Have you ever wondered how it goes running one of the biggest CRO agencies globally and a SaaS startup? Want to know the weekly challenges, frustrations, wins, screwups, and everything in between?You’ve come to the right place because BootTrapped is where Ayat Shukairy from Invesp and Khalid Saleh from FigPii, who are not just business partners but also life partners, share it all.From big wins to massive blows, the good, the bad, and the ugly of running two businesses and growing them up, but also dealing with life and work as partners.In this weekly podcast, you’ll learn what running an agency and a SaaS is like!You’ll learn stuff you never knew before, no filtering, no editing, just the truth, and nothing more.If you’re an agency owner or an entrepreneur looking to build and scale your agency or company, this is the right show for you.Tune in every Tuesday and know how Ayat and Khalid got through their week, how they reflect on it, and how you can learn from their mistakes.
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April 24, 2024Episode 2822 min
#28 – Balancing Acts: Sales, Marketing, and Team Dynamics
In this episode of BootTrapped, Khalid and Ayat talk about how they manage sales, marketing, and teamwork together. They discuss how working well together helps their company grow and succeed. They share stories and tips on ensuring everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.They talk about how they use marketing to help sales and how they all work together to make sure customers are happy. Communicating clearly and working as a team shows how businesses can grow and succeed even when things get tricky.
In this episode of BootTrapped, Ayat, and Khalid discuss various challenges and updates in their businesses, Invesp and FigPii. They delve into topics such as time off policies, workload balancing, client management, and product updates.Ayat shares insights into the challenges of managing time off and workload distribution in their agency. She discusses better processes for handling staff absences and client expectations.Khalid talks about the generous free plan offered by FigPii and the challenges of managing enterprise clients. He also discusses upcoming product updates and the need for efficient review processes.Ayat and Khalid highlight the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in their businesses. They also touch upon personal challenges, such as dealing with IRS issues and hiring a personal assistant.
February 28, 2024Episode 2629 min
#26 – Making Tough Decisions in Business, Team Management and Client Engagement
In this episode of the Bootstrapped podcast, hosts Khalid and Ayat delve into various topics that encapsulate the highs and lows of running a business. Khalid starts the conversation with a light-hearted discussion about the different "voices" one adopts in professional settings, such as the "sales voice," before sharing his frustrations and learning experiences from video recording mishaps. On the other hand, Ayat touches upon more serious subjects, including the difficult decision to let an employee go, the importance of aligning team members with company direction, and the intricacies of refining company processes and roles. The episode is a candid exploration of the internal workings of their businesses, including challenges in team management, the necessity of adopting different leadership styles, and strategies for business growth and client engagement. Khalid and Ayat exchange insights, advice, and personal anecdotes, offering listeners a comprehensive look into the entrepreneurial journey.
February 21, 2024Episode 2523 min
#25 – Company Culture, Quarterly Assessments, Challenges With Hiring And Retaining Employees
In this latest episode of the BootTrapped podcast, Khalid and Ayat discuss various topics related to their business ventures and the challenges they're facing. They touch upon issues such as changing company culture, implementing new processes like quarterly assessments, challenges with hiring and retaining employees, marketing strategies including LinkedIn advertising, and conducting customer interviews.Khalid reflects on the importance of knowing when to pull the plug on certain initiatives and the challenge of people not being able to grow along with the company's growth. Ayat discusses plans for the upcoming week, including finalizing a presentation deck, following up on quarterly assessments, and continuing the search for an assistant project manager.Overall, the conversation provides insights into the complexities and challenges of running multiple businesses and managing various aspects of operations, growth, and human resources.
February 7, 2024Episode 2424 min
#24 – Handling Internal Feedback and Building Stronger Teams
In this enlightening episode of BootTrapped, co-hosts Ayat and Khalid delve into the complex world of internal team dynamics, sharing firsthand experiences from their dual ventures at Invesp, a pioneering digital marketing agency, and FigPii, a cutting-edge SaaS company. Facing the challenges of rapid growth, they discuss the delicate art of managing complaints and issues through strategic restraint and wisdom. The conversation illuminates the importance of not rushing into hasty decisions when faced with internal feedback and the transformative power of patience in leadership.Discover how Ayat and Khalid navigate the intricacies of implementing quarterly assessments within their teams, a move that sparked intense discussions and "revolutionary talk." Learn from their journey on the critical need for clear roles and responsibilities and the benefits of constructive feedback in fostering professional growth and a stronger team dynamic.Moreover, this episode offers a peek behind the curtain of running two companies, from handling customer feedback in a SaaS environment to their innovative approaches to categorizing and leveraging data for better decision-making. Through their stories of travel, personal rejuvenation, and the continuous pursuit of excellence, Ayat and Khalid share valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and the ongoing commitment to improvement.Join us on BootTrapped as we explore the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you're leading a team, managing a project, or navigating your entrepreneurial journey, this episode is packed with insights on the importance of strategic restraint and its impact on building a cohesive, effective team.
January 24, 2024Episode 2318 min
#23 – Lessons on Documentation, Scaling, and Negotiations
Join Ayat and Khalid in this insightful episode of BootTrapped as they dive deep into the challenges of documentation, scaling, and negotiations. Discover the importance of organized documentation in running a successful company and the lessons learned from navigating the complexities of scaling operations. Khalid shares a valuable lesson in negotiations, emphasizing the need to hold your ground when necessary. The duo discusses their experiences in conference pitching, shedding light on the intricacies of abstract refinement. As they reflect on past endeavors, Ayat and Khalid provide valuable insights into the world of business operations, from documentation strategies to the ever-evolving process of scaling. Tune in to gain practical knowledge and inspiration for your entrepreneurial journey.
January 17, 2024Episode 2217 min
#22 – Defining Roles, Reflecting on Decisions, and Planning for Success in 2024
From defining roles and responsibilities within the organization to making crucial hiring decisions, Khalid & Ayat provide candid reflections on their journey, emphasizing the importance of learning from both successes and regrets. As they discuss the significance of clear communication, structured growth, and the evolving dynamics of their team, you will gain a unique perspective on the transformative year that was and the strategic plans set in motion for a successful 2024. Tune in to hear about pivotal moments, strategic decisions, and the valuable experience of hiring a business coach.
December 20, 2023Episode 2122 min
#21 – Client Management, Team Dynamics, and Lessons Learned In 2023
Join hosts Khalid and Ayat in this episode of Bootstrapped as they unravel the complexities of client management and share candid insights into their growing team. Ever wondered about the challenges of identifying the ideal client or managing client expectations effectively?How does a husband-wife team lead two companies, Invesp and ThickPie, through growth and transformation? Discover the evolving dynamics of their nearly 40-member virtual team and the crucial role of company culture in a thriving organization.What lessons have they learned from recent coaching sessions? From strategic planning for the upcoming year to the unveiling of new features in their SaaS product, Khalid and Ayat provide a sneak peek into the decision-making processes that shape their entrepreneurial journey.🎙️ Listen now to gain exclusive insights into the world of bootstrapping and growing successful ventures!
December 5, 2023Episode 2022 min
#20 – Black Friday Recap, Client Satisfaction & Building a Consistent Sales Cycle
In this episode of Bootstrapped, Khalid and Ayat talk about managing goals, autonomy, and client satisfaction within their respective companies, FigPii and Invesp. They discuss the balance between giving teams the freedom to achieve set goals and the need for involvement when objectives aren't met. The hosts share insights into their experiences during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, revealing the diverse outcomes for their clients. Additionally, they reflect on the importance of providing consistent feedback, setting clear expectations, and maintaining open communication within their teams. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on leadership, team dynamics, and the challenges of scaling businesses.
November 22, 2023Episode 1927 min
#19 – Onboarding Clients, Marketing Experiments, and Dual Company Update
Welcome to BootTrapped, where Khalid and Ayat, co-founders of Invesp and FigPii, delve into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship. In this episode, they explore the intricacies of optimizing CRO processes, tackling the challenge of onboarding new clients, and navigating the measurement metrics for marketing experiments. Join them as they candidly discuss their experiences in running two companies simultaneously and provide insightful weekly updates on their entrepreneurial journey.
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