Buyer persona template: what to fill in, with B2B and B2C examples
A buyer persona template with 12 fields, made-up B2B and B2C examples, and how to fill it in from real buyers and sales calls instead of guesses.
Founder Story & Growth guides
Guides for founders building a company and an audience. They cover starting a business, finding customers, content and community.
Want a Growth Roadmap for Your Startup?
Book a free 30-minute strategy call and get a tailored growth roadmap for your startup.
Book a Free Strategy Call15 Hook Examples for Better Marketing Content
See 15 practical hook examples for articles, emails, videos, landing pages, webinars, and social posts, with a plain-language explanation of when each one fits.
Conversion Metrics That Help Founders Make Better Growth Decisions
Learn the conversion metrics that help founders define better goals, compare against their own baseline, and connect growth work to lead quality and revenue.
This Plan Ahead Strategy Feels Illegal (But It Works)
I've started 6 businesses and realized the smartest ideas don't win, the ones who plan ahead and build systems for the boring days do. Here is how to build your roadmap.
7 Presentation Techniques Mistakes That Are Costing You Engagement
Stop pitching what you do and start pitching the story. Learn the presentation techniques that helped me land 200+ features and a TEDx talk.
11 Zero Dollar Growth Hacks That Actually Work for Startups (And the Proof They Succeed)
Discover zero dollar growth hacks that actually work for startups. Learn the secrets I used to scale Filteroff to 2M+ video dates without an ad budget.
Community Led Growth Strategy for Startups: The Strategy I Wish I Knew 14 Years Ago
Learn the tactical community led growth strategy for startups that helped me build a 18K user community and exit a video dating app. Real stories, no fluff.
How to Build a Personal Brand on LinkedIn as a Founder
Stop acting like a corporate bot. Learn how to build a LinkedIn brand that drives press, users, and sales by using Zach Schleien’s "Origin Story" framework.
How I Left Johnson & Johnson After 6 Years to Build a Startup
I had a safe corporate career at J&J. Then I quit to build a dating app. Here's why leaving was the best decision I ever made.
How We Scammed the Scammers on Our Dating App
When catfish and scammers invaded Filteroff, we didn't just ban them - we turned their tactics against them. Here's how.
I Turned a First Date Into a Business Plan
On a first date, my future co-founder and I sketched out Filteroff on a napkin. Sometimes the best ideas come from the most unexpected places.
Say Yes to the Recital: Why Personal Challenges Make Better Founders
I signed up for a piano recital as an adult beginner. It was terrifying. It also made me a better founder.
How I Would Grow a Barbershop From Zero to Fully Booked
Most barbershops rely on walk-ins and word of mouth. Here's the exact growth playbook I'd use to fill every chair, every day.
From Zero to 50K Per Month: The One Shift That Changed Everything
I went from $0 to $50K/month in consulting revenue by making one fundamental shift in how I positioned my offer.
Rejection Never Stopped Me. It Saved Me Time.
I've been rejected by investors, journalists, partners, and customers. Every no was a redirect to a better yes.
The Biggest Growth Lever Is Proximity, Not Courses
I've spent thousands on courses and barely used them. The thing that actually changed my trajectory? Being in the room with the right people.
Stop Getting Your Own Leads
If you're still the one prospecting, qualifying, and closing, you don't have a business. You have a job.
Why Every Creator Needs an Email List, Even With 100K Followers
Social media followers are rented. Your email list is owned. Here's why every creator and founder should prioritize email over everything else.
Honor Your Word: The Habit That Separates Founders Who Rise
The most underrated founder skill isn't sales or marketing. It's doing what you said you'd do, every single time.
How to Build a Growth Engine Without a Marketing Team
You don't need a 10-person marketing team to grow. You need one repeatable system. Here's how to build it as a solo founder.
Founder-Led Marketing: Why CEOs Should Own Their Growth
The best growth channels for early-stage companies aren't paid ads or agencies. They're the founder's own voice, story, and network.
How to Outsource Lead Generation Using Upwork
I use Upwork to build my lead generation pipeline. Not for cheap labor - for leverage. Here's exactly how I do it.
How to Build an Online Community From Scratch in 2025
I built 18percent to 18,000 members. Here's the step-by-step playbook for building a thriving online community from zero.
Clubhouse Shoot Your Shot: 16 Lessons From Running the Largest Rooms
I built the largest Shoot Your Shot rooms on Clubhouse with 400+ singles nightly. Here are 16 lessons on community, inclusivity, and audio-first dating.
How to Prepare for a TEDx Talk: My 10-Step Process
Preparing for my TEDx was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I've ever done. Here's the exact 10-step process I used.
Kill Your To-Do List: A 10-Step Productivity Framework
To-do lists create anxiety, not action. Here's a 10-step framework using calendar blocking, email snoozing, and the 80/20 rule to actually get things done.
7 Reasons Every Founder Should Build an Online Community
Communities don't just grow audiences - they create lasting relationships, break down silos, and position you as a connector in your space.
The Best Online Community Platforms in 2019 (Compared)
Choosing the right platform can make or break your community. Here's a comprehensive comparison of Discord, Slack, Mighty Networks, Reddit, and more.
10 Tips for Building a Thriving Slack Community
I've built 2 successful online communities. Most die within weeks. Here are 10 tips that actually work - from acquisition to moderation to engagement.
Why I Hired a $12/Hour Photographer While Traveling Solo in Taiwan
Solo travel doesn't have to mean selfies. I hired a local photographer on Upwork for $12/hour in Taiwan - and it was the best travel decision I've ever made.
How to Balance a Side Hustle With a 9-to-5 (Without Burning Out)
You don't have to quit your job to build something great. Here's how to maintain balance and still make real progress on your side hustle.
18percent: How I Built a Mental Health Community on Slack
After losing a close family friend to mental illness, I built an online community that grew to 18,000+ members and nearly 2 million messages. Here's the story.
7 Ways to Grow Your Business With Google Tag Manager
Google Tag Manager is one of the most underused growth tools. Here are 7 ways I used outbound link tracking to grow my dating site to 20,000 monthly visitors.