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The Only Thing That Matters

The Only Thing That Matters

Written by: Ariel Camus
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Welcome to "The Only Things That Matters", where we deconstruct the path to product-market fit of successful founders and extract the principles and frameworks behind their success so that you can apply them too.

© 2024 The Only Thing That Matters
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Raising $500M to build a meaningful business with Job van der Voort (Remote)
    Sep 23 2024

    In this episode of The Only Thing That Matters, I sit down with Job van der Voort, CEO and co-founder of Remote—a company that has raised over $500 million, operates in 67 countries, and is valued at $3 billion. 🌍

    Job shares the incredible journey of building Remote from a simple job board to a global platform solving one of the most complex challenges for companies—hiring and managing international teams.

    We dive into:

    💡 The moment Remote pivoted from a remote job board to tackling international payroll and compliance—and why it was the right decision.

    💡 Going all in on venture capital: How Job and his co-founder Marcelo made the high-stakes choice to raise money and grow at all costs.

    💡 The importance of timing: Why Job believed it was a "now-or-never" moment to build Remote and capitalize on the opportunity.

    💡 Talking to customers from day one: Job’s approach to building a business by having constant conversations with customers and how it shaped Remote’s evolution.

    From embracing the risk of failure to scaling with a global vision, Job’s insights are a must-listen for any founder or entrepreneur looking to solve big problems and achieve product-market fit.

    Tune in to hear how Job built Remote into a billion-dollar company and the lessons he learned along the way.

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    48 mins
  • Scaling to $50M in revenue over 18 years with Timo Buetefisch (Cooltra)
    Sep 9 2024

    Timo Buetefisch is an entrepreneur like no other.

    He's the founder of Cooltra and he is still running the company after 18 years.

    Not only that, he's grown Cooltra "slow and steady" to over $50M in annual revenue over that period of time.

    Learn how Cooltra grew from a humble bootstrap startup to a booming enterprise with 28,000 electric vehicles and 550 employees across nine countries.

    In this episode, Timo also opens up about the biases entrepreneurs often face when forecasting revenue and the critical importance of maintaining realistic business plans. What if your entrepreneurial projections are setting you up for failure? Timo has been there and wants to prevent you from doing the same.

    He discusses the evolution of Cooltra's business model, the strategic move into moped sharing in 2016, and the subsequent influx of equity funding that fueled their rapid expansion. Discover the teamwork and strategic choices that allowed Cooltra to thrive in a fiercely competitive market.

    But it's not all business. Timo also opens up about the pressures of entrepreneurship and the impact of an intense work ethic on personal life, including his own. He reveals the vital role of peer learning networks in maintaining a work-life balance and long-term well-being.

    This episode isn’t just about business growth; it's about surviving and thriving in the entrepreneurial world while keeping personal sanity intact. Tune in for an honest, insightful conversation that could reshape your entrepreneurial journey.

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    53 mins
  • The art of pivoting with Rajiv Ayyangar (Tandem + Product Hunt)
    Aug 26 2024

    What happens when you can't find product-market fit with your startup idea?

    It's time to pivot, and Rajiv Ayyangar, CEO of Product Hunt and co-founder of Tandem, is a master at that.

    In this episode, Rajiv shares his journey from the highs of rapid growth to the tough calls of pivoting and transitioning Tandem to a self-sustainable business.

    Gain actionable insights as Rajiv recounts how tracking metrics and learning rates helped him and his team decide when to pivot, especially during the pandemic when the stakes were incredibly high.

    Learn about the importance of co-founder alignment and structured methodologies for idea validation as we discuss the successes and setbacks of Rajiv and his team.

    This episode is packed with real-world examples that showcase the complexities of startup life and the power of resilience.

    We also explore the nuances of product positioning, remote work solutions, and the intense journey of fundraising.

    Listen to Rajiv's experiences under the guidance of Y Combinator and understand the critical role of refining product positioning for success.

    From handling the surge in demand during the pandemic to making strategic pivots, this episode provides a comprehensive look at navigating the most complex moments behind finding product-market fit.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
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