Let's talk sales with Syed: Recent Episodes

Syed Asad

Sales is hard work and you constantly need to evolve to succeed. If you’re looking to up your sales game, from prospecting to closing and everything between, then this podcast is for you. Syed takes a no-frills approach, engaging in topics in which he has experience with to help you get your sales process right.

Everyone’s talking about AI but very few people are actually using it to create content, grow an audience, or build a business.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Dustin Hauer, VP, AI educator, and creator with more than 31 million LinkedIn impressions, to talk about AI, ChatGPT, Claude, LinkedIn growth, content marketing, personal branding, and practical AI workflows that actually work.Instead of chasing every new AI tool, Dustin shares how he uses AI every day to create content faster, build systems, grow multiple online brands, and stay ahead without becoming another “AI influencer.”Whether you’re a founder, marketer, creator, or business leader, this conversation will help you separate AI hype from practical execution.In this episode:

How Dustin generated 31M+ LinkedIn impressions
Why most people are using ChatGPT the wrong way
How to build content systems with AI
The LinkedIn strategy that’s working in 2026
Why infographics outperform most content formats
Prompt engineering that actually saves time
How to build a personal brand without posting 24/7
Why experimentation beats perfection
The biggest mistakes creators make with AI
Where AI is heading next and what’s just hype

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Messy Growth for weekly conversations with founders, operators, and leaders building high-growth SaaS companies.

We’re supposedly more connected than we’ve ever been.So why are so many people lonely?This week’s conversation completely changed how I think about community, networking, AI companions, social media, and why so many events fail to create real human connection.Maggie Arai has spent years helping brands and creators turn online audiences into real communities through in-person experiences. We talked about why adults struggle to make friends, why boring networking events refuse to die, whether AI companions are making loneliness worse, and why the future might actually belong to people who can bring others together.Some of my favorite moments:• Why “networking” feels so awkward for most people.• The real reason adults struggle to make friends.• AI companions, therapy bots, and the unintended consequences nobody is talking about.• Why online communities rarely become real communities.• The biggest mistake brands make when they host events.• Why human connection might become even more valuable in the age of AI.If you’ve ever felt like social media gives you more notifications than relationships, I think you’ll enjoy this one.Connect with Maggie: / maggie-arai

Every AI startup claims to be revolutionizing something.Every homepage says it’s AI-powered.Every pitch deck sounds like it was written by the same person.So why do so many smart companies struggle to explain what they actually do?In this episode of Messy Growth, I sat down with positioning strategist Simon Schmitz to unpack why messaging not product is often the biggest reason startups fail to stand out.We talk about why founders overcomplicate simple ideas, why adding more features usually makes your positioning worse, how politics shaped Simon’s approach to messaging, and why most companies are afraid to make the one decision that actually creates clarity.If you’ve ever looked at a startup website and thought, “I still have no idea what this company does,” this episode is for you.We cover:

Why every AI startup sounds identical
The biggest messaging mistakes founders make
Why customers don’t care about your features first
The fear of niching down (and why it’s killing growth)
How better positioning leads to better sales
Why clarity beats cleverness every time
The hidden cost of trying to appeal to everyone

If you enjoyed this conversation, consider subscribing to Messy Growth for weekly conversations with founders, operators and GTM leaders building and scaling great businesses.

Everyone says you need a personal brand.Almost nobody tells you how to build one without sounding like everyone else.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Jillian Richardson, founder of Make LinkedIn Weird and one of the most sought-after LinkedIn ghostwriters. We talk about why LinkedIn has become a sea of AI-generated corporate speak, what actually makes people memorable, and why authenticity is much harder than simply “being yourself.”We also dive into:• Why most LinkedIn content feels fake• The truth about ghostwriting for CEOs• How personal brands are really built• Why funny content often outperforms “professional” content• AI, authenticity, and the future of LinkedIn• The biggest mistakes founders make online• Building authority without becoming another corporate cloneWhether you’re a founder, executive, marketer, creator, or simply trying to stand out online, this conversation will change how you think about content.

Everyone is chasing algorithms.More posts.More AI.More hacks.More engagement tricks.But what if we’ve been solving the wrong problem all along?In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Carmen Vicente -LinkedIn Top Voice, marketing leader, and one of the sharpest thinkers in B2B social to unpack what actually drives attention and trust today.We talk about why going viral can be a curse, how AI is reshaping social platforms, why founder-led content often fails, and what companies completely misunderstand about building an audience.If you create content, lead a company, work in marketing, or simply wonder where the internet is heading, this conversation is for you.We cover: Why trust is replacing attention as the real competitive advantage The future of LinkedIn and AI-powered algorithms Why consistency isn’t the whole story Why founder content often feels fake The hidden cost of chasing virality What great B2B content actually looks like Why social media keeps us scrolling—even when we’re exhausted Where AI is taking marketing over the next few years

Everyone talks about digital transformation, AI, fintech, and innovation. But why do so many transformation projects fail?In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Tom Hill, CEO of Zyntrix and former retail transformation leader at Sainsbury’s, Poundland, KFC, and SSP.After spending nearly two decades on both the operational and executive sides of retail, Tom shares why businesses don’t actually care about technology - they care about outcomes.We discuss:• Why great products still struggle to sell• Why resistance to change usually starts in the boardroom—not on the front line• The future of Open Banking and Pay by Bank• Why loyalty programs often fail• What retailers get wrong about customer experience• AI hype vs solving real business problems• Lessons from leading transformation inside large enterprisesWhether you’re a founder, product leader, sales executive, or operator, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on building products people actually adopt.About Tom HillTom Hill is the CEO of Zyntrix, a fintech company focused on Open Banking, digital identity, and loyalty. Before becoming CEO, he spent nearly two decades leading retail operations and digital transformation across major brands including Sainsbury’s, Poundland, KFC, and SSP.

Everyone is creating content.Founders post every day. Companies publish blogs. AI can write almost anything in seconds.So why is trust harder to earn than ever?In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Wendy Jacobson, founder of Incredible Content, who’s spent nearly two decades helping B2B companies turn expertise into credibility.We talk about why going viral is often overrated, why most content fails to bring customers, how AI is changing writing, and why the businesses that win over the next decade won’t necessarily create more content - they’ll create more trust.If you’re a founder, marketer, sales leader, or building a B2B business, this conversation is packed with practical lessons you can apply immediately.We cover:• Why viral content rarely creates great customers• The biggest mistake companies make with content• How to build credibility instead of chasing engagement• AI, authenticity, and what still separates great writing• Why case studies fail (and how to make people actually care)• The long game behind content that drives real businessConnect with Wendy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wjacobson/

Everyone is building.AI has made launching products easier than ever, but building something is no longer the hard part. Getting people to care is.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Basia Derkowska, Fractional CMO and Go-To-Market Advisor, to talk about what actually happens after you’ve built the product.We cover why “go-to-market” suddenly became everyone’s favorite buzzword, why founders often freeze instead of moving, how to think about distribution before spending money on marketing, and what separates companies that grow from the ones that quietly disappear.We also dive into: Why founders should stop trying to do everything at once The difference between freelancers, fractional leaders and full-time executives How to know if you’re ready to go fractional Why understanding your customers beats any AI prompt Why great products still fail Building a personal brand without becoming another LinkedIn cliché* How AI is changing marketing and what it can’t replaceIf you’re building a startup, thinking about going fractional, working in B2B SaaS, or simply trying to figure out how to stand out in an increasingly noisy world, this conversation is for you.Connect with Basia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-derkowska/

Most founders think product-market fit looks like a full calendar, pilot customers, and growing interest.They’re wrong.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with product marketing leader Elina Bazinas to unpack why attention is not the same as traction, how startups confuse interest for demand, and why positioning is becoming the most important competitive advantage in the AI era.We discuss:• The biggest product-market fit misconceptions founders make• Why most AI products struggle after the demo• The difference between attention and genuine customer pull• Why positioning matters more than features• How great product launches are won before launch day• The role of trust in modern B2B buying• Why AI is making strong product marketing more valuable, not less• How founders can tell if they truly understand their customers• The one question every founder should answer before trying to scaleIf you’re building a SaaS company, working in product, marketing, sales, or trying to figure out why growth has stalled, this conversation is packed with practical insights.

Most businesses don’t have a marketing problem.They have a positioning problem.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Nick Gulic - founder of Creative Click, former accountant, business coach, consultant, and one of the few people willing to call out the internet’s obsession with looking professional.We talk about why AI is making everyone sound the same, why founders struggle to stand out, the danger of chasing followers instead of building a business, and why personality matters more than polished branding.Nick shares lessons from nearly two decades helping businesses grow, fix broken operations, improve sales, and build websites that actually generate customers instead of collecting compliments.We cover:• Why most websites fail• The Dunning-Kruger effect in business• Luck vs skill in success• Why people stay stuck in jobs they hate• The problem with AI-generated content• How to stand out in a world of templates• Why freedom matters more than status• Building a business without burning out

Courtney Raymond has spent two decades inside companies watching them pour money into growth while quietly bleeding customers out the back door. In this episode we get into why churn happens before most companies even notice it, what customer experience actually means beyond the buzzword, and why the way businesses communicate with customers is still one of the most underrated competitive advantages out there.We also get into founder-led content and when it works vs when it's just performative noise, why the first 90 days of a customer relationship make or break everything, and what words, real human words, still do that AI simply can't replicate.Courtney is sharp, direct, and has seen enough broken customer journeys to know exactly where things go wrong. This one is worth your time.What we cover:

Why customers leave and companies never find out why
The difference between communication and clarity
How to build a customer journey that actually reduces churn
Founder-led content, genuine vs performance
Why brand voice matters more than ever in an AI world

Tech layoffs. AI hype. Burnout. Rising costs. Empty careers. Every week I sit down with my friends, Gustavo Frietas and Rui Ferreira and we discuss all things happening inside of tech and the effect it's having on people and the environment around this. This week we unpacked:

Why AI probably isn’t replacing jobs as fast as people think
Why modern work feels increasingly meaningless
The hidden cost of comfort and “successful” careers
Tech layoffs, corporate greed, and the reality behind the headlines
Why community, purpose, and family matter more than ever
The psychological trap of modern consumerism
Why people feel disconnected despite being more “connected” than ever

This episode goes way beyond startups and SaaS.It’s about the strange moment we’re living through right now and what happens when technology moves faster than people can emotionally process.If you’ve been questioning work, ambition, AI, or where society is heading… this one’s for you.

This week on Messy Growth, Mick Griffin returns to the show and this conversation goes deep into one of the hardest challenges in SaaS:👉 When do you build something new inside an existing company?Mick is leading growth at Traffit, one of Poland’s fastest-growing ATS platforms, and recently helped launch Smart Jobs, a standalone hiring platform designed to fix one of the most broken parts of recruitment: the candidate experience.We unpack:

Why most SaaS companies think too small about expansion revenue
The difference between a feature and a new business
How to launch “startups within a scale-up”
Why recruitment still treats people like numbers
The hidden operational risks nobody talks about
Why most innovation bets fail and why that’s okay
How founders should think about timing, risk, and momentum
Lessons from Brand24 and scaling in SaaS
Why candidates are becoming the new PR risk for companies
How Smart Jobs was built with only 2 new hires
Why founders confuse activity with progress
The mindset required to keep innovating without fear

Mick also shares:This is a conversation about growth, experimentation, expansion revenue, hiring, SaaS strategy, and building things before you feel fully ready.If you’re building a SaaS company, scaling a startup, or trying to figure out what comes after product-market fit this episode is for you.

Helena Fogarty has seen startup fundraising from both sides, as a founder who raised capital herself, and now as a fundraising advisor helping founders close rounds faster and smarter.In this episode of Messy Growth, we unpack the reality of raising venture capital in today’s market:

Why most founders fail to raise money
What investors actually care about
How startup fundraising really works behind closed doors
Why storytelling matters more than most founders think
The truth about VC-backed growth and founder pressure
How to stand out with investors without sounding fake
Why network and trust still dominate venture capital
Bootstrapping vs VC funding
Investor psychology and founder mistakes
Why some startups are NOT venture-backable

Helena also shares hard truths about startup culture, founder burnout, venture capital expectations, and the emotional toll of building a company under pressure.If you’re a startup founder, operator, entrepreneur, angel investor, or anyone curious about venture capital and startup growth, this episode is for you.

Most people think growth comes from strategy.Atul Sood thinks it comes from relationships.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sat down with Atul Sood, a fractional Chief Business Officer, former Google Ventures-backed startup operator, former McDonald’s global business development leader, founder, advisor, and someone who has lived through both massive wins and brutal personal setbacks.This conversation goes far beyond business tactics.We talk about:- Why relationships compound harder than money- The emotional cost of leadership- Why founders overestimate their chances of success- The rise of the white-collar gig economy- Why empathy disappears in leadership- The reality of layoffs and executive pressure- How to know if a company will actually scale- Why vulnerability is a superpower in leadership- What fractional executives really solve inside companies- Why most people should build a side hustle nowIf you're a founder, operator, executive, or someone trying to figure out what matters long-term in business and life, this episode is for you.

Most B2B companies are creating content.Very few are creating content that actually drives revenue.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sat down with Ademola Adelakun, founder of A2 Media and former professional magician turned B2B video strategist, to break down why most SaaS video marketing fails, what companies misunderstand about content, and how to create videos that actually build trust and pipeline.We go deep into:- Why most B2B videos never convert- The real role of storytelling in SaaS marketing- Why viral content often means nothing for revenue- The biggest mistakes founders make with video- Why production quality matters less than people think- The psychology behind attention and content- AI-generated content and the rise of “content slop”- Short-form vs long-form content in 2026- How SaaS companies should approach YouTube and video marketing- Why understanding your ICP changes everythingAdemola has helped companies like Shopify, Okta, Reveal and other B2B SaaS brands build research-led video systems designed to generate actual business results - not vanity metrics.If you’re a founder, marketer, sales leader, content creator or anyone trying to figure out how to stand out online in a world drowning in noise, this episode is for you.

This episode of Messy Growth goes deep into one of the biggest problems in modern marketing: everything sounds the same.I sat down with Alexandra Gierok, a creative strategist, founder of One Man Orchestra, and artist with over 2M+ streams to break down why authenticity is disappearing and what actually works today.We talk about creativity, psychology, and performance marketing and why most SaaS companies completely misunderstand all three.If you’ve ever felt like: Content is becoming repetitive and forced “Authenticity” is just another buzzword Social media is turning into noiseThis conversation will hit.We cover: Why creativity can’t be forced (and why companies try anyway) The real meaning of authentic marketing in 2026 Why most brands sound identical online The dark side of social media and content burnout Whether emotional connection can be engineered* Why consistency is overrated (and what matters more)Aleksandra also shares her perspective from both sides, building brands and building an audience as an artist.This is not a “tactical tips” episode. It’s a reality check.

Most sales teams think they’re “buyer-first.”They’re not.They’re running outdated playbooks, using scripted language, and wondering why nothing lands anymore.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sat down with Samantha McKenna - founder of #samsales, former LinkedIn enterprise sales leader, and one of the most respected voices in modern sales.This isn’t theory.This is what actually works right now.⸻💥 What we get into: Why most “personalization” is fake (and how to do it right) The real reason your outbound isn’t working Why Sam believes cold calling is broken How to stand out when everyone is using AI and automation The exact mindset shift top 1% sellers have What founders consistently get wrong about sales* How to actually use LinkedIn to drive revenue (not just post content)⚡ One line that stuck with me:If you wouldn’t say it in real life… don’t send it.Sam has trained tens of thousands of sellers and worked with hundreds of companies globally.But what stood out most in this conversation?She strips sales back to something most people forget:👉 Be human.If you’re building a sales team, running outbound, or just trying to close more deals without sounding like everyone else — this one’s worth your time.

Most startups don’t fail because they can’t grow. They fail because they can’t scale what’s already working.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Ned Arick (VP of Operations @ Acquisition.com) - someone who’s built and rebuilt revenue engines across multiple companies from $0 → $100M+.We break down:

Why hiring more salespeople too early kills growth
The difference between real growth vs fake activity
What founders get wrong about scaling revenue teams
Why process is greater than people people (and when that flips)
The biggest hiring mistakes early-stage founders make
How to move from founder-led chaos → predictable systems
Why most companies are solving the wrong problem entirely

This isn’t theory. This is what actually happens inside companies trying to scale.If you’re a founder, operator, or building a SaaS company - this will save you months (if not years).

Most startups still think:→ Find product-market fit→ Scale distribution→ WinThat playbook is breaking.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down (again) with Wiktor Sobolak - fractional Head of Product working with startups from Seed to Series B - to unpack what’s actually happening inside product and growth teams right now.We get into:

Why product-market fit is now a moving target
The uncomfortable truth: distribution alone won’t save you anymore
What used to be moats… and why they’re disappearing fast
How AI is reshaping product teams, roles, and decision-making
Why most teams are wasting time on roadmaps, experiments, and documentation
What actually matters now: speed, systems, and product judgment

This is not theory. This is what’s breaking and what’s working inside real companies.If you’re building, scaling, or trying to stay relevant in SaaS… this one will challenge how you think.

Most SaaS companies think they’re doing “growth.”In reality? They’re just doing activity.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Emilia Korczynska (VP of Marketing @ Userpilot) to break down what actually drives sustainable growth in SaaS and what most teams are getting completely wrong.We go deep on: • Why most marketing efforts don’t translate into real growth • The biggest mistake between sign-up and activation • Why retention problems are often product problems • The truth about SEO, AI content, and “growth hacks” • What it actually takes to build a compounding growth engine • The mindset shift from IC → VP (and why most people struggle with it)Emilia also shares raw, practical insights on: • Delegation and leadership at scale • Why founders underestimate marketing effort • What separates average marketers from great ones in the AI eraIf you’re building, scaling, or stuck trying to grow a SaaS company, this is the conversation you need.

AI is everywhere but very few people actually understand what’s happening under the surface.

In this episode, I sit down with Teo Borschberg, Co-founder & CEO of Ogment AI, to break down what AI agents actually are, how companies are using them today, and where this is all heading next.

Téo has been building in AI long before it became mainstream founding and exiting an AI company to Unity, and operating across global markets like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Lisbon, and San Francisco.

This is not theory. This is real-world execution.

🔍 What we cover:

• What AI agents actually do (and why they’re different from ChatGPT)

• Why most companies are getting AI adoption wrong

• The real risks of giving AI autonomy inside organizations

• How to stay relevant as AI reshapes knowledge work

• Why face-to-face trust still beats Zoom in business

• The future of teams: humans + AI agents working together

• Whether AI will actually replace jobs—or just reshape them

• What skills matter now (and what’s becoming obsolete)

• Lessons from building, scaling, and exiting AI companies

⚠️ Key Insight

AI isn’t just a tool - it’s a force multiplier.

The people who win won’t be the ones who ignore it, but the ones who learn how to use it strategically and think critically.

👤 About the Guest

Téo Borschberg is the Co-founder & CEO of Augment AI, focused on deploying AI agents safely across organizations. Previously founded an AI voice analysis company acquired by Unity Technologies.

Most companies think growth comes from hacks.It doesn’t.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Julia Salanko, Growth & Experimentation Specialist at Nord Security (NordVPN), to break down what actually drives sustainable product growth.With over 15M+ users, NordVPN isn’t guessing — they’re experimenting, learning, and optimizing at scale.And most teams are doing it completely wrong.🚨 What we cover: • Why most A/B tests fail (and what to do instead) • The biggest illusion founders have about experimentation • Why user feedback can mislead you • The real difference between early-stage vs scale growth • Why acquisition is overrated (and what matters more) • How to avoid “fake productivity” experiments • What breaks when growth actually starts working • AI vs growth: does it actually make things easier? • The #1 mistake marketers make moving into tech🧠 Key takeaway:Growth isn’t about tactics.It’s about understanding: • Human behavior • Product value • And making better decisions with imperfect data👤 About Julia: • Growth & Experimentation @ Nord Security • Worked on products with 15M+ users globally • Ex-GLOVO early team (scaled partner acquisition from 0 → 60K leads) • Runs hundreds of A/B tests across acquisition, onboarding, and activation • Mentor at Turing College🔗 Connect with Julia:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuliya-salanko/

Most companies think AI is a shortcut. It’s not.

In this episode, Jonathan Kvarfordt (VP of GTM Strategy & Marketing @ Momentum + Founder of GTM AI Academy) breaks down what’s actually happening inside modern go-to-market teams and why most companies are getting AI completely wrong.

We go beyond the hype and dive into:

• Why AI is NOT an “easy button” for growth

• The difference between using AI vs operationalizing AI

• How one company replaced 15 BDRs with 2 (and increased pipeline)

• Why most AI strategies fail before they even start

• What AI is already better than humans at (and what it’s not)

• The future of sales roles in an AI-first world

• How to actually start using AI inside your GTM team today

If you’re in sales, marketing, RevOps, or leadership - this is a must-watch.

⸻

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why AI is NOT just about doing things faster

• The difference between AI experimentation vs operationalization

• Why only ~7–24% of companies are truly using AI effectively

• How one company replaced 15 BDRs with 2 (and increased pipeline)

• The biggest mistake companies make when adopting AI tools

• Why process matters more than tools

• Where AI is already outperforming humans (and where it fails)

• The future of sales roles in an AI-first world

• How to actually start implementing AI in your GTM strategy

• The skill every revenue leader must develop to stay relevant

🎯 Who This Episode Is For:

• Founders & startup operators

• Sales leaders & RevOps professionals

• Marketing & GTM teams

• Anyone trying to implement AI beyond ChatGPT prompts

Raising money sounds glamorous… until you actually try to do it.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Kat Weaver - exited founder, investor, and founder of Power to Pitch - to break down what really happens behind the scenes of fundraising.We go beyond pitch decks and tactics and dive into: • Why venture capital is NOT your first option (and should be Plan F) • What founders consistently get wrong about raising money • Why weak startups get funded while strong ones don’t • The psychology behind investors (it’s more emotional than you think) • The biggest lies founders tell themselves about fundraising • Why storytelling can make or break your raise • The real cost of taking VC money (that nobody talks about)Cat has helped founders raise $70M+ and shares brutally honest insights you won’t hear on LinkedIn or TechCrunch.If you’re a founder, operator, or thinking about raising capital — this is a must-watch.Whether you're pre-seed, Series A, or just exploring your options - this conversation will change how you think about raising capital.🎙️ About Kat WeaverKat is an exited founder, investor, and the creator of Power to Pitch - a program that has helped founders raise over $70M in funding. She works with early-stage startups on fundraising strategy, pitch development, and investor readiness.Kat's LI: / katweaverKat's Instagram: / iamkatweaver

What if everything you’ve been told about success… is wrong?In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we dive deep into: • Why work becomes your identity (and why that’s dangerous) • The hidden cost of hustle culture • Why making more money doesn’t actually make you happier • How AI and modern work are reshaping purpose • What truly matters when you look back on your lifeWe also explore: • “Life KPIs” and what they actually mean • Why people feel lost without work • The trap of productivity and constant optimization • How companies treat people as resources (and why it’s broken) • The difference between success, wealth, and fulfillmentThis isn’t your typical business conversation. It’s honest. It’s uncomfortable. And it might change how you think about your life.

Something feels off.Content is getting weirder. Attention spans are collapsing. AI is moving faster than anyone expected. And most people don’t even realize what’s happening.In this episode, we go deep on: • Why reaction content and split-screen videos work • The rise of echo chambers and validation loops • How AI is shaping behavior (more than we admit) • Whether this is a bubble… or something much bigger • What happens if jobs, purpose, and meaning start to shiftThis isn’t a surface-level conversation. It’s about where things are actually heading.

Most companies are still guessing when it comes to AI and go-to-market. ElevenLabs isn't.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Jonathan Chemouny, who works in GTM for Europe at one of the fastest-growing AI companies in the world.We go beyond the hype and talk about what’s actually working inside a company scaling at insane speed.We get into: • Why distribution is greater than product in 2026 • What founders understand that most operators miss • How AI is actually changing GTM (and what’s just noise) • Why leaders at ElevenLabs are still doing outbound themselves • The biggest mistake companies make when scaling sales teams • Why moving upmarket breaks most SaaS companies • And what great GTM leaders do differentlyPlus: • AI SDRs vs human SDRs (what’s real vs hype) • Why in-person sales is still a massive edge • What sales teams will look like in the next 3–5 yearsIf you’re building in SaaS right now - this is a real look behind the scenes.

In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Amelia Taylor - founder of The Revenue Table, GTM advisor, investor, and one of the strongest voices pushing relationship-first growth in modern SaaS.Amelia’s journey is anything but conventional. She went from luxury real estate to enterprise SaaS, built global demand generation strategies, helped scale companies like Seamless AI, and now advises startups on how to build real pipeline in a market drowning in automation.But her core belief is simple:Growth doesn’t start with tools. It starts with people.In this conversation we break down:• Why most companies confuse volume with growth• Why relationship-first selling still beats automation• The problem with “growth hacks” on LinkedIn• Why community-led growth is becoming oversaturated• How to turn relationships into actual revenue and pipeline• The difference between looking busy vs actually scalingWe also dive into Amelia’s personal story — from being a walk-on basketball player at Ole Miss to building her career while raising two daughters as a single mother.If you’re building in SaaS, GTM, sales, or marketing, this conversation will challenge a lot of the conventional playbooks.Because the truth is simple:Trust scales better than tactics.

Most conversations about SaaS happen on stage, on LinkedIn, or inside fundraising decks.This one doesn’t.In this episode of Messy Growth, Off the Record, Syed sits down with Gustavo and Rui - two operators he’s worked with in the trenches of SaaS - to talk honestly about what’s actually happening inside tech companies right now.No hot takes. No polished narratives. Just a real conversation about the messy reality of working in SaaS in 2026.We discuss:• What AI is actually replacing inside SaaS companies• Why first-line roles (support, success, QA, junior devs) may be the most exposed• The uncomfortable truth about LinkedIn “thought leadership”• Why recruitment processes are broken for both companies and candidates• Whether SaaS is still a land of opportunity — or if we’re starting to fight for scraps• Why company loyalty is disappearing and what’s replacing it• The gap that AI may create for junior talent entering the workforceThis episode is less of an interview and more like a conversation you’d hear after the cameras stop rolling.If you’re building, hiring, or working in SaaS right now - this one will hit close to home.

What does 20+ years in business development actually teach you about growth, sales, and success?In this episode of Messy Growth, Syed sits down with Joanna Rybus, strategic business leader and Head of Business Development at Wingle Group, to unpack the realities behind building revenue engines, scaling companies, and navigating long careers in business.Joanna has spent over two decades leading business development, designing go-to-market strategies, expanding companies into new markets, and building high-performing commercial teams across industries and continents.But beyond tactics, this conversation goes deeper.We explore the mindset shifts, identity changes, and leadership lessons that happen when you spend years operating inside the messy reality of business.In this episode we discuss:• Why most companies misunderstand business development• The difference between sales tactics and strategic growth• Why product-market fit matters more than lead generation• When outbound works — and when it’s just noise• Why empathy is the real foundation of great sales• The biggest mistake early product teams make• How AI will (and won’t) impact sales roles• How your definition of success changes over a 20-year careerJoanna also shares her perspective on mentoring women over 40, helping them rediscover purpose and direction in the next chapter of their professional lives.If you’re building in SaaS, working in sales, or trying to figure out how to build a real go-to-market engine — this episode will challenge how you think about growth.

What happens to sales teams when AI starts doing the work?In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Justin, a revenue leader with more than 30 years of experience building and scaling software companies.Justin has helped build six software companies with five successful exits and has served as CRO, Chief Sales Officer, VP at Salesforce, and board advisor. He has seen SaaS evolve through multiple waves: cloud, automation, outbound, and now AI.In this conversation we break down what AI actually changes in go-to-market and what still belongs to humans.We discuss:• Why AI is different from every technology wave before it• What sales reps will still be valuable for in the next 3–5 years• Why most companies have a broken go-to-market architecture• The real reason sales pipelines collapse late in the quarter• How sales leaders lose credibility with their board• Why great cultures outperform fear-based sales environments• What sales teams might look like by 2030Justin has reviewed thousands of sales calls, built repeatable revenue systems, and advised founders through hypergrowth, plateaus, and acquisitions.If you’re a founder, sales leader, CRO, or operator trying to understand how AI will reshape SaaS - this conversation is for you.

Most founders think building a SaaS product is the hard part.It’s not.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Elston Baretto - founder of Tiinyhost who bootstrapped his way to over 1 million users without VC money.We break down:• Why distribution now matters more than product• How AI lowered the barrier to entry (and made things harder)• The emotional cost of bootstrapping• Why most founders build too long and launch too late• Average product + elite distribution vs elite product + average distribution• What it actually takes to scale to 1M users• The slow, boring work nobody talks aboutElston shares what changes after you cross real scale, why most people misunderstand startups, and why patience might be the ultimate competitive advantage in 2026.If you’re building SaaS, thinking about bootstrapping, or trying to figure out distribution in an AI-first world, this episode is for you.

Most early-stage startups don’t fail because of product.They fail because their go-to-market doesn’t work.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Kas Szatylowicz — fractional Head of Marketing, GTM advisor, and revenue-focused operator who has built growth engines across AI and cybersecurity startups.She’s been the first marketing hire multiple times, scaled organic traffic from 3.5K to 90K in under a year, and helped bring Fortune 100 companies into inbound funnels — all with lean teams and zero fluff.We talk about: • Why most founders obsess over the wrong metrics • Why traffic and MQLs don’t matter (and what does) • The danger of combining PLG and Enterprise too early • How to build inbound that actually generates pipeline • Why modern marketers need technical literacy • Why clarity is the most underrated leadership skill • The difference between “pretty marketing” and marketing that worksIf you’re building a Seed or Series A startup and trying to turn messy growth into predictable revenue, this conversation will hit.

Building a company isn’t linear.Monika Mikowska built Mobee Dick into one of Poland’s most respected UX/UI agencies - 50+ people, millions in revenue, major enterprise clients.Then it nearly collapsed.In this episode of Messy Growth, we go deep into:• Why fast growth lies to founders• How ego quietly expands during success• What really causes companies to crash• The hidden burnout phase no one talks about• Working in the company vs working on it• Why cash flow discipline matters more than revenue• The loneliness of entrepreneurship• Why intuition might matter more than external advice• And how to rebuild after hitting the edgeWe also explore:– Founder identity vs personal identity– Why scaling without structure destroys companies– Meditation, self-awareness, and leadership clarity– The real reason entrepreneurs feel empty “while winning”No fluff. No startup clichés. Just the messy truth behind growth.If you’re building, scaling, or recovering - this one’s for you.

Aleksandra went from producing fashion events for Hermès and Stella McCartney to building ABM programs that close 6-7 figure deals at Launchmetrics and Kpler. This conversation gets messy - in the best way.We break down:→ Why 70% of your martech stack is probably useless (and what to keep)→ The #1 reason ABM programs fail when scaling beyond 10 accounts→ What sales teams say they want vs. what actually moves enterprise deals→ Why "personalization" with {company_name} variables is embarrassing→ How to prove marketing attribution without losing your mind→ The counterintuitive role of scarcity in B2B marketing

Building brands today isn’t about bigger ad budgets - it’s about trust.In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Olivia Dumnicka, Founder of SWAI, a UGC and nano-influencer agency helping brands like Booksy, Weleda OnePiece, Liferando, and others grow through creator-led marketing that actually converts.Before founding SWAI, Olivia worked across early-stage tech startups in London and Berlin, leading influencer and social strategies during high-growth phases. What she learned changed how she thinks about branding forever.We get into: • Why user-generated content is replacing traditional ads • Why most brands get influencer marketing completely wrong • How nano and micro creators outperform big influencers • The difference between content that looks good vs content that drives sales • Why TikTok is quietly becoming a search engine • How to build community-led growth without burning cash • The ugly truths about the creator economy no one talks about

Rashel Hariri has seen growth from every angle - McDonald's, Shopify, and now dozens of early-stage startups as a fractional CMO. In this episode, she breaks down why most go-to-market strategies fall apart, what founders get wrong about marketing vs. sales, and when spending money on ads is actually a waste.What we cover:

Why big corporations are just startups in disguise (even McDonald's)
The most common mistake seed-stage founders make with their first $100K
How to tell if your GTM problem is sales, marketing, or something else entirely
Why fractional full-time CMO for early-stage companies (and when that changes)
The one thing that has the biggest ripple effect on everything else in your marketing
Why AI slop is killing your content (and what to do about it)
Product-market fit from a marketing lens (not a product lens)
How to build a growth engine that converts without burning cash

Anna Jagiello went from doing spam control at OLX in Argentina to becoming Head of Product at Surfer, an SEO tool competing with giants like Ahrefs and SEMrush. In this episode, we break down:→ How SEO experience gives product managers an unfair advantage→ The process of building enterprise products from scratch (starting with squatting in a Barcelona clinic for a week)→ Why she reduced churn by 25% at DocPlanner and how she did it→ The real difference between B2B and B2C product management→ Why she famously refuses to give deadlines to sales and marketing teams→ How to do customer discovery that actually works (hint: watch, don't just ask)→ Why SEO isn't dying despite AI (and why AI search still needs SEO)→ How to know when AI adds value vs. when it's just AI for AI's sake→ What most product managers get wrong (spoiler: shipping isn't the end)→ Why AB testing fails for most teams and what makes a good AB testAnna has built products across marketplaces (OLX), health tech (DocPlanner), and SaaS (Surfer). She's worked B2B, B2C, and the messy hybrid of B2B2C. And she's achieved 140% year-over-year bookings growth through ruthless prioritization and customer obsession.If you're a product manager, founder, or anyone building products, this conversation is packed with tactical insights you can use immediately.

Kris Palucki did the full loop most startup people dream about: VC → Operator → Founder → back to VC.He started as an Investment Director at OTB Ventures (one of CEE's top VCs), left to become a Product Manager at Contractbook (Google-backed CLM platform), co-founded Owlright (an AI documentation agent), and is now back at OTB as Investment Director.In this episode, we break down:→ Why asking engineers for feedback killed his first startup idea (spoiler: Lovable proved him wrong)→ The biggest problem with scaling companies that VCs don't see (hint: it's not communication)→ When to take VC money vs. bootstrap (and why inbound offers can be a trap)→ Product-led vs. sales-led: How to know which motion your idea needs→ What PMs need to know before breaking into VC→ Why company culture isn't a buzzword (and how ESOP actually works in Poland)

Piotr Kacała is the former CTO & Board Member at Displate, and now founder of Product Cards and AI Product Heroes. With 20 years building world-class engineering teams, he's seen what works and what destroys great teams.In this episode, we discuss:

Why telling engineers what to build kills innovation (and what to do instead)
The 3 team sizes where everything breaks (10, 50, 150)
How Polish tech companies get product development wrong
Why founders wait too long to fire under performers
The real cost of leadership (mental health, loneliness, stress)
How to scale yourself as a leader without burning out
Why AI won't replace your engineering team (but will change everything)

In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Marta Rzymek, Head of Sales at Brand24, to unpack what real sales leadership looks like after nearly 20 years in the trenches.We talk about: • Growing from individual contributor to Head of Sales inside the same company • Why great salespeople can’t sell just anything • Product quality vs people: what really matters more • Remote work, team sensitivity, and modern sales leadership • How AI is actually being used in sales (and what’s just noise) • Why losing deals is part of winning long-termNo buzzwords. No fake growth hacks. Just honest conversations about sales, leadership, and building teams that actually work.

Patricia Serafin-Wynne has scaled teams from 5 to 200+ people THREE separate times - at NetGuru, Money Boomerang, and Publicis. In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on what actually happens when you're growing that fast (spoiler: it's chaos).We cover:

Why onboarding breaks when you scale fast (and how to fix it)
The moment trust stops working and processes take over
Building a 150-person operational hub across 3 countries in 3 MONTHS
Managing crypto projects during the 2019-2023 bull market (without knowing anything about crypto)
Why people leave managers, not jobs
When AI automation actually makes sense (hint: earlier than you think)
The hardest part of leading teams through pivots
Why "burnout is NOT a leadership badge"
4+ years at NetGuru managing crypto/FinTech projects
Scaled teams 5→200 people (3x)
Built 150-person hub across 3 countries in 3 months (Publicis)
Managed $5M+ advertising budgets
Co-founder of Shift and Pause
Operations expert for fast-growing companies

In this episode of Messy Growth, I sit down with Aleksandra Korczynksa, one of Poland's most experienced B2B SaaS marketing leaders and current CMO at Survicate.Ola shares her unconventional career move: stepping down from managing a 40+ person marketing team and $10M budget at GetResponse to become hands-on at an early-stage startup. We dig into why senior leaders should embrace "stepping down," how to build scalable marketing engines, and what actually works in 2025.🎯 WHAT WE COVER:

Why she left GetResponse after 5 years as CMO
How to decide between PLG vs Sales-Led motion (and when to use hybrid)
The truth about attribution models (spoiler: stop overcomplicating it)
Hiring for sense of ownership (and how to check it in 30 mins)
Why Reddit won't save your GTM strategy
Launching Uber Eats in Poland from zero
Going international as a Polish B2B SaaS company
The coordination tax of managing large teams
How AI is changing marketing roles (and why technical skills matter more than ever)

Ewelina Chrzanowska started as a CSM at Codewise, led a team of 16 across EMEA at Splunk, and now manages three teams (support, tech support, CSMs) at Edrone while training Polish CS managers through CS for Poland School.In this conversation, we break down:→ The biggest misconception about customer success (hint: it's not just tech support or sales catch-all)→ How to build a CS team from zero (and why hiring right is more important than perfect processes)→ The one trait every great CSM needs (open-mindedness and handling hard situations)→ When to implement customer success at your company (before churn alerts become a crisis)→ Do QBRs actually work? (Only if you do them right)→ How she improved renewal rates by 10% in one year (the exact process)→ Managing CS across EMEA: different languages, cultures, and customer needs→ Why metrics aren't everything (and the worst advice in CS)→ Should CSMs handle renewals and expansions or just retention?→ Will customer success exist in 15 years or get absorbed back into sales?→ How AI/LLMs are actually helping CS teams (not replacing them)Ewelina went from studying tourism and leisure to building customer success teams at fast-growing startups and global enterprises. She's managed teams from 16 people across EMEA to now leading three different functions (support, tech support, CSMs) at Edrone.If you're a founder trying to reduce churn, a CS leader building a team, or a CSM trying to level up, this conversation is packed with tactical insights from someone who's built CS functions multiple times at different scales.

Ewelina Chrzanowska started as a CSM at Codewise, led a team of 16 across EMEA at Splunk, and now manages three teams (support, tech support, CSMs) at Edrone while training Polish CS managers through CS for Poland School.In this conversation, we break down:→ The biggest misconception about customer success (hint: it's not just tech support or sales catch-all)→ How to build a CS team from zero (and why hiring right is more important than perfect processes)→ The one trait every great CSM needs (open-mindedness and handling hard situations)→ When to implement customer success at your company (before churn alerts become a crisis)→ Do QBRs actually work? (Only if you do them right)→ How she improved renewal rates by 10% in one year (the exact process)→ Managing CS across EMEA: different languages, cultures, and customer needs→ Why metrics aren't everything (and the worst advice in CS)→ Should CSMs handle renewals and expansions or just retention?→ Will customer success exist in 15 years or get absorbed back into sales?→ How AI/LLMs are actually helping CS teams (not replacing them)Ewelina went from studying tourism and leisure to building customer success teams at fast-growing startups and global enterprises. She's managed teams from 16 people across EMEA to now leading three different functions (support, tech support, CSMs) at Edrone.If you're a founder trying to reduce churn, a CS leader building a team, or a CSM trying to level up, this conversation is packed with tactical insights from someone who's built CS functions multiple times at different scales.

Most SaaS companies are at "zero level proficiency" in pricing - and it's costing them at least 10% in untapped revenue.Krzysztof Szyszkiewicz, co-founder of Value Ships and former McKinsey pricing strategist, breaks down the three massive revenue leaks killing SaaS growth:- Discounting disasters - One company was leaking $2.4M ARR from grandfathered pricing alone- Underpricing epidemic - 95% of companies increase prices after proper analysis- Broken packaging - Features people want ≠ features they'll pay forThe counterintuitive truth? Discounted customers churn FASTER than full-price customers. They're cost-sensitive deal-hunters, not loyal users.🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:- Why dynamic pricing fails in SaaS (but works for marketplaces)- The escalation ladder framework to stop discount bleeding- How to price for growth vs. profitability vs. retention- Internal data + competitive data + prospective user research = optimal pricing model- Why 15% discounts require selling 66% more units to hit the same margin

Abby Hehemann spent over a decade building her career in Poland, climbing from customer support to Global Marketing Officer at GetResponse. Then she left. Twice.In this raw conversation, Abby breaks down what it actually takes to stay somewhere for 12 years, why she walked away from a CMO role, and what she learned about loyalty, burnout, and knowing when it's time to move on.We talk about:✅ The hidden cost of attaching your identity to your job✅ Why product marketing is about asking the right questions—not more features✅ How to differentiate in a crowded market (hint: talk to your best customers)✅ The hard truth about transitioning from IC to director✅ Why "career suicide" is better than "suicide by career"✅ What it's really like building a career abroad as an immigrant✅ How to recognize burnout before it's too lateIf you've ever felt stuck in a role, burned out from climbing the ladder, or wondered if loyalty is actually hurting your career, this episode is for you.

Anna Zarudzka runs Boldare, a 100-person digital product company in Poland that's built 300+ products and operates without traditional managers.But she didn't start in tech. She started in jazz, painting, and TV production at Poland's biggest channels.In 2008, she left a dying industry (TV) to co-found what became Boldare. They scaled to 200 people using Holacracy (no hierarchy, no bosses), then intentionally scaled back to 100.Why? Because fast growth broke their leadership, killed operational excellence, and turned the company into something they didn't recognize.In this conversation, Anna breaks down:→ Why she chose client services over building a SaaS unicorn (and why most founders are chasing the wrong thing)→ How Holacracy actually works at scale (and where it broke)→ What it's like to fire 100 people (and why she still doesn't sleep well)→ Why "being at the top" is a myth that keeps you stuck→ How her chaotic creative background (film, jazz, law) prepared her to run a tech company→ The difference between strategy that works on slides vs. strategy that survives reality→ Why she co-founded a democratic elementary school where kids vote on budgetsWe also talked about:✅ Co-CEO dynamics (sharing power without killing each other)✅ Why most Polish tech talent stays in smaller cities (not Warsaw)✅ The worst project disasters and what they taught her✅ How to compete with massive outsourcing shops (EPAM, Soft Serve) with only 100 people✅ Why "top of the mountain" thinking will burn you outIf you've ever felt like you need to build a unicorn to matter, or wondered what leadership looks like without traditional hierarchy, this one's for you.

Mateusz Zalubski left Google to join FlixBus (a bus company), co-founded and sold an e-commerce business, became CMO at Incogni (a privacy tech company), and won CMO of the Year 2024.In this conversation, we break down:→ Why he left Google to work for a bus company (and what he learned about brutal markets)→ The real difference between CMOs who drive revenue vs those who just run campaigns→ Why big corporations aren't doing marketing "wrong" (controversial take)→ How to market products people need but don't want to think about (privacy tech)→ The 3 biggest mistakes marketing leaders make when building teams→ Why he refuses to pretend he knows everything (and why that makes him better)→ How to market a product in 50+ countries simultaneously→ Why entrepreneurship is 10x harder than being a CMO at a scale-up→ The importance of feedback (and why most leaders screw it up)→ What he looks for when hiring marketers (hint: it's not experience)Mateusz has built marketing teams at Google, FlixBus, Supersonic, and now leads growth at Incogni, part of Surfshark (a company serving millions of users globally). He's also did an Executive MBA at Kozminski while being a full-time CMO (because he's apparently a masochist).If you're a marketer, founder, or anyone trying to build a marketing engine that actually drives revenue, this conversation is packed with tactical insights from someone who's done it at scale.

Agata Krzysztofik spent 7 years at Google shaping community strategy and scaling global platforms, then became VP of Growth at multiple high-growth startups (Piktochart, SimScale, Demodesk), and now runs Growth52 - an agency helping B2B SaaS companies fix their Google Ads and hit profitable growth in 90 days.In this conversation, we break down:→ The exact 90-day process she uses to achieve solid ROAS and healthy LTV:CAC ratios→ Why most agencies focus on MQLs instead of revenue (and why that's killing your growth)→ The 3-part audit she runs before touching a single campaign (conversion economics, funnel leakage, messaging)→ The real difference between good OKRs and bullsh*t OKRs (most companies get this wrong)→ Why Google Ads fail for B2B SaaS (and how to fix broken conversion tracking)→ How to transition from founder-led sales to sales-led motion without breaking everything→ PLG vs Sales-Led: which growth engine to build and when→ Why she burned out as a VP and started her own agency (and why she's never going back)→ How to prevent CAC inflation when scaling paid channels→ What channels to bet on if you're starting a B2B SaaS company todayAgata has rebuilt marketing organizations, doubled sales performance, and driven radical improvements in conversion and retention across multiple startups. She's also a Growth52 mentor and helps subscription businesses (B2B SaaS and B2C) scale profitably with Google Ads.If you're a founder, marketer, or growth leader trying to build a marketing engine that actually drives revenue (not just vanity metrics), this conversation is packed with tactical frameworks you can implement immediately.

Most career advice tells you to "follow your passion" or "network more." Sylwia Masłowska actually did the work, she went from BNP Paribas and Thomson Reuters (corporate) to Netguru and 10Clouds (tech startups), managed $40M revenue divisions, built customer success teams from scratch, and led operations teams of 100+ people.Sylwia is the CSO at Polcode and she also runs Shift & Pause, a consultancy helping people navigate the messy parts of career transitions: getting laid off, pivoting industries, and figuring out what's next when the path isn't clear.In this conversation, we cover:→ Why she left corporate for tech (and how she knew it was the right time)→ The biggest difference between corporate and startups (it's not what you think)→ The #1 mistake people make when trying to pivot careers (spoiler: they focus on titles, not skills)→ How to convince employers you're qualified when you don't have "relevant experience"→ Why fractional executive roles are exploding (20% annual growth) and if it's real or rebranded consulting→ The messiest period in her career (and what it taught her)→ Why working the hardest doesn't mean you'll succeed (and what actually does)→ How to balance conflicting interests when running a $40M division→ The growth play that completely flopped (cold outbound, and why it never really worked)→ Why companies focus on the wrong metrics (growth vs. retention)→ Her advice to her younger self: "You've got this. You can do it."KEY TAKEAWAYS:1. Skills are transferable - focus on what you're good at, not the next title2. Career paths aren't ladders- they're messy, non-linear, and that's okay3. Working smart beats working hard - sustainable success requires boundaries4. The best time to pivot is when you have enough experience to transfer but not so much that you're stuck5. Retention metrics matter more than growth metrics (but companies forget this)

Most founders struggle to build one thing at a time. Paulina Walkowiak built a UX analytics company while being pregnant, raising two kids, and moving between Berlin, Poland, Madeira, and Lisbon.She's the CEO of CUX.io - a tool helping e-commerce companies eliminate conversion blockers. She's competed against giants like Hotjar and Mixpanel for 6+ years, survived near-failures, hired too fast after investment, and figured out that consultancy beats pure SaaS for her business model.In this conversation, we talk about:-Why she embraces being called a "mompreneur" (and why most women hate it)-How she works while breastfeeding on client calls

What big companies get wrong about UX despite having all the data
Why corporate stability is an illusion
The moment she realized she had everything she wanted but wasn't happy
Why freelancing might've been the better path

This isn't a textbook success story. It's messy, honest, and real.If you're building something while life is happening around you - this one's for you.

Most people think you need to job hop every 18 months to climb the ladder in tech. Margaret Sikora proved them wrong.She started at Woodpecker in 2017 as a junior customer success agent answering support tickets. Eight years later, she's the CEO. Same company. No shortcuts.Junior CS → Customer Success Officer → Head of Support → Head of Product → COO → CEO.She didn't parachute in from Google. She didn't get an MBA. She just kept proving she could do the next thing. Oh, and she got a PhD in law along the way (which she admits was mostly pointless).This is the most honest conversation I've had about what it actually takes to go from entry-level to CEO in B2B SaaS.

Most people think you need to job hop every 18 months to climb the ladder in tech. Margaret Sikora proved them wrong.She started at Woodpecker in 2017 as a junior customer success agent answering support tickets. Eight years later, she's the CEO. Same company. No shortcuts.Junior CS → Customer Success Officer → Head of Support → Head of Product → COO → CEO.She didn't parachute in from Google. She didn't get an MBA. She just kept proving she could do the next thing. Oh, and she got a PhD in law along the way (which she admits was mostly pointless).This is the most honest conversation I've had about what it actually takes to go from entry-level to CEO in B2B SaaS.WHAT WE COVER:- Why most customer success people burn out (and how she avoided it)- The exact moment she realized she could transition from CS to Product- How to manage people who used to be your peers without it getting weird- Why she got a PhD while scaling to CEO (spoiler: prestige is fake)- The hardest decision she made as CEO (withdrawing products her team built)- Is it actually lonely at the top? Her honest answer- Why "follow your passion" is garbage advice (discipline beats motivation)- The one skill every CEO needs that no one talks about- How Woodpecker competes in a crowded cold email market (Lemlist, -Instantly, Smartlead)- Her take on whether cold emailing is dead in 2025- What changes when you become CEO (and what doesn't)- How she avoids burnout as CEO (or doesn't - her answer surprised me)If you're in customer success, product, sales, or any GTM role and you're wondering how to build a real career without job hopping every year, this is for you.Margaret doesn't do corporate speak. She's brutally honest about imposter syndrome, making decisions that piss people off, and why being CEO is exhausting but worth it.

Most founders raise VC money and stay on the treadmill. Raise. Burn. Grow. Repeat.Maciej Sawicki did something different.After raising $4M and scaling inStreamly to 150,000 streamers (working with Samsung, Disney, PlayStation), he had 10 months of runway left and two choices: collapse or pivot to profitability.He chose profit.Now inStreamly is fully remote, fully profitable, and fully independent. No more VC treadmill.Maciej's been in gaming for 20+ years. Co-founded Headshot TV in 2005 (streaming esports before Twitch existed), hosted Polish esports shows with 500K+ viewers, and understands the gaming industry better than most VCs ever will.In this conversation, we talk about:Why he stopped chasing growth when the money ran outHow to run truly async teams (not fake "remote-first")Why most brands still don't understand the gaming marketThe biggest myth about remote workWhy working 12 hours a day is a terrible ideaWhat VCs actually bring to the table (spoiler: not much)Why your company should always be for saleThis isn't about unicorns or exits. It's about building something sustainable while staying sane.If you're tired of the growth-at-all-costs narrative, this one's for you.

Abram built Natu.Care from nothing into one of Poland’s fastest-growing premium supplement brands — 75,000 customers and 5× growth in 2024 — while previously architecting product & AI transformations for platforms serving 900K+ users. In this episode of Messy Growth we go deep on:• How to win trust in a scam-filled category (transparency, lab tests, customer feedback loops)• Building product-led growth that scales — SEO, experimentation and influencer playbooks• Running multiple high-impact products without burning out (systems, energy, hiring)• How to set up autonomous teams and a 40%+ experiment success culture• Practical AI automation: where to start and what to avoidIf you’re building products, running GTM, or scaling teams — this is for you. Abram is a builder’s builder: CTO, CPO and founder who turns chaos into systems.

In this episode of Messy Growth, I talk to Natalia Slota — founder of Apricot and former growth lead at high-velocity startups — about building real growth when you don’t have infinite budget.We cover founder-side hustles that teach better marketing, how to pick channels for $2M ARR B2B companies, aligning sales + marketing, product-market fit, and why humans still beat AI when it comes to real strategy.What we cover • Why launching a side hustle (and killing it) teaches better GTM. • The two channels Natalia would pick for a $2M ARR B2B company — and why email + LinkedIn still win. • How to align sales & marketing for enterprise GTM (it’s more about tribes than tools). • Product–market fit: how to test before you build. • Hiring & culture: what to look for when scaling agency delivery. • Practical founder advice: take calculated risks, talk to people, and protect your sanity.Natalia's approach isn't about following playbooks or copying competitors. It's about understanding your ICP's real problems, creating genuine value (not just content), and building relationships that actually convert - even if attribution models can't track them.If you're tired of marketing tactics that sound good in theory but fail in practice, this conversation is for you.

Justyna Dzikowska is the Head of Marketing at Brand24, where she drives 70,000 unique visitors per month through organic content, SEO, partnerships, and product marketing. With over 10 years in B2B SaaS marketing, she's worked with companies like Packhelp, Devantly, PProjects, and Ogilvy.In this conversation, we dig into:Why most B2B companies waste marketing budget on the wrong metricsHow Brand24 built a Domain Rating of 80 (and it's not just SEO)The real difference between content that gets traffic vs. content that diesWhy "pick one channel" advice is killing your growthHow to manage creative teams without burning them outThe truth about AI-generated content (and when it's actually useful)What makes a good marketer in 2025 (hint: it's not what you think)

Most teams have one of two problems: either they're psychologically safe but nothing gets done, or they're high-performing but people are miserable.Susanna Romantsova says you can have both and she's built the framework to prove it.Susanna is a Certified Psychological Safety Expert, TEDx Speaker, Forbes 30 Under 30, and Founder of Zespołowo. She spent 12+ years building high-performing cultures—including as the DEI Leader at IKEA—and now works with companies like Deloitte, Zeiss, ING, DHL, and Puma.Her approach? The Safe Challenger Method™ teaching leaders to balance trust with challenge so teams deliver sustained results without burning out.In this conversation, we break down:→ What psychological safety actually means (and what it's not)→ Why silence is the biggest indicator of low psychological safety→ How small behaviors destroy trust (like sending Slack messages at 11 PM)→ The difference between "How are you?" and "How are you REALLY?"→ Why 70% of team performance depends on the leader→ How to give feedback that amplifies potential instead of destroying confidence→ What made IKEA's DEI strategy actually work (not just a checkbox)→ Why inclusive teams are uncomfortable and that's the point→ The one thing founders can do this week to build psychological safety→ Why perfectionism is a defense mechanism (not a strength)If you're a founder, operator, or leader building teams this conversation will change how you think about performance, culture, and what it actually takes to get the best out of people.

Greg Gorzynski generated 5,700 users and 11,000+ leads PRE-PRODUCT as CMO at GoodSalary. Now he's a Product Manager at Sprout Social, working on growth and user activation.In this episode, we talk about:→ How he got 11K leads before having a real product (and why he wasn't happy with it)→ Why he tested 11 marketing channels and which 2 actually worked→ Why marketers need to be analytical, not creative (controversial take)→ The real reason 85%+ of users sign up and never come back→ Why consulting burned him out vs. being in-house→ What founders get wrong about "growth hacking"→ Why Poland's tech ecosystem needs to stop being humbleGreg's been a consultant, CMO, and now leads product growth at a major SaaS company. He's lived in 7+ countries as a digital nomad and has worked across multiple B2B SaaS companies in Poland and the UK.If you're building a B2B SaaS company and trying to figure out which marketing channels actually work—this conversation is for you.

Maciej Wróblewski spent 14 years in B2B marketing. He did growth at Skyscanner, built Prowly's marketing for almost 5 years before Semrush acquired them, and now leads marketing for a PR tech company competing globally.In this conversation, we talk about:→ Why he left Skyscanner in October 2019 (5 months before COVID destroyed travel)→ What actually works in B2B marketing in 2025 vs. 5 years ago→ Why micro-influencer marketing beats traditional PR for B2B→ GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): the new SEO for AI/LLMs→ How to track your brand visibility in ChatGPT and Claude (prompt tracking, not keywords)→ Why events are the first thing you should kill (and what to double down on instead)→ How Prowly competes with 500+ survey tools without spending on Google Ads→ The US market myth: why relationship-building matters more than speed→ Hiring for chemistry vs. experience (and why he chose the less experienced candidate)→ The micromanagement trap: how he went from blocker to enabler→ T-shaped marketers: what they are and why you need them→ Is AI replacing marketers? (Spoiler: no, but here's what's changing)→ Why brand marketing isn't fluffy BS (and the metrics that prove it)→ What's changed in Poland's tech scene over 14 years→ The burnout moment that almost broke him (and what he learned)

Kamil Rejent built Survicate from zero to $4.2M ARR over 12 years. No overnight success. No unicorn story. Just 12 years of grinding, pivoting, and not quitting.In this conversation, we talk about:→ Why most startups die by year 3 (and what kept him going for 12)→ The two forces that drive founders: ambition and fear of failure→ How Survicate competes with Typeform, SurveyMonkey, and 500+ other survey tools from Warsaw→ Why they don't spend on Google Ads (and what they do instead)→ The biggest pivots: website engagement tool → customer surveys → customer feedback platform→ The investor who challenged him to pick one use case (and changed everything)→ AI's impact on surveys (and why surveys aren't going away)→ Why vibe coding isn't the silver bullet everyone thought (Kamil tried it, gave up after 2 days)→ What changed in Poland's tech scene over 12 years (and what's still broken)→ The worst part about being a CEO (hint: it's not glamorous)→ Why "slow and steady" isn't their strategy (even though it looks that way from the outside)→ The one quality he looks for when hiring: curiosity→ Why growing ambitious goals every year matters (even if you never hit them)Kamil raised VC money but didn't follow the "grow at all costs" playbook. He built sustainably, competed scrappily, and never quit.The result? One of Poland's most respected B2B SaaS companies.This isn't the polished LinkedIn version. This is what 12 years of building actually looks like.

$98 billion spent on sales training annually. 85-90% fails within 120 days. I scaled Hubstaff $4M→$31M with almost zero external training.

In this episode, I break down why most sales training is expensive theater and what actually works instead. The problem isn't lack of skills. It's broken systems.

Your reps don't need Challenger Sales. They need a CRM that works, lead routing that's fast, and processes they can actually follow.

Fix your system first. Then train for specific gaps.

salestraining #b2bsales #saas

Michal Sadowski built Brand24 into a company used by thousands of businesses across 154 countries. He has 136K Instagram followers, 34K YouTube subscribers, won multiple awards, and exited at a $100M valuation.And he cares way less about all of it now than he did 5 years ago.In this conversation, we talk about:→ The anxiety of chasing social media validation and why he stopped→ What actually happened after "making it" (spoiler: floor mats for his Volkswagen)→ His biggest lesson for his kids: be kind and open (and why that's not bullshit)→ The business coaching grifters he wants to expose→ Why calling yourself a "millionaire" is a red flag→ What 20 years of failed businesses taught him before Brand24 worked→ Why his kids don't dream about cars or housesThis isn't the polished success story. It's the real one.

Mick Griffin is Chief Growth Officer at Traffit, former CRO at Brand24, and founder of Pipeline Summit. He started as a professional rugby player in the UK before transitioning to sales and building some of Poland's most successful tech companies.In this conversation, Mick shares how culture, adaptability, and being willing to do things differently have defined his career - and why these principles matter more than ever in 2025.

Jakub Tutaj is a Senior Growth Product Manager at Mixmax with over 15 years in product management. He spent 8+ years at Zendesk (rising to Principal PM), was COO at Vocabla (growing to 400K users with $0 marketing budget), and now runs a Polish product management podcast.In this conversation, we discuss:Key Topics:- How he grew Vocabla to 400K users without spending on marketing [03:45]- The difference between traditional PM and Growth PM work [12:20]- Why most SaaS founders hire sales reps too early [25:30]- AI's impact on product management roles (and what won't be replaced) [38:15]- Building product in Poland vs. the global market [51:00]- Career advice for aspiring product managers [1:02:30]

Barbara Derkowska (Fractional CMO) and Wiktor Sobolak (Head of Product at Text) join me to talk about building Warsaw's best growth meetup from a small group of friends to a must-attend tech event.

We cover:

How they created a community-first event that actually delivers value (not another networking circus)
Whether university still matters in 2025 - and what you should focus on instead
The reality of leadership: why it's lonelier than people think and how to not burn out being everyone's umbrella
Following your energy instead of your passion
Why "good products sell themselves" is complete BS

Two people who actually build things instead of just talking about them. No fluff, no guru nonsense - just real experience from the trenches.

LinkedIn will have you believe sales has been reinvented every other week, new frameworks, AI hacks, hustle porn at 4 a.m. But here’s the truth: sales hasn’t changed.

In this episode, I cut through the noise and share why the basics still win. You’ll hear:

Why flashy tactics and shortcuts don’t close deals
The “boring” fundamentals that actually move the needle
How trust beats tricks
Why the hardest part of sales isn’t the pitch, it’s the unsexy, consistent work

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the noise, this is your reminder: block it out, stick to the fundamentals, and execute relentlessly.

Everyone's rushing to build AI products. The logic seems simple: add GPT, ship fast, watch the money roll in. Except it's not rolling in.

In this episode, I break down why AI products still need to be sold and marketed - and why founders are failing because they've forgotten this basic truth.

We cover the instant gratification trap that AI tools created, the race to the bottom in search rankings, why headline ARR numbers from companies like Lovable and ElevenLabs are misleading, and the GTM blindspot that's killing good products.

Most startups fail. With AI, your margins are even lower and the impatience is higher. If you're building an AI product, this episode will save you months of wasted time.

The old rules still apply: better distribution wins.

In 2012, I applied to 400 companies in one month and got zero responses. I was 18, broke, and picking blueberries just to pay rent. Eventually, one company gave me a shot and it changed everything.

Fast forward to today: the job application game has completely changed. Remote work means you're competing with the entire world, not just your city. Recruiters are drowning in applications, and your resume gets 30 seconds if you're lucky.

In this episode, I break down why the traditional "apply and pray" approach doesn't work anymore and what you should do instead to actually get interviews.

If you're applying for sales roles (or any role for that matter) and hearing crickets, this one's for you.

Hiring a Customer Success Manager (CSM) is crucial for ensuring customer satisfaction, retention, and growth of your current customer base. Without a healthy state of your current revenue, you will not be able to maximize the impact that your TOFU (Top of the funnel activities) will have to your bottomline. Which is why hiring for this role is crucial for success of your business.

For a while now, I have been trying to find the best way to gauge the performance of my CSMs (Customer Success Managers). It started off with NRR (Net Revenue Retention) being the north star through which I could see how my team is performing.

Followed up by, emails sent, meetings done, calls answered, tickets resolved, so and so forth, the list is almost never ending.

Until I found GRR.

Alright, so what is RevOps?

The simple way to think about this is to see it as a framework with the goal to align marketing, sales, customer success, and other teams around a common goal - that goal being? Well, to drive sustainable revenue for your business.

Let's dig deeper into this in today's episode.

We all have fallen prey to thinking that if we build out a certain feature, we will get a lot of customers, or retain the current customers we have. Using feature building as a retention tool or a tool to attract new customers cannot be farther away from the truth. Let's dive deeper into it in this episode and what can you do instead.

Typically, companies should start contemplating a customer success team when they have a significant portion of high-value customers, such as when a minority of customers contribute the majority of revenue. My guide on how to go ahead and build that out based on my experience.

If someone were to ask me what takes most of your energy over a course of a month. I would have to say that inter-department communication is right there at the top.

Yes, people. Not the product, not the brand, certainly not your social media presence. It all boils down to people. These are folks that run the marketing campaigns, contact leads, win customers, retain customers, support customers throughout their journey and do everything to ensure that the company they are working at is successful.

Talk to anyone in sales or customer success and they will tell you that looking for a job is not easy. Well, come to think of it, looking for a job for just about any role seems like an excruciating exercise.

You know folks already have a lot to worry about than to go through job post after job post that just adds no value whatsoever. Exhausting... I know.

Yes, you guessed it. The key to ensuring that you are successful as a manager is to ensure that your team is successful. Their work reflects on your work but most importantly it's your job as a manager to make sure that your team is not only happy but also succeeding in their professional goals that they have set. Let's dig in.

I have seen a ton of comp plans over the course of my career. I've seen some really great ones and some really really crappy ones, ha. The one thing all the good compl plans have in common is they are dead simple. Let's dig deeper into a good comp plan.

Tired and trying to keep my myself afloat. Wanted to share some tips that really helped me throughout the pandemic and how you can stay in shape and mentally sharp over this difficult time period.

I'm a huge fan of structured approach when it comes to selling. It helps you to have a blueprint close to you when you are talking to prospects over the phone. Some key questions, pointers can be the difference between you qualifying a lead vs losing a prospect. So having a script can be really handy, let's discuss pros and cons in this episode.

Alright, not trying to be philosophical ha. I do however want to use this episode to talk about persistence and time, both of which are equally important when it comes to how well you sell. Let's dig in.

Should you discount or shouldn't you? Well, it depends who you ask but I do believe there are pros and cons of offering discounts to prospects. Let's dig in to that in this episode.

Yes, the fun stuff. Annual subscriptions are great because not only does it show commitment from customers but its great for your retention numbers. If you're closing high MRR customers, better to push for an annual subscription because chances are the customer does not want to go through the billing process, generating new POs every month. Let's dig deep and discuss both the monthly and annual billing.

Cold outreach, if you haven't already done it (lucky you), you will do it soon enough. Ha. We all reach out to prospects, always a good idea to have a guide handy that you can review before reaching out to prospects. Hoping this episode helps you get further with your outreach.

I hear about metrics all the time, which metrics sales teams should be tracking and keeping an eye on. Metrics help you get a better idea about what works for your team, what was working and how your team is performing in the future. Critical for every sales team to get right.

Hiring and building out your sales team is never easy. In today's episode I wanted to dive deep into what you need to hire sales people and what you need to build out a fully functioning sales team.

Covid was rough, no two ways about it. I was thinking a lot about what exactly we as sales people can do to make sure that we stay sharp on our feet and navigate through these tough times and still be able to hit quotas.

Intro to my podcast. All about sales, closing deals and sprinkling it with my knowledge of customer success and everything in between.

Managing a sales team is not an easy feat. You constantly have to make sure that you're on top of everything your team is doing.

Juggling through numbers, metrics, meetings, and making sure that you're hitting your goals. Yup, quite a lot of work. In this episode, I share some of the things that will help you make sure that your sales team is successful.

Incentives drive sales behaviors. Having a commission structure that's simple and easy-to-scale can increase engagement, quota attainment, and sales performance.

Which is why it's crucial that you nail it when you're creating a commission plan. With a well-planned sales commission structure, you'll attract top employees and retain them. And clearly outlined compensation plans will make it easier for employees to understand expectations and earn their commission.

Think of five salespeople you know. Did you know that at least two of them are likely struggling with their mental health?

Given the times we live in, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about mental health in sales. How we can stay mentally healthy, best practices, and navigate stressful situations effectively.

Ask around, and you will find that all sales managers have a different opinion on using sales scripts.

Some organizations swear by the effectiveness of having their salespeople read a script word-for-word, while others feel strongly that allowing a salesperson to initiate a more natural conversation with his/her customer works better.

I weigh the pros and cons of it in this episode.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my successes and failures in sales. I’ve come to the realization that in many cases it was my salesmanship that won deals. But the actual force behind that has always been my sheer level of persistence, which I consider to be the most important quality a salesperson can possess. Yes, yes, tooting my own horn...

I also talk about why I consider "time" to be a foe for all salespeople.

Offering sales discounts is often controversial. Can it be used as a useful pricing strategy?

Are discounts bad for business? An unequivocal, yes! Let's dig into reasons, why offering discounts is a bad idea and when and where they can come in really handy.

Annual and monthly subscription plans are common in SaaS businesses. Which one should you offer to your clients: annual or monthly subscription plan? Or both? Here are the key differences to help you out.

One of the most daunting tasks in trying to grow a business is finding new clients. Enter cold outreach. It is no longer acceptable to simply call someone up to pitch your business. Email sequences, buying lists, and non-personalized approach is the thing of the past.

For cold outreach to work, you need to let go of the hard sell mentality, adopt a more personalized approach by building relationships with your prospects.

So let's dig into what you should and shouldn't do while reaching out to cold prospects.

Do you want to have more control over your sales performance than before? In this episode, I go through the key metrics that you should be tracking in order to increase your sales productivity.

These metrics help you make quick decisions based on the data instead of waiting for the end of the month reports.

You can’t do it all on your own. So, let's talk about how and when to hire a salesperson and build a sales team. If you do most of the selling for your business, handing over the reins to a new salesperson can be daunting. But when you hire the right salesperson or a team — one you trust; one who gets results — they can help your business grow in unprecedented ways.

These past few months have been really hard on sales folks everywhere. Thought it would be a good idea to talk about how to stay motivated in times like these and also sharing my experience staying motivated day in day out.

A short intro into the podcast, the why behind it all.