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The SaaS Guide to Building with Purpose and Exiting with Pride
Episode 182
What if scaling your SaaS didn’t require burning out or selling your soul to venture capital?
In this episode, Greg sits down with seasoned SaaS founder, author, and startup mentor Rob Walling for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a sustainable, sellable SaaS business.
Rob kicks things off by sharing how he stumbled into SaaS before it was cool, and how that journey led him to co-create TinySeed, an alternative funding model that puts founders first. He breaks down how TinySeed’s 12-month program works, who it’s for, and how it compares to traditional VC.
But this episode isn’t just about funding, it’s about founder freedom. We dive deep into the psychological shifts that come with selling your business, how to recognize the right time to exit, and how to protect your energy both before and after a sale.
Rob also shares the biggest traps SaaS founders fall into when chasing “growth at all costs” and the core traits he sees in founders who succeed.
Whether you're bootstrapping, raising capital, or planning an exit, this episode is packed with honest, actionable insights that will help you scale smarter, and sell without regret.
Topics Discussed in this episode:
- Rob’s background and how he got into SaaS (02:08)
- The origins of TinySeed and how it differs from Venture Capital (12:09)
- The opportunities that are created through selling your business (19:43)
- A breakdown of Tiny Seed’s 12-month program (22:19)
- The pros and cons of a “growth at all costs” mindset (28:32)
- The requirements needed to join Tiny Seed (30:20)
- The psychological effects of exiting your business (33:56)
- How to tell when to sell your business (39:40)
- How to avoid burnout before and after your exit (46:43)
- The characteristics that successful founders share (52:21)