Michael Frew is a seasoned engineer-turned-entrepreneur who specializes in acquiring SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses. In this episode, we dive into Michael's journey and his role in managing a portfolio of SaaS businesses for WebStreet. 

Michael shares the nitty-gritty of why buying a SaaS business is often better than building one and offers valuable insights on everything from the acquisition process to dealing with the psychological impact of selling a business. 

Whether you're a developer concerned about AI taking your job and looking for alternatives, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable advice. 

We also talked about:
Michael’s transition from developing to acquiring businesses and how it changed his career.
The process and criteria Michael uses to identify and acquire SaaS businesses.
The role of WebStreet in facilitating passive investments in software businesses.
The importance of steady growth and business fit in successful acquisitions.
Preparing for business acquisitions, including financial planning, due diligence, and transition planning.
The impact of AI on the acquisition process and its potential for both internal improvements and external risks.
Advice for potential operators and sellers, emphasizing mindset shifts and comprehensive business evaluation.

Tune in to this episode to learn how to build a successful SaaS portfolio and transform your approach to business growth. 

Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Michael Frew’s website: michaelfrew.com
WebStreet: webstreet.com

Get regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business. 

Michael Frew is a seasoned engineer-turned-entrepreneur who specializes in acquiring SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses. In this episode, we dive into Michael's journey and his role in managing a portfolio of SaaS businesses for WebStreet. 
Michael shares the nitty-gritty of why buying a SaaS business is often better than building one and offers valuable insights on everything from the acquisition process to dealing with the psychological impact of selling a business. 
Whether you're a developer concerned about AI taking your job and looking for alternatives, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable advice. 
We also talked about:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Michael’s transition from developing to acquiring businesses and how it changed his career.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The process and criteria Michael uses to identify and acquire SaaS businesses.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The role of WebStreet in facilitating passive investments in software businesses.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of steady growth and business fit in successful acquisitions.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Preparing for business acquisitions, including financial planning, due diligence, and transition planning.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The impact of AI on the acquisition process and its potential for both internal improvements and external risks.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Advice for potential operators and sellers, emphasizing mindset shifts and comprehensive business evaluation.</li>
</ul>
Tune in to this episode to learn how to build a successful SaaS portfolio and transform your approach to business growth. 
Want to be notified when new episodes come up? <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">Sign up here</a>.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Michael Frew’s website:<a href="https://michaelfrew.com"> michaelfrew.com</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">WebStreet:<a href="https://webstreet.com"> webstreet.com</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">Get regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts</a> about growing your business.

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

Proven Strategies For Building A Thriving SaaS Portfolio With Michael Frew

“If I really want to make wealth for myself, I need to bet on myself.”

That’s how Juzbi Walia explains the moment she stopped playing the corporate game and started building her own. And that same energy runs through this whole episode: sell with integrity, don’t slime people into a ‘yes’, and stop guessing what your audience is thinking. If you’ve ever read bro-marketing copy and felt like you needed to wash your eyeballs afterward, you’ll love Juzbi’s approach to persuasion that’s effective and ethical.

Juzbi Walia has spent over a decade in persuasion and influence, working in corporate communications with major global agencies and a wide range of organisations across sectors. Now she brings that same influence skillset into the online business world as a conversion copywriter and email strategist, helping course creators launch with messaging that converts without crossing into manipulation.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
Why most course creators don’t actually know their real objections (and keep answering outdated ones).
The hidden cost of over-persuasion — even if it “works” in the short term.
Why “copy is assembled, not written” (and how customer research is the real work).
How to find your sales argument (the unique point of view that makes your offer stand out).
The power of message hierarchy: primary promise first, then secondary angles in the right order.
Using a custom GPT to pressure-test messaging angles (without randomly “testing everything”).
Why copywriters who step into the strategist role will thrive (and “selling words as a service” won’t).
A very real take on business growth: “spaghetti on the wall” is sometimes the job description early on.

If you’re building a course (or launching anything online) and you want to sell without sounding like a late-night infomercial, you’re going to get a ton from this one. 

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Juzbi on Instagram: @juzbi.copy
To get Juzbi’s free resource -  “How to Write Non Manipulative Emails That Sell” (a checklist of persuasion triggers for launch emails), send her a DM on Instagram.

Suggested Timestamps
00:00 – Intro + why “non-sleazy persuasion” matters
00:01–00:04 – Juzbi’s background in persuasion + corporate comms
00:05–00:08 – Why she left corporate: “bet on myself” + designing work around life
00:13–00:17 – Objections, customer research, and the danger of over-persuasion
00:19–00:25 – Messaging hierarchy + sales argument example (Instagram course)
00:25–00:26 – GPT bot + Danny Page
00:32–00:34 – Copywriter vs strategist (and why strategy is the moat)
00:35–00:38 – Lead gen experiments + “spaghetti on the wall” phase
00:40 – Where to find Juzbi + free checklist

My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

&ldquo;If I really want to make wealth for myself, I need to bet on myself.&rdquo;
That&rsquo;s how Juzbi Walia explains the moment she stopped playing the corporate game and started building her own. And that same energy runs through this whole episode:&nbsp;sell with integrity, don&rsquo;t slime people into a &lsquo;yes&rsquo;, and stop guessing what your audience is thinking. If you&rsquo;ve ever read bro-marketing copy and felt like you needed to wash your eyeballs afterward, you&rsquo;ll love Juzbi&rsquo;s approach to persuasion that&rsquo;s effective and ethical.
Juzbi Walia has spent over a decade in persuasion and influence, working in corporate communications with major global agencies and a wide range of organisations across sectors. Now she brings that same influence skillset into the online business world as a conversion copywriter and email strategist, helping course creators launch with messaging that converts without crossing into manipulation.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why most course creators don&rsquo;t actually know their real objections (and keep answering outdated ones).</li>
<li aria-level="1">The hidden cost of over-persuasion &mdash; even if it &ldquo;works&rdquo; in the short term.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why &ldquo;copy is assembled, not written&rdquo; (and how customer research is the real work).</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to find your sales argument (the unique point of view that makes your offer stand out).</li>
<li aria-level="1">The power of message hierarchy: primary promise first, then secondary angles in the right order.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Using a custom GPT to pressure-test messaging angles (without randomly &ldquo;testing everything&rdquo;).</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why copywriters who step into the strategist role will thrive (and &ldquo;selling words as a service&rdquo; won&rsquo;t).</li>
<li aria-level="1">A very real take on business growth: &ldquo;spaghetti on the wall&rdquo; is sometimes the job description early on.</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;re building a course (or launching anything online) and you want to sell without sounding like a late-night infomercial, you&rsquo;re going to get a ton from this one.&nbsp;
Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Juzbi on Instagram: @juzbi.copy</li>
<li aria-level="1">To get Juzbi&rsquo;s free resource -&nbsp; &ldquo;How to Write Non Manipulative Emails That Sell&rdquo; (a checklist of persuasion triggers for launch emails), send her a DM on Instagram.</li>
</ul>
Suggested Timestamps
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">00:00 &ndash; Intro + why &ldquo;non-sleazy persuasion&rdquo; matters</li>
<li aria-level="1">00:01&ndash;00:04 &ndash; Juzbi&rsquo;s background in persuasion + corporate comms</li>
<li aria-level="1">00:05&ndash;00:08 &ndash; Why she left corporate: &ldquo;bet on myself&rdquo; + designing work around life</li>
<li aria-level="1">00:13&ndash;00:17 &ndash; Objections, customer research, and the danger of over-persuasion</li>
<li aria-level="1">00:19&ndash;00:25 &ndash; Messaging hierarchy + sales argument example (Instagram course)</li>
<li aria-level="1">00:25&ndash;00:26 &ndash; GPT bot + Danny Page</li>
<li aria-level="1">00:32&ndash;00:34 &ndash; Copywriter vs strategist (and why strategy is the moat)</li>
<li aria-level="1">00:35&ndash;00:38 &ndash; Lead gen experiments + &ldquo;spaghetti on the wall&rdquo; phase</li>
<li aria-level="1">00:40 &ndash; Where to find Juzbi + free checklist</li>
</ul>
My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>

What to Say First So People Actually Buy (Without Feeling Salesy) with Conversion Copywriter Juzbi Walia

"I was working 18-hour days, seven days a week, and my mum said, 'You're making good money, but we have something you don't—free time.'"

Sara Vezensek had the kind of job most people fantasize about—flying on private jets, managing superyachts, and earning big. But it came at a cost. In this episode, she shares how she walked away from the dream lifestyle to build a business on her terms—one with time, financial, and location freedom.

Sara Vezensek is an online business coach who specializes in helping women build businesses that give them “ultimate freedom.” After leaving a high-flying career managing multimillion-dollar projects, she went all in on organic marketing and intentional strategy to grow her own thriving business—all while working just 15 hours a week.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
Why success on paper doesn’t always mean happiness
How to prepare for a business pivot before burning out
Strategies for building a business on 2 hours a day (or less!)
Why content strategy beats going viral
The glass ceiling of “200 views” and how to break through it
Using EFT tapping and mindset work to stop sabotaging success
How to rewire your relationship with money and self-worth
The unexpected power of speaking to just one person in your audience

Tune in for a grounded conversation about building a business that supports the life you actually want.

👉 Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Free Masterclass: Your Million Dollar Course Idea – Sara’s step-by-step guide to turning your current knowledge into a course
Money Breakthrough Masterclass – Learn the exact strategy Sara used to hit $100K in 30 days
Sara’s Instagram: @saravezcoach

<blockquote>
"I was working 18-hour days, seven days a week, and my mum said, 'You're making good money, but we have something you don't&mdash;free time.'"
</blockquote>
Sara Vezensek had the kind of job most people fantasize about&mdash;flying on private jets, managing superyachts, and earning big. But it came at a cost. In this episode, she shares how she walked away from the dream lifestyle to build a business on her terms&mdash;one with time, financial, and location freedom.
Sara Vezensek is an online business coach who specializes in helping women build businesses that give them &ldquo;ultimate freedom.&rdquo; After leaving a high-flying career managing multimillion-dollar projects, she went all in on organic marketing and intentional strategy to grow her own thriving business&mdash;all while working just 15 hours a week.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why success on paper doesn&rsquo;t always mean happiness</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to prepare for a business pivot before burning out</li>
<li aria-level="1">Strategies for building a business on 2 hours a day (or less!)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why content strategy beats going viral</li>
<li aria-level="1">The glass ceiling of &ldquo;200 views&rdquo; and how to break through it</li>
<li aria-level="1">Using EFT tapping and mindset work to stop sabotaging success</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to rewire your relationship with money and self-worth</li>
<li aria-level="1">The unexpected power of speaking to just one person in your audience</li>
</ul>
Tune in for a grounded conversation about building a business that supports the life you actually want.
👉 Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter</a>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Free Masterclass: <a href="https://www.saravezcoach.com/opt-in-1f6985c8-1726-4816-b9e0-8ab0474297ad?utm_source=OBL-Podcast&amp;utm_medium=OMNY-shownotes&amp;utm_content=resources-mentioned&amp;utm_campaign=Episode-242">Your Million Dollar Course Idea</a> &ndash; Sara&rsquo;s step-by-step guide to turning your current knowledge into a course</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.saravezcoach.com/opt-in-bb663c6a-1c85-48d4-81aa-8a78ed00d775?utm_source=OBL-Podcast&amp;utm_medium=OMNY-shownotes&amp;utm_content=resources-mentioned&amp;utm_campaign=Episode-242">Money Breakthrough Masterclass</a> &ndash; Learn the exact strategy Sara used to hit $100K in 30 days</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sara&rsquo;s Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/saravezcoach"> @saravezcoach</a></li>
</ul>

What Happens When You Walk Away From a Dream Job with Sara Vezensek

"Just because someone’s great at marketing doesn’t mean they can teach."

When Jasmine Jonte invested in a high-ticket online course and discovered it was badly designed and nearly impossible to learn from, she had an epiphany: great teaching is a skill — and it’s one most experts don’t have. So, she used her background as a teacher to build a business that helps experts teach well, turning their brilliance into scalable, binge-worthy programs.

Jasmine Jonte is a former kindergarten teacher turned founder of a course creation agency. She’s helped build over 140 programs across more than 70 niches — from real estate investing to tarot to dentistry — helping experts turn their intellectual property into powerful learning experiences that actually get results.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:
The real reason most online courses fail (hint: it’s not lack of expertise)
How Jasmine went from teacher to six-figure business owner with a 14-person team
The difference between being an expert and being able to teach effectively
The framework Jasmine uses to turn expert knowledge into curriculum
What to ask in market research interviews to truly understand your audience
The two pathways for experts: build a team or build a scalable offer
Why completion rates and student results matter more than flashy marketing
Using AI in ethical, efficient ways to streamline course creation
The surprising AI tools Jasmine uses in her own business

CALL TO ACTION

If you're ready to turn your expertise into a powerful, scalable program — or just want a peek behind the curtain of what that takes — you won’t want to miss this episode.

👉 “Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business” https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Jasmine’s website: https://www.creation.co (note: creation is spelled with an 8)
Free guide: https://www.creation.co/netflix — “10 Next Level Strategies to Make Your Program as Binge-Worthy as Netflix”
Tools mentioned: 
ChatGPT - AI tool, 
Claude - AI tool 
Descript(affiliate link) - audio and video editor, transcript maker and AI tool
Senja - Collect, manage and share testimonials

My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families:
👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter

<blockquote>
"Just because someone&rsquo;s great at marketing doesn&rsquo;t mean they can teach."
</blockquote>
When Jasmine Jonte invested in a high-ticket online course and discovered it was badly designed and nearly impossible to learn from, she had an epiphany: great teaching is a&nbsp;skill &mdash; and it&rsquo;s one most experts don&rsquo;t have. So, she used her background as a teacher to build a business that helps experts teach well, turning their brilliance into scalable, binge-worthy programs.
Jasmine Jonte is a former kindergarten teacher turned founder of a course creation agency. She&rsquo;s helped build over 140 programs across more than 70 niches &mdash; from real estate investing to tarot to dentistry &mdash; helping experts turn their intellectual property into powerful learning experiences that actually get results.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The real reason most online courses fail (hint: it&rsquo;s not lack of expertise)</li>
<li aria-level="1">How Jasmine went from teacher to six-figure business owner with a 14-person team</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between being an expert and being able to teach effectively</li>
<li aria-level="1">The framework Jasmine uses to turn expert knowledge into curriculum</li>
<li aria-level="1">What to ask in market research interviews to truly understand your audience</li>
<li aria-level="1">The two pathways for experts: build a team or build a scalable offer</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why completion rates and student results matter more than flashy marketing</li>
<li aria-level="1">Using AI in ethical, efficient ways to streamline course creation</li>
<li aria-level="1">The surprising AI tools Jasmine uses in her own business</li>
</ul>
CALL TO ACTION
If you're ready to turn your expertise into a powerful, scalable program &mdash; or just want a peek behind the curtain of what that takes &mdash; you won&rsquo;t want to miss this episode.
👉 &ldquo;Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business&rdquo;<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter</a>
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Jasmine&rsquo;s website:<a href="https://www.cre8tion.co/?utm_source=OnlineBusinessLiftoff-podcast&amp;utm_medium=shownotes&amp;utm_content=episode-241&amp;utm_campaign=resources-mentioned"> https://www.creation.co</a> (note: creation is spelled with an 8)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Free guide:<a href="https://www.creation.co/netflix"> https://www.creation.co/netflix</a> &mdash; &ldquo;<a href="https://www.cre8tion.co/netflix?utm_source=OnlineBusinessLiftoff-podcast&amp;utm_medium=shownotes&amp;utm_content=episode-241&amp;utm_campaign=resources-mentioned">10 Next Level Strategies to Make Your Program as Binge-Worthy as Netflix</a>&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tools mentioned:&nbsp;</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://chatgpt.com/">ChatGPT</a> - AI tool,&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://claude.ai">Claude</a> - AI tool&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/Descript">Descript</a> (affiliate link) - audio and video editor, transcript maker and AI tool</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://senja.io/?utm_source=OnlineBusinessLiftoff-podcast&amp;utm_medium=shownotes&amp;utm_content=episode-241&amp;utm_campaign=resources-mentioned">Senja</a> - Collect, manage and share testimonials</li>
</ul>
</ul>
My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: 👉<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter</a>

Proven Strategies For Building A Thriving SaaS Portfolio With Michael Frew

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