subscription Startups

Das-services.com is an AI training and automation company founded by Aaron Vitas that helps mid-market tourism, retail, service, and real estate businesses implement AI solutions. The company operates a hybrid model combining high-ticket services (AI Maximizer, Das Training) with SaaS products (Das Hub and Das Content Manager). With combined revenue projected at $500K+ for the year and the content manager generating $179/user/month with 218 people on the waitlist, Das is scaling rapidly just 8 weeks after SaaS launch.

Snappa is a SaaS platform founded by Christopher Gimmer that enables users to create online graphics quickly and easily. The company has a co-founder structure and Christopher has publicly discussed the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of work-life balance in building SaaS businesses.

HubSnacks is a productized service founded by Ian Horley that offers unlimited tasks on the HubSpot platform for a fixed monthly fee. After leaving corporate in 2014 to start a web agency, Ian struggled with the stress of agency work and pivoted to productizing his HubSpot expertise. The business represents a shift toward systems-driven operations and community-focused growth.

Brian Casel transitioned from running Audience Ops, a productized service, to building ZipMessage, a SaaS product. He discusses the fundamental differences between the two business models—productized services rely heavily on repeatable processes, while SaaS requires continuous feature development and marketing channel experimentation. This time around, Casel decided to take funding after previously bootstrapping and selling Audience Ops without a broker.

Video Husky was a productised video editing service founded by Justin Tan, inspired by the unlimited design model of Design Pickle. Operating for four years before the founder's retirement, the company helped clients with regular video editing needs. Justin emphasizes the importance of customer validation and quickly pivoting when assumptions prove wrong.

AppsEvents was an events company that pivoted during COVID to become a Google for Education partner and Value Added Reseller (VAR). The company now sells Google services with added value through support services, setup, and customization rather than relying solely on conference revenue.

Johnny Robinson co-founded Home Services Academy in January 2022, a 90-day coaching program and community built from his experience scaling a window cleaning service to profitability. The platform coaches others to reach five-figure MRR by either starting their own cleaning business or optimizing existing ones. The business has grown into a multi-million dollar enterprise by leveraging Johnny's deep understanding of home services industry pain points.

WodPrep is a SaaS platform founded by Ben Dziwulski that helps CrossFitters improve their workout techniques. Built using the 'Stair Step' approach to entrepreneurship, the business has grown to $1.1M ARR while allowing the founder to maintain the outdoor lifestyle he loves.

RippedBody is a fitness coaching program and blog created by Andy Morgan targeting committed trainees who have plateaued in their progress. The business has found particular success in the Japanese market and has grown through a disciplined content strategy on Instagram. Andy is now expanding by hiring coaches and maintaining client engagement through bi-weekly email check-ins.

Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) launched in 2013 as a newsletter for digital nomads interested in cheap flights and travel hacks. The company has grown substantially to over 60 employees and now offers a range of travel-focused products and services beyond its original newsletter format. Founder Brian Kidwell discusses the evolution from solopreneur to CEO and the challenges of scaling operations.

Lucy Bella Simkins transformed her passion project YouTube channel teaching English into one of the world's largest language learning channels and a thriving 7-figure+ business. She discusses the behind-the-scenes challenges of scaling from a solo creator to managing a 15-person team while converting viewers into paying customers through a course business model.

Anthony Fosano built Engineering Management Institute into a 7-figure brand by combining a coaching business with a YouTube and podcast network. His content strategy generated over 3 million downloads, demonstrating the power of playing the long game in content-driven businesses. He leveraged skills from his full-time job to build a niche-focused business around engineering management.

Growth Era is an outbound sales agency founded by Andrew Jacoby that specializes in deploying Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) to drive business growth. The company focuses on crafting compelling value propositions and implementing risk reversal strategies to boost conversion rates. Andrew emphasizes building recurring revenue services and maintaining high moral and ethical standards in business operations.

My Body Tutor is a 17-year-old health and wellness coaching agency founded by Adam Gilbert. The business has built a flawless reputation by obsessively focusing on getting clients results through personalized plans, accountability, and mindset coaching. Adam shares strategies on pricing, client retention, and balancing entrepreneurship with family life.

Tropical MBA is a podcast and community platform for entrepreneurs, founded by Dan and Ian. The content focuses on entrepreneurship lessons, featuring prominent guests like Cal Newport, Seth Godin, and others. They offer coaching for $250K+ founders and a community for 1M+ founders through their Dynamite Circle offering.

PlumbElec Marketing is a marketing agency founded by Tom Richards that specializes in serving plumbing and electrical contractors. Operating from Bali, Tom has grown the agency to $57K MRR ($684K ARR) through a niche focus on trade businesses and a lean, profitable model emphasizing Google Maps local SEO and cold outreach strategies.

Bento is an email service mentioned in a podcast episode about entrepreneurship and risk-taking. The product offers significant savings on email costs, with discounts up to 70% or $300 in credits.

Lynda.com is an online learning platform founded by Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin offering video courses on design, technology, and business topics. Without access to the full podcast transcript, specific traction metrics and growth channels cannot be determined.

Headspace is a meditation and mindfulness app founded by Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson. Without specific details provided in the podcast episode reference, the exact traction metrics and business story cannot be determined from this source alone.

Tristan founded Walker & Company after a personal frustration with shaving products unsuitable for coarse and curly hair. He launched Bevel, a subscription shaving system with a single-blade razor, which eventually expanded to 36 hair and beauty products used by millions across the U.S. The company was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 2018, making Tristan P&G's first black CEO.