The SaaS Academy Podcast SaaS Academy

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?....
Join Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) as they sit down with Wes Bush
He’s the author of the best-selling book Product-Led Growth and founder of PoductLed.com — a proven system that helps SaaS companies scale their business by focusing on being product first.He’s coached over 300+ SaaS companies and generated over $1B in self-serve revenue!Some of those companies include giants like Keap and startups like Enzuzo who he helped double their free-to-paid conversion rate in just 6 months.
And he has a NEW upcoming book coming out in August titled ‘Product Led’ which will teach you how to turn your product into a $100M growth machine without a sales team.

In this episode, Wes breaks down:
Implementing a successful product-led growth strategy.How solving beginner problems for users is key to product-led growth.Talking to customers and understanding the market before implementing a product-led growth strategy.Transitioning from a sales-led business to a product-led business.And how sales-led companies can learn from and implement product-led strategies to improve their operations and customer experience, regardless of their current business model.
Check out Wes on:
➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbush/
➤ Website: https://productled.com/

Check out SaaS Academy on:
➤ [YouTube]    / @saasacademy   | [Instagram] (/ saasacademy ) | [LinkedIn]   / saasacademy   | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook]   / saasacademy   | [Website](a...

"If you're asking for swimming advice, you don't go and talk to someone who has never swum before. You go talk to an Olympic swimmer."
Join Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) as they sit down with Cedric Chin, the genius behind Commoncog.com - an industry leading blog that helps founders accelerate business expertise.

in this episode, Cedrics breaks down the concept of believability and its importance in decision-making, as well as the process of becoming data-driven in business.

He also shares his insights on scaling businesses, working with data, and operations. After this episode you should improve your intuitive decision-making and learn how to truly embrace the data-driven decision-making in business.

00:00 The Importance of Believability in Decision-Making
06:32 Becoming Data-Driven: Understanding Routine and Exceptional Variation
13:37 The Amazon Method: Statistical Process Control and WBR
23:43 Building an Appreciation for Data-Driven Decision-Making
28:33 Accelerating Revenue Growth and Pursuing Business Outcomes
29:29 The Transition to Data-Driven Decision-Making
32:22 The Process Control Worldview
33:20 Debating Summary Metrics in Business
57:31 The Role of Data Tools in Operational Excellence
59:29 The Causal Model of Business Metrics
01:01:55 The Importance of Knowledge in Business
01:20:00 Understanding the Growth Loop and Iterative Improvement

Check out Cedric on:
➤ Commoncog: https://commoncog.com/
➤ Twitter: https://x.com/ejames_c
➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedchin/

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?....

Check out SaaS Academy on:
➤ [YouTube]( / @saasacademy ) | [Instagram]( / saasacademy ) | [LinkedIn]( / saasacademy ) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook]( / saasacademy ) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHh...)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram]( / mattverlaque ) | [LinkedIn]( / matt-verlaque )
➤ Follow Johnny Page on: [Instagram]( / johnnypage13 ) | [LinkedIn]( / johnnypage )

“Who are you beyond your professional identity?”
Join Johnny (@johnnypage13) and Matt (@mattverlaque) as they sit down with Steve Schlafman, a former VC who traded the boardroom for the coaching couch. Steve now guides high-achievers, especially founders, through major life pivots and career crossroads.
In this episode, Steve opens up about his own winding path from venture capitalist to life coach, sharing the "aha" moment that sparked his career shift. He goes deep into the fascinating world of "founders in transition," revealing the unique hurdles and unexpected opportunities that emerge when driven individuals decide to hit the brakes
Tune in to hear Steve's unique perspective on the intersection of high performance and intentional living.
(01:17) - Steve's background
(04:15) - The concept of "founders in transition"
(07:50) - Embracing slowing down
(11:48) - Transitioning concepts that also apply to builders
(15:19) - Habits of founders behind successful transitions
(19:31) - The power of internal monologues in high-performing founders
(27:52) - The eventual necessity of slowing down
(31:09) - How Steve helps shape new identities for founders
(37:23) - The connection between a diversified identity and resilience
(43:53) - Steve's "journey inventory" exercise
(48:48) - The moment Steve realized his passion for helping founders transition
(55:39) - Everyone is always going through micro cycles
(58:23) - The concept of being above the line/below the line
(01:05:55) - Living the undivided life
(01:09:44) - The differences between transitioning and deceleration
(01:16:42) - Building appreciation for deceleration
(01:21:27) - VC-backed founders and the integrated life

Check out Steve on:
➤ Personal website: https://www.schlaf.co/
➤ Downshift: https://www.downshift.me/
➤ Twitter: [](https://www.instagram.com/danielpriestley)https://x.com/schlaf
➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schlaf/

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success - [](https://www.amazon.com/15-Commitments-Conscious-Leadership-Sustainable-ebook/dp/B00R3MHWUE)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R3MHWUE

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?utm_campaign=SAPodcast_2023&utm_source=applespotify&utm_medium=shownotes).

Check out SaaS Academy on:
➤ [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSAcademy) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/saasacademy/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saasacademy/) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SaaSAcademy) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-saas-academy-podcast/id1718719323) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHhhpmDxaFacza6Qpo?si=98bd9025716746c4)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mattverlaque/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-verlaque/)

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnnypage13/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypage/)

“I just read the best fiction of my life and it was my pitch deck from two years ago.”
Join Johnny Page (@johnnypage13) and Matt Verlaque (@mattverlaque) on a new episode of the SaaS Academy Podcast as they sit down with Maddie Bell, CEO of Scheduler.ai. Maddie's journey from Procter & Gamble to co-founding a thriving startup is packed with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Discover how Maddie and her husband successfully balance the challenges of building a company while raising a family. Learn how they've leveraged AI to streamline scheduling and cater to a niche market, proving that technology and personal life can coexist harmoniously.

Maddie opens up about the risks and rewards of leaving a stable job to pursue her passion, sharing her experiences from fundraising rounds and the valuable lessons she's learned along the way.

But it's not just about the tech – Maddie delves into the importance of aligning AI with the core principles of customer connection and business growth. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and achieving a fulfilling work-life balance

(05:40) - Maddie Bell's backstory
(6:34) - Winning two Hackathons (Slack and Square)
(10:32) - Unexpected expansion through 'niching down'
(13:26) - De-risking and setting timelines to go all-in
(21:35) - Expectations before leaving Procter & Gamble and feelings after the fact
(24:30) - Fundraising rounds before and after the change of focus
(26:50) - To patent or not to patent (ROI considerations)
(31:26) - The right and wrong ways to leverage AI
(35:20) - The entry point to start using AI
(37:10) - The three phases of AI (including the two we've seen so far)
(42:45) - Scheduler AI competing with basic ChatGPT wrapped tooling
(47:48) - Intimately understanding the jobs to be done for your customer
(51:40) - The rhythms and habits of Maddie and her co-founder Mike Bell
(55:18) - Maddie's thoughts on 'founders are the ceilings of growth'
(57:15) - The value of coaching
(1:01:48) - "You were digging for oil and you were close but you stopped."
(1:07:30) - What Maddie wants to be remembered for



Check out Maddie’s LinkedIn and her website:
➤ [LinkedIn] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddiebell)
➤ [Website] (https://www.scheduler.ai/)

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?utm_campaign=SAPodcast_2023&utm_source=applespotify&utm_medium=shownotes).

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSAcademy) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/saasacademy/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saasacademy/) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SaaSAcademy) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-saas-academy-podcast/id1718719323) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHhhpmDxaFacza6Qpo?si=98bd9025716746c4)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mattverlaque/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-verlaque/)

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnnypage13/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypage/)

"There's a lot of fear and limiting beliefs and identity things that founders get tied up in."
Join Johnny Page (@johnnypage13) and Matt Verlaque (@mattverlaque) on a new episode of the SaaS Academy Podcast AS they discuss the transition of leadership at SaaS Academy with Dan Martell.
00:00 - Intro / Setting the Stage
01:04 - Reflecting on a Life Changing Hike
03:27 - The Emotional Aspect of Leadership Transitions
04:54 - Creating a Transition Plan
08:02 - Fear and Limiting Beliefs in Relinquishing the CEO Spot
09:27 - Trusting the Talent and Empowering Others
10:24 - Learning to Let Go and Delegate
13:10 - The Pains of a Transition Process
14:08 - The Ego and Accepting Change
21:12 - The Future of SaaS Academy
23:03 - Getting thought leaders to events
24:53 - Attracting Top Talent
26:18 - Collaboration and Building together
28:15 - Strong Infrastructure and Exceptional Customer Experience
29:38 - Dan's future plans with Content Production, Books, and Portfolio of Companies
42:35 - Helping Troubled Youth and Sharing Business Building Experiences
👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?utm_campaign=SAPodcast_2023&utm_source=applespotify&utm_medium=shownotes).

Check out SaaS Academy on:
➤ [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSAcademy) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/saasacademy/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saasacademy/) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SaaSAcademy) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-saas-academy-podcast/id1718719323) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHhhpmDxaFacza6Qpo?si=98bd9025716746c4)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mattverlaque/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-verlaque/)

➤ Follow Johnny Page on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnnypage13/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypage/)

“You're standing on a mountain of value. You just can't see it."
Join Johnny Page (@johnnypage13) and Matt Verlaque (@mattverlaque) on a new episode of the SaaS Academy Podcast as they explore the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Daniel Priestley. From diving into $8000 of credit card debt at age 21 to start his first venture, to becoming the Co-founder and CEO of Dent Global—one of the world's leading business accelerators—Daniel's path is truly inspiring.
He also founded ScoreApp, a tool that revolutionizes how businesses generate qualified, data-rich leads. Daniel's insights have been featured in prestigious publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the Huffington Post, and he's recognized as one of the top 25 entrepreneurs in London. Drawing from his book "Key Person of Influence," this conversation is packed with valuable strategies for anyone looking to make a dent in the business world. Tune in and learn how Daniel scaled multiple 7 and 8 figure ventures.

(1:14) - Importance of launching a waiting list
(3:02) - Getting early insight about proper pricing
(5:41) - Daniel’s background in growing businesses
(7:21) - Zeroing in on world-class feature sets
(9:17) - Origins of ScoreApp
(12:17) - Using scorecards to leverage SaaS growth
(16:42) - Advertising works for fueling fires, less for starting
(24:19) - How Daniel built an audience for his book ‘Key Person of Influence’
(29:01) - What is a micro-niche exactly?
(34:48) - Importance of sharing your personal insights publicly
(43:19) - Building a personal brand is about the ideal client, not yourself
(45:00) - What skillsets can be taught and what are the ones you’re just born with?
(51:04) - Biggest struggle that impacted Daniel’s career
(56:43) - Daniel’s debt cycle into a growth cycle
(1:01:55) - The importance of your team
(1:04:55) - Developing assets to reduce dependence
(1:12:27) - Daniel’s thoughts on building a legacy
(1:14:22) - Raising entrepreneurial-minded kids

Check out Daniel on:
➤ [Personal website] (https://danielpriestley.com/ )
➤ [Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/danielpriestley
➤ [LinkedIn] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpriestley?originalSubdomain=uk)

Key Person of Influence: The Five-Step Method to Become One of the Most Highly Valued and Highly Paid People in Your Industry - https://www.amazon.com/Key-Person-Influence-Revised-Five-Step/dp/178133109X

Entrepreneur Revolution: How to Develop your Entrepreneurial Mindset and Start a Business that Works - https://www.amazon.com/Entrepreneur-Revolution-Develop-Entrepreneurial-Business/dp/085708416X

How To Raise Entrepreneurial Kids: Raising confident, resourceful and resilient children who are ready to succeed in life - https://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Entrepreneurial-Kids-resourceful/dp/1781334293

👉🏻 Want a 3-step action plan to help scale your SaaS? [Book a FREE growth session](https://www.saasacademy.com/scalenow?utm_campaign=SAPodcast_2023&utm_source=applespotify&utm_medium=shownotes).

Check out SaaS Academy on:

➤ [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SaaSAcademy) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/saasacademy/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/saasacademy/) | [Twitter / X](https://x.com/saasacademy) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SaaSAcademy) | [Website](https://www.saasacademy.com/) | [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-saas-academy-podcast/id1718719323) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/05gCHHhhpmDxaFacza6Qpo?si=98bd9025716746c4)

➤ Follow Matt Verlaque on: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mattverlaque/) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-verlaque/)

➤ Follow Johnny Page on:...