Traction

Traction

Traction gives founders the tools to optimize mind, body, and business for peak performance.

  1. Venture Capital Is A Ponzi Scheme

    ٢٩ أكتوبر

    Venture Capital Is A Ponzi Scheme

    Building a startup is like jumping off a plane and assembling the parachute mid-air. In this episode, Lloyed and Melissa break down the reality of scaling: the discipline constraints create, the myths founders chase, and why too many companies lose sight of customers in pursuit of hype. From the unicorn bubble to billion dollar collapses overnight, they explore how venture capital’s incentives shape companies, for better and for worse, and why great businesses come from customers, not inflated valuations. Lloyed Lobo: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyedlobo/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lloyedlobo/ - X/Twitter: https://x.com/lloyedlobo Melissa Kwan: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissakwan/ - Instagram: www.instagram.com/themelissakwan/ - X/Twitter: https://x.com/themelissakwan

    ٤٦ من الدقائق
  2. Rethinking the VC Path: Startup Truths with Greg Head of Practical Founders and Gregslist

    ٢٠ أغسطس

    Rethinking the VC Path: Startup Truths with Greg Head of Practical Founders and Gregslist

    Most founders don’t need venture capital — they just need the truth about their options. In this episode, Greg Head, Founder of Practical Founders and Gregslist, shares why most founders don’t need to follow the venture capital path to succeed —and how alternative strategies often lead to better outcomes. Greg draws on three decades of software industry experience and his deep network of over 500 founders and investors to challenge the funding-first mindset.  Specifically, Greg shares: 00:00 Introduction 03:30 Founders should not take VC funding without knowing the risks. 12:00 Startups were once wild bets — now many founders misread VC expectations. 20:06 Software is cheaper now, so VC isn’t needed to launch or grow. 25:09 Investors outside Silicon Valley fund traction, not ideas. 30:09 Practical companies grow with healthier habits and true independence. 35:36 Seven paths to success start with building a profitable company. 40:57 PE firms are buying revenue for faster IPO leverage. 47:29 Every founder can win in their own way with the path that fits them best. 50:16 Founders used to raise millions without taking any money off the table. 59:19 Product-market fit requires focus on the right segment and solution. Resources Mentioned: Greg Head https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregheadaz/ Practical Founders | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/practical-founders/ Practical Founders | Website https://practicalfounders.com/ Gregslist | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/gregslist/ Gregslist | Website https://gregslist.com/ Practical Founders’ Ebook – “The 7 Success Paths for Practical Founders” https://practicalfounders.com/7-success-paths-to-win-the-startup-end-game/ This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com. Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI. Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca. Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com. #Bootstrapping #SaaSFounders #StartupGrowth #Product #Marketing #Innovation #StartUp #GenerativeAI #AI

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  3. 5 GTM Rules Every Founder Should Know with Bocar Dia of Forum Ventures

    ٦ أغسطس

    5 GTM Rules Every Founder Should Know with Bocar Dia of Forum Ventures

    If you're building before validating the market, you're not a founder — you’re a hopeful builder. In this episode, Bocar Dia, Partner and GM at Forum Ventures, shares how to build a capital-efficient, scalable sales motion in B2B SaaS, from idea to product-market fit and beyond. Drawing from his early days at Hootsuite and advising 30+ founders annually, Bocar unpacks the frameworks and mindsets for growing to $100M ARR without chasing inflated valuations. Specifically, Bocar covers: (03:13) Bocar Dia shifts from engineering to sales at early-stage Hootsuite. (12:09) Validate real pain, then pinpoint key problems to shape your MVP. (20:01) Founders often raise before soul-searching — and end up misaligned. (25:10) Product-market fit is when value drives steady inbound demand. (30:17) Sales has three phases: product fit, GTM fit and scale. (36:57) Don’t scale early traction. Prove one repeatable channel first. (41:57) Hire Customer Success before Sales to drive renewals and growth. (46:30) Founders who sell first know exactly what kind of leaders and reps to hire next. (51:00) AI can help sales, but manual validation is needed before scaling. (57:53) Bocar recommends data-driven, tactical sales books for founders. Resources Mentioned: Bocar Dia https://www.linkedin.com/in/bocardia/ Forum Ventures | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/forumvc/ Forum Ventures | Website https://www.forumvc.com/ "The Sales Acceleration Formula" by Mark Roberge https://www.amazon.com/Sales-Acceleration-Formula-Technology-Inbound/dp/1119047072 "Founding Sales" by Pete Kazanjy https://www.amazon.com/Founding-Sales-Go-Market-Handbook/dp/1734505117 Winning by Design https://winningbydesign.com/resources/books/ This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the US and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #ProductMarketFit #CustomerSuccess #VentureCapital #Product #Marketing #Innovation #StartUp #GenerativeAI #AI

    ١ من الساعات
  4. From 0 to $5B: Scaling Enterprise in the AI-Native Era with Lindsey Scrase, Checkr

    ٢٣ يوليو

    From 0 to $5B: Scaling Enterprise in the AI-Native Era with Lindsey Scrase, Checkr

    Scaling without losing speed is harder than it looks — especially when you're chasing enterprise customers and building an AI-native platform. Lindsey Scrase, Chief Operating Officer of Checkr, Inc., reveals how her customer-first mindset, forged during her tenure at Google Cloud, is driving Checkr’s transformation into a core hiring infrastructure platform while scaling AI across operations. With a track record of building high-velocity GTM motions and a strong commitment to second-chance hiring, she explains what it takes to evolve into an AI-native enterprise. Specifically, Lindsey covers: (03:55) Early-stage Google Cloud, then called Google Apps. (06:46) How a culture of wearing multiple hats inspired continuous improvement. (10:40) Early execs need curiosity and first-principles thinking over fixed playbooks. (15:57) A shift from gig-focused roots to strong SMB and mid-market segments. (21:39) Strong leaders think long-term and dive deep into day-to-day details. (27:16) Enterprise growth demands tight alignment across GTM, product and CS. (31:25) AI will become table stakes as true adoption goes beyond branding and hype. (35:25) Generative AI chat boosts CSAT by delivering instant, contextual responses. (41:13) Take bigger swings earlier and don’t take things so seriously. (45:01) Direct feedback builds trust and prevents conflict from turning toxic. Resources Mentioned: Lindsey Scrase https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-scrase-0702442/ Checkr | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/checkr-com/ Checkr | Website https://checkr.com/ Truework https://www.truework.com/ “Working Backwards” by Bill Carr and Colin Bryar https://www.amazon.com/Working-Backwards-Insights-Stories-Secrets/dp/1250267595 “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni https://www.amazon.com/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership-Fable/dp/0787960756 This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #Leadership #GTMStrategy #EnterpriseGrowth #Product #Marketing #Innovation #StartUp #GenerativeAI #AI

    ٤٧ من الدقائق
  5. How To Win GTM in the AI Era with Anthony Enrico, LeanScale

    ٩ يوليو

    How To Win GTM in the AI Era with Anthony Enrico, LeanScale

    Most GTM teams are stuck in a 10-year-old playbook — Anthony Enrico, Founder and CEO of LeanScale, shows how to break the cycle. Previously Head of RevOps at Boast.AI, where he helped scale the company past $20M ARR, Anthony now advises and enables dozens of founders and revenue leaders to engineer growth without burning headcount. He also shares how they help high-growth startups scale RevOps with a lean, efficient GTM motion.  Specifically, Anthony discusses: (05:25) Startups replace brute-force growth with RevOps to boost revenue per FTE. (15:49) Most teams underinvest in the brand despite its long-term impact. (20:29) Use a data warehouse — not your CRM — for unified reporting. (25:18) Clay transforms RevOps with scalable, integrated data enrichment. (30:48) Default uses AI to route leads and trigger workflows across tools. (35:42) Amplemarket targets fundraisers and job changes with precise outreach. (40:28) AI is most effective when humans fine-tune for quality and authenticity. (44:44) Early days are easiest — scaling means harder niches and messaging. (54:46) Bootstrapping forced them to hire fewer, better people and build processes early. (01:03:33) A solo GTM dashboard tracks pipeline, ops and conversion rates. Resources Mentioned: Anthony Enrico https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyenrico/ LeanScale | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/leanscale/ LeanScale | Website https://www.leanscale.team Amplemarket https://www.amplemarket.com/ Clay https://www.clay.com/ Ocean.io http://ocean.io Default https://www.default.com/ ChurnZero https://churnzero.com/ Riverside https://riverside.fm/ This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #RevOps #GTMstrategy #B2Bgrowth #Product #Marketing #Innovation #StartUp #GenerativeAI #AI

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  6. Turning Customer Service Into a Growth Engine with Jeff Titterton of Stripe

    ٢٥ يونيو

    Turning Customer Service Into a Growth Engine with Jeff Titterton of Stripe

    Crises aren’t just setbacks — they’re strategic moments to elevate customer experience. In this episode, Jeff Titterton, Chief Marketing Officer of Stripe, breaks down why investing in customers during uncertain times is the most resilient path to long-term growth. Drawing from his time as COO at Zendesk and insights from scaling through economic downturns, Jeff highlights how modern businesses can align product, service and marketing to unlock customer loyalty and profitability. Specifically, Jeff covers: (02:12) Aligning CS and CX with product and business strategy accelerates growth during tough times. (03:22) Customer service drives CX and reveals where the business falls short. (05:44) A crisis is the time to invest in customers and enhance service and product. (10:19) Many still see CX as a cost, not a growth driver focused on real outcomes. (12:06) Customers expect to reach you anytime, anywhere, on any channel. (15:58) Technology brings actions into the service layer, enabling fast, personalized solutions. (17:27) Aggregating CX data helps fix root issues before customers even notice them. (21:07) Show compassion to customers and colleagues in challenging times. Resources Mentioned: Jeff Titterton https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefftitterton/ Stripe | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/stripe/ Stripe | Website https://stripe.com Zendesk CX Trends Report https://cxtrends.zendesk.com/ This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #CustomerExperience #CXStrategy #DigitalTransformation #Product #Marketing #Innovation #StartUp #GenerativeAI #AI

    ٢٣ من الدقائق
  7. $146M in Health Tech: The Unfiltered Playbook for Fundraising & Scaling in a Tough Market

    ٤ يونيو

    $146M in Health Tech: The Unfiltered Playbook for Fundraising & Scaling in a Tough Market

    Innovation is the driving force behind unlocking better patient experiences and improving access to quality care. In this episode, Derek Streat, Co-Founder and Former CEO at DexCare, shares his journey of transforming healthcare access through innovative technology solutions. Derek dives into how DexCare optimizes the way health systems manage digital demand, making healthcare more accessible and efficient for both providers and patients. Specifically, Derek discusses: (03:09) The inspiration behind DexCare and its mission to streamline healthcare access. (08:52) Find one person who values your product before seeking product-market fit. (19:08) Use data to improve patient outcomes and efficiency. (25:22) Overcoming challenges in scaling a health tech startup. (31:02) Strong value attracts smart investors, even in tough markets. (36:12) Collaborate with talented people, not just your own ideas. (40:48) Closing cancer screening gaps improves health outcomes. (47:53) Digital platforms transform traditional healthcare models. (53:27) Experiment continuously; capital sustains the journey. (57:01) Key lessons from Derek’s health tech journey. Resources Mentioned: Derek Streat https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-streat/ DexCare | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/dexcare/ DexCare | Website https://dexcare.com/ This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. “From Grassroots to Greatness” by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com. Each year the US and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI. Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca. Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com. #HealthcareInnovation #DigitalHealth #HealthTech #Product #Marketing #Innovation #StartUp #GenerativeAI #AI

    ٥٩ من الدقائق
  8. The Rise of AI-Powered Fintech with Roy Luo of ICONIQ

    ٢١ مايو

    The Rise of AI-Powered Fintech with Roy Luo of ICONIQ

    The venture capital landscape is evolving fast, and founders who don’t adapt will be left behind. Roy Luo, General Partner at ICONIQ, shares insights on the shifting dynamics of startup funding and what it takes to scale in 2025. With investments in companies like Figma, Canva and Ramp, Roy breaks down key trends in fintech, AI-driven business models and the future of venture capital. Specifically, Roy discusses:   (06:46) TCV provided key lessons in investing, founder relations and tech disruption. (11:25) How AI is transforming startups and the VC landscape. (17:00) How to evaluate product-market fit beyond just revenue metrics. (24:45) The importance of strong investor-founder alignment in building long-term partnerships. (37:44) Buyer pain points and trends guide investment decisions. (41:03) Lessons from high-growth investments like Ramp and FloQast. (53:04) The characteristics of successful startups and the importance of founder-market fit. (57:06) How identity and anti-fraud solutions are shaping the next wave of fintech. Resources Mentioned: Roy Luo https://www.linkedin.com/in/roybluo/ ICONIQ | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/iconiq-capital-llc/ ICONIQ | Website https://www.iconiqcapital.com/growth This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. “From Grassroots to Greatness” by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com. Each year the US and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI. Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca. Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com. #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #Fintech #Product #Marketing #Innovation #StartUp #GenerativeAI #AI

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Traction gives founders the tools to optimize mind, body, and business for peak performance.

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    Traction

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