown really big. From what I can see, they are doing well over $20 million a year, profitable, and growing. Chris Wells is the founder of Nexcess, a cloud hosting platform. There are tons of hosting companies out there so I want to find out how he’s stood out from all the competition. Chris Wells is the founder of Nexcess, a cloud hosting platform. 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

Joining me today is an entrepreneur who was on a path to being an accountant, which is a respectable plan for life. You’re not likely to go hungry if you’ve got a good accounting job. And still there was an entrepreneurial yearning inside of him. Even though he’s not a developer, he found a way to develop an app that’s unlike anything before it. And I thought it was interesting how he interviewed developers to figure out who he could make it work. Allan Sutherland is the founder of In-telligent, a platform that issues emergency messages that are delivered immediately regardless of cell phone settings. We’re going to go into a story of how he built his company. Allan Sutherland is the founder of In-telligent, a platform that issues emergency messages that are delivered immediately regardless of cell phone settings. 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

I’m not going to pretend that I’m impartial in this interview. I really love today’s guest and I’ve known him for a long time because he’s a part of the Mixergy community. I even remember when he was thinking through the idea for today’s startup. Wait until you hear how simply and effectively he built this thing. I love how much he’s grown his company up. And I just like him as a person. I got to know him here when we flew him out to San Francisco and the two of us spent the day in Napa just talking through stuff. Ovi Negrean is a co-founder of SocialBee.io which offers social media management tools, training and teams. I’ve watched SocialBee grow and I’m looking forward to finding out the details behind the scenes of how he did it. If you’re at all a bootstrapper or a hustler or somebody who wants to build a company while you’re working somewhere else, this is the interview for you. Ovi Negrean is a co-founder of SocialBee.io which offers social media management tools, training and teams. 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 interview entrepreneurs about how they built their businesses for an audience of real entrepreneurs. In fact, as proof of it, one of our listeners is joining me here today. His name is Dennis Mortensen and he created x.ai. Any time people say automation doesn’t work, one exception seems to be the software Dennis created. Here’s an example of what it does: You want to book a meeting with somebody so you end up going back and forth to find a time that works. When you settle on a time, you realize you’re in different time zones so you have to start the whole process over again. Your business isn’t going down because of this pain point, but your focus is definitely being split by it, your professionalism with your contacts, with your clients, with the people you do business with is suffering because of it. Well, Dennis had this bright idea to say, “You know, I think this is where artificial intelligence can actually help. I want to find out how he did it. Dennis Mortensen is the founder of x.ai, AI software that solves the hassle of meeting scheduling. 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

One of the big milestones for me was actually able to charge a subscription service for Mixergy. Before that point, I was doing these interviews for free and I was breaking my back doing it. All because there’s an idea out there that information wants to be free. But I saw that newspapers like The New York Times were charging. That’s why I’m excited about today’s interview. I think it will validate what I’ve always believed, which is everything should be on a subscription basis. But as you’ll hear in this interview, it doesn’t always work as well as I thought. Gautam Gupta is the co-founder of NatureBox, a subscription service for high quality, delicious snacks. I want to find out what happened to the business, how he started, how he’s growing it, how he’s got sales that really are amazing before and after he made this change from subscription. Gautam Gupta is the co-founder of NatureBox, a subscription service for high quality, delicious snacks. 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

Joining me today is an entrepreneur who created a company called Zinc, which builds tools for entrepreneurs–especially those who are competing against the big guys. In his words, he says, “Look, we’re here creating software for anyone who wants to level the playing field against Amazon.” We’ll get into exactly what that means and how you can apply it to your business. Max Kolysh is the founder of Zinc.io, a software that builds list creation, inventory management, repricing and fulfillment. Max Kolysh is the founder of Zinc.io, a software that builds list creation, inventory management, repricing and fulfillment. 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

I usually interview founders from my office in San Francisco but this year I want to interview entrepreneurs all over the world in their own countries. So here’s what I did: I flew to Texas, ran 26.2 miles over the border into Mexico and I’m here interviewing entrepreneurs including Eric Northam who I know from when we were both living in Argentina. He’s got a company called EasyBroker which is a management and collaboration platform for real estate agents. Eric Northam is the founder of EasyBroker, a management and collaboration platform that enables you to easily create market studies and share your listings with your clients. 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. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint