Episodes

  • 259 Kasper Pihl Tornoe - Navigating Tech and Tradition: A Modern Entrepreneur's Guide
    Feb 18 2025

    What if scaling a company while raising a family was your biggest challenge—not funding, competition, or product-market fit? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Kasper Pihl Tornoe, CEO & Co-Founder of Question Base, to discuss the real-life struggles of entrepreneurship, family life, and scaling AI-powered documentation tools.

    Kasper and his wife have been building companies together for over a decade, from launching a consumer app to scaling Swipes (a #1 task manager on the App Store with over 1M users). Now, with Question Base, he's revolutionizing knowledge management with an AI-powered Slack bot that turns everyday team chats into actionable documentation.

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 – Introduction: Entrepreneurship & Family – Can You Have Both?

    03:20 – The real struggles of building a business while raising kids

    08:45 – Lessons learned from moving from Denmark to Silicon Valley

    12:10 – How AI-powered documentation eliminates team knowledge gaps

    17:30Communication strategies for co-founders & family life

    22:40Hiring & firing lessons every founder must learn

    28:00How Question Base turns Slack into an automated knowledge hub

    34:50 – The biggest mistakes in knowledge management (and how to fix them)

    41:15Why most SaaS founders fail at product-led growth (PLG)

    49:30 – How to stand out in a crowded SaaS market

    56:20Why the investor story ≠ the customer story (and why that matters)

    1:03:10 – Best founder productivity hacks for busy entrepreneurs

    Tweetable Quotes

    "Scaling a business while raising a family is next-level entrepreneurship." – Jeff Mains

    "Poor documentation is an invisible growth killer—fix it before it’s too late." Kasper Pihl Tornoe

    "Product-led growth (PLG) is an experiment, not a formula—adapt constantly." – Jeff Mains

    "The investor story is your future. The customer story is your now. Focus accordingly." Kasper Pihl Tornoe

    SaaS Leadership Lessons

    Communication is everything – In business & family, assumptions kill productivity.

    AI-powered documentation is the future – Stop losing knowledge when employees leave.

    Product-led growth (PLG) isn't one-size-fits-all – Experimentation is key.

    The right customers = faster adoption – Focus on the right user persona, not everyone.

    SaaS success = simplicityThe best products remove complexity, not add it.

    Guest Resources

    Website: https://www.questionbase.com/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ktornoe/

    Episode Sponsor

    Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

    Champion Leadership Group –

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 258 Chris Ball - Navigating Market Volatility: Blueprint to Financial Growth
    Feb 13 2025

    What if hiring the right people and making sound investments were the biggest factors in scaling your business—not just strategy or revenue? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Chris Ball, Managing Partner at Hoxton Wealth, who has grown the firm from $35M to over $2.1B in assets under management.

    Whether you're a SaaS founder, entrepreneur, or business leader, this episode is packed with wealth-building strategies, tax-efficient investing tips, and insights on scaling a high-performing team.

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 – Introduction: How people & investments drive business success

    02:15 – Why hiring the right people in the right roles is critical for scale

    06:30 – Lessons learned from scaling $35M → $2.1B in AUM

    12:20 – The growth mindset that separates top leaders from the rest

    18:45 – Financial mistakes most business owners make

    23:10 – How to build financial freedom while scaling your company

    29:00 – The right way to manage personal & business wealth

    35:40 – How to optimize taxes when growing or cashing out

    42:00Best jurisdictions for entrepreneurs looking for tax advantages

    49:20 – How to reinvest capital for long-term wealth & financial stability

    55:10 – Alternative assets: Real estate, crypto, & commodities

    01:02:30 – Financial trends for 2025-2026 & preparing for market shifts

    01:10:15 – How to prepare your SaaS business for M&A or exit

    Tweetable Quotes

    Your success isn’t just about strategy or revenue—it’s about who you hire and how you invest." – Jeff Mains

    "Smart tax planning isn’t just for billionaires—entrepreneurs need to optimize wealth too." – Chris Ball

    "Where you live and how you structure your business can make a massive difference in your wealth-building strategy." – Chris Ball

    "Growth at all costs is dead. Focus on capital-efficient growth and sustainable scaling." – Jeff Mains

    SaaS Leadership Lessons

    Hiring the wrong people can cost you millions – Build a team that fuels growth, not friction.

    Financial clarity = business success – If you're not tracking the right numbers, you're flying blind.

    Smart tax strategies matter – Don’t leave money on the table—optimize your wealth plan.

    VC money isn’t always the answer – Growth at all costs can lead to failure if not done wisely.

    Location matters – Some jurisdictions offer major tax benefits for entrepreneurs.

    Guest Resources

    chris.ball@hoxtoncapital.com

    Website: https://hoxtonwealth.com/

    Episode Sponsor

    Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

    Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/

    SaaS Fuel Resources

    Website -

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    43 mins
  • 257 Dan DeGolier - Cash Flow Essentials: Strategies for Sustainable Growth
    Feb 11 2025

    What if poor financial management was the biggest risk to your SaaS business—not your competitors or even AI? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Dan DeGolier, founder of Ascent CFO Solutions, to dive deep into the financial strategies that separate thriving SaaS companies from those constantly struggling with cash flow, compliance, and scalability.

    If you're a SaaS founder, CFO, or executive looking to improve financial efficiency, cash flow visibility, and revenue recognition, this episode is packed with actionable insights you don’t want to miss!

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 – Introduction: The biggest financial risks SaaS founders face

    02:45 – Why cash flow management can make or break your business

    06:20 – Revenue recognition: What SaaS founders need to know

    10:30 – When to hire a fractional CFO vs. a full-time CFO

    15:00 – Building financial systems right the first time

    20:20 – The biggest financial mistakes SaaS companies make

    25:40Metrics that matter: MRR, ARR, CAC, and more

    30:15 – Capital-efficient growth: Why it’s replacing “growth at all costs”

    35:50 – Preparing for fundraising, M&A, or an exit

    40:00 – Financial forecasting & risk management

    45:20 – Next steps: How to optimize your SaaS financial strategy today

    Tweetable Quotes

    💡 "Poor financial management—not competition—is the biggest threat to your SaaS startup." – Jeff Mains

    💰 "Cash flow mismanagement is the silent killer of SaaS companies. Ignore it at your own risk."Dan DeGolier

    📊 "Growth at all costs is dead. Capital-efficient growth is the future of SaaS." – Jeff Mains

    🚀 "A fractional CFO can save your SaaS business more than they cost—if you bring them in at the right time."Dan DeGolier

    SaaS Leadership Lessons

    Cash flow is king – Mismanagement is the fastest way to kill a promising SaaS startup.

    Revenue recognition matters – Doing it wrong can lead to compliance issues and financial disaster.

    Fractional CFOs can be a game-changer – Get high-level financial expertise without the full-time cost.

    Growth at all costs is dead – Smart SaaS founders focus on capital-efficient growth instead.

    rack the right metrics – If you're not monitoring MRR, CAC, NRR, and burn rate, you’re flying blind.

    Guest Resources

    dan@ascentcfo.com

    Website: https://ascentcfo.com/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/degolier/

    Episode Sponsor

    Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

    Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/

    SaaS Fuel Resources

    Website -

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    44 mins
  • 256 Blair Nichols - Speak to Lead: How SaaS Founders Win Clients Through Storytelling
    Feb 6 2025

    What if your story was the key to unlocking massive growth in your business? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Blair Nichols, founder of BBN Creative Management, to explore how SaaS founders and business leaders can use speaking engagements, storytelling, and personal branding to elevate their industry authority, attract ideal clients, and drive business growth.

    If you’re a SaaS leader, entrepreneur, or coach looking to stand out in your industry, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you leverage speaking opportunities and build a thought leadership platform that attracts high-value customers.

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 – Introduction: The power of speaking for SaaS founders

    02:30 – Why SaaS leaders should prioritize public speaking

    06:15 – How to craft a compelling speaking topic and message

    10:45 – Finding the right speaking opportunities for your business

    15:30 – The role of storytelling in building audience trust

    20:10 – Monetizing speaking engagements without being "salesy"

    25:40 – Measuring the ROI of speaking & audience engagement

    30:15 – Personal brand vs. company brand – how to balance both

    35:50 – Avoiding common mistakes in public speaking

    40:00 – How to stand out as a speaker in a crowded market

    45:20 – Next steps: How to build your speaking platform today

    Tweetable Quotes

    "Your voice is a business asset. Use it wisely!" – Blair Nichols

    "People don’t just buy products, they buy into stories—including yours." – Jeff Mains

    "Speaking isn't about selling; it's about serving your audience first." – Blair Nichols

    "The right stage can transform your brand—choose wisely!" – Jeff Mains

    SaaS Leadership Lessons

    Speaking = Business Growth – Your voice is a powerful tool for authority, client attraction, and brand loyalty.

    Speaking ≠ Pitching – The best speakers educate, entertain, and inspire without pushing a hard sell.

    Monetization Matters – You don’t always get paid to speak, but a well-placed talk can drive massive business revenue.

    Track Your ROI – If you're not measuring leads, conversions, and audience engagement, you're leaving money on the table.

    Find the Right Rooms – A small, engaged audience of decision-makers beats a huge, irrelevant crowd.

    Guest Resources

    BBN@BBNCREATIVEMANAGEMENT.COM

    www.BBNCreativeManagement.com

    Episode Sponsor

    Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

    Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/

    SaaS Fuel Resources

    Website - https://championleadership.com/

    Jeff Mains on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkmains/

    Twitter -

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    52 mins
  • 255 Alex Levin - AI Meets Empathy: Scale Personalization Without Losing the Human Touch
    Feb 4 2025

    What if your voice could power your business, drive customer engagement, and revolutionize how you connect with clients? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains welcomes Alex Levin, co-founder and CEO of Regal.ai, to discuss how voice AI is transforming the way businesses interact with customers.

    From automating customer support to enhancing personalization, Alex shares insights on leveraging voice AI to scale operations while maintaining an authentic, human touch.

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 – Introduction: The rise of voice AI in business

    02:00 – Alex Levin’s journey: From Handy to founding Regal.io

    05:20 – How voice AI is reshaping customer interactions

    10:00 – Challenges in scaling AI-powered customer experiences

    15:30 – Strategies for delivering personalized customer journeys

    20:05 – Measuring the success of voice AI initiatives

    25:40 – The future of voice AI and what businesses should expect

    30:00 – Key lessons learned in scaling a SaaS business

    Tweetable Quotes

    "Your voice isn’t just a way to speak; it’s a tool to power your business." – Alex Levin

    "Automation should enhance the human experience, not replace it." – Jeff Mains

    "Voice AI is rewriting the rules of customer engagement and efficiency." – Alex Levin

    "Personalization at scale is the real game-changer in customer interactions." – Jeff Mains

    SaaS Leadership Lessons

    Voice AI is More Than Just Automation: Businesses can use it to build meaningful, personalized customer interactions.

    Scalability vs. Human Touch: Striking the right balance is crucial to customer satisfaction.

    Measuring Impact: Success is not just about reducing call times but enhancing customer loyalty.

    Challenges of Scaling AI: Adoption and integration require the right strategy and patience.

    Future Trends: As voice AI evolves, businesses must stay agile and innovative.

    Guest Resources

    alex@regal.ai

    Website: https://www.regal.ai/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlevin1/

    Episode Sponsor

    Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

    Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/

    SaaS Fuel Resources

    Website - https://championleadership.com/

    Jeff Mains on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkmains/

    Twitter - https://twitter.com/jeffkmains

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thesaasguy/

    Instagram - https://instagram.com/jeffkmains

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    45 mins
  • 254 Michael Greenberg - Scaling Smart: How AI and Automation are Transforming Business Growth
    Jan 30 2025

    Struggling to streamline your operations and scale effectively? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Michael Greenburg, founder and CEO of Third Brain Digital Operations, to explore how automation and AI can revolutionize your business processes and drive sustainable growth.

    From hiring smarter to leveraging digital workflows, Michael shares his expertise on optimizing workflow teams and tools using cutting-edge technology.

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 – Introduction: Rethinking hiring with a performance-first approach

    02:00 – Why firing fast can save your business

    06:20 – The five levels of automation and how to scale effectively

    11:15 – Common roadblocks in automation and how to overcome them

    15:40 – How to optimize workflow without disrupting your team

    20:05 – Leveraging AI to improve sales and marketing processes

    25:30 – Measuring success and tracking key automation metrics

    30:50 – Hiring globally: Pros and cons of remote workforces

    35:15 – Security concerns with automation and remote teams

    40:00 – The future of digital operations and what's next for businesses

    Tweetable Quotes

    "If you're not automating, you're falling behind—AI is here to stay." – Michael Greenberg

    "Hiring right is good, but firing fast is even better." – Jeff Mains

    "Your digital operations should work for you, not the other way around." – Michael Greenberg

    "Automation without strategy is just chaos at scale." – Jeff Mains

    "Scaling with AI is not about replacing people; it's about empowering them." – Michael Greenberg

    SaaS Leadership Lessons

    Fire Fast, Hire Smart: Michael discusses why quickly identifying misfits in hiring saves time and resources in the long run.

    Automation Levels Matter: Learn how to evaluate your business's automation maturity and move up the ladder effectively.

    AI Doesn't Replace, It Enhances: The right balance between automation and human intervention leads to better business efficiency.

    Global Hiring is the Future: Discover how hiring globally can bring in top talent at a fraction of the cost without sacrificing quality.

    Security is Key: Implementing automation without compromising data security should be a top priority for businesses.

    Guest Resources

    michael@3rdbrain.co

    Website: https://www.3rdbrain.co/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

    X: https://x.com/gentoftech

    Episode Sponsor

    Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

    Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/

    SaaS Fuel Resources

    Website - https://championleadership.com/

    Jeff Mains on LinkedIn -

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    53 mins
  • 253 Luis Garcia - Personalized Learning: Training Employees Don't Sleep Through
    Jan 28 2025

    Training your team doesn’t have to be boring! In this episode of SaaS Fuel, host Jeff Mains sits down with Luis Garcia, President of Pete Learning, to explore how AI-driven training solutions are transforming employee development.

    Corporate training often feels like a chore—but with the power of AI and personalized learning, businesses can now engage employees like never before. Luis shares his expertise on creating impactful, customized learning experiences that truly stick.

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 – Introduction: The challenges of corporate training

    01:45 – Why traditional training methods fail

    04:20 – How AI is revolutionizing personalized learning

    08:10 – The impact of AI on real-world training scenarios

    12:30 – Measuring success: How to track training effectiveness

    17:00 – Overcoming resistance to AI in corporate environments

    21:15 – How Pete Learning helps businesses scale their training programs

    25:40 – Future trends in AI and workforce training

    30:00 – How to start implementing AI-driven training in your company

    35:20 – Where to find more resources and insights

    Tweetable Quotes

    "Training should empower employees, not bore them." – Luis Garcia

    "AI isn’t here to replace trainers; it’s here to enhance the learning experience." – Jeff Mains

    "Engaged employees are productive employees—AI helps bridge that gap." – Luis Garcia

    "Personalized learning is the future, and it’s happening now." – Jeff Mains

    "If your training isn’t evolving, neither is your workforce." – Luis Garcia

    SaaS Leadership Lessons

    Engagement is the Key to Learning: Traditional training methods often fall flat, but AI allows for personalized, interactive learning experiences.

    Real-World Application Matters: AI can simulate real-life customer service scenarios to prepare employees effectively.

    Measuring Success is Crucial: It’s not just about completing courses; businesses must track and analyze engagement and retention.

    AI Supports, Not Replaces: AI enhances human training efforts, offering insights and automating repetitive tasks while keeping the human touch.

    Scalability is Possible: Companies can now scale training initiatives without sacrificing quality or personalization.

    Guest Resources

    luis@petelearning.com

    Website: https://www.pete.com/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisegarcia/

    Episode Sponsor

    Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

    Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/

    SaaS Fuel Resources

    Website - https://championleadership.com/

    Jeff Mains on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkmains/

    Twitter -

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    48 mins
  • 252 John Golden - AI Meets Human-Centric Selling: The Future of Sales Enablement
    Jan 23 2025

    Is your CRM just an expensive contact list? In this episode of SaaS Fuel, we sit down with John Golden, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Pipeliner CRM, to reveal how businesses can turn their CRM into a revenue-driving machine.

    Your CRM should work for you, not against your team. John shares expert insights on aligning CRM with your sales process, embracing automation without losing the human touch, and getting your sales and marketing teams to collaborate effectively.

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 – Introduction: Is your CRM working for or against you?

    02:00 – The common pitfalls of CRM adoption

    04:30 – Why your CRM needs to align with your sales goals

    08:15 – How AI and automation can enhance your CRM experience

    12:40 – Practical steps to increase CRM adoption in your team

    17:05 – Sales and marketing collaboration: A winning strategy

    22:30 – Real-world case studies of successful CRM transformations

    27:50 – The future of CRM: Trends and technologies to watch

    33:20 – Actionable tips to make your CRM your secret sales weapon

    38:00 – Where to learn more and get free resources

    Tweetable Quotes

    "Your CRM should feel like an ally, not an obstacle." – John Golden

    "If your team hates using your CRM, it's time for a change." – Jeff Mains

    "AI in CRM? It's all about balancing automation with personalization." – John Golden

    "A well-used CRM is the secret weapon of top-performing sales teams." – Jeff Mains

    "Success isn't about the tools; it's about how you use them!" – John Golden

    SaaS Leadership Lessons

    CRM Alignment is Key: Your CRM should fit seamlessly into your sales process, not the other way around.

    Adoption is Everything: A CRM is only valuable if your team actually uses it. Focus on usability and training.

    Automate Without Losing the Human Touch: Use AI to enhance efficiency, but remember that relationships still drive sales.

    Sales + Marketing Collaboration = Success: A well-integrated CRM helps align both teams for better revenue outcomes.

    Track the Right Metrics: Move beyond vanity metrics and focus on KPIs that impact growth.

    Guest Resources

    john.golden@pipelinersales.com

    Website: https://www.pipelinersales.com/

    X: https://x.com/JohnGoldenFRR

    Episode Sponsor

    Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

    Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/

    SaaS Fuel Resources

    Website - https://championleadership.com/

    Jeff Mains on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkmains/

    Twitter -

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    53 mins