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First Customers

First Customers

By Paris Vega

The show about finding your very first customers. Learn sales, marketing, growth hacking, and customer acquisition strategies from real entrepreneurs and sales experts. Building a business that solves problems and creates jobs makes the world a better place. But it all starts with finding your very first customer. Hosted by Paris Vega, a digital marketer and entrepreneur with 20 years of experience.
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3: Eric Vardon, the CEO & Cofounder of Morphio, using artificial intelligence (AI) for marketing insights & security

First CustomersOct 21, 2020

00:00
43:37
55: Arthur Petropoulos: Building to Sell - Strategies for Maximizing Business Value

55: Arthur Petropoulos: Building to Sell - Strategies for Maximizing Business Value

Show Notes & Links: https://parisvega.com/55-arthur-petropoulos-hill-view-partners/

Building with an Exit in Mind: Arthur's philosophy on creating a business that's attractive to buyers.

Feb 26, 202444:11
54: Marty M. Fahncke's Billion-Dollar Journey

54: Marty M. Fahncke's Billion-Dollar Journey

Show Notes: https://parisvega.com/54-marty-m-fahncke/


Marty M. Fahncke is an acquisitions advisor with Westbound Road who has done 1 billion in revenue and over 450 million in acquisitions over his career.

Feb 03, 202445:16
53: Bryce Wuori Explains How AI is Transforming the Construction Industry

53: Bryce Wuori Explains How AI is Transforming the Construction Industry

Show Notes: https://parisvega.com/53-bryce-wuori-pavewise/


In this episode, Bryce Wuori, the CEO of Pavewise talks with host Paris Vega about how he's using AI to change the construction industry. He explains how Pavewise started as a simple project tool and grew into a big software company that’s now changing how construction projects are managed.


Jan 16, 202432:46
52: Graham Stewart is Revolutionizing the Cotton Processing Industry with Fibre52

52: Graham Stewart is Revolutionizing the Cotton Processing Industry with Fibre52

Show Notes & Links: https://parisvega.com/52-graham-stewart-fibre52-cotton-processing/ First Customers episode 52 features Graham Stewart, founder of Fibre52, discussing his groundbreaking process to make cotton and textile industry more sustainable by replacing harmful chemicals with eco-friendly bioproducts. He shares insights into the challenges of introducing new technologies into traditional industries and the positive environmental and economic impacts of Fibre52's innovation.

Jan 04, 202433:23
51: Goldback's Rise from Zero to One Million Customers

51: Goldback's Rise from Zero to One Million Customers

Show Notes & Links: https://parisvega.com/51-benjamin-shaffer-goldback-gold-currency/Goldback, a company that offers a gold-based physical currency, experienced rapid growth in just four years from zero customers in 2019 to over 1 million customers today. Benjamin Shaffer shares the story of how their gold-backed currency solves the problem of making small transactions with gold. "We wanted to make gold money but in a way that's practical for everyday transactions." – Benjamin Shaffer

Dec 19, 202354:24
50: Doubling Church Size in a Year with Pastor Adam Haugen

50: Doubling Church Size in a Year with Pastor Adam Haugen

Show notes: https://parisvega.com/50-adam-haugen-glad-tidings-leander-church-growth/


Listen to episode 50 of the First Customers podcast featuring Adam Haugen, an inspiring pastor who doubled the size of his church within a year. Adam shares his proven strategies for growth, offering insights valuable for leaders in any field. This episode is not just a success story; it's a masterclass in effective leadership and community building.


Episode Highlights:

  • Adam's journey from the business world to leading a church.
  • Strategies for growth and engagement in a nonprofit setting.
  • The importance of understanding culture and community in growth.
  • Adam's three-step engagement pathway for new churchgoers.
  • Overcoming challenges and resistance to change.


Dec 09, 202354:11
49: Christoffer Sigshøj brings portable wind turbines to the masses.

49: Christoffer Sigshøj brings portable wind turbines to the masses.

Show Notes, Links, & Transcript: https://parisvega.com/first-customers-49-christoffer-sigshoj-kitex-wind-turbines/


In episode 49 of the First Customers, we talk with Christoffer Sigshøj, engineer & co-founder of KiteX, a Denmark-based company that's pioneering the world's lightest portable wind turbines. Christoffer shares the company's journey from its initial concept of flying wind turbines to creating portable, efficient, and user-friendly products that are opening up access to wind energy.


Nov 12, 202343:35
48: How CEO Shani Bocian grew Allermi by 800% in 12 months.

48: How CEO Shani Bocian grew Allermi by 800% in 12 months.

Show Notes: https://parisvega.com/shani-bocian-steinberg-allermi-allergy-company/ On episode 47 of the First Customers podcast I spoke with Shani Bocian, CEO of Allermi, an allergy care company. Her company has seen significant growth (800% over the past 12 months) and offers a unique product: the world's first custom nasal spray. We discuss how she started the business, defined her target audience, and found her first customers.

Oct 26, 202337:40
47: How to Build Your Real Estate Empire with Brian Grimes

47: How to Build Your Real Estate Empire with Brian Grimes

Show notes: https://parisvega.com/brian-grimes-real-estate/ In episode 47 of the First Customers podcast, I sit down with Brian Grimes, real estate investor and founder of 24-7 Cash Flow University. With a portfolio built on over 300 fully renovated properties, Brian shares his journey into the real estate world and the strategies that have made him successful.

Oct 17, 202338:09
46: TikTok Tactics: Barak Glanz Turns Views into Customers

46: TikTok Tactics: Barak Glanz Turns Views into Customers

Show Notes & Discount Code: https://parisvega.com/barak-glanz-coddy-tiktok-tactics/

Learn the secrets of how Barak Glanz of Coddy.tech got his first customers and grew his business using TikTok. Like so many episodes of this podcast, I learned a lot from Barak and will be testing out some of the strategies we discussed soon. If you want smart tips straight from a pro, this episode is for you.


Sep 25, 202340:30
45: Varag Gharibjanian, MIT grad & founding partner at Actuate, who works with companies like Qualcom, Lenovo, & Bose to grow their revenue

45: Varag Gharibjanian, MIT grad & founding partner at Actuate, who works with companies like Qualcom, Lenovo, & Bose to grow their revenue

Show Notes: https://parisvega.com/varag-gharibjanian-actuate/


Varag Gharibjanian, MIT grad & founding partner at Actuate, works with companies like Qualcom, Lenovo, & Bose to grow their revenue & helps emerging startups get their first customers. Get ready to dive straight into the world of sales with Varag, who is here to spill the secrets on snagging those crucial first customers. Whether you're just starting out or looking to revamp your sales strategy, this episode is packed with golden nuggets on building a sales process that truly works. Don't miss Varag's expert tips on marrying technology with sales to build relationships and drive success!

Sep 18, 202351:41
44: Master of Crowdfunding, Eli Packouz, Explains His $2.5 million Dollar Kickstarter Campaign Success and more

44: Master of Crowdfunding, Eli Packouz, Explains His $2.5 million Dollar Kickstarter Campaign Success and more

Show Notes: https://parisvega.com/eli-packouz-crowdfunding-instafloss/

In episode 44 of the First Customers podcast, I chat with the Eli Packouz, an inventor and crowd funding master. Eli created eight products over the last several years including his most recent and disruptive ‘Instafloss’. He shares the story of his exciting business adventures, how he recently raised $2.5 million from crowdfunding, and the strategies he used to get his first customers.

Highlights

  • Insights and best practices for crowdfunding on Kickstarter.
  • Raising $2.5 million in crowdfunding for ‘Instafloss’.
  • The inception of ‘Instafloss’: A device capable of flossing all your teeth in 10 seconds or less.
  • Manufacturing products in Mexico vs China.

Mentioned In This Episode


Sep 07, 202356:44
43: How did players redeem over $500,000 from virtual real estate on Atlas Earth? CTO Beau Button tells the story.

43: How did players redeem over $500,000 from virtual real estate on Atlas Earth? CTO Beau Button tells the story.

Show Notes: https://parisvega.com/beau-button-atlas-reality-how-to-make-money-with-virtual-real-estate/

Episode 43 of the First Customers Podcast welcomes Beau Button, the CTO and cofounder of Atlas Reality. They're known for Atlas Earth, the largest virtual real estate platform in the world. Beau explains the virtual real estate world, the distinctiveness of their platform, the fascinating journey of Atlas Reality, and shares insights about being a technical startup founder.

Aug 28, 202355:09
42: From Cold Calls to $150M of Renewable Energy: VECKTA's Journey with Gareth Evans

42: From Cold Calls to $150M of Renewable Energy: VECKTA's Journey with Gareth Evans

Show Links: https://parisvega.com/gareth-evans-veckta-marketplace/


In episode 42 of the First Customers podcast, we're joined by Gareth Evans, the dynamic founder and CEO of VECKTA. VECKTA's marketplace has made impressive strides in the renewable energy sector, recently facilitating $150 million of renewable energy projects. With clients like Raytheon and Honeywell, Gareth sheds light on VECKTA's journey, its mission, and the future of renewable energy. Dive in to hear about VECKTA's humble beginnings and its vision for a sustainable future.


  • The inception of VECKTA, and inspiration behind the name.
  • Discussing the challenges VECKTA faced launching during the onset of COVID-19.
  • VECKTA's recent achievement of facilitating $150 million in renewable energy projects.
  • Insights into working with major clients like Raytheon and Honeywell.
  • Discussing the significance of thought leadership in building relationships.


Aug 16, 202336:39
41: Building a Successful Travel Agency During Lockdown with Amy Jordan

41: Building a Successful Travel Agency During Lockdown with Amy Jordan

Show Notes, Links, & Transcript: https://parisvega.com/building-a-successful-travel-agency-during-lockdown-with-amy-jordan

In episode 41 of the First Customers podcast, we are joined by Amy Jordan, a visionary entrepreneur who took the bold step of starting a travel agency during the COVID lockdown. She shares her insights on how she grew her company to over 18 agents working with hundreds of clients worldwide. Tune in to learn about her unique strategies, the challenges she faced, and her relentless pursuit of success in a seemingly impossible situation.

  • [00:32] Introduction to Amy Jordan and her successful travel agency.
  • [01:05] How she acquired customers during a time when travel was restricted.
  • [02:12] Utilizing friends, family, and social media channels to connect with clients interested in destinations that were open during the lockdown.
  • [03:20] Specializing in specific destinations like US theme parks and Mexico allowed them to provide detailed updates on policy changes.
  • [04:05] Interacting with clients to keep them informed about daily updates and policy changes.
  • [05:30] The importance of understanding supplier dynamics
  • [06:50] Leveraging Facebook marketing, Google ads, and physical shows as things started to open up.
  • [07:40] Being aware of what was happening in the countries where clients were traveling.
  • [08:50] Amy's background as a travel agent and her desire to build her own team.
  • [10:00] Reading a book that helped her in decision-making and not overthinking decisions.
  • [11:20] Treating the business like an experiment to relieve pressure
  • [15:05] Personal experiences with destinations and the overwhelming experience of visiting Disney World as a mom.
Aug 06, 202327:40
40: How to build a successful Link-Building Agency with Alexandra Tachalova

40: How to build a successful Link-Building Agency with Alexandra Tachalova

Show Notes, Mentions, Links, & Transcript: https://parisvega.com/how-to-build-a-successful-link-building-agency-with-alexandra-tachalova/

In this episode, we are joined by Alexandra Tachalova, founder and CEO of Digital Olympus. Alexandra shares her entrepreneurial journey, starting from her days at SEMrush to creating a successful link-building agency that has worked with major clients like Vivint, G2, Wave, Finder, and Discover Cars. Tune in for an engaging conversation about the world of digital marketing, growth strategies, and customer acquisition.

Jul 31, 202352:40
39: Mastering YouTube Lead Generation with Ali Schwanke

39: Mastering YouTube Lead Generation with Ali Schwanke

Show Notes, Links, & Transcript: https://parisvega.com/mastering-youtube-lead-generation-with-ali-schwanke/

In episode 39 of the First Customers Podcast, we sit down with Ali Schwanke, a successful entrepreneur who has leveraged the power of YouTube to generate over a thousand leads. Ali's YouTube channel, a top unofficial source for HubSpot tutorials, has garnered a following of 18,000 subscribers, proving the impact of her strategies. Ali shares her journey from her first customers to her growth strategy on YouTube. She delves into her experiences with various businesses over the years, starting from a humble photography business to becoming a YouTube influencer in her field. Listen in as Ali discusses her efficient content creation process, the power of search and recommendations in driving traffic, the role of YouTube in her business pre and post-pandemic, and key learnings about understanding customer priorities. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an experienced business owner looking to tap into the power of YouTube for lead generation, this episode is a goldmine of insights and practical advice. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more inspiring conversations with successful entrepreneurs. Enjoy the show!

Jul 24, 202337:38
38: Matheus Riolfi raised $30 million in VC funding. But how did he find his first customers?
Jul 18, 202328:49
37: Jon Darbyshire sold Archer Technologies for $200 million, then launched SmartSuite that already has 600 customers. How does he find his first customers?
Jul 10, 202349:18
36: How did Mark Stouse grow his startup from $0 to $2 million in revenue in 18 months?
Jun 19, 202301:07:50
35: How did Karthik Suresh's startup, Ignition, raise $5 million and find their first customers?
Jun 12, 202331:01
34: David CM Carter, Chairman & Founder of Entelechy Academy, is the world's leading CEO mentor.
Jun 05, 202346:23
33: How did Alex Levin and the Regal.io team go from 0 customers in 2020 to driving over $1 billion in revenue for their customers a few years later?
May 22, 202328:41
32: How did Mark Ross Smith revolutionize the airline industry's rewards programs with Status Match?
May 15, 202351:31
31: Why did Billy Samoa Saleebey leave Tesla to start Podify?
May 08, 202341:59
30: What can Liam Corcoran, teacher/rapper/artist, teach you about networking?
May 01, 202342:33
29: How did Andres Glusman get the first customers for Meetup.com & DoWhatWorks?
Apr 24, 202339:22
28: How did Liz Parker start a successful strategic planning business in Hong Kong after quitting her job?
Apr 18, 202349:36
27: How did Esteban Dalel raise $250k for Watermelon Tools before getting their first customer?
Apr 10, 202342:56
26: How did Tyler Robertson grow Diesel Laptops from $0 to $100 million in revenue in 8 years?
Apr 03, 202346:26
25: How did David Smooke grow HackerNoon from 0 to 4 million readers per month?

25: How did David Smooke grow HackerNoon from 0 to 4 million readers per month?

How did David Smooke grow HackerNoon from 0 to 4 million readers per month?

David Smooke, Founder & CEO of HackerNoon, a technology website that publishes 50 stories per day read by about 4 million people every month. He takes us on the journey from selling his skills as an agency, through the grind of building HackerNoon for years without pay, until finally landing their first advertising deal.

Show Links HackerNoon: https://hackernoon.com/

HackerNoon for Writers: https://app.hackernoon.com/new

HackerNoon for Brands: https://app.hackernoon.com/brand

David Smooke on HackerNoon: https://hackernoon.com/about/David

Mar 27, 202345:16
24: How did John "Small Mountain" Hill build an international sales/marketing agency coaching service?

24: How did John "Small Mountain" Hill build an international sales/marketing agency coaching service?

John "Small Mountain" Hill, author of Selling from Scratch and Founder of Adapted Growth, an international sales/marketing agency coaching service. 

Show Notes

Topics Covered:

  • Networking
  • CRMs
  • LinkedIn Content Marketing
  • One to One Networking
  • Getting warm lead referrals from your LinkedIn network
  • Look for strategic networking opportunities


(Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Mar 20, 202355:52
23: How did CEO Alberto Voltolina grow MGG North America from $0 to $1.5 million in one year?
Mar 13, 202344:54
22: How did Ron Karr help his clients increase incremental revenues by over 1 billion dollars with the Velocity Mindset?

22: How did Ron Karr help his clients increase incremental revenues by over 1 billion dollars with the Velocity Mindset?

Ron Karr, author of the Velocity Mindset, helped his clients increase incremental revenues by over 1 billion dollars. We go deep into what the Velocity Mindset is and how it affects the sales process. From prospecting and cold calling to closing the sale, Ron has a unique effective approach for asking the right questions. I learned a lot from Ron. I know that you will too.

Show Links, Notes, & Transcript: https://parisvega.com/ron-karr-velocity-mindset/



Mar 10, 202354:28
21: How did Ukranian entrepreneur, Sergey Lechshenko, find his first customers in the middle of war?
Mar 07, 202353:48
20: How does Jeff Beal, Mr. Marketology, turn awareness into sales for brands like The Home Depot?
Mar 02, 202338:51
19: Warren Greshes, the legendary sales pro, award-winning speaker, and author of several books including, The Best Damn Sales Book Ever.
Feb 28, 202301:06:58
18: Omayya Atout, Founder of Songlorious.com, a SharkTank featured company that hit $5 million in revenue after only 2.5 yrs. Their musicians make custom songs for any occasion that tell your story.
Feb 23, 202353:35
17: Stewart Townsend helps guests automate getting booked on podcasts at PodcastHawk.com
Feb 21, 202346:56
16: Matt Leavell, CEO of BuyLowWarehouse.com, earned $1 million in their first year and ranked in the Inc 5000 fastest growing companies in the USA in 2022
Feb 09, 202301:12:48
15: How did CEO Austin Linney overcome addiction and double his revenue every 6 months for the last 1.5 years?
Feb 07, 202345:18
14: How did Sam Eisenberg help his clients raise over $2 billion dollars?
Feb 02, 202356:48
13: How did CEO Sean Brandenburg grow Central Cargo North America to $1 million in its first 4 months?
Jan 31, 202301:04:31
12: Kent Wilson, COO of RV SnapPads, a fast growing company that started in their family garage and grew to over 500,000 units sold across North America
Jan 23, 202301:01:23
11: How did Scott Stouffer raise millions in VC funding and scale to 64,000 customers?
Jan 20, 202301:47:46
10: Christina Aldan, International TEDx speaker, award-winning corporate trainer, and brand strategy consultant at Arana Software helps startups get their first customers.
Jan 18, 202301:36:43
9: JK Molina grew Tweet Hunter to over $1 Million in ARR & recently sold the business. Now he shows you how to monetize (not grow) your audience at Tweets & Clients.
Jan 17, 202301:05:16
8: Nick Bouwhuis, Founder of Bouwhuis IT, an information technology company in the Netherlands specializing in cyber security

8: Nick Bouwhuis, Founder of Bouwhuis IT, an information technology company in the Netherlands specializing in cyber security

Nick Bouwhuis started Bouwhuis IT as a teenager in the Netherlands. Bouwhuis IT is an information technology company specializing in cyber security for local businesses. He shares his story about growing up in the Netherlands, and how he found his first customers. Show notes & links: https://parisvega.com/nick-bouwhuis-it-netherlands-cyber-security/


Topics Covered:

- Netherlands school system vs US school system

- Starting a business as a teenager

- Running a business part time

- Cyber Security Best Practices

- Life in the Netherlands

Jan 13, 202356:53
7: Daniel Johnson, Founding Partner of We Scale Startups, sold his first business at 17 yrs old & went on to work with Google, Neil Patel, ConsenSys, and others.
Jan 12, 202301:28:52
6: Angie Correa, ex-corporate sales executive at NBC, Yahoo, and Maxim Magazine who launched a successful career and business growth coaching service

6: Angie Correa, ex-corporate sales executive at NBC, Yahoo, and Maxim Magazine who launched a successful career and business growth coaching service

Angie Correa, an Ex- Corp Exec with 25 Yrs of experience at companies like NBC, Yahoo, and Maxim magazine, left corporate sales to start her own business helping others do the same.

Show links, notes, & transcript:https://parisvega.com/angie-correa-executive-coach-speaker/

Talking with Angie was like taking a masterclass in sales. The principles she explained are worth billions. We had a great time discussing how she was able to successfully get the first customers for her business. We also went through her past experiences at large companies reviewing her sales process for getting $10,000,000 sales deals. 

Topics discussed:

  • Retail Sales
  • Corporate Sales
  • In Person Sales
  • Networking
  • Eat What You Kill Sales
  • Trust Based Sales
Jan 07, 202349:23