Messy Growth

Syed Asad

Building businesses isn’t clean. It’s messy, uncertain, and full of mistakes. Messy Growth features growth operators, founders, and leaders building B2B companies - from Poland and beyond - scaling from $1M to $50M+ ARR (and everything in between). Most guests are based in Poland - my home base - but I also sit down with founders and operators across Europe and globally. What you’ll get: → Real GTM strategies (not theory) → How to scale sales without burning cash → The uncomfortable truth about building in public → Honest operator stories from the trenches No fluff. No fake metrics. Just

  1. 5d ago

    The Truth About Betting on Yourself, Building a Business & Going Viral | Anjeanette Carter

    What happens when you believe in yourself before there’s any evidence that you’re right?Anjanette Carter built a seven-figure copywriting and ghostwriting business, a growing personal brand, a bestselling Substack newsletter, and The Breadboard job board.But the interesting part isn’t the success.It’s what happened when things didn’t work.In this episode of Messy Growth, we talk about what it actually means to bet on yourself, how to know when persistence turns into delusion, why going viral is overrated, and why you don’t need a massive audience to build a real business.Anjeanette also shares why she believes builders should stop boxing themselves into one identity, why consistency matters more than chasing viral moments, and what she’s learned from failing along the way.And yes, we talk about the uncomfortable part of entrepreneurship that most people leave out:Sometimes you work your ass off and it still doesn’t work.So what do you do then?In this episode: The difference between confidence and delusionWhen persistence becomes a problemHow to know when it’s time to change directionWhy “never give up” is terrible advice on its ownWhy going viral isn’t the same as building a businessHow to build an audience without chasing millions of followersWhy consistency beats viralityHow Anjanette built a seven-figure copywriting businessBuilding a personal brand before you actually need oneWhy you don’t have to be just one thingThe future of newsletters, content and personal brandsWhy builders keep buildingAnd the uncomfortable reality of entrepreneurshipOne line from the conversation stuck with me:“The suck won’t last forever.”If you’re building something right now and wondering whether you’re crazy for continuing, this one’s for you.

    The Truth About Betting on Yourself, Building a Business & Going Viral | Anjeanette Carter

  2. Aug 6

    How Dustin Hauer Built 31M LinkedIn Impressions With AI

    Everyone’s talking about AI but very few people are actually using it to create content, grow an audience, or build a business.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Dustin Hauer, VP, AI educator, and creator with more than 31 million LinkedIn impressions, to talk about AI, ChatGPT, Claude, LinkedIn growth, content marketing, personal branding, and practical AI workflows that actually work.Instead of chasing every new AI tool, Dustin shares how he uses AI every day to create content faster, build systems, grow multiple online brands, and stay ahead without becoming another “AI influencer.”Whether you’re a founder, marketer, creator, or business leader, this conversation will help you separate AI hype from practical execution.In this episode: How Dustin generated 31M+ LinkedIn impressionsWhy most people are using ChatGPT the wrong wayHow to build content systems with AIThe LinkedIn strategy that’s working in 2026Why infographics outperform most content formatsPrompt engineering that actually saves timeHow to build a personal brand without posting 24/7Why experimentation beats perfectionThe biggest mistakes creators make with AIWhere AI is heading next and what’s just hypeIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Messy Growth for weekly conversations with founders, operators, and leaders building high-growth SaaS companies.

    How Dustin Hauer Built 31M LinkedIn Impressions With AI

  3. Jul 28

    Everyone Is “Connected.” So Why Is Everyone Lonely? | Maggie Arai

    We’re supposedly more connected than we’ve ever been.So why are so many people lonely?This week’s conversation completely changed how I think about community, networking, AI companions, social media, and why so many events fail to create real human connection.Maggie Arai has spent years helping brands and creators turn online audiences into real communities through in-person experiences. We talked about why adults struggle to make friends, why boring networking events refuse to die, whether AI companions are making loneliness worse, and why the future might actually belong to people who can bring others together.Some of my favorite moments:• Why “networking” feels so awkward for most people.• The real reason adults struggle to make friends.• AI companions, therapy bots, and the unintended consequences nobody is talking about.• Why online communities rarely become real communities.• The biggest mistake brands make when they host events.• Why human connection might become even more valuable in the age of AI.If you’ve ever felt like social media gives you more notifications than relationships, I think you’ll enjoy this one.Connect with Maggie:   / maggie-arai

    Everyone Is “Connected.” So Why Is Everyone Lonely? | Maggie Arai

  4. Jul 21

    Your Startup Isn’t Different. Your Messaging Is Broken | Simon Schmitz

    Every AI startup claims to be revolutionizing something.Every homepage says it’s AI-powered.Every pitch deck sounds like it was written by the same person.So why do so many smart companies struggle to explain what they actually do?In this episode of Messy Growth, I sat down with positioning strategist Simon Schmitz to unpack why messaging not product is often the biggest reason startups fail to stand out.We talk about why founders overcomplicate simple ideas, why adding more features usually makes your positioning worse, how politics shaped Simon’s approach to messaging, and why most companies are afraid to make the one decision that actually creates clarity.If you’ve ever looked at a startup website and thought, “I still have no idea what this company does,” this episode is for you.We cover: Why every AI startup sounds identicalThe biggest messaging mistakes founders makeWhy customers don’t care about your features firstThe fear of niching down (and why it’s killing growth)How better positioning leads to better salesWhy clarity beats cleverness every timeThe hidden cost of trying to appeal to everyoneIf you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing to Messy Growth for weekly conversations with founders, operators and GTM leaders building and scaling great businesses.

    Your Startup Isn’t Different. Your Messaging Is Broken | Simon Schmitz

  5. Jul 15

    Why Everyone on LinkedIn Sounds the Same (And How to Stand Out) | Jillian Richardson

    Everyone says you need a personal brand.Almost nobody tells you how to build one without sounding like everyone else.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Jillian Richardson, founder of Make LinkedIn Weird and one of the most sought-after LinkedIn ghostwriters. We talk about why LinkedIn has become a sea of AI-generated corporate speak, what actually makes people memorable, and why authenticity is much harder than simply “being yourself.”We also dive into:• Why most LinkedIn content feels fake• The truth about ghostwriting for CEOs• How personal brands are really built• Why funny content often outperforms “professional” content• AI, authenticity, and the future of LinkedIn• The biggest mistakes founders make online• Building authority without becoming another corporate cloneWhether you’re a founder, executive, marketer, creator, or simply trying to stand out online, this conversation will change how you think about content.

    Why Everyone on LinkedIn Sounds the Same (And How to Stand Out) | Jillian Richardson

  6. Jul 9

    How AI Is Changing Social Media Forever | Carmen Vicente

    Everyone is chasing algorithms.More posts.More AI.More hacks.More engagement tricks.But what if we’ve been solving the wrong problem all along?In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Carmen Vicente -LinkedIn Top Voice, marketing leader, and one of the sharpest thinkers in B2B social to unpack what actually drives attention and trust today.We talk about why going viral can be a curse, how AI is reshaping social platforms, why founder-led content often fails, and what companies completely misunderstand about building an audience.If you create content, lead a company, work in marketing, or simply wonder where the internet is heading, this conversation is for you.We cover:* Why trust is replacing attention as the real competitive advantage* The future of LinkedIn and AI-powered algorithms* Why consistency isn’t the whole story* Why founder content often feels fake* The hidden cost of chasing virality* What great B2B content actually looks like* Why social media keeps us scrolling—even when we’re exhausted* Where AI is taking marketing over the next few years

    How AI Is Changing Social Media Forever | Carmen Vicente

  7. Jul 7

    A Fintech CEO Explains Why Companies Resist Change | Tom Hill

    Everyone talks about digital transformation, AI, fintech, and innovation. But why do so many transformation projects fail?In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Tom Hill, CEO of Zyntrix and former retail transformation leader at Sainsbury’s, Poundland, KFC, and SSP.After spending nearly two decades on both the operational and executive sides of retail, Tom shares why businesses don’t actually care about technology - they care about outcomes.We discuss:• Why great products still struggle to sell• Why resistance to change usually starts in the boardroom—not on the front line• The future of Open Banking and Pay by Bank• Why loyalty programs often fail• What retailers get wrong about customer experience• AI hype vs solving real business problems• Lessons from leading transformation inside large enterprisesWhether you’re a founder, product leader, sales executive, or operator, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on building products people actually adopt.About Tom HillTom Hill is the CEO of Zyntrix, a fintech company focused on Open Banking, digital identity, and loyalty. Before becoming CEO, he spent nearly two decades leading retail operations and digital transformation across major brands including Sainsbury’s, Poundland, KFC, and SSP.

    A Fintech CEO Explains Why Companies Resist Change | Tom Hill

  8. Jun 30

    AI Made Content Easy. Trust Is Now the Hard Part | Wendy Jacobson

    Everyone is creating content.Founders post every day. Companies publish blogs. AI can write almost anything in seconds.So why is trust harder to earn than ever?In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Wendy Jacobson, founder of Incredible Content, who’s spent nearly two decades helping B2B companies turn expertise into credibility.We talk about why going viral is often overrated, why most content fails to bring customers, how AI is changing writing, and why the businesses that win over the next decade won’t necessarily create more content - they’ll create more trust.If you’re a founder, marketer, sales leader, or building a B2B business, this conversation is packed with practical lessons you can apply immediately.We cover:• Why viral content rarely creates great customers• The biggest mistake companies make with content• How to build credibility instead of chasing engagement• AI, authenticity, and what still separates great writing• Why case studies fail (and how to make people actually care)• The long game behind content that drives real businessConnect with Wendy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wjacobson/

    AI Made Content Easy. Trust Is Now the Hard Part | Wendy Jacobson
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About

Building businesses isn’t clean. It’s messy, uncertain, and full of mistakes. Messy Growth features growth operators, founders, and leaders building B2B companies - from Poland and beyond - scaling from $1M to $50M+ ARR (and everything in between). Most guests are based in Poland - my home base - but I also sit down with founders and operators across Europe and globally. What you’ll get: → Real GTM strategies (not theory) → How to scale sales without burning cash → The uncomfortable truth about building in public → Honest operator stories from the trenches No fluff. No fake metrics. Just

Information

  • Creator
    Syed Asad
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Syed Asad
  • Show Website
    Messy Growth