DiscoverSaaS TherapyBuilding Tools People Actually Want to Use with Zach Hawley and Will Aja, co-founders @ SteerCo
Building Tools People Actually Want to Use with Zach Hawley and Will Aja, co-founders @ SteerCo

Building Tools People Actually Want to Use with Zach Hawley and Will Aja, co-founders @ SteerCo

Update: 2025-07-08
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Description

In this episode of SaaS Therapy, Casey Trujillo speaks with Zach Hawley and Will Aja, co-founders of SteerCo, about their journey in customer success and the challenges of startup life. They discuss the importance of empathy in customer interactions, the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and how their software aims to automate QBRs to free up time for customer success managers. They emphasize the need for CSMs to connect with clients on a personal level and to leverage data effectively to enhance customer relationships.


Takeaways

  • The emotional ups and downs of startup life can be challenging but rewarding.
  • Empathy is crucial in customer success; understanding clients' needs leads to better relationships.
  • Automation can significantly reduce the workload of customer success managers, allowing them to focus on strategy.
  • QBRs should be tailored to the client's needs, not just a standard presentation.
  • Building trust with clients involves understanding their unique challenges and circumstances.
  • Data democratization means that everyone has access to information; CSMs must leverage this effectively.
  • Asking good questions can help CSMs stand out in a crowded market.
  • The importance of maintaining a balanced mindset during the entrepreneurial journey.
  • CSMs should focus on building relationships rather than just presenting data.


Contents

00:00 Intro

1:16 The Genesis of Steerco: Founders' Journey

5:56 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Startups

11:06 Mindset and Best Practices for Entrepreneurs

18:14 Leveraging Data for Customer Success

25:12 Building Trust Through Emotional Intelligence

31:38 The Human Connection in Customer Relationships


Resources

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Credits

Show direction: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Debra Wilson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show design: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kensie Smith⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show manager: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenna Mollinet

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Building Tools People Actually Want to Use with Zach Hawley and Will Aja, co-founders @ SteerCo

Building Tools People Actually Want to Use with Zach Hawley and Will Aja, co-founders @ SteerCo

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