Startup Stories - Mixergy

We were about to hit publish on this interview with Gerard Adams, founder of Elite Daily, a blog that’s been called the “voice of Generation Y.” Then we heard that the company, was acquired again by Bustle, an online media company aimed at millennial women. This is the story of how Elite Daily was created and how much its previous sale to the Daily Mail’s parent company netted its founder. Gerard Adams is the co-founder of Elite Daily, which sold to the Daily Mail in 2015 for $50 million. 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Nathan Barry is back and I’m going to be honest about why. Awhile back Nathan was in a situation where he needed money to keep his company going. He was even considering mortgaging his house. Since then he’s built up his company on such sturdy ground and I have to find out how he did it. Nathan Barry is the founder of ConvertKit, email marketing for professional bloggers. I want to hear what his revenues are and how he got out of that situation. Nathan Barry is the founder of ConvertKit, email marketing for professional bloggers. Sponsored byWith Bench, you get a professional bookkeeping team to do your books for you and our simple, elegant software to review your finances. It’s everything you need to forget about your bookkeeping, without actually forgetting about your bookkeeping. Sign up at Bench and get 20% off for your first 6 months. 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

Joining my today is a man who started a company, sold it, and is now running it again. Craig Malloy is the founder of Lifesize which provides enterprise and business class audio, video and web conferencing solutions. I invited him here to tell me how he built it and why it succeeded. Craig Malloy is the founder of Lifesize which provides enterprise and business class audio, video and web conferencing solutions. 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

Today’s guest sells things like flashlights but apparently the big revenue doesn’t come from the flashlights but the continuity service he sells afterwards. So, you buy a flashlight and you sign yourself up for some kind of membership where he charges you on a regular basis for content he delivers to you online. You can see how the margins on that are better than a physical product. I want to understand what the business is behind it. Trey Lewellen is the founder of Lumitact tactical flashlights. Trey Lewellen is the founder of Lumitact tactical flashlights. 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

I have an interview today with a founder whose company I profiled back in 2014. The company was big back then but it’s grown and I want to know how. Origin stories are always interesting but I want to hear about growth. David Ciccarelli is the founder of Voices.com, an online marketplace for voice-over professionals. David Ciccarelli is the founder of Voices.com, an online marketplace for voice-over professionals. 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

I want to find out how today’s guest got a new kind of snack into people’s homes. In this interview you’ll also hear what he did to get into Whole Foods. Vincent Kitirattragarn is the founder of Dang Foods, which makes coconut chips and other whole-food based snacks. Vincent Kitirattragarn is the founder of Dang Foods, which makes coconut chips and other whole-food based 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Software companies are the kind of businesses I’m usually excited to talk about. But if we don’t understand how other entrepreneurs work, we only have half a picture. What we want to do is pull in ideas from everywhere and bring them back to our companies. Which is why I invited t today’s guests. Shane and Jocelyn Sams are a married couple and former schoolteachers who were selling lesson plans online on sites like ElementaryLibrarian.com and USHistoryTeachers.com. We’ll find out how they did it. We’ll also find out about their new project, Flipped Lifestyle, where they help real people start online businesses. Shane and Jocelyn Sams are the founders of Flipped Lifestyle, where they help real people start online businesses. Sponsored byDrip – Drip by Leadpages? is world-class marketing automation software. Drip gives you the power of Infusionsoft, without the confusion or clunky UI. If you’ve ever used MailChimp, you will love how Drip lets you automate much more of your marketing and easily build your sales funnel with a gorgeous visual campaign builder, Visual Workflows. Join Drip for absolutely free (for under 100 subscribers) and see why thousands of marketers are switching. 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

Today’s guest is a Mixergy listener who sent me an email saying he had built his business and was ready to come on to tell his story. Peter Friis is the founder of ESSIO, which makes the world’s first aromatherapy diffuser for the shower. We’ll talk about what that means and how he did to grow sales for this company. Peter Friis is the founder of ESSIO, which makes the world’s first aromatherapy diffuser for the shower. 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

Today I have my friend here whose company I really admire and whose company has become ubiquitous. I remember when Noah Kagan first created a tool for Sumo I was excited and put it on my site. But I didn’t like it and I didn’t tell him why. But he continued to build the business and I want to find out how he evolved and improved the product. Noah Kagan is the founder of Sumo which helps users get more shares on Twitter and other platforms. He has a new podcast out, Noah Kagan Presents. We’ll talk about that today too. Noah Kagan is the founder of Sumo which helps users get more shares on Twitter and other platforms. 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

You’re about to hear from a woman who has built up a business in a part of the world that you wouldn’t expect. Bushra Azhar is the founder of The Persuasion Revolution, where small businesses make big bucks using the psychology of persuasion. I want to find out how she built her business and the persuasion techniques she teaches her customers. Bushra Azhar is the founder of The Persuasion Revolution, where small businesses make big bucks using the psychology of persuasion. 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

You guys are about to meet one of my heroes. I’ve watched his documentary 30 times because I love his creativity so much. Shep Gordon is an American talent manager, Hollywood film agent, and producer. In this interview we’ll talk about he turned clients like Alice Cooper and Luther Vandross into stars. Shep Gordon is an American talent manager, Hollywood film agent, and producer. 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Today’s entrepreneur is someone whose business model makes so much freaking sense. I wish I had done it. His name is Chase Jarvis and he’s the founder of CreativeLive, the world’s largest live-streaming education company. The thing that’s amazing about it is that he has celebrity instructors. They bring credibility; they bring big audiences. In this interview we’ll dig into the brilliant model and find out how it works. Chase Jarvis is the founder of CreativeLive, the world’s largest live-streaming education company. 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

A few years ago it seemed like every venture capitalist tried to create the “Uber of cleaning services.” Why did so many of them fail? Why did Michael Scharf’s MyClean service continue to grow? Catch the interview to find out. Michael Scharf is the founder of MyClean, a full-service cleaning and janitorial company. 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Today we’re talking to an entrepreneur who built a business helping bloggers get more readers. Dino Dogan is the co-founder of Triberr, which enables content creators to get more shares. More recently he bought MadeInNYC.com, a science lab to run business projects. It’s a virtual incubator that is soon to launch. We’ll talk about all that in this interview. Dino Dogan is the co-founder of Triberr, which enables content creators to get more shares. 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. Acuity Scheduling – Acuity Scheduling helps businesses offer and manage their appointments online. With this tool, you’ll be able to automate your client bookings, cancellations, reminders & even payments without sacrificing you soul. Plus, automated reminders and follow-ups eliminate your no-shows, and incentivize repeat bookings. Get an exclusive 45-day trial at AcuityScheduling.com/mixergy More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

At one point I snuck the keywords “Alex Blumberg” & “Startup Podcast” into the title tags of my interviews. I wanted people to find my podcast when they searched for Alex’s. The guy had a top business show, so I was trying to appeal to his audience. It worked, but it’s not my proudest move. My contact at Apple asked me to cut it out. But look, now I interviewed him. So I naturally mentioned his company, Gimlet, and managed to talk about investor, Chris Sacca, so I earned the keywords! Plus, I sincerely love this interview so much that I hope you listen to this. Alex Blumberg is the founder of Gimlet, an award-winning podcast company which produces the podcast Startup. 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