The Nathan Barry Show

What does it take to grow a SaaS business from $1 million to $5 million annual recurring revenue when your revenue has plateaued? Michael Sliwinski, founder of the productivity app Nozbe, joins Nathan Barry to diagnose the core issues his business faces and map out a clear path forward. Michael, who flew all the way from Europe for this conversation, dives into the challenges of competing in a crowded market, the impact of a product rebuild, and the search for a compelling new positioning. This episode is a masterclass in auditing your business, identifying roadblocks, and strategizing for breakthrough growth, especially for founders navigating a competitive landscape and aiming for their next big milestone.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Michael's journey to Nozbe
02:51 From side hustle to $1 million ARR
04:47 The Japan growth explosion
06:17 Rebuilding Nozbe from scratch
10:14 Competing with industry giants
12:58 Breaking down business metrics and building blocks
19:07 Understanding max MRR and the S-curve
22:42 The flatlining awareness and traffic
25:02 Expansion and multi-seat customers
29:43 Legacy customers on the old vs. new Nozbe
30:52 Strong customer retention and low churn
37:25 Key metrics and dashboard visibility
39:46 Accountability through weekly revenue meetings
42:07 The effectiveness of current content strategies
46:27 Partnership success with a productivity consultant
51:09 Direct sales for partners
53:01 Reframing positioning for growth
56:19 The core promise of Nozbe: The tool teams actually use
59:43 The "boulder pushing" analogy
1:02:18 Strategy for identifying and incentivizing new partners
1:11:34 Tapping into true fans for new partner leads
1:14:57 Michael's reflections and next steps
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.
Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show

Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry
X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com
Kit: https://kit.com/?utm_campaign=29661554-nathan_barry_show&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=nathanbarryshow&utm_content=youtube_description
Follow Michael:
X: https://twitter.com/msliwinski
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelsliwinski
Mastodon: https://social.nozbe.com/@michael
Nozbe: https://nozbe.com
Featured in this episode:
Kit: https://www.kit.com
Nozbe: https://nozbe.com

Highlights:
02:17 – ZDNet feature blew up Nozbe
05:13 – iPad app success in Japan
09:27 – Impact and the $5M goal
11:54 – Customer loyalty despite competitors
22:15 – Demo meetings and their conversion rates
32:27 – Customers prepaid until 2040
57:33 – Why simpler is better for teams

The secret to truly enjoying your work, even in the age of AI? According to serial founder Dan Cumberland, it starts with eliminating friction and leveraging AI to become the creator you've always wanted to be. Most people think AI is just for marketing, or they make critical mistakes by relying on an individual chat's memory. In this episode, Dan dives deep into how high-earning creators and companies can implement human-centered AI systems that don’t just save time, but actually help them connect more deeply with their audience and their own purpose. He shares actionable insights, practical examples, and crucial tips on how to build robust, portable context for your AI, transforming your business from the inside out.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Simplifying email newsletters with AI automation
05:07 Repurposing podcast content for TikTok
09:06 The importance of bottleneck identification in AI workflows
14:53 Context engineering: The foundation of effective AI use
19:12 The benefits of portable AI context
22:04 Crafting context documents for optimal AI output
27:40 Why focusing on AI for operations is key
31:03 Workflow design and the "sous chef" AI analogy
35:28 Breaking down complex tasks for better AI results
39:45 How AI generated content exploded traffic by 5x
42:00 Utilizing Claude's skills and slash commands
44:14 Integrating AI into your development environment with Cursor
50:40 Optimizing idea capture systems with AI
56:45 AI as a sounding board for human connection
1:03:57 Redefining work in the age of AI
1:08:40 Extending products with vibe-coded AI apps
1:12:30 Documenting transformations for killer testimonials
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.
Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show
Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry
X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com
Kit: https://kit.com
Follow Dan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancumberland
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancumberland
Website: https://dancumberlandlabs.com
AI Growth Roundtable: https://aigrowthroundtable.com
The Meaning Movement: https://themeaningmovement.com

Featured in this episode:
Kit: https://www.kit.com
Cursor: https://www.cursor.so
Whisper Flow: https://whisperflow.io
Audio Pen: https://audiopen.ai
Fathom: https://fathom.video
Grain: https://grain.com
Zapier: https://zapier.com

What does it truly take to launch a phenomenon? Most authors dream of hitting the bestseller list, but today's guest, Tim Grahl, flips that goal on its head. He's revealing the counterintuitive truth about enduring book success, explaining why chasing a fleeting "bestseller" title might actually hinder your book's long-term impact. If your vision for your book extends beyond a single week of sales to creating a lasting legacy, this episode is packed with essential strategies. Learn why "readers" trump "sales" and how to engineer word-of-mouth that propels your book for years, not just days. Prepare to redefine what a successful book launch truly means.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:00:51 Book launch definitions and timelines
00:03:34 Redefining "bestselling" beyond the lists
00:08:33 The one thing and Atomic Habits approaches
00:11:35 Tim's three categories for launching a book
00:14:05 Leveraging influencer networks as the biggest lever
00:19:07 Influencer promotion strategies
00:21:09 Getting fans to buy: creating scarcity
00:24:28 The most impactful book bonuses
00:28:55 Getting fans to share (the least impactful strategy)
00:31:11 Why direct advertising isn't profitable for books
00:34:40 The 10,000 reader rule for long-term success
00:42:41 Engineering word of mouth
00:46:28 Getting free copies into the hands of readers
00:50:55 Identifying and reaching relevant tribes
00:52:26 Tim's resources for authors
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.
Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show
Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry
X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com
Kit: https://kit.com
Follow Tim:
Story Grid: https://www.storygrid.com
Book Launch: https://booklaunch.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StoryGrid
X: https://x.com/storygrid
Tim’s latest book: https://www.storygrid.com/product/the-shithead

Featured in this episode:
Kit: https://www.kit.com
The Perennial Bestseller by Ryan Holiday: https://ryanholiday.net/the-perennial-bestseller
The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan: https://www.the1thing.com/the-book
Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield: https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-war-of-art
Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Gatsby-F-Scott-Fitzgerald/dp/0743273567
Tribes by Seth Godin: https://www.sethgodin.com/books/tribes

Highlights:
01:38 – Why a book launch should last two years
05:34 – Selling a high volume doesn't always mean long-term success
13:11 – The 95/5 principle of book marketing
23:06 – The most effective and least effective bonuses
34:40 – The 10,000 reader rule explained
43:19 – Give away as many copies as possible
48:56 – Creative ways to get your book into readers' hands

What does it truly take to operate at the pinnacle of human performance? Justin Su'a, a leading expert in performance psychology, joins Nathan Barry to reveal the mindset shifts and practical tactics employed by professional athletes, elite military units, and top-tier companies like Google and Lululemon. From confronting challenging leaders to navigating the intense pressure of the World Series, Justin shares invaluable lessons on embracing obstacles, seeking critical feedback, and building relationships strong enough to withstand even the harshest truths. If you're striving for excellence, looking to lead more effectively, or simply want to learn how the best in the world maintain their edge, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:18 Challenging a Military Leader's Perspective
05:14 Asking Questions Instead of Giving Answers
06:21 Difficult Feedback in Professional Sports
09:05 Addressing Lack of Self-Awareness
12:51 The "It's Not Sufficient" Principle
15:19 Tuckman's Law of Team Development
19:03 Navigating VUCA Environments
20:00 Building Truth-Bearing Relationships
24:37 Scoring Relationship Strength
26:01 The Pressure of Sustained Success
34:25 Seeking Critical Feedback from Compliments
37:25 Soliciting Feedback from Your Team
39:07 The Dangers of Untruthful Inner Circles
42:15 Positive Sum vs. Zero Sum Games
46:17 Mental Rumble Strips to Manage Pressure
52:03 Crafting Effective Communication for Teams
57:12 Leading by Example with Vulnerability
1:02:19 Reinventing as a High Performer
1:06:50 Justin's Journey into Content Creation
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.
Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show

Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry
X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com
Kit: https://kit.com/?utm_campaign=29661554-nathan_barry_show&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=nathanbarryshow&utm_content=youtube_description
Follow Justin:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinsua
X: https://x.com/Justinsua
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.sua
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinsua
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustinSua
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justinsua
Website: https://pagpros.com/meet-the-founder
Newsletter: https://pagpros.kit.com
Featured in this episode:
Kit: https://www.kit.com
The Performance Advisory Group: https://pagpros.com

What does it take to build a million-subscriber YouTube channel, launch a best-selling book, and then walk away from it all for over a year? Noah Kagan, founder of AppSumo, joins Nathan to candidly discuss his journey from full-throttle content creation to a deliberate pause. Noah shares the unexpected internal and external pressures that came with his meteoric rise on YouTube, the strategic decisions that led to viral success, and why, despite achieving his goals, he ultimately stepped back. This conversation offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of a creator who prioritized personal fulfillment over endless growth, and how that decision reshaped his approach to content, business, and life.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:26 The decision to go all-in on YouTube
05:15 Noah's internal motivations for content creation
07:38 Building the YouTube "dream team"
10:14 The early content strategy and challenges
13:17 The pivotal "Knocking on Doors" video
16:45 The cost of rapid growth and Noah's burnout
19:10 The successful content pillars uncovered
22:18 The meticulous planning behind viral videos
25:34 Seeking timeless wisdom: interviewing the wealthy
28:22 Noah's biggest regret with the channel
30:58 Finding repeatable content formats
33:55 Identifying your unique content edge
37:25 The appeal of raw, unpolished content
40:31 The impact of fatherhood on content creation
43:10 Noah's vision for future content creation
45:47 The value of a public presence for business
48:29 The challenge of building internal influencers
51:04 Brainstorming content ideas for Kit
54:20 The power of high-caliber speakers
57:38 Content that ties directly to your business
1:00:27 Noah's current content philosophy
1:02:40 On Twitter: counterintuitive long stories
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.
Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show
Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry
X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com
Kit: https://kit.com
Follow Noah:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahkagan
X: https://twitter.com/noahkagan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noahkagan
Website: https://noahkagan.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AppSumo
AppSumo: https://appsumo.com

Featured in this episode:
Kit: https://www.kit.com
AppSumo: https://appsumo.com
Clickables: https://www.clickableshq.com
Million Dollar Weekend: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Weekend-Money-Freedom/dp/0593796593

Highlights:
02:15 – Questioning the "Why" of Content Creation
08:29 – The Shift from Public Validation to Inner Contentment
12:29 – The Audience Cares About Entertainment, Not You
17:08 – The Challenge of Following a Viral Hit
23:25 – Repeating What Works: The Kinko's Founder Interview
36:00 – The Value of Raw, Unpolished Content
53:08 – Using Conferences for High-Value Content