Most days I’m knee-deep in SaaS demos, churn dashboards, and the usual founder routine. Still, the most useful case study I learned this year has no AI prompt, no blockchain ledger, and not a single line of production code. My biggest learning came from Carol Zou and Matthew Wong, founders of Claymoo. A business totally outside of tech, but one that holds huge takeaways for us, the tech founders. And yes, love prevails again once more (I will explain soon).

How Claymoo Started

The idea for Claymoo hit Carol when she discovered air dry foam clay and realized two things: it requires no baking and it’s very soothing. She also spotted a gap in the market – inconsistent materials and almost no how-to guides. So her mission became making clay crafting more accessible and relaxing for everyday people. She created foam clay kits for cozy nights in, giving a creative vent through guided activities. Each Claymoo kit includes all materials, upgraded tools, and easy-to-follow tutorials to make sure customers can create, master techniques, and finish genuinely rewarding projects.

She branded the name “Claymoo” because the word sounded playful. It also stood out in a market dominated by forgettable “Craft Box” clones. At that point she controlled the entire operation from her parents’ basement – packing, labeling, customer service. Nights blurred into mornings, but she felt traction building. She just needed more oxygen.

@claymoo.co Can’t believe it’s been a year!! #clayart #claykit #polymerclay #crafting #DIYProjects #diyideas #craftidea #clayidea #giftidea #diykit #softairdryclay #foamclay #diykit #learntosculpt #claymoo ♬ BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish

Why Matthew Joined Carol

While Carol was building up her clay kit business, Matthew was hitting a wall in his career.

On paper he looked golden: Geotab engineer, then CTO of a fast-scaling SaaS, then a small exit with a note-taking app. But off paper he was back in his parents’ house burning through savings and struggling with the hard truth: as a one-person founder with a single product, he hasn’t learned how to scale a business beyond himself.

His answer was to walk away from code and start shipping foam clay craft kits. The move looks wild until you know the real reasons. That’s why I’m telling this story. I want early-stage founders, especially the ones stuck to their keyboards, to see how growth could hide on the other side of the tech world.

For Matthew, the ceiling wasn’t technical. It was managerial. He could refactor a codebase in his sleep, but hiring, supply chain, cash-flow forecasting – those looked like foreign languages to him. He could either stay where he was, keep writing code, and hope the next project magically solved the gap. Or he could chase the gap head-on.

He chose the second path.

How Claymoo achieved a 10x growth

Carol and Matthew grew Claymoo from “cute Etsy side hustle” to a real company that ships thousands of kits a month. They’ve already sold 100,000 kits directly to consumers, and this is just the start. If you have a company, regardless of industry, you need to know their approach. These tips apply to other ventures too.

Hard-Won Lessons Every Founder Should Steal

Founders love bullet lists – I’m guilty too. So, I’ll convert my key lessons from Carol and Matthew into direct points.

Do a skill audit

Write down the tasks you can finish before coffee gets cold. Those are your comfort skills. Now list the tasks you keep postponing. Those are your growth skills. Matthew’s growth path involved hiring, supply chain issues, and international shipping. Claymoo made him work on them every single day.

Visibility is a skill you build, not a trait you’re born with.

Carol wasn’t a natural content creator, and that’s what makes her transformation so impressive. She pushed past the awkwardness of pointing a camera at herself because she understood something crucial: in a crowded market, the best product loses if nobody sees it. So she showed up on TikTok anyway, posted consistently, and taught herself to connect through short videos. Today she has over 230K followers across TikTok and Instagram, and her content drives most of their sales. That takes guts most founders never find.

@claymoo.co Here’s a little glimpse into what life looks like as a small business owner, two years after opening our shop. I’ve honestly lost count of how many new roles we’ve had to take on, but I still find it really fun and so rewarding. November has been our busiest month yet. It’s been crazy, with fires to put out left and right, but also filled with some of our most exciting moments.  I can’t wait to share more of my journey in the upcoming TikToks! #smallbusinessowner #smallbusiness #clay #clayart #claymoo ♬ Param-Pam-Pam – Carlos Campos

Tools amplify process – so fix the process first

Too many founders rush to automation when they hit capacity, hoping technology will solve their operational mess. It won’t. A broken process under manual labor becomes a broken process times 100 when you automate. Before Claymoo invested in warehouse tools, Matthew and Carol documented every step, run it manually until it was smooth, then introduce equipment.

Your real ceiling is the skills you’re avoiding

Matthew looked successful on paper still felt stuck. Recognizing that feeling – and acting on it – matters more than holding to status. That dissonance between external validation and internal stagnation is one of the hardest things for founders to admit, let alone act on. Most people ignore the feeling, pivot to a shinier idea, and hope it goes away. Matthew did the opposite. He recognized that his ceiling wasn’t market conditions or lack of opportunity. It was the gap between the skills he had and the skills he needed to build something bigger than himself.

Upgrade only when pain forces it

Claymoo did not move into a warehouse because it sounded fun. They moved when the house literally filled to the top. The basement worked until pallets scraped the ceiling. Upgrade only when the metrics prove it’s time.

What I love about these insights is that they have nothing to do with foam clay. They apply to SaaS, AI startups, coaching – any venture where growth asks you to abandon what’s comfortable.

Translating CTO Skills to Clay Kits

Some tech founders ask whether their hard-won coding skills add value in a physical-product world. Matthew proves they do.

1. Systems thinking. Debugging distributed software taught him to see production as flows, not tasks. That mindset streamlined shelf layout, pick-and-pack sequences, and inventory audits.
2. Data discipline. Engineers obsess over metrics. Matthew now tracks clay waste per batch and shipping cost per zone. Each data point guides the next operational tweak.
3. Automation instinct. Where others see a unpredictable machine, he sees an opportunity to add sensors and run A/B tests on temperature settings. The domain changed, but the mental models transferred perfectly.

If you’re itching to pivot, remember the skill set, not the industry, is your true leverage.

When Clay Met Claymoo: A Lesson in Persistent Outreach

Matthew didn’t just bring systems thinking to Claymoo – he brought the founder’s most underrated skill: persistent outreach. He cold-contacted Clay.com – yes, the sales automation platform – pitching a partnership. The brand symmetry was too perfect to ignore: Clay meets Claymoo.

Matthew didn’t get a reply at first, so he followed up. Then he followed up again. Most founders would’ve stopped after the second silence. Matthew didn’t. He kept the “conversation” alive until Clay.com finally responded. And eventually, they said yes. Today they co-create corporate gift bundles together, and that partnership exists because Matthew refused to let “no response” mean “no.”

The Biggest Takeaways

Carol and Matthew each taught me something different, and both lessons apply to your business.

From Matthew: Your Skills Are More Portable Than You Think

Switching from SaaS to clay didn’t erase Matthew’s engineering past. It leveraged it. System thinking, quick iteration, and data obsession transferred perfectly. What changed was the environment.

Most tech founders underestimate how transferable their skills are. They also overestimate how much they’ll enjoy staying inside the same sandbox forever. If you feel stuck, borrow Matthew’s filter. Ask yourself, “Where will my current strengths translate, but my missing skills get exposed?” That sweet spot drives explosive personal growth.

From Carol: Customer Insight Beats Credentials Every Time

While Matthew brought systems and data, Carol brought something even more powerful: the ability to spot what customers actually want before they ask for it. She identified a gap – people craving creative outlets but intimidated by the mess and learning curve of traditional crafts. Then she built an entire experience around solving that friction.

Carol also understood that product quality alone doesn’t win. You need to bring people into your world. Her TikTok presence is community building, not just marketing. She shares mistakes, celebrates customer creations, and makes clay crafting feel accessible rather than exclusive to experienced clay crafters. That authenticity converts, scrollers become buyers, and buyers who experience Claymoo become advocates. Just head over to the testimonial section, and you will be blown away by the customer love.

If Matthew’s lesson is “your skills transfer across industries,” Carol’s lesson is “your customer insight matters more than your credentials.” She didn’t need a design degree or manufacturing background. She needed empathy and the willingness to solve a problem that mattered to her first.

The Real Reason Matthew Quit Tech (Yes, It’s About Love)

Perhaps the most valuable lesson here is this: some of the best business decisions are rooted in love, not just logic. Matthew didn’t quit tech because of a market analysis or pivot strategy. He quit because the person he loved was drowning in cardboard boxes and customer emails, building something real, and he wanted her to succeed. That decision to step in, to lend his systems thinking to her vision, turned a one-person hustle into a thriving company.

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This pattern repeats throughout entrepreneurial history.

• Gordon Roddick funded and scaled The Body Shop because he believed in his wife Anita’s vision of ethical cosmetics.
• Lynda Weinman built Lynda.com into a $1.5B acquisition with her husband Bruce Heavin as co-founder, combining their complementary skills.
• Even the warmest version of eBay’s origin story credits Pierre Omidyar’s desire to help his fiancee Pam Wesley trade Pez dispensers online as part of the inspiration.

The spreadsheet version of career advice says: “Follow the money. Pick the highest-growth sector. Ride the wave” But the human version says something different. Sometimes the smartest move is to help the person you love build something meaningful. When complementary skills meet shared purpose and genuine partnership, you don’t just build a business, you build a life. And that might be the most sustainable competitive advantage of all.

About the Author

Lidia Vijga

Lidia Vijga is a co-founder of DeckLinks, a SaaS platform that supercharges PDFs with Video narrations, CTAs, and real-time Analytics. Lidia is an early tech adopter, and as a passionate tech enthusiast, she actively supports startups. She regularly shares her insights and experiences on LinkedIn, webinars, and speaking engagements. Lidia is committed to empowering client-facing teams with tools that augment their talent, rather than replacing it with automation. She firmly believes that companies grow faster when they showcase their human side.

The post From Code to Clay: How a CTO Quit Tech to Make Clay Kits with His Life Partner appeared first on BYVI.

You already know that building a high-growth company often feels like riding a roller coaster in the dark. Still, even by startup standards, losing $757 million in a single quarter should have been a death sentence. For Peloton, it almost was. When I first read that figure, my mind flashed to every sleepless founder I’ve coached who panicked over burning “just” a few hundred thousand dollars too quickly. How did Peloton survive a nine-digit hemorrhage? And why should you, a tech founder trying to keep your SaaS churn under 2%, care about a hardware company’s near-death experience?

That matters because the same idea fits your digital tools, AI products, or B2B services. If you ignore the human side of what you’re building, you could end up like Peloton before their big changelosing huge amounts of money and seeing your brand fade away.

The numbers tell a sobering backstory. Peloton reported a net loss of $1.26 billion for fiscal 2023, adding to a string of red ink that spooked analysts. In just the fourth quarter of 2023, the company posted another $241.8 million loss – still jaw-dropping but less catastrophic than the $757 million low point. Meanwhile, total revenue slipped to $674 million in the last quarter of 2024, a year-over-year fall of more than 9%. These declines followed a pandemic-era surge that had once pushed annual revenue past $4 billion. If you have ever watched your own quarterly graph tilt downward, you understand the sense of free-fall Peloton’s leadership faced.

I think that the most instructive part of Peloton’s saga isn’t the scale of the numbers but the speed of the turnaround once the company reframed itself. Within a few quarters of its “community first” epiphany, Peloton’s cash flow turned positive for the first time in years, something I would have argued impossible had I not seen the SEC filings myself. The shift offers a playbook for any founder looking to stabilize or even resurrect a business that appears to be spinning out of control.

The Pandemic Surge: When a Waiting List Disguised as Product-Market Fit

Back in 2020, people found themselves boxed into living rooms that doubled as offices, classrooms, and makeshift gyms. Peloton became the status symbol of quarantine life. Users waited months and paid premium prices for the privilege of sweating next to their couches. Revenue exploded from $915 million in 2019 to roughly $4 billion by 2021. A growth trajectory so steep it almost felt like a punchline, the kind of chart every Series A founder dreams of showcasing.

You might remember that euphoria because your own product saw a pandemic bump or because you personally scrolled through Instagram stories filled with friends boasting about their first “Cody Rigsby ride.” I did both. In my experience, such rocket-ship moments can feel like permanent validation. Yet they often hide fragility beneath the hype. Peloton’s leadership committed to long-term manufacturing capacity and poured money into global logistics, assuming demand would remain sky-high. When gyms reopened, usage dropped, and a warehouse full of unsold bikes shifted from an asset into a liability.

The surge was more mirage than miracle. A spike in unit sales is gratifying, but if you treat it as proof of product-market fit without stress-testing long-term engagement, you build a skyscraper on sand.

Peloton’s Crash Landing

As lockdowns ended, casual riders folded up their yoga mats and canceled subscriptions. Secondary markets were soon flooded with $2,000 bikes listed for a few hundred dollars. Peloton’s share price nosedived nearly 90%, wiping out billions in market capitalization. Final-quarter revenue for 2023 came in at $642.1 million, a staggering drop from pandemic highs. Debt mounted, layoffs cut the workforce from more than 6,700 employees to under 3,000, and each earnings call sounded more like a distress signal than a victory lap.

You know that feeling when your unit economics no longer add up and your burn rate surpasses any reasonable fundraising prospects. Now multiply those numbers by a thousand, and you have Peloton’s 2022–2023 nightmare. The company’s churn was modest at 1.4%, but hardware sales collapsed so sharply that even strong subscription retention couldn’t offset the gap. Investors worried about bankruptcy protection. Founders in my network started citing Peloton as a cautionary tale for overproduction and under-validation.

The Outsider Edge: Barry McCarthy and the Streaming-Mindset Audit

In February 2022, Peloton replaced its charismatic founder, John Foley, with Barry McCarthy – a CFO best known for shaping subscription economics at Netflix and Spotify. The move puzzled some industry watchers: what could a finance executive from entertainment companies possibly know about cardio equipment? Yet if you have led multiple startups, you appreciate how fresh eyes can surface blind spots insiders miss.

McCarthy walked in and ran an audit not of factory utilization or supply-chain contracts but of user behavior within Peloton’s digital ecosystem. When he examined engagement metrics, a pattern emerged: members who gravitated toward a specific instructor – often visible through hashtags like #PowerZonePack – logged into the platform twice as frequently and churned less than those who skimmed randomly across classes. The bike, it turned out, was merely a conduit to ride alongside beloved personalities.

McCarthy’s outsider perspective allowed him to reframe Peloton not as a hardware manufacturer but as a creator-driven subscription network.

The Single Insight: You Don’t Sell Products – You Sell Belonging

The crystallizing epiphany was simple: “community equals value”. Members did not wake up at dawn to climb a digital hill because the bike’s carbon-steel frame was impeccable. They did it to hear Ally Love’s motivational pep talk or Robin Arzón’s “no excuses” mantra. When McCarthy grasped that truth, every subsequent decision pointed toward amplifying the instructor-member bond.

I know that insight sounds obvious in hindsight, but look around your own product dashboards. You probably still track monthly active users, daily active users, and gross churn. Do you measure how many customers have formed an emotional anchor – perhaps a favorite customer-success manager, a peer-to-peer Slack channel, or a recurring webinar series that feels like a social club? If not, you could be missing the very data that predicts long-term retention.

Peloton started monitoring Instructor-Specific Engagement (ISE). The metric revealed that people who followed at least one instructor on social media and attended that instructor’s live classes each week had the lowest churn, highest referral index, and largest appetite for premium merch. That discovery redefined the company’s north-star metric and changed budget allocations overnight.

Peloton Execution: Turning a Hardware Giant into a Relationship Company

Transforming an insight into a scalable strategy required several moves.

1. Strategic Instructor Empowerment

McCarthy elevated instructors from on-screen trainers to full-on micro-CEOs. They received greater autonomy to brand their classes, choose playlists, and cultivate personal communities off-platform. Contracts began to incorporate incentives tied to subscriber retention rather than simply class views, aligning everyone’s interests around the health of the community rather than the sale of more bikes.

2. Personality-Driven App Experience

The Peloton app went through a redesign that pushed instructor stories front and center. When you opened the app, you no longer saw an inventory of classes classified by duration or intensity. Instead, you saw personality-driven experiences: a themed hip-hop ride with Alex Toussaint or a mindfulness-infused climb with Emma Lovewell. This subtle shift reframed each workout as a social event rather than a practical task.

3. Subscription Model Expansion

Peloton decoupled its digital subscription from bike ownership. For $12.99 a month, you could stream classes on any stationary bike or even just on the floor with a set of dumbbells. Subscription revenue already accounted for 55% of total revenue in fiscal 2023, and McCarthy doubled down on that trend, emphasizing the high-margin nature of digital subscriptions versus the razor-thin or negative margin on hardware.

4. Cultural Partnerships and Integration

Peloton experimented with cultural partnerships. A Taylor Swift album launch would trigger a themed ride. A Marvel movie premier could inspire a superhero bootcamp. Each collaboration acted as social fuel, inviting fans who might have ignored a generic “30-minute cardio session” to join a communal celebration of their favorite pop culture moment.

What Startups Can Learn From Peloton’s Playbook

You may be thinking, “Great for them, but I don’t have charismatic fitness celebrities on payroll.” You also might not have venture debt large enough to fill a football stadium, which is a blessing. In my experience, the underlying principle still maps neatly onto smaller SaaS and AI startups.

Finding Your Brand Ambassadors

Step one is to identify your equivalent of Peloton’s instructors. Maybe it’s a customer-success manager who gets rave reviews in every feedback survey. Maybe it’s a developer advocate whose GitHub tutorials light up Hacker News. Whoever it is, you can spotlight their voice in webinars, email updates, or in-app onboarding videos.

At DeckLinks, for instance, we saw a notable jump in attachment rate once we embedded video narrations from the founders next to proposal slides. Customers felt they were interacting with us directly, not a PDF. That single tweak increased average viewing time by more than 400% and, crucially, unlocked upsell conversations because buyers remembered the presenter’s name and personality.

Measuring Emotional Investment

Second, you need a metric that captures human connection. Traditional product analytics can’t tell you whether your users feel emotionally invested. For BYVI, we rolled out what we call Author Resonance Score. It measures time spent per article, return readers for a specific author, and social shares. High resonance signals we should commission a follow-up piece from that founder and perhaps invite them to a live AMA session.

Unbundling Your Value Proposition

Third, consider decoupling your core value from your flagship product if usage data suggests the experience itself – not the object – is the sticky part. Peloton’s cheaper digital-only tier proved that fans were willing to pay purely for access to instructors and community. In SaaS, you might offer low-friction API access that doesn’t require onboarding to your full-stack platform. Or you might repackage internal knowledge – think design systems or playbooks – into a separate monetized asset with higher margins and wider appeal.

The Startup Playbook: Building Your Own Community Flywheel

Consider the following path as a narrative rather than a checklist.

Discover Your Relationship Anchors

Begin by talking directly to your most engaged users. Ask them what energizes them about your product. If their answers revolve around an individual – “I always tune into Linda’s weekly tips” or “I love how Raj explains bug fixes on Slack” – you’ve found your relationship anchor.

Elevate Your Human Touchpoints

Next, elevate that anchor. Allocate part of your marketing budget not to paid ads but to nurturing personal brands inside your team. Send your star engineer to speak at niche conferences. Encourage your customer-success lead to host a live “office hours” stream on LinkedIn each Friday. These events shouldn’t feel like product demos. Instead, they should feel like gatherings of like-minded people.

Design Meaningful Community Rituals

Then design rituals that reinforce belonging. Peloton riders know that Tuesdays often mean PowerZone classes, Saturdays host live climbs, and special holidays bring themed rides. You can mirror that cadence: a Monday bug-bash stream, a Wednesday secondary-feature spotlight, a first-Thursday-of-the-month founders’ AMA. Rituals convert passive users into anticipating members.

Align Pricing With Participation

Finally, charge in a way that rewards participation. Usage-based pricing – or eliminating rigid tiers altogether – lets your most engaged users feel seen and appreciated. When your pricing reflects actual usage or community involvement, it encourages customers to explore more features, contribute ideas, and deepen their relationship with your product, all while knowing they’re paying for genuine value rather than arbitrary limits. This alignment turns pricing into another touchpoint for trust, not friction.

Beyond Peloton: The Macro Trend Every Founder Should Track

If Netflix transformed DVD rentals into community binging and Spotify turned MP3 ownership into shared playlists, Peloton is simply the fitness chapter in a larger shift from products to relationships. In fact, I’d argue that every venture capital deck boasting a “network effect” but ignoring human stories is missing the real driver of stickiness. Community is not an add-on. It is the moat.

I see the same pattern in design tools like Figma, whose user conferences feel like rock concerts, and in AI research hubs that publish open-source models sparking fan-driven enhancements. The companies winning mindshare convert their teams into relatable faces and their user base into collaborative co-builders.

The Key Takeaway

If you take away one lesson, let it be this: belonging is a monetizable asset. That means you should obsess over the emotional journey your users experience. Care deeply about how your users feel, not just the steps they take in your product. Your next pricing pivot, marketing campaign, or product iteration should answer one question: “How does this deepen the relationship?”

If you focus your top goals on community engagementlike tracking how much people connect with your team or contentyoure building a brand that can handle market changes and hard times. Thats what saved Peloton, and it can protect your startup too.

About the Author

Lidia Vijga

Lidia Vijga is a co-founder of DeckLinks, a SaaS platform that supercharges PDFs with Video narrations, CTAs, and real-time Analytics. Lidia is an early tech adopter, and as a passionate tech enthusiast, she actively supports startups. She regularly shares her insights and experiences on LinkedIn, webinars, and speaking engagements. Lidia is committed to empowering client-facing teams with tools that augment their talent, rather than replacing it with automation. She firmly believes that companies grow faster when they showcase their human side.

The post Peloton Lost $757M per Quarter. ONE Insight Changed Everything appeared first on BYVI.

I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of bootstrapped startups that manage to carve out their own path to success. Today, I’m excited to share with you the remarkable journey of LavaReach, a bootstrapped AI sales startup that not only achieved impressive growth but also recently completed a successful exit in just 4 days.

LavaReach: How It Started

In July 2023, Daniel and YiMing crossed paths at a VC event in Toronto.  At the time, both were working on their own startups. Daniel was busy building Sellwisely, a tool that helps automate LinkedIn tasks, with two other co-founders. Meanwhile, YiMing was working hard on a developer tool with his team of two co-founders in Australia. They had no idea that their chance meeting would lead to them working together.

As a founder, you know that timing is everything in the startup world. About a month after they met, Daniel hit a roadblock. His technical co-founder couldn’t work full-time on their startup anymore – a common problem that many new businesses face. This put Daniel’s project in a tough spot, and he needed to make some important decisions about what to do next.

Coincidentally, YiMing was also going through changes in his own startup. He was finding it hard to work with his team in Australia due to the big time difference. There were also some disagreements within the team that weren’t getting better. These problems led YiMing to decide it was time to leave his project. It’s a scenario many of you can relate to – sometimes, despite your best efforts, the team dynamics just don’t click.

This serendipitous timing led to the creation of LavaReach in mid-August 2023. The team came together perfectly: Daniel brought his skills in running business operations, YiMing had strong technical knowledge, and they were joined by Max, who was excellent at sales. It was a trio that seemed almost too perfect on paper. Each co-founder had different strengths that worked well together – Daniel handled the day-to-day operations, Max took care of sales, and YiMing managed all the technical work.

The Early Days 

Now, let’s talk about the early days of product development – a phase that every founder knows all too well. It’s an intense mix of excitement, sleepless nights, and countless iterations.

For the LavaReach team, these early days were packed. By the end of August, barely two weeks after joining forces, they had already developed a scrappy hiring trigger. This tool could automatically fetch decision-makers and generate personalized emails. For those of you who’ve been through early product development, you know how exciting it is to see your idea take shape, even in its most rudimentary form.

Over the next month and a half, the team expanded their product capabilities at breakneck speed. They built out multiple triggers, implemented contact fetching based on Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), and refined their personalized email generation. Was it perfect? Far from it. But as you well know, perfection is the enemy of progress in the startup world.

This early prototype, with all its flaws and limitations, laid the foundation for what would become LavaReach’s core offering. It was a functional solution to a real-world problem – a crucial milestone for any startup. For those of you just starting your own companies, remember this: your first product doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to work well enough to solve your customers’ problems.

The Pivot: When Plan A Becomes Plan B

As you’ve likely experienced in your own entrepreneurial journey, the path from idea to successful product is rarely a straight line. LavaReach’s story is no exception. By the end of 2023, despite having a substantial sales pipeline, the team found themselves facing a familiar startup challenge – difficulty in converting potential customers.

This struggle stemmed from a realization that many of you have probably faced: our product’s quality wasn’t quite up to par, and we were attempting to solve a vague pain point – research and personalization – without a concrete plan to tackle it effectively. It’s a common pitfall in the startup world, trying to be all things to all people instead of focusing on a specific ICP with an acute problem.

But here’s where the LavaReach team demonstrated their resilience. Instead of stubbornly sticking to their original plan, they made a bold decision to pivot. They introduced a “managed-product” or “full-service” option. This new offering promised customers meetings and a proven approach using LavaReach’s software, which included list building through triggers and signals, research through AI and data sources, and support with email automations using the customer’s existing tools.

For those of you who’ve ever had to make a significant pivot in your business model, you know it’s not an easy decision. It requires admitting that your initial approach isn’t working, and having the courage to change course. But as the LavaReach team discovered, being willing to change direction turned out to be exactly what they needed.

By shifting their focus to performance guarantees and promising meetings, LavaReach began to convert customers on $2,000 MRR deals. This new approach catalyzed rapid growth, with the company adding an impressive $80,000 in ARR month-over-month for several months.

When Growth Leads to Change

If you’ve ever experienced a period of hypergrowth in your startup, you know it’s both exciting and terrifying. When the new business model started working well, LavaReach grew faster than they ever expected. But with quick growth came new problems they needed to solve.

By mid-June 2024, the team realized they needed to reassess their strategies and focus on sustainable growth. It’s a common inflection point for startups – that moment when you realize that the practices that got you to this point might not be the ones that will take you to the next level.

In August 2024, the team underwent a significant change when they parted ways with their sales co-founder. For those of you who’ve gone through co-founder separations, you know it’s never an easy process. It’s emotionally taxing and can create uncertainty about the future.

This transition period prompted Daniel and YiMing to go back to the drawing board. They began talking to users, focusing on the individual contributors they initially set out to help, rather than just the sales leaders attracted by the promise of higher sales targets through AI and automated outreach. It’s a reminder of an essential startup lesson – never lose sight of your core users and their needs, even when your company is growing quickly.

The Human Cost of Rapid Growth: Burnout

Now, let’s talk about something that doesn’t get discussed enough in startup circles – burnout. As founders, you’re often so focused on your company’s growth that you neglect your own well-being. YiMing’s experience with burnout is a stark reminder of the toll that the entrepreneurial journey can take.

Around October 2024, just a month after their sales co-founder left, YiMing hit a wall. In his own words: “I had a massive panic attack, I felt like I was dying, my chest was tight, and I could have a heart attack at any moment. I could barely work for weeks. Every time I opened my laptop, I would have this haunting chest pain, I would be out of breath.”

For those of you who’ve experienced founder burnout, YiMing’s description probably resonates deeply. For those who haven’t, it’s a powerful warning. The pressure of running a startup, especially one that’s growing rapidly, can have serious physical and mental health consequences.

YiMing’s burnout was a wake-up call for the team. It highlighted the importance of work-life balance (which rarely exists among startup founders) and the need for sustainable growth strategies. A trip to Japan helped YiMing disconnect and recover, but the experience left a lasting impact on his approach to entrepreneurship.

If you’re reading this and recognizing similar signs in yourself or your co-founders, take it as a sign. Your health – both mental and physical – is your most valuable asset. No amount of startup success is worth sacrificing it.

4-Day Bootstrapped Startup Acquisition

As LavaReach continued to evolve and grow, Daniel and YiMing found themselves at another crossroads. In January 2025, they began reaching out to similar companies for potential collaborations or outcomes. What happened next was unexpected and moved at a pace that would surprise even the most experienced serial entrepreneurs with multiple exits. 

The exit process, from start to finish, took a mere four days – a testament to the agility and decisiveness often required in the startup world. It began with an initial call between Daniel and Daniel Saks, CEO at Landbase on a Friday. What was supposed to be a 30-minute quick call to exchange ideas turned into a series of texts, calls, and even a dinner with the company’s chief of staff, who happened to be in Toronto that same night.

For those of you who’ve never been through an acquisition process, let me tell you – this is not the norm. Usually, these processes can take months of negotiations, due diligence, and paperwork. But sometimes, when there’s a perfect fit, things can move at lightning speed.

The momentum continued into the following week. On Monday, Daniel and YiMing met with the entire executive team of Landbase. By Tuesday, just four working days after the initial contact, the deal was finalized.

Want to learn more about Landbase? Check out their recent video series that breaks down common sales and marketing challenges, and shows how their solutions are helping companies transform their go-to-market strategy.

Lessons for Founders

Now, let’s talk about what you, as a founder or aspiring entrepreneur, can learn from LavaReach’s journey. Their story offers several valuable lessons that you can apply to your own venture.

1. Embrace Serendipity

The chance meeting between Daniel and YiMing at a VC event led to the formation of LavaReach. This underscores the importance of networking and being open to unexpected opportunities. As a founder, you never know when a casual conversation might lead to your next big break. So, get out there, attend events, and engage with your peers. Your next co-founder or game-changing idea might be just a handshake away.

2. Be Willing to Pivot

When their initial product wasn’t gaining traction, the LavaReach team didn’t hesitate to pivot to a “managed-product” model. This flexibility was key to their subsequent growth. In your own startup journey, don’t be afraid to change course if something isn’t working. Your ability to adapt quickly could be the difference between success and failure.

3. Listen to Your Users

After parting ways with their sales co-founder, Daniel and YiMing went back to talking to their users, focusing on the individual contributors they initially set out to help. This user-centric approach is crucial for product development and market fit. Remember, your users are your best source of feedback and inspiration. Make it a habit to engage with them regularly and really listen to their needs and pain points.

4. Recognize and Address Burnout

YiMing’s experience with burnout highlights the importance of mental health and work-life balance in the startup world. As a founder, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to take care of yourself. But remember, you are your company’s most valuable asset. Taking time to disconnect and recharge isn’t just good for you – it’s crucial for the long-term success of your venture.

5. Be Prepared for Rapid Changes

The speed at which LavaReach’s acquisition unfolded demonstrates how quickly things can change in the startup world. While not every opportunity will move this fast, being prepared for and open to such rapid changes can lead to unexpected opportunities. Stay agile, keep your documentation in order, and always be ready to seize an opportunity when it presents itself.

6. Value the Human Element

Throughout their journey, the LavaReach team emphasized the importance of the human element in their work. This aligns with my own belief in the power of personal qualities such as kindness, empathy, and the willingness to understand others. In your own startup, remember that behind every user, every team member, and every investor is a human being. Cultivating strong relationships and showing empathy can set you apart in the often impersonal world of tech.

Looking to the Future

While the LavaReach chapter has come to a close for Daniel and YiMing, their entrepreneurial journey is far from over. As YiMing said:

“I’m certainly not done with startups. Hopefully I’ll see you coming back in a few years, for some even wilder stories.”

This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of true entrepreneurs – always looking forward, always ready for the next challenge. It’s this spirit that drives innovation, creates jobs, and pushes our society forward.

As for the acquiring company, while details of their plans for LavaReach’s technology and team are not public, it’s clear that they saw significant value in what Daniel and YiMing had built. This acquisition not only validates the work of the LavaReach team but also opens up new possibilities for the technology they developed to reach a wider audience and make a bigger impact.

For those of you working on your own startups, let the LavaReach story serve as both inspiration and a reality check. Success in the startup world can come in many forms and often when you least expect it. Stay focused on creating value, be open to opportunities, and don’t be afraid to pivot when necessary.

About the Author

Lidia Vijga

Lidia Vijga is a co-founder of DeckLinks, a SaaS platform that supercharges PDFs with Video narrations, CTAs, and real-time Analytics. Lidia is an early tech adopter, and as a passionate tech enthusiast, she actively supports startups. She regularly shares her insights and experiences on LinkedIn, webinars, and speaking engagements. Lidia is committed to empowering client-facing teams with tools that augment their talent, rather than replacing it with automation. She firmly believes that companies grow faster when they showcase their human side.

The post From Bootstrap to Buyout in 4 Days: The LavaReach Story appeared first on BYVI.

Adam Neumann, known for his work with WeWork, has launched an exciting new real estate venture called Flow. The company aims to create an environment where renters feel a sense of belonging, akin to living in a communal setting, helping to mitigate feelings of isolation in urban areas. As cities continue to grow, Flow’s solutions might play a big part in shaping how we live in urban areas. It’s an interesting development to watch, especially for anyone interested in the future of housing and community in our cities.

What is Flow?

Flow is a residential real estate company founded by former WeWork CEO Adam Neumann in 2022. Based in Miami, Flow seeks to tackle the modern challenges of isolation and disconnection that many urban dwellers face today. Neumann’s vision for Flow is to create a unique living experience that combines the community-driven focus of WeWork with the residential sector.

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The Vision Behind Flow

Adam Neumann’s vision for Flow includes integrating community-driven living experiences and operational technology to transform the rental landscape. The goal is to recreate the thriving, collaborative environments that made WeWork a household name, but this time in residential living. Flow’s properties are designed to foster a sense of community among residents, countering the modern challenges of urban isolation and disconnection.

Neumann’s approach integrates traditional property management with concierge services, aiming to create a simulated sense of ownership for tenants, which enhances retention and satisfaction.

Community-Centric Living

The design of Flow’s properties includes shared amenities and communal spaces to foster connections among residents, transforming traditional apartment complexes into community-oriented living experiences.

Flow transforms physical spaces to promote resident interactions and a sense of belonging. The investment in such community-centric living spaces is intended to cater to modern societal changes, where the need for connection and community is more pronounced than ever.

Flow also emphasizes modern living by integrating advanced amenities in its properties, aiming to enhance community engagement. From flexible lease options to concierge services, Flow is designed to elevate apartment living into a more interactive and fulfilling experience.

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Compassionate Living

Flow provides impactful ways for residents to be involved with local and global giveback programs. The community is built on the foundation of compassion and social responsibility. Flow offers a variety of opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful volunteer work, participate in charity events, and contribute to causes that matter. From local beach clean-ups to international aid projects, Flow encourages its members to make a positive impact on the world. Through these initiatives, Flow fosters a sense of global citizenship and reminds its community of their interconnectedness with all living beings.

Workflow

Flow provides the mental space and creative energy residents need to create meaningful work. The company understands that productivity and creativity thrive in the right environment. Their thoughtfully designed workspaces cater to various work styles, from private offices for focused tasks to collaborative areas for team projects.

Experience

From live music to educational classes, food tastings or a run in nature, Flow offers a curated community with curated experiences that fill residents’ spirits. The company believes in the power of diverse, enriching experiences to nurture personal growth and foster community connections. Their carefully selected events cater to a wide range of interests and passions. Residents can enjoy intimate concerts by local and international artists in acoustically designed spaces and expand their knowledge through expert-led workshops. These experiences are designed not just to entertain, but to inspire, educate, and create lasting memories among community members.

Conservation and Connection

Flow enables residents to connect with their neighbors and do a little good for the world. The company believes that strong communities are built on shared values and collective action. Their conservation initiatives provide a platform for residents to come together and make a tangible difference in the local environment. Flow organizes regular community clean-up days, urban gardening programs, and workshops on environmental topics. Through these activities, they not only contribute to environmental conservation but also foster strong connections among community members, creating a network of like-minded individuals committed to positive change.

Events

Flow hosts regular networking events, book club meetings, art exhibitions, and seasonal festivals celebrating cultural diversity and local traditions. For those who love to host, they offer event planning support and access to beautifully designed communal spaces. Whether residents are looking to make new friends, celebrate special occasions, or simply enjoy quality entertainment, Flow’s events provide the perfect backdrop for creating unforgettable moments and strengthening community bonds.

Technological Integration

Flow integrates modern property management technology to streamline operations and enhance living experience for its residents, mirroring the collaborative environments typical of co working spaces.

Flow incorporates a proprietary app to enhance tenant experiences, facilitating community engagement and streamlining apartment living logistics. This app allows for easy rent payments, maintenance requests, and community interaction.

This integration of technology and community-oriented services is designed to redefine the residential experience, making it more efficient and enjoyable.

Addressing Modern Housing Challenges

Flow targets the upper-middle class with innovative living solutions that prioritize community and quality, addressing the increasing housing crisis in urban areas. The company’s unique approach aims to redefine apartment living by fostering community connections and shared experiences, addressing issues like urban isolation.

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Urban Isolation

Urban isolation is increasingly becoming a concern in city living environments. Flow seeks to enhance living experiences by fostering a sense of community in urban environments, countering feelings of isolation. The business model promotes community interaction among residents to combat these feelings, creating communal spaces that encourage resident interaction and shared experiences.

Flow incorporates innovative social interaction methods to enhance community connections among residents. This approach is designed to make urban living more fulfilling and less isolating, addressing a critical aspect of modern apartment living.

Key Investments in Flow

Flow has received a significant investment of $350 millions from venture capital firm a16z, achieving a valuation of over $1 billion before operations even began.

The partnership between Adam Neumann and Andreessen Horowitz is based on the belief that urban markets are ready for disruption due to existing inefficiencies in the residential real estate market. These investments provide a solid foundation for Flow to implement its innovative business model and achieve its vision of transforming apartment living.

a16z invested in Flow for several key reasons:

Properties Under Flow

Flow focuses on managing apartment units across key cities including Nashville, a few properties in Saudi Arabia and various locations in Florida. Its first condominium project, named Flow House, is set to launch in Downtown Miami with a planned delivery date in 2025. Another properties worth mentioning is Society Las Olas, located in Fort Lauderdale. It’s recognized as Flow’s flagship property. It features contemporary architecture that complements a sophisticated lifestyle and offers tech-driven amenities designed to enhance the living experience. The property embodies Flow’s vision of community-centric living by incorporating shared spaces and amenities that promote resident interaction.

Flow’s future prospects look promising as the company expands its operations internationally. In 2024, Flow entered the Saudi Arabian market, collaborating with local investors for apartment development. This expansion marks a significant step in Flow’s journey to become a global player in the residential real estate market.

Flow manages its properties directly, unlike WeWork, which relied on leasing and subleasing. The operational model includes a mix of property management, brokerage, and financial services, suggesting a comprehensive approach to real estate and net operating income.

With a goal to manage 3,000 apartment units in cities like Nashville, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale, Flow is poised for substantial growth in the coming years.

Will Flow Disrupt the Real Estate Market?

Adam Neumann’s previous venture, WeWork, raised $22 billion and reached a peak valuation of $47 billion in January 2019. But now the company’s stock got delisted from the NYSE and moved to OTC Markets. Despite this setback, Neumann appears undeterred. In an interview with CNBC, Adam mentions that he is someone who learns from mistakes, suggesting that the lessons from WeWork’s tumultuous journey have informed his approach to Flow.

This new venture is designed to create vibrant, community-focused living spaces that foster interaction among residents. The unique approach of Flow could transform traditional renting into a more interactive and community-oriented experience, addressing key issues in the current housing market.

The potential disruption that Flow may bring to the real estate market is contingent upon its ability to maintain sustainable practices and tenant satisfaction. If successful, Flow could redefine the standards of apartment living and set a new benchmark for the industry, leveraging the insights gained from Neumann’s past experiences.

About the Author

Lidia Vijga

Lidia Vijga is a co-founder of DeckLinks, a SaaS platform that supercharges PDFs with Video narrations, CTAs, and real-time Analytics. Lidia is an early tech adopter, and as a passionate tech enthusiast, she actively supports startups. She regularly shares her insights and experiences on LinkedIn, webinars, and speaking engagements. Lidia is committed to empowering client-facing teams with tools that augment their talent, rather than replacing it with automation. She firmly believes that companies grow faster when they showcase their human side.

The post Flow: Adam Neumann’s New Approach to Urban Living appeared first on BYVI.

I recently jumped on a plane to Tulsa, Oklahoma. My mission was to experience Tulsa through the eyes of George Suarez and Dylan Smith, the co-founders of OpnBx. I wanted to understand why they decided to leave Silicon Valley and learn more about their startup journey.

George and Dylan aren’t your typical founders. They’re long-time friends turned business partners. Their journey from the tech scene of the Bay Area to the growing startup ecosystem of Tulsa is as unique as their friendship.

I knew this was the story I needed to share with the rest of the startup world. How does a friendship survive the pressures of startup life? What made them leave Silicon Valley for Tulsa? And most importantly, how did they build a tech startup without a technical co-founder?

What is OpnBx today?

I asked George to give me his elevator pitch and explain the problem they are solving with OpnBx. In just 18 seconds, I was amazed by how much this resonates with me as a B2B founder who is looking to grow a company.

Most companies know what their ideal customer looks like. But their sales teams struggle to find enough information about potential customers to have meaningful conversations with them. OpnBx solves this problem. It helps sales teams quickly find the right data about potential customers who are likely to need their product or service. This way, sales teams can have more relevant conversations with the right people, helping the company reach its sales targets.

Advice to Sales Reps for Closing More Deals

Given the current climate of overwhelmed buyers and the high number of sales activities competing for buyers’ attention, I had to ask Dylan for his advice. How can SDRs differentiate themselves in such a competitive market when equipped with the right data?

From SDR to Startup Founder 

Like many great startup stories, the journey of Opnbx started with a problem experienced firsthand.

George’s journey began as an SDR (Sales Development Representative). It was there, George started shaping the idea that would later become OpnBx.

“I felt like a workhorse,” George told me. His days were filled with cold calls. No emails. No personalization. Just generic, pre-built sequences. Fun times!

I’ve been there. Many of us have.

George then made a decisive move: he enrolled in a product management bootcamp. This wasn’t just another course on his resume. It was the catalyst for OpnBx.

The bootcamp taught George to build products closely following customer feedback. It shifted his perspective. He began to see his SDR struggles through a new lens.

“I wondered if this was a problem only I was dealing with or if other people were facing it too,” George explained.

What he did next impressed me. George interviewed about 300 people to validate the problem. Three hundred conversations. That’s the kind of thorough research that often separates successful startups from the rest.

Through these conversations, George realized that while many sales reps didn’t struggle with writing itself, they did struggle with connecting ideas and tailoring their messaging to different personas. And so, the first version of OpnBx was born.

From Friends to Co-Founders

Sitting across from Dylan and George in their shared Tulsa workspace, I couldn’t help but smile at the irony of their partnership. Dylan, now fully invested in OpnBx, once told George he never wanted to go into business with him.

“I literally said that to him,” Dylan admitted with a hint of embarrassment in his voice. “It wasn’t anything personal. I just didn’t want business to get in the way of friendships.”

I totally understand his initial hesitation. As a founder myself who co-founded two startups with my husband and our friend. I know the strain a startup can put on relationships.

Their plans, however, took an unexpected turn. Dylan found himself at a low point in his career. The job market was flooded. His confidence was shaken. Interviews weren’t going well.

That’s when George stepped in. Not as a potential co-founder, but as a friend.

“George was just being a good friend,” Dylan explained. “He had finally developed a product after all his trials and tribulations. He thought it would be mutually beneficial if I helped out with sales.”

The idea was simple: Dylan would help George for a few months, then go back to job hunting. But something unexpected happened.

As Dylan got more involved, George started asking for his input on product vision and direction. One thing led to another. They moved to Chico, CA with the remaining budget of the company. Then Dylan helped with the application for the Tulsa accelerator program.

It was a gradual transition. From friend to founding account executive to co-founder.

“Before we flew out to Tulsa, I asked George if I should just stay home and sell while he attended the founder events,” Dylan recalled. “That’s when George told me I was a founder too.”

Their business partnership emerged naturally from their friendship. It wasn’t planned or forced.

Sometimes, the best business partnerships aren’t the ones we seek out. They’re the ones that find us when we’re busy supporting each other.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Co-Founder Match

Listening to George and Dylan’s story, I couldn’t help but think of all the solo founders out there desperately searching for their other half.

George didn’t pull any punches:

“I think this is probably one of the most sensitive topics any business person can ever think of. It changes the whole dynamic and trajectory of your company between either working or not working. One of the biggest reasons why startups fail is because they partner with the wrong person.”

So I asked George and Dylan – what advice would they give to solo founders looking for a co-founder? Their insights were spot-on:

1. Align on vision and values: Make sure you’re on the same page about where you want to take the company.
2. Look for complementary skill sets. Find someone whose strengths fill in your weaknesses.
3. Test the waters: Work on a small project together before committing to a full partnership.
4. Prepare for the worst: Have honest conversations about what happens if things don’t work out.
5. Put the company first: Be willing to set aside egos and do what’s best for the business.

Complementary Strengths

Spending time with George and Dylan, I quickly noticed their complementary strengths. It’s a dynamic I’ve seen in successful startups before, but rarely executed this well.

George excels in three areas: vision, team-building, and resource management. He is good at understanding the market, analyzing competition, and identifying opportunities. He got this holistic approach that many founders overlook.

Dylan, on the other hand, is the execution powerhouse. “Dylan can execute as if he’s been doing something for 10 years, even if he just started,” George explained.

This ability to adapt and execute quickly is invaluable for startup founders. I’ve seen many startups fail because they couldn’t execute fast enough.

But what truly sets them apart is how their decade-long friendship enhances their working relationship. They finish each other’s sentences and know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“We’re almost in each other’s heads at this point,” Dylan said. “Especially when it comes to business.”

George added, “We know what projects we can work on together to speed things up, and what projects we don’t need to work together on.”

Their long-standing friendship has created a level of trust and understanding that’s rare in business partnerships. I can say for sure that they can be brutally honest without fear of damaging their relationship.

From Silicon Valley to Tulsa

When George and Dylan decided to relocate OpnBx from Silicon Valley to Tulsa, Oklahoma, it raised some eyebrows. Why leave the startup Mecca for, well, Oklahoma?

But after spending time with them in Tulsa, I kinda started to see the appeal.

It all started with their application to the ACT Accelerator. This wasn’t just another program – it was a chance to immerse themselves in a new ecosystem.

George saw it as an opportunity to elevate Dylan to co-founder status. “I knew putting him in this environment would bring out the best in him,” George explained.

The move was transformative. Dylan reflected, “George has mentored me into this thing. He’s always studied entrepreneurship, while I haven’t.”

Suddenly surrounded by ambitious founders and self-learners, they were pushed out of their comfort zones. George beamed as he described Dylan’s growth: “Now, he’s levels ahead of everyone.”

But it wasn’t just about personal development. Tulsa’s ecosystem offered unique accessibility.

“Here, I can talk to a VC, a VP of sales, a chief product officer,” George said. “They’ll make time because the ecosystem is still growing.”

As they spoke, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey. How often do we overlook the impact of our surroundings on our success?

Oftentimes, the best thing we can do for our startups is to put ourselves in an environment that challenges us, supports us, and helps us grow.

The Tulsa Experience

During my week in Tulsa with George and Dylan, I got a firsthand look at their startup journey in this emerging tech hub. Their experience has been a mix of pros and cons, each shaping their path uniquely.

The pros stood out immediately. “There are no distractions,” George said. “You can concentrate and get things done.” Dylan added, “It’s accessible. We’ve had conversations with different types of folks.”

The supportive ecosystem was evident. People here are friendly and want to see you succeed. As a founder myself, I know how valuable that can be.

Coming from small town California, Dylan appreciates the balance Tulsa offers:

“This gives me kind of small town vibe. Yes, it’s a good place to focus, but you can also go out and have fun. Like we went out the other night, it was great. It’s not super extensive and you can’t get lost in the club scene, but it’s enough for me. Which is good, because then you’re focusing and working.”

Of course, no place is perfect. When I pressed them for downsides, their biggest complaint was… a lack of good burritos. 

As someone who has suffered through many subpar burritos myself, I feel their pain. Maybe there’s a business opportunity there?

But beyond Mexican food cravings, they both spoke about adapting to a new environment. The weather was an adjustment. “There was straight-up ice on the roads for two or three days,” Dylan recalled. “I’m glad we went grocery shopping because we couldn’t go anywhere.”

Despite challenges, both have grown tremendously. They’ve learned to navigate a new business landscape and find joy in building their company here.

Their Tulsa experience serves as a reminder: sometimes, the perfect environment for your startup isn’t where you’d expect. It’s where you can focus, access resources, and grow – both as entrepreneurs and individuals.

Overcoming Challenges

During our chat, George and Dylan opened up about the major challenges they’ve faced.

Building a tech startup without a technical co-founder:

“It’s about communication,” George explained. “Learn to define user stories, create wireframes, and find the right advisors.”

Dylan added, “I learned to code a bit. It helps me understand our CTO’s explanations better.”

Navigating the noisy AI market

“Before ChatGPT, sales leaders were skeptical about AI in sales,” Dylan recalled. “Now, everyone’s tried something and thinks AI doesn’t work.”

George chimed in, “We’re re-educating them. AI can help, but the products they’ve used are horrible.”

Evolving their product and positioning

Building a startup is hard. Doing it without a technical co-founder, in a noisy market, while constantly evolving your product? That’s incredibly challenging.

“We’ve had to reposition our identity as a company,” George admitted. “It’s like going back to zero and learning how to best demonstrate our value.”

Dylan nodded, “We built an email writer, but the market signal showed that research signals were more important.”

Their willingness to pivot based on market feedback is refreshing. Too many founders get stuck on their initial vision and refuse to adapt.

As they continue refining their offering, George is getting back on the phones:

“Now, because this is so important, I have to be on the phones to understand the market, understand how to improve the product, how to best position it. So that’s why I’m on it now. As much as the goal is to book meetings, I have other agendas, I want to understand the market better.”

It’s this kind of hands-on, customer-centric approach that often separates successful startups from those that flame out.

The Road Ahead for OpnBx

As our interview wrapped up, it was clear that George and Dylan are just getting started with OpnBx. They’re in the midst of refining their positioning and go-to-market strategy, adapting to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

George teased a unique acquisition story, hinting at a bold move that sets them apart from typical early-stage startups.

Currently, their focus is razor-sharp: understanding the market and refining their positioning.

Dylan added, “We’ve realized that companies are looking for a product that makes things more targeted. They need to do more with less resources.”

Their ability to pivot based on market needs is impressive. It’s a skill that will serve them well in the ever-changing tech landscape.

Looking forward, George and Dylan envision OpnBx as more than just a product. They see it as a vehicle for change in people’s lives.

“We take our team’s ‘whys’ and tie them to company milestones,” George shared. “As we hit our milestones, their ‘whys’ are being achieved.”

This approach resonates with me. Building a successful company isn’t just about the bottom line. It’s about creating value for your team, customers, and community.

The Takeaway: It’s All About the Journey

As I left Tulsa, I felt inspired. George and Dylan’s journey with OpnBx is far from over. In fact, it feels like it’s just beginning. And I, for one, can’t wait to see where it leads.

From reluctant friends to committed co-founders, they’ve navigated the ups and downs of startup life with humor, grace, and an unwavering commitment to learning and growth.

Their story is a reminder that the path of entrepreneurship is rarely linear. It’s filled with unexpected turns, moments of doubt, and constant evolution. But with the right partner by your side and a willingness to adapt, amazing things can happen.

Who knows – maybe the next big tech unicorn will come not from Silicon Valley, but from Tulsa, Oklahoma. And it might just start with two friends, a shared vision, and a whole lot of hustle.

Just don’t ask them where to find a good burrito.

About the Author

Lidia Vijga

Lidia Vijga is a co-founder of DeckLinks, a SaaS platform that supercharges PDFs with Video narrations, CTAs, and real-time Analytics. Lidia is an early tech adopter, and as a passionate tech enthusiast, she actively supports startups. She regularly shares her insights and experiences on LinkedIn, webinars, and speaking engagements. Lidia is committed to empowering client-facing teams with tools that augment their talent, rather than replacing it with automation. She firmly believes that companies grow faster when they showcase their human side.

The post From Silicon Valley to Tulsa: The Story of OpnBx appeared first on BYVI.

Back in my high school days when we had no social media nor smartphones that took pictures, the only place to share your photos with friends was physical albums. Yes, that’s right! The actual photo albums with printed photos in them. We would take our Kodak films to the nearest Walmart and get them processed (in color, of course, I’m not that old!).

When I got my first digital camera, I started storing my photos on the computer. It was during that time when a friend introduced me to Photoshop CS2, a professional software used for manipulating images. I was amazed at what it could do. Nowadays, it would be equivalent to someone showing you the Instagram filters for the first time. But back in those days, technology felt like true magic, and not something that was taken for granted.

Today I use Photopea for most of my photo editing needs, and after learning about the impressive story behind this tool, I was inspired to write about it.

What is Photopea

So, what exactly is Photopea? It’s a free web-based image editor offering a comprehensive suite of tools for editing graphics, photos, illustrations, and even PDFs. And the best part? It runs entirely within your web browser, no complicated installations or updates required.

What sets Photopea apart is not just its impressive functionality but as I already mentioned the remarkable story behind its growth, driven by the hard work and determination of its sole creator, Ivan Kutskir.

How Much Does Photopea Earn?

In 2023, Ivan hit $1.5M in revenue with 0 employees. And the most impressive part? His yearly maintenance expense was only $700, with $50 per month for hosting and a yearly domain registration fee of $16. This lean approach has allowed him to maintain complete control over the project while maximizing profitability.

The idea for Photopea was born from Ivan’s love for programming and his desire to create something truly remarkable. What started as a personal experiment quickly evolved into a full-fledged project, consuming thousands of hours of his time and dedication.

After listening to the podcasts where Ivan appeared as a guest, I got a strong sense that Ivan didn’t create Photopea solely for financial gain. It was a passion project from the start. Although Ivan had multiple projects happening at the same time, he chose to prioritize Photopea because it was the one he enjoyed the most. Ivan’s goal was to make image editing accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation or technical expertise.

Photopea Features

Ivan has created an application that runs entirely within a web browser, eliminating the need for complex installations or updates. One of Photopea’s standout features is its compatibility with industry-standard file formats, including PSD (Photoshop), Sketch, and XCF (GIMP). But what’s more impressive is that Photopea stores all files locally, and does not upload any data to a server. That means 2 things: privacy and speed.

Growth Strategies

Despite being a one-person operation, Photopea has an impressive user base, with over 500K active users daily. This remarkable growth can be attributed to Ivan’s approach to community engagement and his ability to build in public.

Ivan shares new feature updates on social media platforms such as Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, and occasionally on Hacker News. To address issues and feature requests, he often communicates with his existing users through Github.

I don’t have any strategy. I’m just building a nice tool people like, and they talk about that. It’s all just word of mouth.

Ivan Kutskir, founder of Photopea

I took this screenshot from Semrush and I find it incredibly impressive. Photopea, unlike most companies, does not drive traffic through articles or maintain a blog. Instead, the majority of their traffic comes from branded keywords such as “photopea” or its variations. Additionally, there is no paid search traffic involved, meaning that all of the traffic is 100% organic.

Instead of isolating his existing users in a closed community platform, Ivan created a subreddit dedicated to Photopea. How smart is that? This community has grown to over 23K members and it now serves as a customer service platform where a group of power users assist in solving common issues to improve Photopea. Some members share the final images that they have produced with the tool, while others provide feedback and suggestions for new features to shape the roadmap. It feels like a massive remote team all working towards the same goal: to make the platform better. Could that be the answer to the loneliness that comes from being a solo founder?

About 8 years ago, Ivan launched Photopea on Product Hunt, but unfortunately, it didn’t gain much popularity. However, one of his power users found the tool to be extremely helpful and decided to relaunch it on the platform. This time around, Photopea managed to impress the Product Hunt community and quickly climbed up the ranks to become the 2nd product of the day the 4th product of the week with over 1K upvotes.

Also read: How to Launch on Product Hunt: Step By Step Guide with Tips and Best Practices

The Main Challenge

One of the most significant obstacles Ivan faced was convincing search engines that Photopea was a reliable and trustworthy website. As Ivan mentioned in one of his interviews: “It has taken years to convince search engines that Photopea is a reliable website that will help many people in the long run.”

Despite facing challenges, Ivan persisted, and his efforts paid off as Photopea became a go-to platform for online photo and image editing for many people, including myself.

Photopea Business Model

The major source of income for Photopea is through banner ads. The company also generates revenue from premium subscriptions and licensing deals, which allow users to take advantage of Photopea’s API to customize the software and integrate it into their projects. While advertising accounts for the bulk of the company’s revenue, these additional revenue streams provide valuable supplementary income for Photopea.

“I knew exactly how many views and impressions I need to get decent money out of the project. It is pure math.”

Ivan Kutskir

Ivan had prior experience with online games and knew that ads could be an effective way to make money. He saw Photopea’s potential for a large user base and high engagement specifically time spent on site as a perfect opportunity to implement this monetization strategy.

The Future and My Final Thoughts

As Photopea continues to gain traction and recognition within the creative community, Ivan remains dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation. With a roadmap that includes further enhancements to the user experience and deeper integration with other creative tools, the future looks bright for Photopea. At least for me, it is sure to remain a go-to tool for all my web-based image editing.

In this day and age where big tech companies seem to rule the world, Ivan Kutskir’s story is a living proof that a single person’s vision can shake up an entire industry.

The Photopea’s continued success isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s a source of inspiration for all the aspiring entrepreneurs and solo founders out there. It’s a reminder for all of us that with enough grit, determination, and a whole lot of passion, we can overcome the odds and achieve great things.

So, the next time you find yourself doubting your abilities or feeling like the playing field is too uneven, remember Ivan’s story. Let it be a gentle nudge, reminding you that greatness can come from the most unexpected places – even from a one-person team competing against the giants of the tech industry.

About the author

Lidia Vijga

Lidia Vijga is a co-founder of DeckLinks, a SaaS platform that supercharges PDFs with Video narrations, CTAs, and real-time Analytics. Lidia is an early tech adopter, and as a passionate tech enthusiast, she actively supports startups. She regularly shares her insights and experiences on LinkedIn, webinars, and speaking engagements. Lidia is committed to empowering client-facing teams with tools that augment their talent, rather than replacing it with automation. She firmly believes that companies grow faster when they showcase their human side.

The post How Photopea Bootstrapped to $1.5M with One Person Team appeared first on BYVI.

In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, a profound shift is underway — the rise of collaborative business ventures. This transformative journey is one that we as co-founders of CONNECT Communications, seek to exemplify. Our model, fueled by diverse perspectives, a shared vision, and unwavering commitment, is reshaping not just healthcare delivery in Canada but also revolutionizing collaboration and the very essence of self-care and communal well-being.

This commitment to collaboration wasn’t just an abstract concept for us; it was born from our own experiences. We met while working in the healthcare communications industry, Carolyn at a Medical Tech Company, and Lorie in consumer PR. Both passionate about the field, our paths converged when Carolyn, looking to expand her agency team in Toronto, received Lorie’s enthusiastic recommendation from her boss. That introduction proved pivotal. Working together seamlessly for eight years, our camaraderie transcended the office, laying the foundation for trust and synergy that would shape the future.

The idea of venturing out together simmered for two years, fueled by shared aspirations and unwavering belief in the power of our partnership. Though Carolyn took the initial leap by leaving the agency, the decision was a joint one, reflecting the deep connection we had forged in the crucible of healthcare communications. Thus, the birth of Bridge Medical Communications and, later, CONNECT Communications, was a natural evolution of our journey, one where the entrepreneurial spirit harmonized with the power of collaboration.

We have seen examples time after time of just how much having a business partner can influence the future of your company’s success. We’ve also learned a thing or two about how to structure the relationship in a way that makes us effective. In this piece, we want to share some of the biggest benefits of collaborative business partnerships that we’ve experienced first-hand and encourage you to consider how you might implement greater collaboration in your current business.

The Power of Having Dual Skillsets and Perspectives

At the heart of our collaborative vision lies the belief that true innovation emerges when diverse skills and perspectives come together. The entrepreneurial spirit, as we describe it, is no longer confined to individual ventures but is weaving a tapestry of collaboration where professionals from different fields actively participate. This shift in our approach is not just transforming the business landscape; it’s paving the way for a new era of solutions that cater to the evolving needs of clients, partners, and professionals alike, especially in the Medical Communications Industry.

With CONNECT, we’ve established a collaborative framework where industry, providers, patients, and stakeholders operate within the same ecosystem. Since we collaborated with the Canadian Breast Cancer

Network (CBCN) a few months ago, the impact has been profound, touching the lives of hundreds of patients. We were able to provide patients with a platform to connect with the right stakeholders and get support in their healing process. This underscores the transformative power of collaboration, not only between partners but also with stakeholders, emphasizing the collective strength of a unified approach.

Why Collaboration and Partnership Are Crucial for Business Success

Collaborating and partnering up are essential ingredients for business success in today’s interconnected world. As the saying goes, no man is an island; even the most capable individual cannot efficiently handle all aspects of business operations alone.

Complementary Skills and Expertise

Partnerships bring diverse skills, knowledge, and expertise to the table, creating a well-rounded team capable of tackling various challenges. This synergy enhances the overall capabilities of the business and increases its chances of success.

Shared Vision and Values

Partners who share a common vision and values are more likely to work cohesively toward achieving the business’s goals. They provide each other with encouragement, support, and motivation, creating a positive and productive work environment.

Risk-Sharing and Decision-Making

With partners, the burden of risk and responsibility is shared, reducing the pressure on individual entrepreneurs. Additionally, partners can offer different perspectives and insights, leading to more informed and well-rounded decision-making.

Enhanced Creativity and Innovation

Partnerships foster creativity and innovation by bringing together different ideas, perspectives, and approaches. This collaborative environment encourages experimentation and out-of-the-box thinking, leading to groundbreaking products, services, and solutions.

Fostering a Positive and Inclusive Culture

Collaborative partnerships can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment where different ideas and strengths are valued. This can lead to higher employee satisfaction, increased retention, and a more engaged workforce, ultimately benefitting the business.

Also read: How to Find the Right Co-Founder

Solving Problems Through Collaborative Entrepreneurship

Acknowledging the hurdles in seamless business-client interactions, CONNECT applies a collaborative, human-centered approach. Their focus lies in crafting tailored solutions to mitigate inefficiencies and elevate client experiences. By embracing collaborative problem-solving, CONNECT pioneers a novel model at the intersection of entrepreneurship and business strategy. Our commitment to innovative, collaborative solutions reflects the evolving landscape of business operations.

In a recent application of the CONNECT model, Carolyn and I seamlessly integrated our diverse expertise—my background in business and Carolyn’s clinical insights—leading to a positive outcome for our clients. Our collaborative approach, which brings together non-profit stakeholders, industry partners, and healthcare professionals, underscores the dynamic nature of the CONNECT framework. This model not only optimizes problem-solving by leveraging a spectrum of perspectives but also fosters meaningful connections among stakeholders. By effectively navigating the intersection of business, clinical practice, and industry dynamics, CONNECT stands as a powerful testament to the success achievable through collaborative problem-solving. It showcases the strength that arises when varied skill sets are thoughtfully integrated, delivering tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of our clients.

In essence, the potency of collaborative entrepreneurship not only fuels innovation but also embraces transformative shifts in business solutions. CONNECT Communications embodies this spirit, infusing collaborative problem-solving into the fabric of business innovation.

Transitioning From Business Fragmentation to Unity

In a broader context, fragmentation in business operations has long been a stumbling block. We argue that the collaborative entrepreneurial model, as exemplified by ventures like CONNECT, is the solution. By bringing together diverse talents under a shared vision, this approach addresses the fragmentation that often hampers effective business delivery. Through collaborative efforts, entrepreneurs create solutions that bridge gaps, ensuring seamless communication between businesses and clients. In a figurative sense, fragmentation was a hurdle encountered daily. Clients would struggle to navigate a disjointed system, and businesses would find themselves overwhelmed by the lack of streamlined communication. It was a call to action for us.

Before founding CONNECT, Carolyn and I experienced firsthand the challenges of business fragmentation. The catalyst for creating CONNECT stemmed from a realization that various entities were tackling a singular issue or path intervention in isolation. Businesses engaged with providers, providers worked with patients, and stakeholders operated independently. The missing link was a cohesive ecosystem that brought everyone together.

CONNECT’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. It serves as a blueprint for those looking to make a significant impact in the industry. We emphasize that the success of CONNECT is not merely a result of technological prowess but is deeply rooted in a shared vision and unwavering commitment to collaboration. Aspiring entrepreneurs can draw inspiration from this journey, understanding that transformative change in business requires more than individual brilliance – it demands a collaborative mindset.

Embracing a Collaborative Entrepreneurship Model

The success of CONNECT, demonstrates that the transformative potential of collaborative entrepreneurship in business is boundless. Beyond efficiency gains and reduced costs, the benefits are truly transformative. Innovation is unlocked, clients are empowered, silos are broken down, and trust and transparency become the cornerstones of business delivery.

The collaborative spirit that fuels CONNECT’s journey isn’t just a unique approach; it’s a blueprint for transformative change in any business. Let’s unpack the powerful takeaways you can implement now to unlock the collaborative advantage:

1. Unleash Innovation Through Diversity

At the heart of our success lies the belief that when diverse skillsets and perspectives collide, innovation ignites. Don’t simply assemble a team; actively weave a tapestry of collaboration where professionals from different fields dance in creative synergy. Remember, this isn’t just about hiring a wider net; it’s about fostering a culture where unique strengths are valued and cross-pollination is encouraged.

2. Build on a Shared Symphony

Partnerships flourish when anchored in a shared vision and values. This isn’t just about agreeing on goals; it’s about creating a harmonious environment where support, motivation, and encouragement resonate like a well-composed symphony. As you build your team, prioritize individuals who align with your core values and actively cultivate an atmosphere of trust and shared purpose.

3. Co-Create Solutions, Elevate Experiences

Move beyond the traditional client-business dynamic and embrace collaborative problem-solving. Invite clients to be partners in crafting solutions, tailor strategies to their specific needs, and elevate their experiences. This shift paves the way for novel approaches at the intersection of entrepreneurship and business strategy, setting you apart in a competitive landscape.

4. Bridging Gaps, Breaking Silos

Fragmentation in operations is a common business roadblock. But collaborative entrepreneurship, as embodied by CONNECT, offers a revolutionary solution. By uniting diverse talents under a shared vision, we break down silos and bridge gaps, ensuring seamless communication both internally and with clients. Imagine the efficiency gains and strengthened relationships when everyone is speaking the same language, working towards the same goals.

5. Transformative Change Starts with Collaboration

While technological advancements are crucial, the success of ventures like CONNECT hinges on a shared vision and unwavering commitment to collaboration. Aspiring entrepreneurs, take note: transformative change doesn’t just require individual brilliance; it demands a collaborative mindset. Embrace the collective power of diverse perspectives, shared decision-making, and celebrate successes as a team.

In the grand narrative of business, the collaborative revolution is not just a possibility; it’s an imperative waiting to be sung into existence. It’s a future where business is not just delivered but co-created by clients, entrepreneurs, and professionals. It’s a future where clients are not just served but regarded as partners, and where innovation thrives on shared vision. This is the collaborative revolution, and it’s waiting to be embraced by all those who believe in the transformative power of collaborative entrepreneurship.

About the authors

Carolyn Pritchard is a spirited advocate who’s been working to improve peoples’ experiences in the health-care system for more than 20 years. Extroverted and energetic, Carolyn has always been motivated by serving others.
She’s a relationship builder with a knack for connecting people and making them feel cared for. Her North Star—to make the patient experience better—makes her a skilled negotiator and fuels her drive to get things done.

Lorie Spence is a clear-eyed strategist with a deep understanding of what healthcare professionals need to deliver better patient outcomes. Her exceptional ability to anticipate the future is balanced with a pragmatic approach to educating and informing healthcare practitioners. She excels at identifying opportunities, quickly developing a deep understanding of a problem space and using that knowledge to push for ambitious strategies to solve real-world problems.

The post Collaborative Entrepreneurship: Story Behind CONNECT Communications appeared first on BYVI.

Hone, the brainchild of Jennifer Huynh and Jacqueline Loganathan, is a promising new startup in the home renovation space. Their focus? DIY home projects that are perfect for beginners. The two co-founders are no strangers to the world of entrepreneurship, having already pursued solo ventures in the past. However, it was during a casual coffee date that they realized they were both working on ideas related to interior design. So they decided to merge their ideas and visions to create Hone, a mission-driven brand that aims to make home improvement accessible to everyone.

We exist to empower people to hone new skills while they bring their home transformations to life. 

Jennifer and Jacqueline, Co-founders of Hone

With a spark of inspiration, Jennifer and Jacqueline set out to create an innovative company that would provide homeowners with the tools and resources they need to tackle home improvement projects on their own. Their goal is to make DIY projects more achievable, catering to those who are new to the DIY world.

Hone’s First Line of DIY Home Projects

At this time, the brand has introduced three Project Guides in a digital format, with Project Kits launching next. These Digital Guides were designed to assist DIY enthusiasts in their accent wall projects. 

Hone’s DIY projects are designed to be beginner-friendly, with step-by-step instructions, a measurement guide, a scheduling planner, and a shopping list with direct product links. From creating stunning Wood Slats to Board and Batten Accent Wall Panelling, Hone’s projects are perfect for anyone who wants to improve their home, regardless of their skill level.

In each project guide, you will find the following digital files:

1. Step-by-Step Instruction Guide (PDF)
2. Planner with 3 sections: Scheduler, Measurement Guide, and Shopping List with prices and product links (Excel or Google Sheet)
3. Welcome document (PDF)

Who Are the Hone’s Customers?

Whether you are a beginner or a DIYer with experience, Hone provides the guidance you need to create impressive DIY home decor, that you can proudly say you made yourself.

Beginner DIYers who want easy-to-follow instructions

Hone is a perfect place to start for those who are new to DIY projects and want to begin with something simple and easy to follow. As I mentioned previously, with Hone, you will have access to step-by-step instructions that are easy to understand, even if you have never done a DIY project before.

Experienced DIYers who are trying a new design

Hone is also a great tool for proficient DIYers who want to try a new design or need help staying organized. Hone’s project guides will save time and hassle when starting a new project, and give skilled DIYers the confidence to tackle more complex DIY tasks in the future.

Interior designers with DIY clients

Hone is an excellent partner for interior designers who work with clients that enjoy doing projects themselves. With Hone, designers can easily provide their DIY clients with the necessary tools and instructions to complete their projects. This results in a seamless experience that will encourage their clients to return for additional projects.

Realtors who want to give a gift to clients

Hone is a thoughtful gift that real estate agents can offer to their clients to show that they care and appreciate them. It is a perfect way to welcome clients to their new home, and it is a gift that will be cherished for years to come.

What’s next for Hone?

Hone is currently testing a variety of DIY home projects with the goal of introducing DIY Project Kits to their customers in the future. While their offerings are still relatively limited, their vision for a mission-driven brand has already begun to take shape, as they are inspiring others to take on home improvement projects and make their living spaces truly their own.

Got a suggestion for a DIY home project? Get in touch with Hone founders on Instagram.

About the Author

Lidia Vijga

Lidia Vijga is a co-founder of DeckLinks, a SaaS platform that supercharges PDFs with Video narrations, CTAs, and real-time Analytics. Lidia is an early tech adopter, and as a passionate tech enthusiast, she actively supports startups. She regularly shares her insights and experiences on LinkedIn, webinars, and speaking engagements. Lidia is committed to empowering client-facing teams with tools that augment their talent, rather than replacing it with automation. She firmly believes that companies grow faster when they showcase their human side.

The post Hone: Making DIY Home Projects Achievable For Everyone appeared first on BYVI.

If you live in Toronto, work remotely, and love delicious food, you gotta check out Worksimply! They’re an amazing new startup that’s shaking things up in downtown Toronto by offering a completely new approach to coworking spaces. What’s so unique about them is that they’ve transformed several restaurants into vibrant Worksimply Hubs where you can work alongside other remote professionals in a dynamic and collaborative environment. It’s a great way to work, network, and enjoy delicious food all at the same time!

Their mission is to create a space where remote workers can come together and forge lasting relationships beyond the confines of work. They believe that their hubs help promote creativity, productivity, and a sense of community that is vital for remote workers who may feel isolated and disconnected from their colleagues and peers.

Worksimply Hubs take place 3 to 4 times a week with each one hosted at a different restaurant. This means you get to experience different spaces and enjoy delicious food while you work. Last month, I visited one of their coworking hubs on Peter Street, where I had the pleasure of meeting other members over a huge long table. We sat across from each other and enjoyed great conversations about go-to market strategies, growth, and startup life in general.

But Worksimply is more than just a hub to work. They also host regular events and workshops, providing opportunities for members to connect and learn new skills.

How Does Worksimply Coworking in Toronto Works

Are you in search of a comfortable workspace near your location? The Worksimply app can help you find the perfect spot at a Worksimply Hub that suits your preferences and schedule.

1. Find a coworking space near you

Once you download the app, you can easily search for upcoming Worksimply Hubs based on your location, date, and time, ensuring that you always have a convenient and productive workspace available when you need it.

2. Book your work spot

To reserve a spot to co-work, simply make a booking through the Worksimply app. All Worksimply spaces offer high-speed internet, with a minimum speed of 50 Mbps+, and outlets available for your convenience. Each booking guarantees you a comfortable and spacious work area and a minimum of four hours of uninterrupted productivity time.

3. Order coffee and get to work

Kickstart your day by ordering a fresh cup of coffee and immersing yourself in your work. Whether you’re a fellow entrepreneur, a creative freelancer, or a busy executive, Worksimply provides an ideal workspace for you to get things done. And while you’re at it, why not bond with other members over delicious meals? With Worksimply’s user-friendly app, you can easily browse the menu, place your order, and pay for your meal without having to leave your table or wait for a waiter.

Worksimply Coworking Membership

The membership fee is $19.99 per month with a 14-Day free trial. Unlike traditional coworking hubs that charge for space usage, at Worksimply, you only need to make a minimum spend of $10 at the restaurant, and the space is free for you to work.

In traditional coworking spaces, you could spend up to $300-$500 a month just for a desk, but at Worksimply, you can save half of that money while enjoying meeting new people over great food, and having a great place to work.

Who you will meet in the Worksimply Toronto Coworking Hub

At Worksimply Hubs, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and co-work alongside a diverse group of remote individuals. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or industry expert working remotely, you’ll find yourself surrounded by like-minded professionals who share your enthusiasm for collaboration and are eager to work together, exchange ideas, and help each other grow. Here are some of the members who you might share a table with during your next coworking session at one of the Worksimply Hubs.

Gabrielle Guizzo, Compliance Officer

Gabrielle is a professional who gets results. She knows the ins and outs of regulatory law in various industries. Gabrielle is the person you want by your side when dealing with complex compliance issues. She’s great at analyzing tricky legal stuff and finding ways to reduce the risks. Gabrielle is also skilled at helping clients during investigations and working with lawyers during hearings and legal cases. She’s good at building strong relationships with clients, coworkers, and regulators. She keeps an eye on changing rules and laws.

Andre Oliviera, Software Engineer at Webflow 

Andre has been a Software Engineer at Webflow for almost 3 years. He recently moved to Toronto in March and has been a Worksimply member for more than 3 months now. His coding adventures span across Full-Stack Development, Backend Engineering, iOS App Development, and even Growth Hacking. When he’s not crafting amazing software solutions, Andre can be found cruising on his electric skateboard. He’s also the ultimate Brazilian BBQ master – bringing the flavours of Brazil to the tech world!

Sarah Rennick, Co-Founder and CEO at Alli.io

Sarah is the Co-Founder and CEO of Alli. Alli is on a mission to ensure every person has equal access to high-quality therapy. This is therapy when you need it – not just when your finances allow it. Alli is a therapy platform composed of a diverse team of highly qualified therapists who support individuals and couples through all stages of life. Sarah has been a Worksimply member since its inception and sometimes even takes her team out for lunch at one of the Worksimply locations.

Lorraine Feliciano, Product Designer (Growth) at Rocket Homes

Lorraine is a Product Designer at Rocket Homes. She’s a strategic product growth designer passionate about being data-driven to inform design decisions while providing a great user experience and helping achieve measurable business impact. When Raine is not working on product, she organizes Dinner Socials for Worksimply members at different restaurants across Toronto.

Dimity Galamiyev, Freelance Product Design Lead (UX/UI) Solo Money

Dimitry is a Freelance Product Design Lead with 8 years of experience creating innovative digital products at various creative agencies, startups, and enterprise companies such as IBM, Google, and EY. Working with such a diverse set of clients had allowed him to design for a veriety of industries such as fintech, crypto, travel, education, and the blockchain. One of his most notable project was leading a team of designers at Huge while designing the Mobile and iPad apps for Four Seasons which are used by 1.5M people worldwide each year. At Worksimply, Dimitry teaches design and business finance workshops from time to time.

About the Author

Lidia Vijga

Lidia Vijga is a co-founder of DeckLinks, a SaaS platform that supercharges PDFs with Video narrations, CTAs, and real-time Analytics. Lidia is an early tech adopter, and as a passionate tech enthusiast, she actively supports startups. She regularly shares her insights and experiences on LinkedIn, webinars, and speaking engagements. Lidia is committed to empowering client-facing teams with tools that augment their talent, rather than replacing it with automation. She firmly believes that companies grow faster when they showcase their human side.

The post Worksimply: A Michelin Rated Coworking Space in Toronto appeared first on BYVI.

The life of a small business (SMB) owner is often like a trip down a long, winding road. Except, at every other bend, the trip screeches to a halt as the car pulls in for gas, or the noisy kids in the back seat request snacks, or a tire goes flat. Turns out, flat tires tend to follow when you keep launching your car off of ramps to jump through some unexpected hoops in your path.

The SMB’s journey can be a hectic one. One major factor in why startup founders and other owners of SMBs constantly work under pressure is the financial stress of the endeavor. For startups especially, the personal investment combined with the struggle to grow and earn both sales and funding makes life a juggle. 

One of the core contributors of financial stress on businesses in general, but especially SMBs, is the drawback of traditional banking. Big banks are not built for small, modern, global businesses because these businesses are built beyond the capabilities of big banks. 

That’s why Sandeep Todi and his team at fintech startup Truly Financial want to redefine what it means to bank for small business. A unique player in the emerging neobank scene, Truly Financial affordably offers a complete suite of financial services needed by modern businesses within a single platform. Todi believes that Truly Financial will allow small business owners to focus less on navigating through fragmented financial issues and focus more on navigating the future of their businesses.

The State of Traditional Banking and SMBs

As technology has advanced and fintech efforts have grown in recent years, banking is one industry that has failed to adapt and adopt. Heavy regulation, particularly after the economic crisis of 2008, and aging technological foundations have made it incredibly difficult for most established financial institutions to make the massive changes needed to reach the modern age. Not only that, but the rise in fintech ventures disrupting the field has also led to a lack of interested talent flocking to traditional banks. 

While banks fall behind, SMBs continue to innovate and emphasize nimbleness, adopting new technologies as they emerge. The world is more connected than ever, and remote work rarely earns a questioning glance after almost three years in a global pandemic. This means that teams are stretching across time zones, geographies and currencies. Plus, the demand for faster payments is higher than ever as the PayPals and Venmos of the world help their users easily and instantly transfer money for minimal fees. 

Though new services exist in the realm of fintech that support payments or money management or lending, very few companies offer the full package. This makes managing finances and time a true juggling act for SMB owners who need to utilize several different services.

Truly Financial: The All-In-One Banking Service

Todi and his co-founder, Kanchan Kumar, previously founded Remitr in 2016, a Canadian company built to enable faster, cheaper B2B payments online. In 2020, the founders began to work through an idea of how to go beyond payments and improve business banking overall. 

Todi and Kumar decided to create Truly Financial as an all-in-one banking service that enables business owners to manage all of their finances from a single account, instead of having to use multiple services. This would be a one-of-a-kind service in North America, and they leveraged their expertise in software to build their own banking stack from the ground up. 

Truly Financial’s complete suite of services includes a host of offerings that no other entity in the world is providing on a single platform:

• Checking accounts
• Multi-currency accounts (send and receive in up to 40 countries)
• Physical and virtual corporate Visa credit cards 
• Receive payment via ACH, wire transfer, or credit card with integrations to various payment processing services like Stripe and Shopify
• Make same-day or one-day payments via ACH, direct deposit and wire transfers.
• Easy team payments in under two days depending on location
• Manage cash flow with individual spending limits and automatic balance alerts
• Two affordable pricing plans, including an option for no monthly fee and flat rate payments
• Reward system to earn cashback

Redefining Small Business Banking

As founders themselves, Todi and Kumar recognize that SMBs work differently than large enterprises. The people behind these growing companies have long needed a change to the banking systems in place. 

This is why Truly Financial offers their customers a chance to bank simpler: Modern SMBs work differently with less resources, which is why they need to bank differently with greater rewards. 

The Truly Financial team believes that the best way to deliver on that philosophy is through their custom-built stack of services housed within a single, streamlined platform, massively accessible to SMBs via a hyper-affordable pricing plan.

What’s Next for Truly Financial?

2022 is shaping up to be a big year for the neobank which officially launched in August of 2021. In the months since launch, Todi and his team have gained plenty of insights from their early adopters. 

Todi says Truly Financial will continue to grow its internal team and amp up its digital marketing efforts, but now, the team knows it needs to continue to grow through new channels. One primary area of focus on Todi’s mind is partnerships: influencers, accounting firms and software developers are all potential partners who could help more SMBs find a new way to bank.

How Other Founders Can Learn From This Story

Todi has learned much in his years as a fintech startup founder. Among the many challenges that have arisen throughout his journey, it seems that the unexpected situations lent the greatest lessons. For example, when considering the shipping process of Visa cards to employees abroad, Todi and his team didn’t anticipate the stumbling block of a non-English speaking employee needing some additional explanation of the service. 

Most importantly, Todi feels that founders should strive to know their customers like members of their own team, especially in the early adopter stage. Establishing a more amicable and genuine rapport with customers will inevitably lead to greater insights and specific feedback. Plus, it will make them feel more valued and, hopefully, earn some loyalty. 

Above all, though, Todi wants other founders to remember that starting and running a business is a journey — one that can be stimulating, beautiful and filled with passion. While it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day chaos of the road, it’s important to enjoy the scenery that surrounds the traffic.

WRITTEN BY Spencer Cowley

Writer & Editor at BYVI and Founder at Cowley Creative. Writing his way towards a meaningful impact on the world.

The post Truly Financial: Global Business Banking, Redefined for Modern SMBs appeared first on BYVI.