In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Ben Taylor, founder and CEO of Soft Ledger, about his journey in creating accounting software. They discuss the challenges of building a product in a competitive market, the importance of identifying gaps in existing solutions, and the lessons learned from the startup experience. Ben shares insights on their go-to-market strategy, the role of AI in accounting, and the impact of funding on their growth. The conversation highlights the complexities of product development and the future of accounting software.

Takeaways
Ben Taylor identified a significant gap in the accounting software market.
Soft Ledger was built to address the inefficiencies in financial reporting.
The journey to acquiring the first paying customer took 10 months.
Product readiness is crucial before launching to customers.
Surviving as a startup often means focusing on cash flow management.
SEO has been a key driver for customer acquisition for Soft Ledger.
AI is expected to enhance efficiency in accounting tasks.
Funding allowed Soft Ledger to invest in product development and marketing.
The accounting software market is evolving with new entrants and technologies.
Positioning against competitors like QuickBooks requires a clear strategy.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Learn more about Softledger here:
https://softledger.com

Learn more about Ben Taylor here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentaylor8/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"I called up my longtime friend, Jeff Ostrega."
"It took about 10 months before we got our first paying customer."
"We thought we had something, but it wasn't ready."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Soft Ledger and Its Founding
03:09 Identifying Market Gaps in Accounting Software
05:56 The Challenges of Selling Accounting Software
08:54 Building a Robust Product: Lessons Learned
11:59 Navigating the Startup Journey: Surviving and Thriving
15:08 Go-to-Market Strategy and Inbound Marketing
17:54 The Role of AI in Accounting Software
21:04 Funding and Growth Strategies for Startups
23:54 Future of Accounting Software and Market Positioning

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Ben Taylor, founder and CEO of Soft Ledger, about his journey in creating accounting software. They discuss the challenges of building a product in a competitive market, the importance of identifying gaps in existing solutions, and the lessons learned from the startup experience. Ben shares insights on their go-to-market strategy, the role of AI in accounting, and the impact of funding on their growth. The conversation highlights the complexities of product development and the future of accounting software.
Takeaways Ben Taylor identified a significant gap in the accounting software market. Soft Ledger was built to address the inefficiencies in financial reporting. The journey to acquiring the first paying customer took 10 months. Product readiness is crucial before launching to customers. Surviving as a startup often means focusing on cash flow management. SEO has been a key driver for customer acquisition for Soft Ledger. AI is expected to enhance efficiency in accounting tasks. Funding allowed Soft Ledger to invest in product development and marketing. The accounting software market is evolving with new entrants and technologies. Positioning against competitors like QuickBooks requires a clear strategy.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Learn more about Softledger here: https://softledger.com
Learn more about Ben Taylor here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentaylor8/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "I called up my longtime friend, Jeff Ostrega." "It took about 10 months before we got our first paying customer." "We thought we had something, but it wasn't ready."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Soft Ledger and Its Founding 03:09 Identifying Market Gaps in Accounting Software 05:56 The Challenges of Selling Accounting Software 08:54 Building a Robust Product: Lessons Learned 11:59 Navigating the Startup Journey: Surviving and Thriving 15:08 Go-to-Market Strategy and Inbound Marketing 17:54 The Role of AI in Accounting Software 21:04 Funding and Growth Strategies for Startups 23:54 Future of Accounting Software and Market Positioning

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.   

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.&nbsp; With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.&nbsp; If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Startups, Entrepreneurship and Business are Not Easy

Startup Hustle

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.

Targeting the Midmarket, Growing with SEO

In this episode, Matt Watson and Sean Beckner discuss the journey of entrepreneurship, investment strategies, and the evolution of business growth. Sean shares his experiences transitioning from a startup founder to an investor, highlighting the importance of timing in business exits and the dynamics of customer engagement in the digital age.

They explore the challenges and rewards of acquiring businesses, the balance between equity and cash in exits, and the future of investing through a family office model. The conversation emphasizes the need for purpose and passion in entrepreneurship, as well as the potential for growth in existing businesses.

Takeaways
Entrepreneurship involves phases: founding, acquiring, and investing.
Transitioning from operator to investor can feel boring but offers freedom.
Building businesses profitably allows for better optionality in exits.
Customer engagement strategies have evolved with technology.
Timing the market is crucial for successful business exits.
Acquisitions can provide a win-win for founders and investors.
Balancing equity and cash in exits is a strategic decision.
Investing through a family office allows for more control and flexibility.
Purpose and passion are essential for long-term entrepreneurial success.
Growth in existing businesses can be more manageable than starting anew.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Learn more about Sean Beckner here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-beckner-558a916/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"It's hard. It's hard."
"We all need some sense of purpose, right?"
"You can still get those types of returns."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Investment
02:56 Transitioning from Operator to Investor
06:56 Early Ventures: From Startups to Exits
10:28 The Evolution of Customer Engagement
13:31 Viral Nova: Riding the Wave of Social Media
19:41 Timing the Market: Selling at the Right Moment
25:04 Acquisitions: Finding the Right Fit
31:02 The Balance of Equity and Cash in Exits
36:10 The Future of Investing: Family Office vs. Fund
40:32 Conclusion: The Importance of Purpose in Entrepreneurship

In this episode, Matt Watson and Sean Beckner discuss the journey of entrepreneurship, investment strategies, and the evolution of business growth. Sean shares his experiences transitioning from a startup founder to an investor, highlighting the importance of timing in business exits and the dynamics of customer engagement in the digital age.
They explore the challenges and rewards of acquiring businesses, the balance between equity and cash in exits, and the future of investing through a family office model. The conversation emphasizes the need for purpose and passion in entrepreneurship, as well as the potential for growth in existing businesses.
Takeaways Entrepreneurship involves phases: founding, acquiring, and investing. Transitioning from operator to investor can feel boring but offers freedom. Building businesses profitably allows for better optionality in exits. Customer engagement strategies have evolved with technology. Timing the market is crucial for successful business exits. Acquisitions can provide a win-win for founders and investors. Balancing equity and cash in exits is a strategic decision. Investing through a family office allows for more control and flexibility. Purpose and passion are essential for long-term entrepreneurial success. Growth in existing businesses can be more manageable than starting anew.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Learn more about Sean Beckner here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-beckner-558a916/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "It's hard. It's hard." "We all need some sense of purpose, right?" "You can still get those types of returns."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Investment 02:56 Transitioning from Operator to Investor 06:56 Early Ventures: From Startups to Exits 10:28 The Evolution of Customer Engagement 13:31 Viral Nova: Riding the Wave of Social Media 19:41 Timing the Market: Selling at the Right Moment 25:04 Acquisitions: Finding the Right Fit 31:02 The Balance of Equity and Cash in Exits 36:10 The Future of Investing: Family Office vs. Fund 40:32 Conclusion: The Importance of Purpose in Entrepreneurship

Starting vs Growing a Business

In this episode, Matt Watson speaks with Joseph Ruscio, a partner at Heavybit, a venture capital firm focused on investing in software development-related companies. They discuss the evolving landscape of venture capital, the unique value niche VC firms provide, and the impact of AI on software development. Joseph shares insights on the challenges developers face, the importance of finding product-market fit, and how AI can enhance developer productivity. They also explore Heavybit's recent investments in AI startups and the future of software development in an AI-driven world.

Takeaways
AI is not going to replace developers but will enhance their capabilities.
Niche VC firms like Heavybit provide specialized support to early-stage companies.
The pressure to integrate AI into products is significant for developers.
Finding product-market fit is crucial for startup success.
Developers are increasingly seen as the key decision-makers in technology.
The cost of software development varies widely across different markets.
AI tools can help reduce the toil in software development processes.
Investing in specialized AI models is essential for enterprise applications.
The landscape of AI investments is rapidly evolving with new startups emerging.
Understanding the unique challenges of selling to developers is vital for success.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Find out more about Heavybit here:
https://www.heavybit.com

Learn more about Joseph Ruscio here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephruscio/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"AI is going to make developers more valuable."
"The pressure to build AI functionality is real."
"Finding product market fit is crucial."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Heavybit and AI in Software Development
03:01 The Evolution of Venture Capital and Specialization
05:58 The Value of Niche VC Firms
09:01 Challenges in Selling to Developers
11:48 AI's Impact on Software Development
14:46 Investments in AI Companies
17:51 The Future of Software Development with AI
20:54 The Role of AI in Developer Productivity
23:53 Investing in Emerging AI Startups
27:08 The Importance of Specialized AI Models
30:12 The Landscape of AI Investments
33:06 The Economics of Software Development
35:54 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode, Matt Watson speaks with Joseph Ruscio, a partner at Heavybit, a venture capital firm focused on investing in software development-related companies. They discuss the evolving landscape of venture capital, the unique value niche VC firms provide, and the impact of AI on software development. Joseph shares insights on the challenges developers face, the importance of finding product-market fit, and how AI can enhance developer productivity. They also explore Heavybit's recent investments in AI startups and the future of software development in an AI-driven world.
Takeaways AI is not going to replace developers but will enhance their capabilities. Niche VC firms like Heavybit provide specialized support to early-stage companies. The pressure to integrate AI into products is significant for developers. Finding product-market fit is crucial for startup success. Developers are increasingly seen as the key decision-makers in technology. The cost of software development varies widely across different markets. AI tools can help reduce the toil in software development processes. Investing in specialized AI models is essential for enterprise applications. The landscape of AI investments is rapidly evolving with new startups emerging. Understanding the unique challenges of selling to developers is vital for success.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Find out more about Heavybit here: https://www.heavybit.com
Learn more about Joseph Ruscio here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephruscio/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "AI is going to make developers more valuable." "The pressure to build AI functionality is real." "Finding product market fit is crucial."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Heavybit and AI in Software Development 03:01 The Evolution of Venture Capital and Specialization 05:58 The Value of Niche VC Firms 09:01 Challenges in Selling to Developers 11:48 AI's Impact on Software Development 14:46 Investments in AI Companies 17:51 The Future of Software Development with AI 20:54 The Role of AI in Developer Productivity 23:53 Investing in Emerging AI Startups 27:08 The Importance of Specialized AI Models 30:12 The Landscape of AI Investments 33:06 The Economics of Software Development 35:54 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Boutique VCs & The Effect of AI

In this episode, Matt Watson and Yoni Kozminski discuss the intricacies of hiring talent in the Philippines, exploring Yoni's journey from creative advertising to building a recruitment agency. They delve into the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of value creation in sales, and the need for clear job definitions and onboarding processes. 

The conversation highlights the evolving workforce in the Philippines, cultural nuances in communication, and the economic factors influencing hiring decisions. Yoni emphasizes the importance of having in-house expertise and leadership when hiring remote talent, while also acknowledging the incredible capabilities of Filipino workers.

Takeaways
Hiring in the Philippines can provide high-quality talent at competitive rates.
Value creation is essential in every interaction with potential clients.
Understanding business needs is crucial before defining job roles.
A clear onboarding process is key to employee success.
Cultural nuances can affect communication and understanding in remote teams.
The Philippines has a rapidly evolving workforce with increasing capabilities.
Investing in emerging world talent is beneficial for both parties.
Sales growth often comes from existing clients and referrals.
Defining success metrics for roles helps in effective hiring.
Building a strong company culture can enhance employee satisfaction.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Find out more about MultiplyMii here:
http://www.multiplymii.com

Learn more about Yoni Kozminski:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonkoz/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"We could help a lot of people if they just understood."
"You really have to have visibility across how each of the pieces connect."
"How do we focus on adding value at every single stage?"

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hiring in the Philippines
02:59 Yoni's Journey into Recruitment
06:04 Scaling the Business: Challenges and Strategies
09:13 Sales Growth and Value Creation
12:03 Understanding Roles and Hiring Needs
15:04 Defining Success in Hiring
17:58 The Importance of Onboarding
20:49 Expertise and Leadership in Hiring
24:02 The Evolving Workforce in the Philippines
26:58 Opportunities and Economic Factors
30:08 Cultural Nuances in Communication
32:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Matt Watson and Yoni Kozminski discuss the intricacies of hiring talent in the Philippines, exploring Yoni's journey from creative advertising to building a recruitment agency. They delve into the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of value creation in sales, and the need for clear job definitions and onboarding processes. 
The conversation highlights the evolving workforce in the Philippines, cultural nuances in communication, and the economic factors influencing hiring decisions. Yoni emphasizes the importance of having in-house expertise and leadership when hiring remote talent, while also acknowledging the incredible capabilities of Filipino workers.
Takeaways Hiring in the Philippines can provide high-quality talent at competitive rates. Value creation is essential in every interaction with potential clients. Understanding business needs is crucial before defining job roles. A clear onboarding process is key to employee success. Cultural nuances can affect communication and understanding in remote teams. The Philippines has a rapidly evolving workforce with increasing capabilities. Investing in emerging world talent is beneficial for both parties. Sales growth often comes from existing clients and referrals. Defining success metrics for roles helps in effective hiring. Building a strong company culture can enhance employee satisfaction.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Find out more about MultiplyMii here: http://www.multiplymii.com
Learn more about Yoni Kozminski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonkoz/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "We could help a lot of people if they just understood." "You really have to have visibility across how each of the pieces connect." "How do we focus on adding value at every single stage?"
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hiring in the Philippines 02:59 Yoni's Journey into Recruitment 06:04 Scaling the Business: Challenges and Strategies 09:13 Sales Growth and Value Creation 12:03 Understanding Roles and Hiring Needs 15:04 Defining Success in Hiring 17:58 The Importance of Onboarding 20:49 Expertise and Leadership in Hiring 24:02 The Evolving Workforce in the Philippines 26:58 Opportunities and Economic Factors 30:08 Cultural Nuances in Communication 32:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Targeting the Midmarket, Growing with SEO

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