In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence open up about the hidden challenges that quietly derail SaaS startups. These issues often go unnoticed until it is too late, and they rarely have anything to do with funding or technology. Instead, the real problems show up in planning, leadership, market understanding, and the founder’s mindset.

Drawing from real stories and years of working closely with founders, they talk about why a strong business model matters, how emotional resilience shapes decision making, and why continuous innovation is a non-negotiable part of building a lasting SaaS product.

If you are building or growing a SaaS startup, this conversation will help you recognize the early signs, avoid common traps, and build with more clarity and confidence.

🎯 Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss

• The real reasons SaaS startups fail behind the scenes
• Why planning and direction matter more than a “unique idea”
• Market validation that actually reflects user demand
• How mindset and emotional resilience shape every decision
• Why branding and differentiation influence traction
• The role of leadership in keeping teams aligned and motivated
• How continuous innovation keeps your product alive

🎧 Listen and Subscribe

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZ
  
  
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192
  
  
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcasts
  
  
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros
  
  

🗂 Topics We Cover

• Why planning and clarity decide how fast startups grow
• What real market validation looks like and why feedback matters
• The emotional side of being a founder and staying resilient
• How branding shapes trust and early adoption
• What a sustainable SaaS business model includes
• How leadership influences team culture and progress
• Why innovation can never stop after launch

💡 Takeaways

• Poor planning and unclear direction quietly kill SaaS startups.
• Founders need a strong, realistic mindset to get through challenges.
• Market validation must come before building, not after.
• Emotional resilience helps founders make better long-term decisions.
• Good branding and differentiation help a product stand out.
• A sustainable business model is essential for long-term success.
• Leadership shapes team motivation, culture, and productivity.
• Continuous innovation keeps your product relevant and competitive.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Silent Killers of SaaS Startups
02:56 The Importance of Planning and Mindset
05:57 Understanding Market Validation and User Feedback
08:56 Navigating Challenges and Emotional Resilience
11:55 The Role of Branding and Differentiation
14:48 Building a Sustainable Business Model
17:38 Leadership and Team Dynamics
20:37 Continuous Innovation and Adaptation
23:55 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence dive into a topic every growing business eventually faces — when to stop patching old systems and start rebuilding from the ground up.

Many organizations cling to outdated software because rebuilding feels risky — too costly, too disruptive, or simply too big to take on. But as Eric and Michael explain, the real cost often lies in holding on. Slow performance, fragile integrations, and technical debt can quietly drain resources and block growth.

Drawing from real client stories and years of experience helping businesses modernize their technology, they unpack how to recognize the warning signs, what an audit should uncover, and how to make the decision to rebuild with clarity and confidence.

If your systems are slowing you down, this conversation will help you see rebuilding not as failure — but as a chance to evolve, scale, and future-proof your business.

🎯 Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss

• Why holding on to outdated systems costs more than rebuilding – 02:10
• The fear of letting go: why companies resist modernization – 03:30
• The three main paths after a system audit (stay, white-label, rebuild) – 07:30
• Real-world examples of outdated tech still running critical operations – 10:45
• The mindset shift every organization needs before a rebuild – 13:58
• How rebuilds boost scalability, team morale, and long-term ROI – 18:12

🎧 Listen and Subscribe

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcasts
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros

🗂 Topics We Cover

• How to tell when your tech is holding your business back
• What a proper system or code audit should include
• The hidden risks of technical debt and patchwork fixes
• Signs your platform is past its prime — and what to do about it
• How to evaluate rebuild vs. rework decisions
• Why mindset and internal alignment are critical before rebuilding
• The long-term benefits of modernization — from scalability to team morale

💡 Takeaways

• Outdated software quietly drains growth and efficiency.
• A rebuild is often the smarter long-term investment.
• Conducting an audit helps you choose the right path — stay, migrate, or rebuild.
• Modern platforms improve not just performance but internal collaboration.
• Rebuilding isn’t about failure; it’s about creating a stronger foundation.
• Mindset alignment across teams is crucial for a smooth rebuild.
• Innovation requires letting go of what no longer serves your business.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Episode Overview
01:38 Why Businesses Hold On to Outdated Software
04:57 The Fear of Rebuilding and What’s Behind It
07:34 The Three Paths After an Audit
10:16 Real Examples of Legacy Systems Holding Back Growth
13:58 The Mindset Shift for Modernization
15:59 Choosing the Right Partner and Internal Stakeholder
18:12 The Long-Term Benefits of a Rebuild
20:44 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, I sit down with my co-host and our Director of Growth, Eric Lawrence, to talk about something that hits home for many founders: what happens after you get funding.

You’d think raising capital is the hard part, but what often follows can be even tougher. So many startups make one critical mistake right after receiving funds: choosing the wrong development partner.

We’ve seen this happen countless times. Founders get the runway, rush into development, skip validation, and end up burning through their budget with little to show for it.

In this conversation, we dig into the emotional and financial cost of poor partnerships, why idea validation before development is essential, and how having funding can create a false sense of security.

I share real experiences from our journey at Imaginovation, where a lack of planning and unrealistic expectations led to unnecessary setbacks.

We also talk about how to approach these situations differently: plan early, document thoroughly, build trust with your team, and stay intentional at every stage. Because in the startup world, success doesn’t come from getting funded. It comes from what you do next.

🎯 Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss

• The emotional and financial impact of poor development choices – 08:58
• Why validation before development can make or break your startup – 06:32
• How proper planning and documentation prevent costly rework – 23:04
• Building a lean MVP that encourages user-driven iteration – 20:13

🎧 Listen and Subscribe

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZ

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcasts

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros

🗂 Topics We Cover

• Navigating post-funding decisions with confidence
• The pitfalls of choosing the wrong development partner
• Why validation should come before development
• Setting realistic expectations with vendors
• The emotional toll of poor partnerships
• How documentation and planning set the foundation for success
• Building a lean MVP and learning from user feedback

Takeaways

• Startups often choose the wrong development partner after funding.
• Having funding can create a false sense of security.
• The emotional toll of poor partnerships can be significant.
• Validation of ideas is crucial before development begins.
• Setting realistic expectations with development partners is key.
• The cost of rework can be devastating for startups.
• Building a lean MVP allows for user feedback and iteration.
• Documentation and planning are essential before starting development.
• Trust between startups and vendors is critical for success.
• Being strategic and intentional can save a startup's future.

Chapters

00:00 The Startup Funding Dilemma
03:41 The Importance of Choosing the Right Development Partner
06:32 Balancing Validation and Development
08:58 The Emotional Toll of Wrong Partnerships
11:49 Realistic Expectations in Development
14:35 The Cost of Rework and Time Loss
17:24 Learning from Past Mistakes
20:13 Building a Lean MVP
23:04 Planning and Documentation Before Development
26:01 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Eric and I dive into something every entrepreneur struggles with at some point: how to choose the right app development partner.

If you’ve ever sat through vendor pitches, you know how overwhelming (and sometimes confusing) the process can be. We talk about spotting the red and green flags when evaluating teams, and why things like transparency, clear communication, and a solid discovery phase make all the difference in building a successful partnership.

We also share a few hard-learned lessons from our years at Imaginovation—like the risks that come with chasing the cheapest option, and why protecting your intellectual property is non-negotiable.

Throughout the episode, we highlight practical ways to cut through the noise: setting clear expectations, keeping communication open, and working with a partner who not only gets your vision but isn’t afraid to challenge your assumptions and give you honest feedback.

Listeners will walk away with insights into what really matters when choosing a development team, including how social proof and credibility can help guide your decision. We encourage entrepreneurs to ask tough questions, trust their instincts, and think beyond the initial build—because real success comes from long-term support and innovation after launch.

Highlights You Won't Want to Miss:

• The pivotal role of transparency and communication in vendor relationships - 10:15
• Key red flags to watch for when selecting a development partner - 22:30
• How a thorough discovery phase can set your project up for success - 35:45

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZ

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcasts

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros

Topics We Cover:

• Navigating the vendor selection maze with confidence
• The power of clear communication and transparency
• Protecting your intellectual property rights
• The pivotal role of the discovery phase in app development
• The importance of social proof and credibility in choosing a partner

In today’s episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Marwan Forzley, who is CEO of Veem.com, a next-generation global B2B payment network that enables a quick and secure way of sending and receiving money. Since its founding in 2014, Veem is backed by Goldman Sachs, Google Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and many many others.

In addition, Marwan is an innovator, visionary and enjoys launching new products in domestic as well as international markets through disruptive tech and global strategies. He is the author of “Small Business in a Big World: A Comprehensive Guide to Doing International Business”.

In this episode, we talk about Marwan’s journey to entrepreneurship and his experience of building a global payment network such as Veem. We talk about how Marwan spotted the gap between SMB and their payment problems, and how Veem disrupted the global payment space.

Don’t Miss:

1. How did Marwan came up with the idea of ‘Veem’ - 4:15

2. What sets a business on the path of success - 17:00

3. What it takes to be a strong business leader - 28:15

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Topics We Discuss:

1. Marwan’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today

2. Marwan talks about how to establish a market fit for a product or service

3. The key factors that set a business for success, from startup to an operating and scaling company

4. Some struggles and obstacles that Veem faced and how you overcame them

5. The future of payment systems and technology

6. Thoughts and advice on how to be a strong business leader

7. Marwan defines his story in ”one-word”

Follow Marwan Forzley

Website: https://www.veem.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marwanforzley

Twitter: https://twitter.com/forzley/

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Dan McGaw, who is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker and CEO of McGaw.io, an analytics and marketing technology consultancy, and also the founder of a SaaS platform called UTM.io.

In addition, he also finds time to be a 500 Startups Mentor, and has previously started the first business accelerator in Orlando. He was previously selected to be a United States Ambassador of Entrepreneurship by the United States Department of State

In this episode, we talk about Dan’s journey to entrepreneurship and his experience of building and growing a tech consultancy. We talk about mistakes businesses make in sales and marketing, and the future of marketing and data.

Don't Miss:

1. What it takes to be an industry leader in marketing space - 7:17

2. Biggest challenges companies face in current times - 13:06

3. KPIs should look for to grow business revenue - 22:10

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Topics We Discuss:

1. Dan’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today

2. What it takes to be an industry leader like McGaw and UTO.io

3. The biggest challenges/problems that companies have and how to overcome them

4. Dan talks about some of the most important data metrics to look for in order to grow in revenue

5. The future of marketing and data

6. Thoughts and advice on what it takes to succeed today

7. Dan defines his story in one-word

Follow Dan McGaw

Website: https://mcgaw.io/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmcgaw/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danielmcgaw

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Anthony Blatner, who is the founder of Speedwork Social, a top LinkedIn Advertising agency. He is known as one of the top LinkedIn ads experts in the industry, having managed millions in ad spend and generating over 100,000 new sales opportunities.

As a previous tech founder and ex-IBMer, he has seen a lot of companies have explosive growth with good technology and good marketing, while others (even though they had a great product or service) fail without effective marketing.

In 2016, this successful entrepreneur started Speedwork to help those companies unlock their B2B marketing potential. By blending his experience in marketing and software, he is able to help businesses reach high-level decision-makers at scale using LinkedIn Ads and technology.

In this episode, we talk about Anthony’s journey to entrepreneurship and his experience of building and growing a B2B LinkedIn advertising agency. We talk about mistakes businesses make in sales and marketing, and the future of LinkedIn.

Don't Miss:

1. Why Anthony chose LinkedIn as a platform for his business - 7:50

2. Mistakes businesses make in their sales and marketing efforts - 20:50

3. Growing an advertising agency with the LinkedIn platform - 35:15

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Topics We Discuss:

1. Anthony’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today

2. Why Anthony started a B2B LinkedIn advertising agency

3. What it takes to really succeed in generating leads from LinkedIn

4. Anthony explains what he is learning while growing and scaling an agency

5. The biggest problems and issues that people make with their sales and marketing efforts

6. The future of LinkedIn and where lead generation is headed in today’s market

7. Some of Anthony’s toughest obstacles and how he overcame them

8. Anthony defines his story in one word

Follow Anthony Blatner

Website: https://speedworksocial.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyblatner/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anthonyblatner

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Rob Charles, who is the Founder and CEO of Goldfingr, a vetted and exclusive social network of business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and influential thought leaders working together and supporting one another for the common good and with intention.

His expertise is exhibited in a long track record of always executing, being an entrepreneur for over 30 years, and investing for over 18 years.

Goldfingr is a modern paradigm of social clubs - a think tank, incubator, and socially conscious business accelerator. They have integrated raising capital, investing, business, the arts, entertainment, and social, adding unbelievable value to their members, with a complete VIP experience

In this episode, we talk about Rob’s journey to entrepreneurship, his experience of building and growing a members-only social club, the startup game in today’s digital age, and what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Don't Miss:

1. The story of Goldfingr and how it is different from other social platforms - 7:51

2. How pandemic has affected the various forms of communication - 15:33

3. Sectors and companies investors are looking to invest in - 24:55

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Topics We Discuss:

1. Rob’s 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐰 he 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡e𝐫𝐞 he 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲

2. What is Goldfingr? How did the idea for Goldfingr begin?

3. Shifting the paradigm of members-only social clubs

4. Rob’s thoughts and advice on the investment and startup game in today’s digital age

5. What it takes to succeed as a startup and entrepreneur

Follow Rob Charles

Website: https://www.goldfingr.net/rob-charles

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-charles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldfingr_official/

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22