Startup Stories - Mixergy

My guest, Jennifer Fitzgerald, saw how ancient the insurance space was and knew it didn’t have to be this way. She had a background in insurance and felt she could modernize this enormous industry. Well, she’s done it. I want to find out how. Jennifer Fitzgerald is the co-Founder of Policygenius, a consumer marketplace for insurance. Jennifer Fitzgerald is the co-Founder of Policygenius, a consumer marketplace for insurance. 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. Regus has built an unparalleled network of office, co-working and meeting spaces for companies to use in every city in the world, an infrastructure to support every business opportunity. Their network of workspaces enables businesses to operate anywhere, without the need for set-up costs or capital investment. It provides our customers with immediate cost benefits and the opportunity to fully outsource their office portfolio. It’s a network designed to enhance productivity and connect 2.5 million like-minded professionals: an instant global community, and a place to belong. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Infusionsoft started out as a company that was doing just okay. But then I noticed how they started dominating the market and now it feels like they’ve always been there. In this interview I want to find out how Infusionsoft has gotten as big as it has. I also want to find out how they almost went out of business. Clate Mask is founder and CEO of Infusionsoft which helps businesses automate their workflow. Clate Mask is founder and CEO of Infusionsoft which helps businesses automate their workflow. 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

I used to think if I went to the store to buy a new phone and traded in my old phone that my phone was going back to the manufacturer to be refurbished and resold. It turns out that is not at all true. Turns out whoever you got your phone from is actually using another company to handle all that. The man behind that business has created something really amazing that I want to ask him about. Stephen Wakeling is the founder of Phobio which provides mobile trade-in services for retailers. Stephen Wakeling is the founder of Phobio which provides mobile trade-in services for retailers. 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

Today’s guest is the founder of a company that makes sunglasses for kids. My first thought was, “What babies are wearing sunglasses?!” Turns out a lot of them. Molly Fienning is a co-founder of Babiators, which makes sunglasses for kids and babies. I invited her here to find out how big her company is and how she did it. If you’re in the business of creating physical products, you’ll want to listen to this interview. If you’re creating something that’s different and you expect skepticism, this is the interview for you. Molly Fienning is a co-founder of Babiators, sunglasses for kids. Sponsored byRegus has built an unparalleled network of office, co-working and meeting spaces for companies to use in every city in the world, an infrastructure to support every business opportunity. Their network of workspaces enables businesses to operate anywhere, without the need for set-up costs or capital investment. It provides our customers with immediate cost benefits and the opportunity to fully outsource their office portfolio. It’s a network designed to enhance productivity and connect 2.5 million like-minded professionals: an instant global community, and a place to belong. StartEngine – With 150,000 registered investors, StartEngine is the largest equity crowdfunding site in the United States. StartEngine has helped 170+ companies raise more than $60 million in capital for their businesses on their own terms, directly from customers and fans. To find out more check out StartEngine More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Today’s guest is Andrew Rogoff. He noticed people were managing employees using spreadsheets and thought, “There has to be a better way.” But coming up with a software alternative just wasn’t enough to keep the company from running out of money in the beginning. We’ll find out in this interview what he did to make it work. Andrew Rogoff is the co-founder of Resource Guru, a cloud-based team calendar. Andrew Rogoff is the co-founder of Resource Guru, a cloud-based team calendar. Sponsored byStartEngine – With 150,000 registered investors, StartEngine is the largest equity crowdfunding site in the United States. StartEngine has helped 170+ companies raise more than $60 million in capital for their businesses on their own terms, directly from customers and fans. To find out more check out StartEngine If you need anything designed–a new web page, a new landing page, a new logo, DesignCrowd will do it for you. They ask you what you’re looking for, who you are, what your company is like. They will give you lots of options, you pick the one you like, pay for it, and they guarantee results. It’s that simple. Find out how DesignCrowd is different than the other companies and go to designcrowd.com/mixergy. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Today’s guest is all about selling content online. Spencer Fry is the founder of Podia which allows content creators to sell online courses, memberships and digital downloads. I know him from Carbonmade. I want to ask him about that and some other questions I know he doesn’t want to answer. Spencer Fry is the founder of Podia which allows content creators to sell online courses, memberships and digital downloads. 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. Regus has built an unparalleled network of office, co-working and meeting spaces for companies to use in every city in the world, an infrastructure to support every business opportunity. Their network of workspaces enables businesses to operate anywhere, without the need for set-up costs or capital investment. It provides our customers with immediate cost benefits and the opportunity to fully outsource their office portfolio. It’s a network designed to enhance productivity and connect 2.5 million like-minded professionals: an instant global community, and a place to belong. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Today’s guest has been listening for a long time. He wanted to be on Mixergy but not until he hit a certain milestone. Well, he’s hit that milestone and he’s here to tell us how he did it. Michael Cooney is the founder of WhatConverts, which gives you one place to track, manage, and report on leads. Michael Cooney is the founder of WhatConverts, which gives you one place to track, manage, and report on leads. 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. Regus has built an unparalleled network of office, co-working and meeting spaces for companies to use in every city in the world, an infrastructure to support every business opportunity. Their network of workspaces enables businesses to operate anywhere, without the need for set-up costs or capital investment. It provides our customers with immediate cost benefits and the opportunity to fully outsource their office portfolio. It’s a network designed to enhance productivity and connect 2.5 million like-minded professionals: an instant global community, and a place to belong. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Today’s guest understood that health records are important to not just the doctor but also the patient. The problem she noticed is that the entire system is disorganized. Lauren Cascio is the co-founder of Abartys Health, a centralized data hub allowing medical record portability and universal patient identification. I want to find out how she started this business in the midst of so many personal issues and how she did it all from Puerto Rico. Lauren Cascio is the co-founder of Abartys Health, a centralized data hub allowing medical record portability and universal patient identification. 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. Regus has built an unparalleled network of office, co-working and meeting spaces for companies to use in every city in the world, an infrastructure to support every business opportunity. Their network of workspaces enables businesses to operate anywhere, without the need for set-up costs or capital investment. It provides our customers with immediate cost benefits and the opportunity to fully outsource their office portfolio. It’s a network designed to enhance productivity and connect 2.5 million like-minded professionals: an instant global community, and a place to belong. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Joining me today is someone who’s built a successful company but how he got there is a little atypical. He was a corporate soldier at MTV and was really proud of his job and the title that came with it. But a mid-life crisis at age 37 caused him to cross over into entrepreneurship. Shaul Olmert is the co-founder of Playbuzz, a storytelling platform used by publishers. The old idea of publishing plain text on a website is old news. Quizzes are what turns traffic into engagement and engagement into something viral. I’ll ask him how he did and what happened when he was 37 that changed everything. Shaul Olmert is the co-founder of Playbuzz, a storytelling platform used by publishers. Sponsored byRegus has built an unparalleled network of office, co-working and meeting spaces for companies to use in every city in the world, an infrastructure to support every business opportunity. Their network of workspaces enables businesses to operate anywhere, without the need for set-up costs or capital investment. It provides our customers with immediate cost benefits and the opportunity to fully outsource their office portfolio. It’s a network designed to enhance productivity and connect 2.5 million like-minded professionals: an instant global community, and a place to belong. 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

Today’s guest is a guy who came in with software that allows e-commerce sites to sell online. The elephant in the room is Shopify. So why would this guy come in and compete with such a success in the e-commerce space as Shopify? I’m going to ask about that and how he’s turned it into a success. John James is the founder of Engine, an e-commerce platform focused on conversion and content. John James is the founder of Engine, an e-commerce platform focused on conversion and content. Sponsored byIf you need anything designed–a new web page, a new landing page, a new logo, DesignCrowd will do it for you. They ask you what you’re looking for, who you are, what your company is like. They will give you lots of options, you pick the one you like, pay for it, and they guarantee results. It’s that simple. Find out how DesignCrowd is different than the other companies and go to designcrowd.com/mixergy. Regus has built an unparalleled network of office, co-working and meeting spaces for companies to use in every city in the world, an infrastructure to support every business opportunity. Their network of workspaces enables businesses to operate anywhere, without the need for set-up costs or capital investment. It provides our customers with immediate cost benefits and the opportunity to fully outsource their office portfolio. It’s a network designed to enhance productivity and connect 2.5 million like-minded professionals: an instant global community, and a place to belong. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

I remember when I started selling on Mixergy I created these simple sales pages that were just OK. It wasn’t a longterm solution. I wished that the business was producing enough revenue that I could hire a designer. Somehow I discovered Unbounce and it allowed me to create something I was actually proud of. Well, today I have the cofounder of that company. Oli Gardner is a co-founder of Unbounce, a conversion platform that allows companies to build and test custom landing pages. Oli Gardner is a co-founder of Unbounce, a conversion platform that allows companies to build and test custom landing pages. 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

A while back I got an email from someone in the audience who said they were running an agency. He told me it was hellacious and I wanted to know why so I could use his experience to help teach other listeners who many be feeling the same pain. Well, today’s guest is Jason Swenk. He had a marketing agency and he found a way to systemize the business and he was able to sell it. I invited him here to talk about how he did it. Jason Swenk is an Digital Marketing Agency Advisor and Coach. 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

I’ve been looking to hire a COO and as a result I was looking at hiring software to manage the process. There are tons of different apps out there. When I heard today’s guest had software that did this exact thing I wondered what set him apart. Turns out it’s quite a lot of features. I want to find out how he built a software that can do so much without confusing his users. Adam Robinson is the cofounder of Hireology which gives a businesses the technology, tools and process that they need to be great at the people side of business. Adam Robinson is the cofounder of Hireology which gives a businesses the technology, tools and process that they need to be great at the people side of business. 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

Joining me is an entrepreneur who says today’s startups have new options for raising money. He’s helping startups raise money through crowdfunding where anyone can invest. His goal is to get 80% of the population to start investing. Kendrick Nguyen is cofounder of Republic, an investment crowdfunding platform for startups. Kendrick Nguyen is cofounder of Republic, an investment crowdfunding platform for startups. 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. If you need anything designed–a new web page, a new landing page, a new logo, DesignCrowd will do it for you. They ask you what you’re looking for, who you are, what your company is like. They will give you lots of options, you pick the one you like, pay for it, and they guarantee results. It’s that simple. Find out how DesignCrowd is different than the other companies and go to designcrowd.com/mixergy. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Whenever I interview someone who’s built an enterprise company I’m afraid people just tune out. Well, you should not be tuning out for this episode and here’s why: Today’s guest escaped from Iran, ended up in Australia and somehow started a company. He bootstrapped it and I’ll see if he’ll tell us how much he sold it for. Carlo Minassian is the founder of LMNTRIX, a company that specializes in detecting & responding to advanced cyber threats Carlo is the founder of LMNTRIX, a company that specialises in detecting & responding to advanced cyber threats. 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