Episode 800 | The 12 Commandments of Startups for the Rest of Us

30/09/2025 37 min

                    Episode 800 | The 12 Commandments of Startups for the Rest of Us

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Episode Synopsis


What if you could get all 15 years of this podcast bundled up into one episode? 



In episode 800, Rob Walling goes solo for a special milestone installment of Startups For the Rest of Us. He covers the 12 foundational commandments that shape his approach to SaaS, hard-won lessons forged from years of building, investing in, and advising startups.



Topics we cover: 




(3:46) – #1: Nuance beats absolutes



(6:52) – #2: Make hard decisions with incomplete information



(9:16) – #3: Avoid the classic traps



(12:22) – #4: Don't build without real evidence



(15:14) – #5: Marketing beats product



(19:08) – #6: Fewer customers, better customers



(21:01) – #7: Respect (and fear) the platform



(24:04) – #8: Build your network, not just your audience



(26:30) – #9: Overnight success takes a decade



(28:45) – #10: Stack small wins



(31:22) – #11: Be careful who you listen to



(33:15) – #12: The hardest battles are in your own head




Links from the Show:




MicroConf US 2026 - Portland, Oregon - Use Promo Code ROB50 for $50 off.



Invest in TinySeed Fund Three



SaaS Playbook



The Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Sh*t Together



Exit Strategy



Episode 685 | 7 Things You Should Never Do



Episode 700 | Playing the Long Game



Episode 735 | The 8 Levels of SaaS Platform Risk




If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!



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