Bootstrapped Business with Fexingo · 2026-07-29 · 8 min
In this episode of Bootstrapped Business, Lucas and Luna dive into the story of ConvertKit, the email marketing platform built for creators. Founder Nathan Barry started the company in 2013 with just $10,000 from book royalties and a commitment to never take venture capital. They explore how ConvertKit grew to over 30,000 customers and $30 million in annual recurring revenue without outside funding. The conversation covers Barry's early days as a designer, the decision to focus on a niche audience of bloggers and authors, and the lean growth tactics that fueled the business: content marketing, affiliate partnerships, and obsessive customer service. Lucas and Luna also unpack the trade-offs of bootstrapping, including slower growth and the pressure to stay profitable from day one. Plus, they discuss how ConvertKit's refusal to take VC shaped its product roadmap and company culture. This episode offers concrete lessons for any founder building a sustainable business without investor cash.
Other episodes covering the same guests and topics, from across The B2B Podcast Index.
What Vendors Get Wrong - A Fractional CMO’s Honest Take on MarTech SalesThe MarTech Matrix · on Email Marketing86 / 100
They Broke Their LinkedIn Company Page on Purpose - And It WorkedSocial Media for B2B Growth: LinkedIn Strategy for B2B Marketers · on Creator economy85 / 100
How a Solo Dev Hit 10K MRR With a Product Hunt Launch and Nothing ElseThe Indie Hacker Podcast with Fexingo · on bootstrapped SaaS85 / 100
How Famous Birthdays managed ‘Google Zero’The Rebooting Show · on Creator economy80 / 100
Fun times with Fun Guy: How to create your own category with Phoebe McPherson & George MoultonUncommon Brands · on Email Marketing80 / 100
How To Build A Million Dollar Biller. Danny Cahill.The Elite Recruiter Podcast · on Email Marketing78 / 100
How a Bootstrapped Founder Built a Profitable Niche Forum56 / 100The Bootstrapped Founder Who Refused To Raise MoneyThe Bootstrapped Founder Who Reinvested Every PennyHow a Bootstrapped Foundry Kept Its Edge in a Hot MarketHow a Bootstrapped Coffee Roaster Grew to Ten Million