SaaS Fuel

Jeff Mains
SaaS Fuel

Want to know why some SaaS companies scale while others stagnate? It's not just code and capital. You've found SaaS Fuel, where every Tuesday and Thursday, we're brewing up the kind of conversations you wish you could have over coffee with successful founders and industry experts. Join five-time entrepreneur and adventure seeker Jeff Mains every Tuesday as he gets real with visionary founders and executives who've built stellar software companies. They share the raw truth about their ups, downs, and 'I can't believe that worked' moments. Looking for practical tips you can use right now? Our Thursday 'SaaS Fuel Expert Series' brings you the smartest minds in the game, dishing out actionable advice on everything from AI and marketing to sales strategies and leadership. No fluff, just real tactics that are working right now. This isn't your typical 'how I built this' show. Whether you're figuring out product-market fit, building your first real team, or pushing past that million-dollar milestone, each episode packs the kind of insights you'd normally have to learn the hard way. Let's face it – running a SaaS company can feel like juggling while riding a unicycle. But you're not alone. Join our growing crew of founders and leaders who are figuring it out together, one episode at a time. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Fuel your next big move. Hit subscribe and let's grow something amazing.

  1. Theresa French - Moving Beyond Small Talk: Mastering Deep Discovery Conversations

    -3 ДН.

    Theresa French - Moving Beyond Small Talk: Mastering Deep Discovery Conversations

    🎙 Welcome to SaaS Fuel, your go-to show for SaaS growth, leadership, and sales mastery. Today’s guest is Theresa French, the brilliant CEO and founder of SellMark360.  Theresa is a trailblazer in sales strategy, known for helping businesses transform their approach to connect authentically with clients and drive scalable success. Key Takeaways00:00:00 - Introduction: Standing out in the SaaS market 00:01:08 - Why assumptions derail sales conversations 00:02:54 - The value of asking meaningful, deeper questions 00:05:40 - How curiosity builds trust with clients 00:09:06 - Avoiding feature-dumping during pitches 00:11:15 - Using context to create tailored solutions 00:13:30 - Balancing curiosity with closing the deal 00:17:58 - Common mistakes in sales conversations and how to fix them 00:20:42 - The power of guiding clients through the buying journey 00:26:58 - Building trust through intelligent, personalized sales approaches 00:33:10 - Why research is critical for effective selling 00:39:28 - Intelligent questions that stand out in sales calls 00:47:44 - Leadership’s role in building a successful SaaS sales team 00:51:13 - Strategies to create a world-class sales team 00:55:40 - Why client-focused selling leads to lasting success Tweetable Quotes"Sales is about asking the right questions, not making the right assumptions." – Theresa French "Want better sales results? Focus less on pitching and more on listening." – Jeff Mains "The deeper the question, the bigger the opportunity." – Theresa French "Trust is earned through preparation, curiosity, and genuine care for client success." – Jeff Mains "SaaS success comes from building partnerships, not just products." – Theresa French "Effective leaders teach their teams to sell with context and empathy." – Jeff Mains SaaS Leadership LessonsAsk Thoughtful Questions: Go beyond surface-level to understand your clients better. Avoid Sales Overload: Skip the feature dump and focus on solving specific problems. Use Context: Tailor your solutions based on the client's unique needs. Teach the Process: Guide clients through the buying journey with clarity and confidence. Build Trust: Research and intelligent questions can set you apart. Support Your Team: Leaders must enable and empower their sales teams for sustainable growth. Guest Resourcestheresa@salescallcoach.com Website: http://selllmark360.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjthesellingcoach Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjsellingcoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj_sellingcoach/ Episode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’ Champion Leadership Group – a href="https://championleadership.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    59 мин.
  2. Dan Uyemura - Quality Over Quantity: Lessons in Product Development

    -5 ДН.

    Dan Uyemura - Quality Over Quantity: Lessons in Product Development

    In this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff Mains sits down with Dan Uyemura, the founder of PushPress, who shares his journey from gym ownership to creating a thriving SaaS company. Discover the secrets of scaling your business, balancing customer value with profitability, and the power of long-term thinking. Dan dives into leadership lessons, hiring strategies, and the challenges of building software tailored for SMBs. Key Takeaways00:00 - Intro: SaaS lessons from the gym world 04:30 - Dan’s journey from software engineer to gym owner to SaaS founder 08:50 - The evolution of SaaS: From cloud computing to AI-driven insights 15:10 - Why playing the long game is a cheat code for SaaS success 18:45 - How PushPress solved SMB pain points with integrated tools 23:00 - The dangers of over-titling early hires and its impact on growth 27:40 - Creating a mission-driven culture that retains customers and employees 34:55 - The power of talent density: Hiring smart to multiply impact 38:20 - Recognizing and avoiding hiring fraud in the global job market 42:10 - The importance of mission alignment in hiring and team building 46:30 - How to ensure strategic focus amidst shiny object distractions 49:15 - Building products for niche markets: Lessons from 93 fitness verticals 52:40 - Why intentionality and cultural alignment matter in leadership Tweetable Quotes"Long-term greed is the ultimate SaaS cheat code. Build value today for exponential growth tomorrow." – Dan Uyemura "Talent density isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the secret to scaling teams that make each other better." – Jeff Mains "Your customers don’t care how fast you push code; they care how well it works." – Dan Uyemura "In SaaS, alignment between culture and strategy isn’t optional—it’s survival." – Jeff Mains "Stop hiring for titles, start hiring for growth potential." – Dan Uyemura "Building a SaaS company is like training for a marathon—pace yourself, or you’ll burn out." – Dan Uyemura SaaS Leadership LessonsLong-Term Thinking Wins: Build for the next 20 years, not the next quarter. Customer-Centric Approach: Focus on value and connection to reduce churn and improve growth. Talent Density Matters: A high-talent team multiplies impact across all levels. Avoid Over-Titling Early Hires: Keep roles scalable to avoid future misalignment. The Power of Mission Alignment: Hire people passionate about your product and vision. Iterate Smartly: Prioritize quality and infrastructure before chasing speed. Guest Resourcesdan@pushpress.com Website: https://www.pushpress.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielsan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielsan Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuyemura/ X: https://x.com/hookgripper Episode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond –a...

    54 мин.
  3. William Christensen - Automate, Delegate, Eliminate: How Top SaaS Leaders Drive Capital-Efficient Growth

    12 ДЕК.

    William Christensen - Automate, Delegate, Eliminate: How Top SaaS Leaders Drive Capital-Efficient Growth

    Join us as we dive deep into the exciting world of AI, automation, and fractional leadership with William Christensen, Founder and CEO of Entrepreneurs Apprentice. This conversation is about streamlining processes, leveraging new technology, and thriving in the modern business landscape. From building automation strategies to creating impactful communities for leaders, this episode is packed with actionable insights for entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts alike. Key Takeaways00:00:00-00:00:00 - Introduction to hiring challenges and lessons learned in scaling teams. 04:17:04-05:03:29 - Will Christensen’s journey and the evolution of automation tools. 05:55:28-07:02:00 - Learning to use AI effectively: The key to staying ahead in the market. 10:24:05-12:31:08 - Failures in automation: Common mistakes and how to avoid them. 14:05:44-17:06:50 - Hiring strategies: Removing bias and evaluating candidates objectively. 18:31:38-20:03:25 - Benefits of fractional leadership for both companies and executives. 22:31:38-25:03:05 - Bias in hiring: Choosing similarity over qualification. 25:03:10-30:12:47 - Creating structured rubrics and tests to remove subjectivity in hiring. 32:31:08-36:17:50 - When to hire: Avoid making decisions under pressure. 39:13:29-41:01:38 - Leveraging systems to focus on high-impact goals and accountability. 50:06:54-53:21:30 - Automation Hunter and the search for transformative technology. Tweetable Quotes"An interview is a poor predictor of success. Bias leads us to hire familiarity, not ability." – Jeff Mains "Automate only after doing it manually five times. If it’s not repetitive, it’s not worth automating." – William Christensen "AI won’t take your job; someone who uses AI better than you will." – Scott Galloway (via William Christensen) "Growth happens when you take 20% of your time and focus on what matters most, not just the whirlwind." – William Christensen "The future of business development lies in AI matchmaking, connecting solutions to problems faster than ever." – William Christensen SaaS Leadership LessonsInterviews Are Biased Interviews often fail to identify the best candidates because biases skew decision-making. People tend to hire those similar to themselves rather than the most qualified. Automation Needs Structure Automate only after understanding the process fully. The "15-1-1-5 Rule" suggests automating tasks that take more than 15 minutes a day, an hour a week, or an hour a month but only after manually completing them at least five times. Fractional Leadership Benefits Startups Fractional executives provide high-level expertise at a fraction of the cost, enabling startups to access experienced leadership without overextending their budgets. Adopt Systems for Scalability Implementing frameworks like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and the Four Disciplines of Execution (4DX) can streamline operations and ensure alignment across teams. AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement Success in the AI era requires learning to use AI effectively. It's not AI replacing jobs but those who master it outpacing others. Future of Biz Dev: AI Matchmaking Business development will shift from cold outreach to AI-driven matchmaking, where autonomous agents connect solutions to problems efficiently. Guest Resourceswill@equityhammer.com Website: https://equityhammer.com/ Linkedin:...

    55 мин.
  4. Hikari Senju - Transforming Ads at Scale: The Power of AI in Modern Marketing

    10 ДЕК.

    Hikari Senju - Transforming Ads at Scale: The Power of AI in Modern Marketing

    🎙️ Welcome to SaaS Fuel, where we power up your SaaS growth with practical insights and real-world success stories. Today, we’re diving into the incredible journey of an entrepreneur who turned a college startup into a SaaS trailblazer. Our guest, Hikari Senju, founder of Omneky, takes us from bootstrapping an edtech venture at Harvard to building an AI-powered platform that’s redefining scalable content creation. Whether it’s navigating the early days of GPT models or leveraging AI to empower SMBs, this episode is packed with lessons for SaaS leaders aiming to innovate and grow. Key Takeaways[00:00:00] Building an AI company and fine-tuning GPT models. [00:06:52] Scaling creative content with analytics tools and AI. [00:10:17] The introduction of GPT-3 and its transformative impact. [00:14:13] Why workflow integrations are critical in ad tech. [00:23:53] Effective communication and strategic delegation as a leader. [00:27:29] Frameworks for scaling to higher revenue levels. [00:34:07] How adaptability drives success in competitive environments. [00:44:55] The role of AI in democratizing growth for SMBs. Tweetable Quotes"Generative AI isn’t just designing shiny graphics—it’s reshaping how brands connect with customers." – Jeff Mains "Leadership is about setting the vision, communicating effectively, and empowering the right people." – Hikari Senju "AI lowers barriers, enabling SMBs to compete with billion-dollar enterprises." – Hikari Senju "The reward for good work is more work, but it also has a greater impact." – Jeff Mains "Adaptability wins: the world isn’t survival of the fittest but the most flexible." – Jeff Mains SaaS Leadership LessonsInvest in AI Early – Staying ahead means adopting transformative technologies before the competition.Focus on the Workflow – Seamless integrations are more impactful than flashy features.Tailored Marketing Matters – Personalization powered by data wins customers.Leadership Evolves With Scale – Communication and delegation are non-negotiable as teams grow.Democratize Tools for SMBs – Empower smaller players with accessible tech to level the playing field.Adapt or Fall Behind – Success requires constant evolution in rapidly changing industries. Guest ResourcesWebsite: Omneky.com LinkedIn: Hikari Senju hi@omneky.com SaaS Fuel ResourcesWebsite - https://championleadership.com/ Jeff Mains on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkmains/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/jeffkmains Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thesaasguy/ Instagram - https://instagram.com/jeffkmains

    50 мин.
  5. Mike Malloy - Building Authentic Connections: The Five by Seven Rule for Lifelong Relationships

    5 ДЕК.

    Mike Malloy - Building Authentic Connections: The Five by Seven Rule for Lifelong Relationships

    🎙️ Welcome to SaaS Fuel, where we help SaaS founders and executives navigate the road to success, one brilliant insight at a time. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the growing trend of fractional talent in growth-stage companies. 🚀 Our guest, Mike Malloy of Malloy Industries, is here to unpack the ins and outs of leveraging fractional executives to drive scalable growth, build reliable teams, and make smarter hiring decisions. This episode is brimming with practical takeaways, SaaS leadership lessons, and tweet-worthy wisdom you won’t want to miss. Let’s jump in! Key Takeaways00:00 - Introduction 00:05 - Why fractional talent is reshaping the SaaS workforce 00:50 - Mike’s journey into fractional roles 03:54 - Building reliability and trust in fractional positions 07:16 - When to choose fractional talent over full-time hires 16:12 - Transitioning from founder-led to scalable sales teams 25:14 - How a “give-first” mindset fuels success 33:15 - Ensuring consistent results with fractional leaders 37:26 - Key metrics for tracking sales team performance 42:30 - The magic of authentic connections in a digital world 44:13 - Where to connect with Mike Malloy Tweetable Quotes"Fractional talent is the bridge between expertise and flexibility for growth-stage companies." – Mike Malloy "The more you give, the more opportunities find their way back to you." – Mike Malloy "Authentic connections trump artificial relationships every time." – Mike Malloy "Great leadership isn’t about full-time hours; it’s about full-time impact." – Mike Malloy "Build relationships, not transactions. The ROI is unmatched." – Mike Malloy "In SaaS, success belongs to the swift—adapt or fall behind." – Jeff Mains SaaS Leadership LessonsFlexibility Wins: Fractional executives bring expertise without long-term commitment—a game-changer for growth-stage SaaS companies.Trust is Key: Reliability starts with building trust and delivering results quickly in fractional roles.Scalable Sales: Transitioning from founder-led sales to a scalable team takes careful strategy—and often fractional help.Metrics Drive Growth: Track clear KPIs to measure the success of your fractional and full-time teams.Give First, Always: Leading with value builds trust, relationships, and lasting success.Adapt or Die: The SaaS world moves fast—learn, adapt, and innovate to stay ahead. Guest Resourcesmike@malloyindustries.com Website: malloyindustries.com LinkedIn: Mike Malloy X (Twitter): @MWMalloy Ready to transform your approach to hiring and leadership? Let’s hit play. 🎧

    52 мин.
  6. Jon Gillham - Originality in an AI World: How to Create Content That Captivates and Converts

    3 ДЕК.

    Jon Gillham - Originality in an AI World: How to Create Content That Captivates and Converts

    Are you ready to stand out in a world flooded with generative AI content? In today’s episode, we explore how to rise above the noise in the crowded SaaS market. From leveraging tools like Originality AI for SEO to building specialized teams that drive real results, we’re diving into what it takes to thrive in 2025 and beyond. Our guest, Jon Gillham, shares invaluable insights on team-building, strategy, and why originality is your competitive edge. Key Takeaways[00:00:00] Strategy in SaaS: Know where to play and how to win. [00:09:10] Google’s algorithms & originality in SEO rankings. [00:25:35] Why SaaS founders must commit to a niche. [00:42:53] Why content quality always trumps quantity. [00:50:14] Metrics that matter: Move from article counts to quality-driven KPIs. Tweetable Quotes"In SaaS, success comes down to knowing where to play and how to win." – Jeff Mains "Originality isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of long-term success in AI-driven content." – Jon Gillham "Content written for people will always outperform content written for search engines." – Jon Gillham SaaS Leadership LessonsDefine your niche clearly—strategy is your foundation.Originality isn’t optional; it’s a necessity in today’s AI-driven landscape.Build specialized teams to align with your mission.Balance quick wins with a long-term strategy.Serve your market specifically—don’t spread yourself too thin.Focus on quality-driven KPIs, not vanity metrics. Guest Resources📌 Follow Jon Gillham: Email: jon@originality.ai Website: originality.ai LinkedIn: Jon Gillham X: @JonGillhams Let’s dive in and fuel your SaaS journey with actionable insights and timeless strategies.

    52 мин.
  7. Elliott Connie - Gratitude as a Game-Changer: Excelling in Life and Leadership

    28 НОЯБ.

    Elliott Connie - Gratitude as a Game-Changer: Excelling in Life and Leadership

    Welcome to SaaS Fuel! In this special Thanksgiving episode, we sit down with Elliott Connie, a psychotherapist, author, and founder of the world’s largest solution-focused therapy training organization. Elliott shares insights on gratitude, resilience, and the power of asking the right questions to create meaningful change in life and leadership. If you're a scaling SaaS founder or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you navigate the pressures of leadership while building a business of significance. Key Takeaways00:00:51 - "Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good concept; it’s a leadership superpower." 00:02:20 - Why it’s crucial to stay centered and grateful during the holiday chaos. 00:05:15 - Elliott's journey from marine biology to psychotherapy and finding purpose in pain. 00:07:58 - Shifting focus: How thinking about outcomes creates transformative change. 00:10:44 - "Practicing gratitude isn’t automatic—it’s an intentional act of resilience." 00:15:18 - Overcoming challenges and building resilience through reflection. 00:19:42 - How the questions you ask shape your mindset and influence your outcomes. 00:28:12 - The road to success: Lessons from Tiffany Haddish’s 260 auditions. 00:41:10 - "Failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of the process." Tweetable QuotesGratitude isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation for resilient leadership — Elliott Connie You can’t build resilience—you find it within by recognizing past victories.— Elliott Connie Failure isn’t a roadblock; it’s a stepping stone to success. — Jeff Mains Whatever you focus on grows. Choose to grow good.— Elliott Connie The key to resilience is asking the right questions—focus on what you can create, not what you fear.— Elliott Connie Gratitude isn’t automatic; it’s a choice that transforms challenges into stepping stones. — Jeff Mains SaaS Leadership LessonsGratitude Enhances Leadership: Leaders who practice gratitude are better equipped to stay resilient and navigate high-pressure situations, particularly during chaotic periods like year-end deadlines. Outcome-Driven Thinking Fuels Success: Shifting focus from problems to outcomes helps leaders and teams envision and create the future they desire, driving growth and innovation. Failures Are Building Blocks: Success is a process, not an event. Every failure provides valuable lessons and moves you closer to your goals, whether it's in SaaS scaling or personal growth. Questions Shape Your Outcomes: The questions you ask yourself and your team can either amplify challenges or spark optimism. Ask outcome-focused questions to drive progress. Intentional Resilience is Key: Reflect on past successes to remind yourself of your inherent resilience. This practice builds confidence to face new challenges in scaling your business. Consistency Beats Quick Wins: Success, in SaaS and life, is about persistence. Just like Tiffany Haddish’s journey, consistent effort over time leads to exponential results. Guest ResourcesWebsite: https://elliottconnie.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYAx5ykY_xa-UeSCqSbmjNA a...

    52 мин.
  8. Jacqui Jones - Turning Chaos into Clarity: The Secret to Building Systems That Scale

    26 НОЯБ.

    Jacqui Jones - Turning Chaos into Clarity: The Secret to Building Systems That Scale

    In this episode of SaaS Fuel, we dive deep into the world of scaling SaaS businesses with Jacqui, the founder of Way We Do. From bootstrapping to leveraging AI and building processes that drive real results, this conversation is packed with actionable insights every SaaS founder needs to hear. Key Takeaways00:00:00 - Welcome to SaaS Fuel with Jacqui Jones! 00:00:05 - The inspiring origin story of Way We Do. 00:02:07 - Recognizing market opportunities. 00:04:46 - The hard work behind overnight success. 00:06:10 - Why every business needs robust processes. 00:08:13 - Leveraging AI to optimize and document workflows. 00:12:14 - The dangers of template-based processes. 00:17:25 - First steps for successful process automation. 00:25:16 - Scaling challenges and finding bottlenecks. 00:37:14 - The future of AI in SaaS development. Tweetable QuotesBehind every 'overnight success' is years of unseen hard work. - Jacqui Jones AI isn’t about replacing your team; it’s about empowering them with smarter workflows. - Jacqui Jones A process without adoption is just a pretty document collecting dust. - Jacqui Jones Before you automate, make sure you’re automating the right things. - Jeff Mains Processes should reflect your company’s unique flavor, not just a generic template. - Jacqui Jones Bootstrapping isn’t a setback—it’s a mindset of resilience and customer focus. - Jeff Mains SaaS Leadership LessonsFocus on Real Problems Great products solve specific, real-world problems. Identify the pain points of your target audience before building. Processes Are Your Foundation Clear, adaptable processes are the backbone of a scalable SaaS business. Don’t skip documenting them. AI is a Tool, Not a Shortcut Leverage AI to enhance workflows, but remember that human oversight ensures success. Adoption is Key A great process is useless if your team doesn’t embrace and use it. Focus on training and follow-through. Automation Comes After Clarity Automating unclear or broken processes only magnifies inefficiencies. Start with a clear roadmap. Bootstrap with Purpose Being bootstrapped fosters a deeper connection to customer needs, enabling sustainable growth without distractions. Guest ResourcesWebsite: https://www.waywedo.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquijones/ Episode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’ Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/ SaaS Fuel ResourcesWebsite - https://championleadership.com/ Jeff Mains on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkmains/ Twitter - a...

    53 мин.
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Want to know why some SaaS companies scale while others stagnate? It's not just code and capital. You've found SaaS Fuel, where every Tuesday and Thursday, we're brewing up the kind of conversations you wish you could have over coffee with successful founders and industry experts. Join five-time entrepreneur and adventure seeker Jeff Mains every Tuesday as he gets real with visionary founders and executives who've built stellar software companies. They share the raw truth about their ups, downs, and 'I can't believe that worked' moments. Looking for practical tips you can use right now? Our Thursday 'SaaS Fuel Expert Series' brings you the smartest minds in the game, dishing out actionable advice on everything from AI and marketing to sales strategies and leadership. No fluff, just real tactics that are working right now. This isn't your typical 'how I built this' show. Whether you're figuring out product-market fit, building your first real team, or pushing past that million-dollar milestone, each episode packs the kind of insights you'd normally have to learn the hard way. Let's face it – running a SaaS company can feel like juggling while riding a unicycle. But you're not alone. Join our growing crew of founders and leaders who are figuring it out together, one episode at a time. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Fuel your next big move. Hit subscribe and let's grow something amazing.

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