Startup Hustle

Ever heard the term "CTO" and wondered what it actually means? In the wild world of startups, the role can be a bit of a mystery.  In this episode, we're joined by Adelina Chalmers, also known as the "Geek Whisperer." Buckle up as we dissect the ever-evolving role of a startup CTO. We'll crack open the code on how CTOs can translate techie jargon into investor gold, and explore the crucial (but of...

Ever gotten hit with a chargeback? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the world of e-commerce fraud with Qi Cao, the co-founder and CEO of Chargeblast, a company helping merchants fight back against unfair chargebacks.   Qi Cao went from scientist to entrepreneur after experiencing the pain of chargebacks firsthand. Now, he's helping businesses win back revenue and avoid costly disput...

Tired of your tedious onboarding routines for new hires and useless knowledge bases no one seems to use? This episode of Startup Hustle is your guide to conquering knowledge transfer in the digital age. We chat with Greg DeVore, CEO of ScreenSteps, a software platform that's helping companies slash onboarding times and boost employee productivity. In this episode, you'll learn: How to ditch the cl...

In this compelling episode, join Matt Watson as he sits down with Stefan Schmidt, a seasoned CTO coach and author of the acclaimed book "Amazing CTO." Together, they discuss the pivotal role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), exploring crucial insights on when to bring one on board and the critical errors to avoid in the selection process. Stefan underscores the importance of idea validation bef...

In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt Watson interviews Robby Yates, co-founder and Chief Everything Officer of FollowApp, a networking software company. They discuss Robbie's journey from being a salesperson to becoming an IT guy and starting his own company. They also talk about the importance of networking, the challenges of being a non-technical founder, and the benefits of white labeling. R...

Join us as Chase Harmer, a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years in the fintech industry, dives deep into the challenges and innovations of building a fintech company with heart. In this episode, we explore the intersection of financial technology and charitable giving through Chase's latest venture, Wishes—a platform designed to transform how we support causes we care about. Episode Highlights...

Steve Wolfe, managing partner and co-founder of Growth Street Partners, joins Matt Watson on the Startup Hustle podcast to discuss practical fundraising for founders. They explore the challenges faced by practical founders in raising money and the drawbacks of traditional venture capital funding. They emphasize the importance of founder market fit and the advantages it brings. They also discuss th...

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Rob Snyder, the founder and CEO of Reframe, about product market fit and the challenges of being an entrepreneur. They discuss the definition of product market fit, the importance of customer case studies, and the need to focus on solving specific problems for a target audience. Rob shares insights from his program for founders and emphasizes the value of ta...

Feeling trapped on a workaholic hamster wheel? This episode of Startup Hustle dives deep into the entrepreneur's struggle for work-life balance and that elusive thing called happiness. Join serial entrepreneur and travel addict Michael Motamedi as he discusses aligning your company goals with your desire to, you know, not die alone. We'll crack the code on the "happiness threshold" (it's not about...

This episode of Startup Hustle is a goldmine for aspiring entrepreneurs!  Yaniv Bernstein, host of the StartUp podcast and founder of Funding Fit, joins the show to dish on the exciting and often messy world of startups. Ever heard of "entrepreneurial ADHD"?  Yaniv, a former Google employee who freely admits to this condition, dives into the challenges founders face, including the pitfalls to avoi...

Join us as Matt Watson chats with Greg Head about the power of in-person events like the SaaS Open. We're talking about ditching the Zoom fatigue and forging real connections with founders who GET IT. They discuss the value of talking to other entrepreneurs and attending events. They highlight the power of community and the benefits of connecting with like-minded individuals. They also touch on th...

Do you ever feel like you're the only one getting things done at your startup? This episode is for you! Matt Watson chats with Greg Schmedding, a problem-solver with a proven track record in the staffing industry, about the critical hires every startup needs to flourish. In this episode, you'll learn: Why delegating and letting go are essential for startup growth (and how to do it without losing c...

In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt Watson chats with Rex Kurzius, founder and CEO of Asset Panda, about the exciting (and sometimes messy!) world of building a global SaaS company. Get ready to hear about: The entrepreneurial itch: Rex, a serial entrepreneur, shares his insights on what drives him to build new businesses constantly. From home inventory to global asset tracking: Discover how A...

Ever wonder what happens when you buy out your business partner? Join Jeff Munn and Matt Watson, the new CEO of Full Scale, as they go through Matt’s entrepreneurial rollercoaster in the first 90 days! In this episode, you'll hear: Matt's origin story: From problem solver to accidental business owner, Matt shares his hilarious and relatable journey. Leadership lessons learned (the hard way): Matt...

Have you ever wondered how entrepreneurship can change communities? This episode dives deep into business ownership with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, a leader with an impressive track record in government, education, and philanthropy. Now, she's at the helm of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a powerhouse dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, especially women and people of color. Here's what...

Ever felt like your website is about to crash from a sudden surge in traffic? Our guest founder knows that feeling all too well. In this episode, we chat with the Chief Innovation Officer of WP Engine, Jason Cohen, about the company's incredible journey and his own path from burnt-out developer to successful entrepreneur. You'll learn: How Jason's early struggles with WordPress led to the creation...

Join Matt Watson for a blast-from-the-past reunion with his long-time friend, Danny Zaslavsky! This episode dives deep into Danny's fascinating journey, from growing up in a car dealership to becoming the founder of a tech startup, DealerCue. Matt and Danny reminisce about their early days working together, the challenges they faced in the car business, and the power of technology to revolutionize...

Have you ever struggled to find reliable contractors for your home repairs? You're not alone! In this episode, we'll hear from Bo Lais, the CEO and founder of Lula. He started out helping homeowners but discovered a hidden goldmine in the property management industry. Bo and his wife faced the same challenge as many homeowners: finding qualified contractors. This led them to create a platform to c...

Tired of dead-end jobs and feeling stuck in your career? Hope is on the horizon. In this episode, Matt Watson chats with Kadima Careers's Founder, CEO & Chief Accelerator, Alan Stein. Alan, a seasoned professional with a unique career path, shares his insights on: Fast-tracking your career and exploring side hustles: Learn how Alan went from being "tired of getting fired" to helping others lan...

Do you feel lost in the world of product development? Are you struggling to gain traction, validate your idea, or build a team that delivers? In this episode, we're joined by Adam Judelson, founder and CEO of First Principles Catalyst, to dissect the common problems tech companies face with product development. From the challenges of early-stage startups to building the right product team, Adam br...

Ever wonder how to create a product that caters to both small businesses and giant corporations? Join Matt Watson as he dives deep into the world of product strategy with Jeff Weiner, CEO of Realquantum. Discover how the company revolutionized commercial real estate appraisal software and the crucial differences in catering to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) vs. enterprise giants. They di...

Ever wonder how top brands create ads that resonate with you on a personal level? In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt Watson dives into AI-powered marketing with Matt Swalley, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Omneky. Discover how Omneky's platform leverages cutting-edge AI to: Craft hyper-personalized ads: Target different age groups, cultures, and individuals with tailored messages th...

Forget drones, the future swims! Imagine a world where robots don't fly, they dive - not through water, but through mountains of sand, grains, and powders. This isn't science fiction, it's the reality being built by Lorenzo Conti, the engineer behind a revolutionary technology. Join Matt Watson as he digs deep into the technology behind moving through "granular materials" with unprecedented effici...

Join host Matt Watson as he goes into the complex world of automotive technology with a twist of entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode, Matt sits down with the innovative mind behind WebBuy and the visionary founder of Pauldron, CTO Steve Dimock. Buckle up as they traverse through the rugged landscapes of Montana, exploring the untamed frontier of tech industry growth. From the emergence of pion...

Ever wondered how tech is transforming the dusty world of paving and construction? Join us on the podcast as we chat with Bryce Wuori, CEO of PaveWise , who turned a family business into a cutting-edge tech company! Here's what you'll learn: From asphalt to algorithms: How Bryce pivoted a traditional business and tackled industry challenges with software solutions. Weathering the storm: Discover h...