We’re championing our SaaStock Founder Members. The leaders and experts building the SaaS companies today that’ll shape our industry and the world of SaaS tomorrow. In this series, we’ll be profiling some of our SFM members who’ve been a part of the membership to help them scale their SaaS. They deserve the spotlight, so let’s get right into it.
Today’s post features Stefan Smulders, a Founder, entrepreneur and SFM member.
1. Who are you and what does your SaaS do?
Stefan Smulders, CEO and Founder at Expandi: one of the safest and most powerful sales automation platforms for outbound Email and Linkedin campaigns globally.
We started from the ground up and bootstrapped our way to $7M ARR with zero paid marketing.
Starting off as “the new kid on the block” we quickly became one of the most popular sales automation platforms globally: building a multi-million dollar company along the way in less than two and a half years.
12.500+ B2B businesses, startups, and marketing agencies worldwide use Expandi. We are backed by a host of A-list clients within our user base – industry leaders, best-selling authors, top sales teams etc.
Basically, we help our customers to get results and supercharge their automated outreach game!
2. When did you start your business? Did you do so alone? Explain why.
I launched Expandi in November 2019, alongside my Technical Co-Founder, Glenn Miseroy. We first met in school, more than 10 years ago. He’s what I like to call a “technical magician”, someone who can take an idea and turn it into reality through sheer skill and technical innovation.
3. As a SaaS founder, what’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your SaaS right now?
Scaling and inviting more ‘A-Players’ to join Expandi.
4. How are you looking to overcome this?
I aim to overcome this by connecting with as many likeminded SaaS Founders as possible, seeking and gaining experience from Founders who have already walked this path.
And to produce consistent valuable content across social channels to share my Founder story at Expandi, building awareness to connect with potential candidates and subject matter experts.
5. If you had a magic wand, what would you change (about your SaaS or externally) to enable faster growth?
Currently in the process of doing this right now…
Recruiting people that are 10 times as clever and knowledgeable as me into Expandi!
6. What one piece of information do you wish you were privy to before starting/ founding your company?
Let your passion guide your culture. Not only do you need to start your business for the right reasons, but you have to be passionate about what you are doing. Passion is what will guide you in building your company’s culture, and it is that culture that will propel your success.
7. As a SaaStock Founder Member, what are the key learnings you’ve gained so far to get you closer to $10MM ARR?
I have felt a great sense of energy and motivation in just my first week as a SaaStock Founder Member! Like I’m a part of something bigger, standing alongside likeminded, growing SaaS entrepreneurs: it feels amazing.
I have lived far too long in my own bubble, I can now see more than ever the importance of engaging with likeminded Founders on the same journey as me.
8. Finally, what do you aspire to become, personally or professionally, within the next 12 months?
I apsire to become a subject matter expert, and public speaker on topics such as LinkedIn Growth strategies and tactics!
If you are looking to achieve success all year round and be put in the spotlight, check out the SaaStock Founder Membership:
A private community of ambitious SaaS founders scaling to $10MM ARR. Get a support network of peers, connect with likeminded founders around the globe, and learn proven strategies from industry experts to help you scale up your SaaS. Apply now.
