The Bootstrapped Founder – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to the weird world of web scraping in the AI age, where founders have to protect their data from hungry AI companies but also need to collect information from all kinds of (not so) public APIs.

Today, I dive into a particularly confusing situation I am in with Podscan when it comes to scraping and keeping the web free and open.

This episode is sponsored by Podscan.fm

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/crawl-or-be-crawled/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/345-scrape-or-be-scraped

Check out Podscan to get alerts when you're mentioned on podcasts: https://podscan.fm
Send me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvid

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Andrew Davies (@andjdavies) runs marketing for Paddle, the payment provider that powers several of my businesses. They also recently ran an AI launchpad accelerator, which massively impacted the trajectory of my business, Podscan. It's about time we chat more about money on the pod.

Today, I get to talk to Andrew about all things payment, why a Merchant of Record is something way too few bootstrappers leverage, and what the future holds for online payments.

This episode is sponsored by Podscan.fm

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/andrew-davies-the-power-of-a-merchant-of-record/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/343-andrew-davies-the-power-of-a-merchant-of-record

Check out Podscan to get alerts when you're mentioned on podcasts: https://podscan.fm
Send me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvid

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

These last weeks have been a bit much.

What do they say? “Take a break before the break takes you?”

Well, I got quite close to that this week.

This episode is sponsored by Podscan.fm

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/tipping-over/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/355-tipping-over

Check out Podscan to get alerts when you're mentioned on podcasts: https://podscan.fm
Send me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvid

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Instead of writing a lengthy article this week, I pointed my iPhone at my face, clipped on a wireless mic, put the puppy in the background of the shot, and hit record. I share my thoughts about forcing yourself to take breaks, even when you feel like you shouldn’t. I dive into the times in my life when that sentiment caused me massive mental health issues, and I point out a few misconceptions that contributed to that self-delusion.

If you’re having trouble taking breaks, this is for you.

And if you’re good at taking breaks, please tell me how to do it ;)

Here’s my “take the break or the break takes you” moment.

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/take-a-break/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/218285c3

The video: https://youtu.be/lmPE0ZT37L8

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

Emmet Gibney truly walked the path less taken. Today, you'll hear about an extraordinary journey from customer support to interim CEO of Rewardful. You'll gain insights into how Emmett skillfully braved the transition following the company's acquisition by a private equity group. This episode will acquaint you with the power of referral and affiliate programs, and how they can provide the much-needed edge to entrepreneurs in their quest for growth.

This conversation with Emmett is a goldmine of subject-matter expert insights. We discuss the lucky turn of events that propelled him to the position of interim CEO at Rewardful, and his role in the growth trajectory of the SaaS Group. You'll learn about the intricate management processes this Private Equity company has woven for its portfolio companies. Understand the distinction between customer referral programs and affiliate marketing programs, and the art of setting them up. Emmett's experiences serve as a testament to the potential personal growth and career trajectory that can be achieved by working your way up — or being referred, as we find out.

We also delve deep into the art of building successful referral and affiliate systems. Listen to the success stories of two indie hackers and explore the strategies to build trust with affiliates and identify the right people for your affiliate system. Embrace the wisdom of the long-standing community members and learn how to attract the right newcomers to your work. This episode is not just about strategies but also about the nuances of human relationships in business – a true masterclass for entrepreneurs and those in the SaaS industry.

00:00:00 Journey to Interim CEO at Rewardful
00:11:47 Transitioning to Private Equity
00:22:16 Referral and Affiliate Programs for SaaS Businesses
00:35:41 Building Affiliate Systems for SaaS Businesses
00:39:11 Finding and Building Affiliate Partnerships
00:44:43 Community-Centric Approach in Business

Emmet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/emmetgibney

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/emmet-gibney-referred-into-the-role-of-ceo/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a68eab7b

The video: https://youtu.be/FpymMil-3Ks

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

• (00:00) - Journey to Interim CEO at Rewardful
• (11:47) - Transitioning to Private Equity
• (22:16) - Referral and Affiliate Programs for SaaS Businesses
• (35:41) - Building Affiliate Systems for SaaS Businesses
• (39:11) - Finding and Building Affiliate Partnerships
• (44:43) - Community-Centric Approach in Business

Get ready to unlock the secret to enhancing your business's value — whether you plan to sell or not. This episode will guide you through the concept of sellability and its crucial role in your business. Inspired by a riveting conversation with Kevin McArdle, a seasoned investor who shared valuable insights from his SaaS business acquisition experience, and the wisdom of John Warrillow's book, Built to Sell, I illuminate good business practices that can boost your business's sellability and value.

But it doesn't stop there. I'll equip you with practical strategies for exit planning that will make your business not only sellable but also ready for a smooth transition. Ready to build a sellable business?

00:00:00 The Importance of Sellability in Business
00:09:00 Practical Tips for Exit Planning
00:17:18 Assessing Alignment and Exit Planning

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/bootstrapped-saas-exit-planning/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/c4d259eb

The video: https://youtu.be/9cqVjugSsAs

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

• (00:00) - The Importance of Sellability in Business
• (09:00) - Practical Tips for Exit Planning
• (17:18) - Assessing Alignment and Exit Planning

Ever wonder how to build a successful start-up from scratch? This week, I'm joined by Louis Pereira, an indie founder who has done just that. Creator of the successful audio transcription product, AudioPen, Louis sheds light on his journey and the calculated risks he took with pricing and subscriptions to validate demand early on. He's a firm believer in building and launching products in public, a practice that he believes played a critical role in growing his audience and gaining traction — and it paid off mightily.

This isn't just a conversation about entrepreneurial success; it's a deep dive into the inner workings of a product, from handling customer conversations to managing bug reports and feature requests. Enjoy the inside view of a successful business on the rise.

00:00:01 Indie Founder Discusses Building Successful Startup
00:10:30 Building Features and Handling Customer Conversations
00:18:38 Building Business Trust
00:26:38 Building in Public and Unexpected Success
00:38:36 "Hackathon Launch Strategies and Productivity Mindset"
00:43:55 The Value of Reading and Accessibility
00:53:41 The Impact of Writing Tools

Louis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/louispereira/
Louis' website: https://louispereira.xyz/
AudioPen: https://tbf.link/audiopen

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/louis-pereira-when-an-indie-hacker-strikes-gold/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ad81b535

The video: https://youtu.be/y0GbP43xtpo

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

• (00:01) - Indie Founder Discusses Building Successful Startup
• (10:30) - Building Features and Handling Customer Conversations
• (18:38) - Building Business Trust
• (26:38) - Building in Public and Unexpected Success
• (38:36) - "Hackathon Launch Strategies and Productivity Mindset"
• (43:55) - The Value of Reading and Accessibility
• (53:41) - The Impact of Writing Tools

Battle lines have been drawn. Human writers versus artificial intelligence - who will come out on top? I'm Arvid Kahl, your guide through the minefield of writing in a world where machines such as ChatGPT are generating content at a phenomenal rate. Can human authors still hold their own? Absolutely! Tune in as I reveal why the human touch and authenticity inherent in our content is irreplaceable, no matter how advanced AI becomes.

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/human-creativity-amidst-ai-dominance/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b3d424cc

The video: https://youtu.be/MqWEGSjnAlA

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

Ever wondered how to handle the competitive world of AI products and copycats while running a global business? Well, you're in luck. This episode of The Bootstrapped Founder features a heart-to-heart with indie hacker and global entrepreneur, Danny Postma. Danny takes us behind the scenes of his entrepreneurial journey, sharing priceless insights on transitioning from a solopreneur to a team leader, cleverly leveraging SEO, and the fascinating world of domain acquisitions.

Picture this: You're living the digital nomad lifestyle, working across time zones while experiencing new cultures. How do you make it all work? Danny Postma gives us a peek into his life as a digital nomad, the cultural differences that affect his way of work, and how he deals with the 12-hour time difference with grace. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the value of a good domain name and how it can be a game-changer for any business. Join us on this exciting journey and tap into the world of a successful global entrepreneur.

Danny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dannypostmaa/

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/danny-postma-an-indie-hackers-business-evolution/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1fbba06a

The video: https://youtu.be/X36_7wRC_WI

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

• (00:00) - Successful Global Business Building
• (10:05) - Solopreneur to Team Building Transition
• (17:09) - Dealing With Copycats in Business
• (25:10) - Competition and Evolution of AI Products
• (35:09) - Discovery of B2C and Acquisition Strategies
• (38:59) - Importance of SEO for Indie Hackers
• (50:12) - Building a Network, Avoiding Fame
• (56:10) - Digital Life, Remote Work, Cultural Differences

We delve deep into the world of online communities, exploring their growth, evolution, and the disruptive elements that can lead to their downfall. Drawing compelling parallels with traditional villages, we seek to understand the role of trust, shared culture, and considerate interaction in these digital spaces.

We touch on the dynamics that can lead to the erosion of online communities, such as inconsiderate self-promotion and the mass influx of new members who lack a shared understanding of the community's values. Drawing inspiration from Immanuel Kant's teachings, we discuss how short-term gains can often lead to long-term reputation costs.

The podcast episode offers insights on how to contribute positively and build a reputation as a valued member of these virtual communities. It serves as a guide to navigating the complex dynamics of online spaces, focusing on their enrichment rather than erosion.

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/things-that-kill-the-village/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f317d6bb

The video: https://youtu.be/gakz2PeCYGY

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com