Build Your SaaS

Build Your SaaS

Justin I Built A Saas

Building a successful SaaS often requires multiple attempts and a relentless drive to overcome challenges, as demonstrated by the guest's journey through various ideas and iterations.

Giuuunta! Motivating yourself when you're not in startup mode

December 9, 2024

Sustaining motivation in a successful business requires actively seeking new challenges and perspectives, as the initial 'builder's energy' naturally wanes.

Adam Wathan: how small startups hire employees (Tailwind CSS)

For small teams, relying on existing networks and personal relationships for hiring is significantly more effective and less time-consuming than a broad, open application process.

Is ONCE enough?

February 10, 2024

The "buy once" software model, while appealing in theory due to subscription fatigue, faces significant challenges in adoption for end-user applications due to the perceived value of ongoing SaaS support, security, and ease of use.

How Ben and David bootstrapped the Acquired podcast

January 25, 2024

The Acquired podcast's success stems from a genuine passion for the topic and co-host relationship, evolving from a learning tool for venture capitalists into a highly influential business podcast.

Nashville team retreat: scary birds, country music, and a photo shoot

September 26, 2023

Team retreats are invaluable for fostering deeper personal connections and understanding among remote team members, going beyond typical online interactions.

Paul Jarvis: gaining freedom by building an indie business

Building a sustainable indie business is an accumulation of experience, skills, and understanding market cycles, rather than a singular brilliant idea.

How Tim worked on side-projects for 10+ years, and finally went full-time (with kids)

Building a successful SaaS product often involves a decade of consistent side-project development, learning, and iterative improvement, even while balancing family and a full-time job.

Startup coaching: helping founders and team members realize their full potential

The transition from startup marketing to mindset coaching is driven by a desire to foster personal growth and well-being, recognizing that individuals thrive when their personal aspirations align with organizational goals.

Michele Hansen update: Section 174 and bootstrapping with kids

Section 174 tax legislation in the USA, which requires amortization of research and experimental activities (including software development) over five or fifteen years instead of immediate expensing, is causing significant financial distress for small software businesses, potentially leading to business closures and layoffs.

Should a parent with young kids try to bootstrap a new startup?

Balancing the demands of bootstrapping a startup with raising young children requires a clear understanding of personal "sacrifice equations" and non-negotiables, as well as strategic alignment of efforts.

Why we hired someone new

Building a successful SaaS business requires significant volume and momentum, translating to hundreds of new sign-ups and trials monthly, even with low churn rates.

Act now before it's too late: Section 174

Section 174 of the U.S. tax code, which previously allowed companies to immediately expense research and development (R&D) costs, has reverted to requiring amortization over five years (or 15 years for foreign R&D), creating a significant and potentially existential financial burden for software companies.

This would kill our company immediately

The recent banking crisis, exemplified by Silicon Valley Bank's collapse, highlights the risks associated with traditional banking and has led some businesses to reconsider their banking partners, with platforms like Mercury gaining traction due to their innovative approach.

One pepperoni pizza please

Sales tax is a percentage of the purchase price added at the time of sale, contributing to government revenue for essential services.

Super Fun SaaS Sales Tax (Part Deux)

February 21, 2023

The complexity and burden of global sales tax compliance for SaaS businesses, especially those using Stripe, are significant and often underestimated, leading to frustration and a search for viable solutions.

Nobody wants to talk about this (SaaS sales tax)

February 10, 2023

Sales tax compliance for SaaS businesses is a complex and costly burden, with governments outsourcing collection and remittance responsibilities to businesses, leading to significant administrative overhead and financial risk.

The gang goes to Montréal

October 18, 2022

Remote team retreats significantly enhance personal connection and team rapport beyond what is achievable through online communication alone.

Jon & Justin reveal everything (part 2)

August 16, 2022

Cultivating a life of curiosity, experiences, and connections through micro-investments in oneself is crucial for identifying and capitalizing on business opportunities.

Jon & Justin reveal everything (part 1)

August 10, 2022

Building a successful SaaS company requires a strong partnership built on trust, complementary skills, and a shared vision for work-life balance, not just technical or marketing expertise.

Bootstrapping in France (Baptiste Jamin from Crisp)

CRISP's success was driven by a product-led growth strategy focused on user experience and affordability, making it a no-brainer for SMBs, rather than aggressive pricing tactics.

What's it like getting acquired by Spotify? (Dave Zohrob from Chartable)

The acquisition of Chartable by Spotify offers significant opportunities for growth by leveraging Spotify's vast data and resources, enabling Chartable to expand its tools for publishers globally.

Patrick Campbell: why ProfitWell sold to Paddle for $200M

The "physics" of a market, including its size (TAM) and the number of potential buyers (velocity), significantly dictates go-to-market strategies and the potential for growth, making it crucial to understand these dynamics before launching a product.