technology business

While we've returned from a holiday pause, we're working behind the scenes to create a refreshed show, with new guests and exciting topics. In the meantime, enjoy one of our popular past episodes. Perhaps this is the year to take the plunge and create that app!

You’re not a developer, but you have an innovative idea for a software or maybe a mobile app, now what? How can a non-techie turn a great idea into a viable product without blowing your budget? That’s exactly what Lori Vajda and Nola Boea wanted to know so they sat down with Igor Belagorudsky, Founder and President of Fast CTO. Igor and his team started the company to help people and companies with great software ideas get them built the right way, the first time around.

In this "Greatest Hits" episode, Igor shares his experience, insights and tips so listeners can learn what you need to know about hiring developers, why you don’t want an SOW (statement of work), and how to build a successful tech company.

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Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• Why a poorly executed mobile app or software idea can quickly become a huge bank debt and how you can avoid it.
• The make-or-break steps for finding and hiring the right developer partner to successfully build your app.
• The risky mistake first time startup founders make when coming up with an idea for an app. 
• The 3 reasons you need to treat your app like a business.

Key points Lori and Nola are sharing in this episode:

(5:16.46) While the process of building an app seems pretty straightforward, this one costly mistake often leads non-tech founders to hire the wrong team of developers and programmers. 

(7:48.17) The three primary reasons non-tech entrepreneurs should be wary about signing an SOW and why it usually doesn’t help with getting your idea built.

(11:10.90) Why you don’t want to hire a dev shop that offers project management for free. 

(14:20:20) Before hiring anyone, this is the first thing you should do when considering if your app is worth developing.

(17:12:28) The three main pros and cons of hiring a freelance software developer and hiring a company such as a dev shop.

(19:27:22) The surprising answer to determine whether or not you can tell if a developer is trying to scam you.

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Fast CTO

Email address: igor@fastcto.com

Connect with angel Investor and CEO, Igor Belagorudsky -  Social Links:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igorbelagorudsky/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lookattheigor/?hl=en 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fastcto 

To Get Igor’s two recipes and quote: Sticky Brand Lab Resource Page

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Buy, sell, or grow your tech-enabled services firm with Revenue Rocket. 

You’re not a developer, but you have an innovative idea for a software or maybe a mobile app, now what? How can a non-techie turn a great idea into a viable product without blowing your budget? That’s exactly what Lori Vajda and Nola Boea wanted to know so they sat down with Igor Belagorudsky, Founder and CEO of Fast CTO. Igor and his team started the company to help people and companies with great software ideas get them built the right way, the first time around. In this episode Igor shares his experience, insights and tips so listeners can learn what you need to know about hiring developers, why you don’t want an SOW (statement of work), and how to build a successful tech company.

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• Why a poorly executed mobile app or software idea can quickly become a huge bank debt and how you can avoid it.
• The make-or-break steps for finding and hiring the right developer partner to successfully build your app.
• The risky mistake first time startup founders make when coming up with an idea for an app. 
• The 3 reasons you need to treat your app like a business.

Hire a reputable app developer. It’s a statement that implies anyone can do so. As Nola and Lori found out, when you’re a non-techie with a great idea, but limited to no experience talking the language of a developer, miscommunication is the fastest way to lose money on app development. As Igor Belagorudsky pointed out, while it’s important to do your research, being knowledgeable about what to look for, what type of developer you need and speaking the language throughout the process to ensure your idea is executed, is quite another.

(5:16.46) While the process of building an app seems pretty straightforward, this one costly mistake often leads non-tech founders to hire the wrong team of developers and programmers. 

(7:48.17) The three primary reasons non-tech entrepreneurs should be wary about signing an SOW and why it usually doesn’t help with getting your idea built.

(11:10.90) Why you don’t want to hire, and should run the other way, a dev shop that offers project management for free. 

(13:06:42) When it comes to technology businesses, men and women have uniquely different approaches. Unfortunately, that difference can also lead more women to get taken advantage of by these scammy dev shops than male on.

(14:20:20) Before hiring anyone, this is the first thing you should do, when considering if your app is worth developing.

(17:12:28) The three main pros and cons of hiring a freelance software developer and hiring a company such as a dev shop.

(19:27:22) The surprising answer to determine whether or not you can tell if a developer is trying to scam you.

Resources 

Subscribe to Lori and Nola's show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Fast CTO

Email address: igor@fastcto.com

Igor Belagorudsky Social Links:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igorbelagorudsky/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lookattheigor/?hl=en 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fastcto  

To Get Igor’s two recipes and quote: Sticky Brand Lab Resource Page

"If you start something for the first time, you're gonna make a lot of mistakes–no matter how much you've studied it and how much you've practiced. But, if you expose yourself to it a few times, you build up some of that knowledge, and then you can apply it.."
– Rand Fishkin, Founder of SparkToro

Join Rand Fishkin and Ben Schneider as they talk about the issues surrounding hiring talents in-house vs. outsourcing, building a cost-efficient business model, and the secret to building a successful startup with only 2 people. The road to success did not come easy for Rand Fishkin–it took hard work, dedication to his craft, and sacrifice. Building a business from scratch is hard even with a team of experts behind you, but Rand persevered despite only having himself and his partner to build SparkToro. Now, SparkToro is worth more than they could ever imagine garnering $1.2 million in investments alone.
 
Episode Notes:

To find out more about Rand Fishkin, click the following links:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website

To learn more about SparkToro's blog,  click here

To find out more about Rand Fishkin's painfully honest field guide to the startup world, "Lost and Founder," click here

Connect with Ben on Instagram and on his website.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @bllpodcastcom

For more information and to explore other episodes, click here.

Email: hello@bllpodcast.com

"Every country has its own opportunity and its own money... Wherever you live, you can earn, if you have an idea and build something new."
- Habib Orya, Marketing Officer of Sky International Insurance

Join Habib Orya and Ben Schneider as they talk about the struggles of entrepreneurship in Afghanistan, creating opportunities in risky situations, and bringing value by addressing a demand. For Habib, starting a business disadvantaged merely means he has to work harder than everybody else. He built his small team with only $100 in 2016, and started the grind of building his business from the ground up. He became brave enough to find security in his challenging environment. From a 3-man team, they gradually grew to 20 people and now has a profitable business in Afghanistan.
 
Episode Notes:

To find out more about Habib Orya, click the following link:

LinkedIn | Website

Connect with Ben on Instagram and on his website.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @bllpodcastcom

For more information and to explore other episodes, click here.
 
Email: hello@bllpodcast.com

"If you start something for the first time, you're gonna make a lot of mistakes–no matter how much you've studied it and how much you've practiced. But, if you expose yourself to it a few times, you build up some of that knowledge, and then you can apply it.."
– Rand Fishkin, Founder of SparkToro

Join Rand Fishkin and Ben Schneider as they talk about the issues surrounding hiring talents in-house vs. outsourcing, building a cost-efficient business model, and the secret to building a successful startup with only 2 people. The road to success did not come easy for Rand Fishkin–it took hard work, dedication to his craft, and sacrifice. Building a business from scratch is hard even with a team of experts behind you, but Rand persevered despite only having himself and his partner to build SparkToro. Now, SparkToro is worth more than they could ever imagine garnering $1.2 million in investments alone.
 
Episode Notes:

To find out more about Rand Fishkin, click the following links:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website

To learn more about SparkToro's blog,  click here

To find out more about Rand Fishkin's painfully honest field guide to the startup world, "Lost and Founder," click here

Connect with Ben on Instagram and on his website.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @bllpodcastcom

For more information and to explore other episodes, click here.

Email: hello@bllpodcast.com

"Every country has its own opportunity and its own money... Wherever you live, you can earn, if you have an idea and build something new."
- Habib Orya, Marketing Officer of Sky International Insurance

Join Habib Orya and Ben Schneider as they talk about the struggles of entrepreneurship in Afghanistan, creating opportunities in risky situations, and bringing value by addressing a demand. For Habib, starting a business disadvantaged merely means he has to work harder than everybody else. He built his small team with only $100 in 2016, and started the grind of building his business from the ground up. He became brave enough to find security in his challenging environment. From a 3-man team, they gradually grew to 20 people and now has a profitable business in Afghanistan.
 
Episode Notes:

To find out more about Habib Orya, click the following link:

LinkedIn | Website

Connect with Ben on Instagram and on his website.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @bllpodcastcom

For more information and to explore other episodes, click here.
 
Email: hello@bllpodcast.com

Alain Cohen's advice for entrepreneurs is simple. His people-first mantra and emphasis on finding the right folks to join his collaborative team have been key in growing his business from the ground up and persevering through tough times. But the kind of exponential growth one can expect to accomplish takes double the amount of effort, time and money. It’s not for the faint-hearted. Alain encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to be super articulate about the ins and outs of your business, what makes it unique and how you provide value. Because with the countless people you’ll meet along your entrepreneurial journey, you never know when a conversation with a stranger turns into a new customer. This techy inventor and serial entrepreneur reveals the most important factors that helped him achieve an elite level of success across several companies.

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