Don't Start a SaaS in 2026 Until You Watch This
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Recurring revenue, high profit margins, Recurring revenue, high profit margins, and incredible exit multiples. There's and incredible exit multiples. There's and incredible exit multiples. There's no doubt SaaS is the best business model no doubt SaaS is the best business model no doubt SaaS is the best business model for building a multi-million dollar for building a multi-million dollar for building a multi-million dollar business. But there's a dark side to business. But there's a dark side to business. But there's a dark side to SaaS that people rarely mention. I'm Rob SaaS that people rarely mention. I'm Rob SaaS that people rarely mention. I'm Rob Walling and after 20 years of building, Walling and after 20 years of building, Walling and after 20 years of building, exiting, and now investing in hundreds exiting, and now investing in hundreds exiting, and now investing in hundreds of SaaS companies through TinySeed, I've of SaaS companies through TinySeed, I've of SaaS companies through TinySeed, I've seen where all the landmines are buried. seen where all the landmines are buried. seen where all the landmines are buried. In this video, I'm giving you the map. In this video, I'm giving you the map. In this video, I'm giving you the map. These are the uncomfortable truths you These are the uncomfortable truths you These are the uncomfortable truths you must know so you go in with your eyes must know so you go in with your eyes must know so you go in with your eyes wide open. And make sure you stick wide open. And make sure you stick wide open. And make sure you stick around to the end because the final around to the end because the final around to the end because the final truth might convince you not to start truth might convince you not to start truth might convince you not to start SaaS at all. Let's dive into the first SaaS at all. Let's dive into the first SaaS at all. Let's dive into the first brutal truth of starting SaaS. First one brutal truth of starting SaaS. First one brutal truth of starting SaaS. First one is a common misconception. Having an is a common misconception. Having an is a common misconception. Having an audience, like a social media audience audience, like a social media audience audience, like a social media audience that's following you, does very, very that's following you, does very, very that's following you, does very, very little for [snorts] your SaaS. You get a little for [snorts] your SaaS. You get a little for [snorts] your SaaS. You get a small initial launch bump and after small initial launch bump and after small initial launch bump and after that, it's irrelevant. So unless your that, it's irrelevant. So unless your that, it's irrelevant. So unless your audience is exactly your ideal customer audience is exactly your ideal customer audience is exactly your ideal customer profile, which in almost all cases a profile, which in almost all cases a profile, which in almost all cases a social media audience is not, social social media audience is not, social social media audience is not, social media audiences aren't going to do much media audiences aren't going to do much media audiences aren't going to do much for you. I say, build your network not for you. I say, build your network not for you. I say, build your network not your audience if you're going to build a your audience if you're going to build a your audience if you're going to build a SaaS. So then people say, well how do I SaaS. So then people say, well how do I SaaS. So then people say, well how do I build my network? And that's why I've build my network? And that's why I've build my network? And that's why I've recorded at least one YouTube video on recorded at least one YouTube video on recorded at least one YouTube video on this channel on how to do that. Not a this channel on how to do that. Not a this channel on how to do that. Not a week goes by that I don't see someone on week goes by that I don't see someone on week goes by that I don't see someone on X, Twitter, or LinkedIn saying, you X, Twitter, or LinkedIn saying, you X, Twitter, or LinkedIn saying, you should build your audience and then ask should build your audience and then ask should build your audience and then ask them what they want. And that works them what they want. And that works them what they want. And that works great if you're selling information, if great if you're selling information, if great if you're selling information, if you're selling tickets to an event, if you're selling tickets to an event, if you're selling tickets to an event, if you're selling books and courses. If you're selling books and courses. If you're selling books and courses. If you're building a SaaS, do not waste you're building a SaaS, do not waste you're building a SaaS, do not waste your time building an audience because your time building an audience because your time building an audience because it does almost nothing for you. Does it does almost nothing for you. Does it does almost nothing for you. Does very little at the start, but almost
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very little at the start, but almost very little at the start, but almost nothing for you as you build a SaaS. The nothing for you as you build a SaaS. The nothing for you as you build a SaaS. The second brutal truth of starting a SaaS second brutal truth of starting a SaaS second brutal truth of starting a SaaS is that you're going to have to do a lot is that you're going to have to do a lot is that you're going to have to do a lot of things that you don't want to do in of things that you don't want to do in of things that you don't want to do in order to be successful. Building SaaS order to be successful. Building SaaS order to be successful. Building SaaS inevitably has some element or some inevitably has some element or some inevitably has some element or some level of grind to it. So if you think level of grind to it. So if you think level of grind to it. So if you think that it's going to be writing a little that it's going to be writing a little that it's going to be writing a little bit of code, posting on X or LinkedIn, bit of code, posting on X or LinkedIn, bit of code, posting on X or LinkedIn, and that's going to build a great and that's going to build a great and that's going to build a great company, you are delusional. You are company, you are delusional. You are company, you are delusional. You are going to have to do marketing approaches going to have to do marketing approaches going to have to do marketing approaches that you probably don't have that much that you probably don't have that much that you probably don't have that much interest in. Maybe do cold outreach, interest in. Maybe do cold outreach, interest in. Maybe do cold outreach, maybe it's SEO, maybe it's going to maybe it's SEO, maybe it's going to maybe it's SEO, maybe it's going to in-person events, maybe it's in-person events, maybe it's in-person events, maybe it's partnerships and integrations and partnerships and integrations and partnerships and integrations and talking to humans and going on podcasts talking to humans and going on podcasts talking to humans and going on podcasts and YouTube channels and generally and YouTube channels and generally and YouTube channels and generally promoting what you're doing. In promoting what you're doing. In promoting what you're doing. In addition, it means launching something addition, it means launching something addition, it means launching something and sticking with it long enough to and sticking with it long enough to and sticking with it long enough to adjust and take feedback and iterate and adjust and take feedback and iterate and adjust and take feedback and iterate and make hard decisions with incomplete make hard decisions with incomplete make hard decisions with incomplete information and manage your own information and manage your own information and manage your own psychology along the way. You are going psychology along the way. You are going psychology along the way. You are going to have to do some things you don't want to have to do some things you don't want to have to do some things you don't want to do when building a SaaS. And there to do when building a SaaS. And there to do when building a SaaS. And there are folks, especially influencers are folks, especially influencers are folks, especially influencers online, who are telling you the online, who are telling you the online, who are telling you the opposite. That to me that's akin to opposite. That to me that's akin to opposite. That to me that's akin to telling you you can lose weight by telling you you can lose weight by telling you you can lose weight by eating ice cream. It sounds great and eating ice cream. It sounds great and eating ice cream. It sounds great and that you want to believe them because that you want to believe them because that you want to believe them because you want this to be fun. And overall, it you want this to be fun. And overall, it you want this to be fun. And overall, it is fun. But you're going to have to do a is fun. But you're going to have to do a is fun. But you're going to have to do a lot of things in the meantime as you lot of things in the meantime as you lot of things in the meantime as you grow this that you don't want to do. Get grow this that you don't want to do. Get grow this that you don't want to do. Get used to it. The third brutal truth is used to it. The third brutal truth is used to it. The third brutal truth is the long slow SaaS ramp of death. And the long slow SaaS ramp of death. And the long slow SaaS ramp of death. And this term was coined by Gail Goodman, this term was coined by Gail Goodman, this term was coined by Gail Goodman, who is the founder of Constant Contact.
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who is the founder of Constant Contact. who is the founder of Constant Contact. She did an amazing talk at Business of She did an amazing talk at Business of She did an amazing talk at Business of Software probably 10, 15 years ago now, Software probably 10, 15 years ago now, Software probably 10, 15 years ago now, where she talked about how building a where she talked about how building a where she talked about how building a business with one-time sales can business with one-time sales can business with one-time sales can actually grow really quickly. But when actually grow really quickly. But when actually grow really quickly. But when you're building SaaS and you're charging you're building SaaS and you're charging you're building SaaS and you're charging $10, $50, even $500 a month, recurring $10, $50, even $500 a month, recurring $10, $50, even $500 a month, recurring revenue compounds so slowly. Any type of revenue compounds so slowly. Any type of revenue compounds so slowly. Any type of meaningful momentum, any type of meaningful momentum, any type of meaningful momentum, any type of meaningful MRR, it usually takes a long meaningful MRR, it usually takes a long meaningful MRR, it usually takes a long time. Now, there should be some leading time. Now, there should be some leading time. Now, there should be some leading signals that you are having success, signals that you are having success, signals that you are having success, that people are interested. So I'm not that people are interested. So I'm not that people are interested. So I'm not saying you should grind for 5 or 10 saying you should grind for 5 or 10 saying you should grind for 5 or 10 years with no success and expect then to years with no success and expect then to years with no success and expect then to suddenly have growth. There is a long suddenly have growth. There is a long suddenly have growth. There is a long slow ramp of your revenue over time and slow ramp of your revenue over time and slow ramp of your revenue over time and it's going to take a lot longer than you it's going to take a lot longer than you it's going to take a lot longer than you want it to. I tell SaaS founders, think want it to. I tell SaaS founders, think want it to. I tell SaaS founders, think in terms of years, not months. I had a in terms of years, not months. I had a in terms of years, not months. I had a founder approach me at one point and founder approach me at one point and founder approach me at one point and say, well I want to be at 10K in 6 say, well I want to be at 10K in 6 say, well I want to be at 10K in 6 months. And I said, uh give yourself 2 months. And I said, uh give yourself 2 months. And I said, uh give yourself 2 years. Maybe you'll be pleasantly years. Maybe you'll be pleasantly years. Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised and it'll happen sooner than surprised and it'll happen sooner than surprised and it'll happen sooner than that. But SaaS takes a long time and that. But SaaS takes a long time and that. But SaaS takes a long time and that's one of the brutal truths. The that's one of the brutal truths. The that's one of the brutal truths. The fourth brutal truth is that building fourth brutal truth is that building fourth brutal truth is that building something that people or businesses something that people or businesses something that people or businesses actually want to use is a lot harder actually want to use is a lot harder actually want to use is a lot harder than you think. Churn is the death of than you think. Churn is the death of than you think. Churn is the death of SaaS. This is why SaaS is like no other SaaS. This is why SaaS is like no other SaaS. This is why SaaS is like no other business model because if you go and business model because if you go and business model because if you go and sell a book or a course to a bunch of sell a book or a course to a bunch of sell a book or a course to a bunch of people and they never consume the people and they never consume the people and they never consume the course, you still have the money. But course, you still have the money. But course, you still have the money. But with SaaS, if they stop using your tool, with SaaS, if they stop using your tool, with SaaS, if they stop using your tool, they don't get value out of it, it they don't get value out of it, it they don't get value out of it, it doesn't do what they need it to, for doesn't do what they need it to, for doesn't do what they need it to, for whatever reason, they cancel. And it whatever reason, they cancel. And it whatever reason, they cancel. And it makes growing a SaaS company very
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makes growing a SaaS company very makes growing a SaaS company very difficult. Building something that difficult. Building something that difficult. Building something that actually not only attracts customers, actually not only attracts customers, actually not only attracts customers, but that keeps them using it month after but that keeps them using it month after but that keeps them using it month after month after month, and that you retain month after month, and that you retain month after month, and that you retain users to the point where you have users to the point where you have users to the point where you have approximately zero churn, is hard to do, approximately zero churn, is hard to do, approximately zero churn, is hard to do, but that's what the best SaaS companies but that's what the best SaaS companies but that's what the best SaaS companies do. They figure out how to find do. They figure out how to find do. They figure out how to find extremely strong product market fit. And extremely strong product market fit. And extremely strong product market fit. And all that means in my parlance is you've all that means in my parlance is you've all that means in my parlance is you've built something that people/businesses built something that people/businesses built something that people/businesses want and are willing to pay for. And not want and are willing to pay for. And not want and are willing to pay for. And not only is it hard to get people to just only is it hard to get people to just only is it hard to get people to just try your product, but to get them to try your product, but to get them to try your product, but to get them to stick around over the long term and pay stick around over the long term and pay stick around over the long term and pay you is really one of the keys of you is really one of the keys of you is really one of the keys of building an incredible SaaS company that building an incredible SaaS company that building an incredible SaaS company that can grow into the millions in revenue. can grow into the millions in revenue. can grow into the millions in revenue. Brutal truth number five is that churn Brutal truth number five is that churn Brutal truth number five is that churn will be the bane of your existence. It will be the bane of your existence. It will be the bane of your existence. It never fully goes away. You will never fully goes away. You will never fully goes away. You will constantly be thinking about it. And if constantly be thinking about it. And if constantly be thinking about it. And if you have high churn, meaning you haven't you have high churn, meaning you haven't you have high churn, meaning you haven't achieved product market fit, it will achieved product market fit, it will achieved product market fit, it will constantly erode your momentum. And no constantly erode your momentum. And no constantly erode your momentum. And no matter how many customers you sign up, matter how many customers you sign up, matter how many customers you sign up, no matter how many people come into the no matter how many people come into the no matter how many people come into the top of your sales or marketing funnel, top of your sales or marketing funnel, top of your sales or marketing funnel, if you have churn that's 8%, 10%, you if you have churn that's 8%, 10%, you if you have churn that's 8%, 10%, you just can't outrun that. It will never be just can't outrun that. It will never be just can't outrun that. It will never be a great business. It can be an a great business. It can be an a great business. It can be an interesting lifestyle business, but interesting lifestyle business, but interesting lifestyle business, but churn is going to be one of your biggest churn is going to be one of your biggest churn is going to be one of your biggest headwinds as you build your SaaS. Truth headwinds as you build your SaaS. Truth headwinds as you build your SaaS. Truth number six is that good engineering number six is that good engineering number six is that good engineering talent is expensive and hard to retain.
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talent is expensive and hard to retain. talent is expensive and hard to retain. Good engineers have a lot of options of Good engineers have a lot of options of Good engineers have a lot of options of where they can go. And so in the early where they can go. And so in the early where they can go. And so in the early days, you might be writing all the code days, you might be writing all the code days, you might be writing all the code yourself or maybe your co-founder is, yourself or maybe your co-founder is, yourself or maybe your co-founder is, but over the long term, you don't want but over the long term, you don't want but over the long term, you don't want to always be saddled in the code because to always be saddled in the code because to always be saddled in the code because that's one of the more certain parts of that's one of the more certain parts of that's one of the more certain parts of your business. But finding good your business. But finding good your business. But finding good engineers is challenging. It is totally engineers is challenging. It is totally engineers is challenging. It is totally possible and especially if you are possible and especially if you are possible and especially if you are hiring within your time zone, but maybe hiring within your time zone, but maybe hiring within your time zone, but maybe in cheaper countries. Like if you're in in cheaper countries. Like if you're in in cheaper countries. Like if you're in the US, you can hire in Canada or in the US, you can hire in Canada or in the US, you can hire in Canada or in Central or South America. But I find Central or South America. But I find Central or South America. But I find that it's a key to building an that it's a key to building an that it's a key to building an incredible SaaS product is hiring good incredible SaaS product is hiring good incredible SaaS product is hiring good engineering talent. And the same goes engineering talent. And the same goes engineering talent. And the same goes with marketing and sales talent, by the with marketing and sales talent, by the with marketing and sales talent, by the way, because they are sought after and way, because they are sought after and way, because they are sought after and they often know what they're worth. And they often know what they're worth. And they often know what they're worth. And so in the early days, this is why most so in the early days, this is why most so in the early days, this is why most founders have to do a lot of the founders have to do a lot of the founders have to do a lot of the development and the marketing and sales. development and the marketing and sales. development and the marketing and sales. These are the part of the core four SaaS These are the part of the core four SaaS These are the part of the core four SaaS competencies that I think that you need competencies that I think that you need competencies that I think that you need in order to be a successful as a in order to be a successful as a in order to be a successful as a founding team. But realize that even as founding team. But realize that even as founding team. But realize that even as you go forward, great engineers, great you go forward, great engineers, great you go forward, great engineers, great marketing, great sales, it's it's going marketing, great sales, it's it's going marketing, great sales, it's it's going to be expensive and hard to retain. to be expensive and hard to retain. to be expensive and hard to retain. Brutal truth number seven is that the Brutal truth number seven is that the Brutal truth number seven is that the work never stops. With SaaS, you are work never stops. With SaaS, you are work never stops. With SaaS, you are worried about uptime, you're worried worried about uptime, you're worried worried about uptime, you're worried about bugs, you're worried about about bugs, you're worried about about bugs, you're worried about incidents, you're worried about customer incidents, you're worried about customer incidents, you're worried about customer impacting issues and they follow you impacting issues and they follow you impacting issues and they follow you everywhere. And it just might be that everywhere. And it just might be that everywhere. And it just might be that you're lugging your laptop down to you're lugging your laptop down to you're lugging your laptop down to Cancun when you go on vacation over your Cancun when you go on vacation over your Cancun when you go on vacation over your holiday break. Because if it's just the holiday break. Because if it's just the holiday break. Because if it's just the two of you founders and you're the one two of you founders and you're the one two of you founders and you're the one that writes all the code, it never that writes all the code, it never that writes all the code, it never stops. It's 24/7 by 365. And that can stops. It's 24/7 by 365. And that can stops. It's 24/7 by 365. And that can start to impact your mental health a start to impact your mental health a start to impact your mental health a bit. It can make you feel like you're bit. It can make you feel like you're bit. It can make you feel like you're always on. And for the first few months, always on. And for the first few months, always on. And for the first few months, it's fun. And then after 6 months, it's
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it's fun. And then after 6 months, it's it's fun. And then after 6 months, it's not. And then after 12, 18 months, you not. And then after 12, 18 months, you not. And then after 12, 18 months, you kind of burn out on it. Speaking of kind of burn out on it. Speaking of kind of burn out on it. Speaking of that, point number eight is that stress that, point number eight is that stress that, point number eight is that stress and burnout, I don't want to say they're and burnout, I don't want to say they're and burnout, I don't want to say they're inevitable, but it it kind of feels that inevitable, but it it kind of feels that inevitable, but it it kind of feels that way. Like the complexity of building and way. Like the complexity of building and way. Like the complexity of building and growing your SaaS, the pressure to build growing your SaaS, the pressure to build growing your SaaS, the pressure to build it over time, the constant need for, as it over time, the constant need for, as it over time, the constant need for, as I said, uptime and bugs, it's really I said, uptime and bugs, it's really I said, uptime and bugs, it's really just a constant that I see SaaS founders just a constant that I see SaaS founders just a constant that I see SaaS founders kind of burning out from the pressure kind of burning out from the pressure kind of burning out from the pressure and how hard it is and having to always and how hard it is and having to always and how hard it is and having to always be on and then having the headwinds and be on and then having the headwinds and be on and then having the headwinds and a competitor or AI or something else, a competitor or AI or something else, a competitor or AI or something else, something's always going wrong. And something's always going wrong. And something's always going wrong. And SaaS, while it's an incredible business SaaS, while it's an incredible business SaaS, while it's an incredible business model, is also one of the most difficult model, is also one of the most difficult model, is also one of the most difficult to grow because there's a lot of to grow because there's a lot of to grow because there's a lot of competition and a lot of people are competition and a lot of people are competition and a lot of people are going after it because SaaS is so going after it because SaaS is so going after it because SaaS is so valuable. So I don't want to say burnout valuable. So I don't want to say burnout valuable. So I don't want to say burnout is inevitable. I do think that stress is is inevitable. I do think that stress is is inevitable. I do think that stress is inevitable because pretty much every inevitable because pretty much every inevitable because pretty much every SaaS founder I know who's done it has, SaaS founder I know who's done it has, SaaS founder I know who's done it has, you know, at the end after they sell, you know, at the end after they sell, you know, at the end after they sell, takes a deep breath and says, "Whoo, I takes a deep breath and says, "Whoo, I takes a deep breath and says, "Whoo, I don't know if I want to do that again." don't know if I want to do that again." don't know if I want to do that again." Now, a lot of them do go launch another Now, a lot of them do go launch another Now, a lot of them do go launch another one, but it's definitely a very one, but it's definitely a very one, but it's definitely a very stressful business to grow. I actually stressful business to grow. I actually stressful business to grow. I actually see a lot of founders on the edge of see a lot of founders on the edge of see a lot of founders on the edge of burnout for a particular reason. It's burnout for a particular reason. It's burnout for a particular reason. It's that they're trying to go it alone. And that they're trying to go it alone. And that they're trying to go it alone. And so for years, I've been recommending so for years, I've been recommending so for years, I've been recommending that serious founders need to be part of that serious founders need to be part of that serious founders need to be part of a mastermind. It's kind of like a a mastermind. It's kind of like a a mastermind. It's kind of like a personal board of advisors. They're personal board of advisors. They're personal board of advisors. They're peers who are in the trenches with you peers who are in the trenches with you peers who are in the trenches with you and they'll support you when you're and they'll support you when you're and they'll support you when you're struggling and they'll call you on your struggling and they'll call you on your struggling and they'll call you on your BS when, frankly, you probably need it.
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BS when, frankly, you probably need it. BS when, frankly, you probably need it. But finding the right mastermind group But finding the right mastermind group But finding the right mastermind group is really hard. I've cobbled together a is really hard. I've cobbled together a is really hard. I've cobbled together a few of my own over the years. And given few of my own over the years. And given few of my own over the years. And given how valuable masterminds have been for how valuable masterminds have been for how valuable masterminds have been for me and how hard it was to find a group, me and how hard it was to find a group, me and how hard it was to find a group, we solved that at MicroConf. We've we solved that at MicroConf. We've we solved that at MicroConf. We've successfully matched thousands of successfully matched thousands of successfully matched thousands of founders across 20 time zones and 50 founders across 20 time zones and 50 founders across 20 time zones and 50 countries. And we do mastermind countries. And we do mastermind countries. And we do mastermind matchmaking. And we match based on time matchmaking. And we match based on time matchmaking. And we match based on time zones, experience, revenue, team size, zones, experience, revenue, team size, zones, experience, revenue, team size, industries served. And applications are industries served. And applications are industries served. And applications are currently open for our next batch of currently open for our next batch of currently open for our next batch of mastermind matching. You can head to mastermind matching. You can head to mastermind matching. You can head to microconf.com/masterminds microconf.com/masterminds microconf.com/masterminds for all the details. The ninth brutal for all the details. The ninth brutal for all the details. The ninth brutal truth I'm going to talk about today, I truth I'm going to talk about today, I truth I'm going to talk about today, I actually heard in a great podcast actually heard in a great podcast actually heard in a great podcast episode from Arvid Kahl on his episode from Arvid Kahl on his episode from Arvid Kahl on his Bootstrapped Founder podcast. And I Bootstrapped Founder podcast. And I Bootstrapped Founder podcast. And I fully agree with him, which is why I fully agree with him, which is why I fully agree with him, which is why I wanted to bring it in here. It's that wanted to bring it in here. It's that wanted to bring it in here. It's that SaaS changes constantly. If you go start SaaS changes constantly. If you go start SaaS changes constantly. If you go start a dry cleaner down the street and you a dry cleaner down the street and you a dry cleaner down the street and you build up a clientele, you might run that build up a clientele, you might run that build up a clientele, you might run that for 10, 20, 30 years without a lot of for 10, 20, 30 years without a lot of for 10, 20, 30 years without a lot of change to the business. Now, that can change to the business. Now, that can change to the business. Now, that can get boring or that can feel very safe get boring or that can feel very safe get boring or that can feel very safe and stable. With SaaS, I don't know of and stable. With SaaS, I don't know of and stable. With SaaS, I don't know of anyone who feels safe and stable for anyone who feels safe and stable for anyone who feels safe and stable for very long at all. Technology changes, very long at all. Technology changes, very long at all. Technology changes, your stack changes, security things your stack changes, security things your stack changes, security things change, AI comes up and sideswipes you, change, AI comes up and sideswipes you, change, AI comes up and sideswipes you, new competitors, marketing channels new competitors, marketing channels new competitors, marketing channels start working, stop working. Google does start working, stop working. Google does start working, stop working. Google does a Google slap to you, so suddenly you a Google slap to you, so suddenly you a Google slap to you, so suddenly you have so many fewer customers. It's have so many fewer customers. It's have so many fewer customers. It's constant battles on all fronts. And constant battles on all fronts. And constant battles on all fronts. And customer expectations are another thing.
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customer expectations are another thing. customer expectations are another thing. UI/UX refreshes. You just get momentum UI/UX refreshes. You just get momentum UI/UX refreshes. You just get momentum and then you realize you have to and then you realize you have to and then you realize you have to redesign everything to fit in with the redesign everything to fit in with the redesign everything to fit in with the paradigms of the day. It can feel paradigms of the day. It can feel paradigms of the day. It can feel exhausting. It can lead to burnout and exhausting. It can lead to burnout and exhausting. It can lead to burnout and frustration and feeling like you're just frustration and feeling like you're just frustration and feeling like you're just never getting ahead. And it can feel never getting ahead. And it can feel never getting ahead. And it can feel like even if you have a company doing, I like even if you have a company doing, I like even if you have a company doing, I don't know, $100,000 a month, you're don't know, $100,000 a month, you're don't know, $100,000 a month, you're like, "Yeah, I'm in low seven figures." like, "Yeah, I'm in low seven figures." like, "Yeah, I'm in low seven figures." You still just feel this existential You still just feel this existential You still just feel this existential dread of like, "Well, everything's dread of like, "Well, everything's dread of like, "Well, everything's changing. I don't know how long this is changing. I don't know how long this is changing. I don't know how long this is going to stick around." There's so very, going to stick around." There's so very, going to stick around." There's so very, very few SaaS companies that are around very few SaaS companies that are around very few SaaS companies that are around longer than five years, seven years, longer than five years, seven years, longer than five years, seven years, where the founder hasn't sold and where the founder hasn't sold and where the founder hasn't sold and someone else is running it. It's pretty someone else is running it. It's pretty someone else is running it. It's pretty rare. And I think one of the reasons is rare. And I think one of the reasons is rare. And I think one of the reasons is because of the need for constant change because of the need for constant change because of the need for constant change and just how exhausting that gets. So, and just how exhausting that gets. So, and just how exhausting that gets. So, knowing all of this, is starting a SaaS knowing all of this, is starting a SaaS knowing all of this, is starting a SaaS still worth it at all? Well, I've still worth it at all? Well, I've still worth it at all? Well, I've started multiple SaaS companies and they started multiple SaaS companies and they started multiple SaaS companies and they have changed my life. So, yes, they were have changed my life. So, yes, they were have changed my life. So, yes, they were hard, they were a grind, I burned out, I hard, they were a grind, I burned out, I hard, they were a grind, I burned out, I experienced all of the things in this experienced all of the things in this experienced all of the things in this video, but it can still be life-changing video, but it can still be life-changing video, but it can still be life-changing for you, even if you don't have an for you, even if you don't have an for you, even if you don't have an incredible exit at the end. The incredible exit at the end. The incredible exit at the end. The satisfaction of building something satisfaction of building something satisfaction of building something incredible for customers, of making that incredible for customers, of making that incredible for customers, of making that money along the way if you're money along the way if you're money along the way if you're bootstrapped and you're able to pull 10, bootstrapped and you're able to pull 10, bootstrapped and you're able to pull 10, 20, 30,000 dollars a month out of a SaaS 20, 30,000 dollars a month out of a SaaS 20, 30,000 dollars a month out of a SaaS company, if you are able to have that company, if you are able to have that company, if you are able to have that exit, and just everything you learn exit, and just everything you learn exit, and just everything you learn along the way, along with the financial along the way, along with the financial along the way, along with the financial rewards, I think is pretty incredible. I rewards, I think is pretty incredible. I rewards, I think is pretty incredible. I can't imagine working at a full-time day can't imagine working at a full-time day can't imagine working at a full-time day job for all these years when I could job for all these years when I could job for all these years when I could have been doing what I've been doing have been doing what I've been doing have been doing what I've been doing with my life, which is starting SaaS with my life, which is starting SaaS with my life, which is starting SaaS companies. And it's not just me. I have companies. And it's not just me. I have companies. And it's not just me. I have seen thousands of founders completely seen thousands of founders completely seen thousands of founders completely change their lives by taking the uphill change their lives by taking the uphill change their lives by taking the uphill battle, doing the hard thing, and battle, doing the hard thing, and battle, doing the hard thing, and starting a SaaS. But with all that said,
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starting a SaaS. But with all that said, starting a SaaS. But with all that said, I don't recommend that you just dive I don't recommend that you just dive I don't recommend that you just dive headfirst into building a full-blown headfirst into building a full-blown headfirst into building a full-blown SaaS. I recommend that you follow a SaaS. I recommend that you follow a SaaS. I recommend that you follow a strategy I call the stair-step method. strategy I call the stair-step method. strategy I call the stair-step method. It's the single best way to de-risk your It's the single best way to de-risk your It's the single best way to de-risk your journey, and I've laid out the entire journey, and I've laid out the entire journey, and I've laid out the entire framework for you in this next video. If framework for you in this next video. If framework for you in this next video. If you got any value from this video, you got any value from this video, you got any value from this video, please give it a like and subscribe so please give it a like and subscribe so please give it a like and subscribe so you get more content just like this. you get more content just like this. you get more content just like this. Thanks for watching. I'll see you next Thanks for watching. I'll see you next Thanks for watching. I'll see you next time.
Summary
The discussion highlights the perceived benefits of SaaS business models but emphasizes the often-overlooked "dark side." Contrary to popular belief, building a large social media audience is ineffective for SaaS growth, unlike for information or event sales. Instead, the focus should be on building a network, acknowledging that significant effort beyond coding and social media posting, including unappealing marketing tasks, is required for SaaS success.