How a Side Project Reached 50,000 Restaurants

Opening: Utilizing SEO and content marketing can drive early organic growth. Quote:

"We focused a lot on SEO...there's no one talking about restaurant scheduling software...we built everything around restaurant scheduling software...that drove a lot of early traffic for us."

Takeaway:

• Identify and capitalize on untapped SEO opportunities.
• Focus content on specific keywords relevant to target customers.

Opening: Open communication among co-founders is vital for resolving conflicts and aligning on company vision. Quote:

"We had some really good friction early on and we talked it through...It also prompted good questions of like, what do we want to do when we grow up, or what is it we want this company to be when it grows up?"

Takeaway:

• Address conflicts openly to strengthen co-founder relationships.
• Align on long-term vision to guide company decisions.

Opening: Solving real customer problems drives product success and growth. Quote:

"It was never about making money or like having...stability in this way. It was more I was fueled...by solving problems and people going, wow, this is really helping me, thank you so much."

Takeaway:

• Prioritize solving customer pain points over profits.
• Customer satisfaction can fuel motivation and growth.

Opening: Facing potential failure is common; handling it proactively is crucial. Quote:

"We had like 4 months of runway left...I was like, this is not fun...I just like hustled like crazy to do it and...that's what you do. The part of startup life."

Takeaway:

• Recognize warning signs early and act swiftly.
• Hustle and determination are essential to overcome challenges.

Opening: Persistent communication with potential investors can lead to successful fundraising. Quote:

"I flew to Toronto like all the time and I'd be like, hey, here's how much we grew...we joke that...I invested in you out of just sheer exhaustion."

Takeaway:

• Regularly update investors on progress to build relationships.
• Persistence can pay off in securing investment.

Opening: Building a company in a non-traditional tech hub can offer unique advantages in team culture and talent. Quote:

"Something about building something in a place where no one thought possible...you could manage to attract some talent...I think a lot of these folks can outwork so many people."

Takeaway:

• Consider non-traditional locations for dedicated talent.
• Grit and work ethic can outweigh experience.

Opening: Establishing core values helps in hiring and building a strong team culture. Quote:

"We went through it a few times...It's the article called 'Draw the Owl'...I think that's really important...It allowed everyone else to sort of see the value mismatch before we saw it."

Takeaway:

• Define clear core values to guide hiring decisions.
• Core values help maintain a cohesive and strong company culture.

Opening: Building partnerships can significantly accelerate distribution and product value. Quote:

"Because we focused on restaurants...we built great integrations with these folks early on. We were their first labor partner...When these folks raised money and they grew, we were growing with them."

Takeaway:

• Align with partners that serve your target market.
• Integrations can enhance product value and open new distribution channels.

Opening: Focusing on a specific niche can help startups find product-market fit more effectively. Quote:

"We decided to focus on hospitality...People were like, why are you gonna target a segment that can't afford to pay anything...I always felt like no one's targeting them because of all these reasons. What a great opportunity."

Takeaway:

• Target underserved markets where competition is low.
• Niche focus allows for specialized product development and stronger market position.

Opening: Quickly implementing customer-requested features can help secure important clients. Quote:

"They were like, by the way, like you guys have time clocking, right? And we're like, uh, yeah, totally...we hung up and then we're like, guys, we gotta build time clocking like yesterday."

Takeaway:

• Act swiftly on significant customer requests to win deals.
• Flexibility in product development can differentiate you from competitors.