{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Our B2B SaaS Journey","title":"42: Planning our first hire","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2977,"description":"In this episode, Mitchell and Gavin celebrate landing a new client (Project Hammer), read out their latest listener emails, give pragmatic advice on validating SaaS ideas, and unpack what it looks like to plan their first hire - starting with just four hours a week focused on lead generation.ChaptersIn this episode, we cover:Winning a new client and why you should codename early deals (hello, Project Hammer)Prepping for a high-stakes pitch with Project Rendezvous, including scripted intros and mockupsListener emails from Heroly and Nick, and what questions we’d love more people to sendAdvice for developers starting a SaaS - validating ideas with interviews before buildingWhen to start marketing - and why relationships beat “get 1,000 customers” thinkingPlanning the first hire: four hours a week, ROI expectations, and not burning cashCreating lightweight SOPs and documentation so hires don’t fail from vague expectationsThe “Messi effect” - when to sprint and when to cruise to avoid burnoutNext year planning: AIM conference prep, booth “holy shit moments”, banners, and travelThoughts on sales cycle length vs actual effort, and when self-serve might make senseExpect a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to launch a B2B SaaS company from scratch – completely bootstrapped.Got questions or topics you want us to cover? Email us at journey@sixsides.coIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps us reach more people!Connect with usSixSides: sixsides.coBook a call with Gavin: call.sixsides.coMitchell on Bluesky: mitchdav.isMitchell on LinkedIn: mitchdavGavin on LinkedIn: gavintyeGavin on YouTube: gavintye1SixSides on LinkedIn: sixsidesSixSides on X: sixsideseventsSixSides on Bluesky: sixsides.coSixSides on Youtube: sixsidescoSixSides on Substack: sixsides","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/1cLZVTlGmlsF4j4buu4eQfWaeAqCidymYR0UPJ1yzoE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lMzkx/MmExZjgxZmFjY2E4/YjU4MmRkMDY2ZGVj/Yjk0My5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}