Welcome to another episode of the SaaS Fuel Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship and sustainable business models. In this episode, Jeff Mains engages in an inspiring conversation with Jeremy Lessaris, an experienced global marketng and communications executive and entrepreneurial leader, with over two decades of experience in the industrial, energy, transportation, and technology sectors.

Jeremy discusses building a purpose-driven business as he explores on the importance of aligning one's mission with social impact, prioritizing sustainable growth, and cautioning against unsustainable growth strategies. 

Join us as we unravel the key insights on customer-centric approaches, bootstrapping, and the dynamic nature of entrepreneurship in the fast-changing tech industry. 

Get ready for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation that will challenge your perspectives on business sustainability and making a meaningful impact.

Key Takeaways

00:00 Impactful alignment with purpose attracts loyal support.

05:15 Triple bottom line: people, planet, profit, pivotal.

15:32 Focus on MVP, then adapt based on adoption.

16:23 Listening to customers is crucial for success.

22:56 Avoid expensive funding programs, be cautious.

27:15 Struggle with balancing work and lifestyle.

36:46 "Future-proof, scale, and outperform with Champion Leadership."

42:38 Consider long-term implications before building a business.

48:15 Learning from experienced peers is a valuable investment.

51:16 Helping with affordable housing and credit fees.

56:43 Crowdfunding app for affordable housing investment proposal.

Tweetable Quotes

Quote: "Reality check is MVP is important to get to market. And the second you do that, your company will morph more towards the direction of use and adoption of those features, and people will beg you for them."— Jeremy Lessaris 00:15:50

The Power of Podcasts: "I started doing podcasts more specifically to promote the company. And now that company is sold and I went, you know what? I kinda like meeting people. It's great talking about these things." — Jeremy Lessaris 00:44:37

Growth and Impact: "Lifting all of the people up has been a really key part. And I'm just trying to be a better version of myself along the way." — Jeremy Lessaris 00:50:30

"Balancing Profit and Purpose in Business": "One of the biggest challenges for businesses today is finding a way to create a positive impact on society while maintaining growth rates and being profitable. It's a tough balance to strike." — Jeff Mains 00:01:26

How to Build a Business Model That Prioritizes Social Responsibility: "Integrating your social impact into your business model can drive long-term success and foster deeper connections with your customers." — Jeff Mains 00:01:56

Building a Purpose-Driven Business: "By aligning your business goals with a higher purpose, you can create a win-win-win for your company, your customers, and the community." — Jeff Mains 00:04:34

SaaS Leadership Lessons

1. Purpose-Driven Leadership: Jeremy Lessaris emphasizes the importance of transitioning from being solely revenue-focused to building with purpose. SaaS leaders can learn from this mindset shift, understanding the impact of aligning business goals with a higher purpose to create a win-win-win for the company, customers, and community.

2. Sustainable Growth Strategies: The conversation emphasizes the value of sustainable growth over speculative or unsustainable models. Leaders can learn to prioritize bottom-line growth and sustainable profitability, taking cues from the success of companies like Basecamp that embody this approach.

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