4 Years to $1M ARR—Then Bootstrapped to $18M and an Exit скачать в хорошем качестве

4 Years to $1M ARR—Then Bootstrapped to $18M and an Exit

Brian's LinkedIn:   / brian-elrod-1240606   TextRequest: https://www.textrequest.com/ In this episode, Brian Elrod, CEO and co-founder of TextRequest, shares how he transitioned from the franchising world into tech, what it took to build the MVP, and how he found the right technical co-founder. He also breaks down how TextRequest found product-market fit by shifting from customer service to revenue-focused messaging, and how they scaled through a “bottom-up” strategy targeting franchisees first. We also explore Brian’s approach to customer feedback, how he ran daily demos even years into the business, and how building a strong relationship with Twilio turned into a game-changing distribution channel. What you’ll learn: The mindset and milestones behind bootstrapping to $18M ARR Why staying close to customers can guide your entire roadmap The art of the sales demo and listening for product insights I hope you enjoy the episode! Chapters: 00:00 Customer-Centric Approach: Listening and Adapting 02:14 The Acquisition: Reflections on Success 05:17 The Importance of Co-Founders: Trust and Collaboration 08:09 Franchise Focus: Targeting the Right Market 11:03 Scaling Up: From Individual Locations to Franchise Networks 14:48 Navigating the Franchise Landscape 18:11 Case Studies: Driving Revenue with Text Requests 21:20 The Shift from Customer Service to Revenue Generation 23:03 Understanding Customer Needs for Growth 26:08 Building Relationships and Leveraging Partnerships 27:17 The Art of Customer Demos 30:19 Feedback Loop: From Customer Insights to Product Development 32:11 The Role of AI in Business Operations 35:14 The Acquisition Journey 39:14 Life After Acquisition: What's Next? 40:15 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs