DiscoverThe Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan590: (Solo) Why You Need to Do Things That Don’t Scale
590: (Solo) Why You Need to Do Things That Don’t Scale

590: (Solo) Why You Need to Do Things That Don’t Scale

Update: 2025-09-23
Share

Description

When you’re just starting out, the fastest way to grow isn’t automation, ads, or scaling systems — it’s doing things that don’t scale.




In this episode, I share why the most successful founders — from billion-dollar startups to small ecommerce brands — all begin by leaning into the unscalable. From replying personally to every email, to sending hundreds of Instagram DMs, to handwriting thank-you cards for early customers, these strategies create the kind of emotional connection that big brands can’t compete with.




Here’s what you’ll take away:
• Why doing things that don’t scale is your biggest advantage as a small brand
• Real examples of how I and other founders used this to grow early traction
• Specific tactics you can start today to build stronger customer relationships




If you’re an early-stage founder, this episode will show you exactly how to build momentum, create raving fans, and uncover what truly works — long before you scale.


This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d love your feedback. Email me directly at nathan@foundr.com — I read every reply. Hope you enjoy it.




SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS


Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started.




HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER


Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+


Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠




PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING?


→ Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


→ Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠




BOOST REVENUE WITHOUT MORE ADS


We use Aftersell for simple post-purchase offers that lift sales fast.


⁠⁠https://try.aftersell.app/ptiz4gnmvff7⁠⁠ to get started.




CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN


Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠




FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES


YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

590: (Solo) Why You Need to Do Things That Don’t Scale

590: (Solo) Why You Need to Do Things That Don’t Scale

Foundr Media