How to 10x Your Business by Prioritising feedback from Paying Customers

How to 10x Your Business by Prioritising feedback from Paying Customers

Author: Ash Lonare August 18, 2025 Duration: 35:58

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Ash (Herschelle) interviews Andy Halko, a seasoned entrepreneur with over 23 years of experience. They discuss the importance of being open to feedback, understanding customer needs, and the journey of a founder. Andy shares insights on how to validate ideas, the significance of building relationships, and the innovative concept behind his company, Buyer Twin. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of customer-centric approaches in business and the role of AI in understanding market demands. Andy also reflects on personal growth and the lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey.


Takeaways


Bias is the enemy of growth.

Successful founders listen and ask tough questions.

Understanding customer needs is crucial for innovation.

Building relationships is key to business success.

Feedback should be a continuous process.

Validating ideas through direct conversations is essential.

Customer-centric companies outperform others.

Using AI can enhance customer understanding.

Prioritize feedback from potential paying customers.

Networking can significantly impact business growth.


Chapters


00:00 The Importance of Openness in Growth

02:58 Founder's Journey: Embracing Ups and Downs

06:31 Identifying Unseen Constraints in Innovation

09:26 Creating Buyer Twin: Understanding Customers Better

12:21 The Role of Customer Feedback in Product Development

15:10 Prioritizing Customer Understanding for Founders

17:34 Validating Ideas Before Launching

21:03 Filtering Valuable Customer Feedback

24:43 Finding Leverage Points in Customer Base

28:38 Lessons Learned: The Value of Relationships

31:15 Lightning Round: Quickfire Insights



Ash Lonare hosts Founders Podcast, a series of conversations that go straight to the source. Each episode features a different founder or seasoned expert, but the format feels less like a formal interview and more like a candid exchange you might overhear between colleagues after a long day. The focus is on the tangible details often glossed over in success stories-the specific decisions, the unforeseen obstacles, and the practical strategies that actually worked when theory met reality. You’ll hear about the early doubts, the pivotal moments that changed a company’s direction, and the personal philosophies that guide these leaders through constant uncertainty. This podcast is built on the premise that the most valuable lessons come from those who have navigated the complex journey of building something from nothing. Listening feels like gaining access to a private roundtable, offering perspectives that are both inspirational and immediately useful for anyone involved in their own venture. The discussions are grounded in real experience, providing a resource that feels substantive and directly applicable to the daily challenges of launching and growing a business.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Founders Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The No 1 Reason Employees Leave (And How to Fix It Fast) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:21
Every 500-employee company risks losing over $4 million each year—not from poor sales or failed products, but from something far more silent: employee turnover. Now, imagine keeping 95% of your team happy, motivated, and…
How Podcasting Since 2010 Made This Entrepreneur Unstoppable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
🔥 15 years, 1 digital agency, and over 20 podcast episodes later... From newsrooms in Pennsylvania to the frontlines of digital marketing, today’s guest has turned career burnout into a creative empire. He’s not just ano…
The Secret Tricks Pros Use to Crush Online Meetings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
💥 3100+ articles. 100+ C-level interviews every year. One mission: to save healthcare through technology. Imagine a future where your smartwatch alerts your doctor before you even know you’re sick. A world where seniors…
The #1 Branding Mistake Every Startup Makes (And How to Fix It) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:24
Founders Podcast: Guest Intro for Sapna Pieroux🎯 80% of people never get past the logo when judging a business — and today's guest knows exactly why. She’s a multi-award-winning brand consultant, a best-selling author, a…
8 Startup Mistakes You’re Probably Making Without Realising [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:04
8 out of 10 startups fail—but what if most of those failures were avoidable? Imagine having a toolkit that not only shows you where things go wrong but also teaches you how to “goof-proof” your business before disaster s…
How to Run a Business Like a Fortune 500 Company (Without the Budget) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:38
Imagine saving thousands of dollars a year on business tools—no per-user fees, no unnecessary add-ons, just everything you need to scale. Sounds too good to be true? Well, today’s guest made it a reality. He’s a serial e…
Want a 7-Figure Business? Guaranteed Here is How [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:55
Imagine losing your six-figure job and feeling completely lost… and then, within weeks, transforming your mindset, regaining confidence, and stepping into a life of abundance. Sounds impossible? Well, today’s guest has m…
She Built a $143M Business, Now She’s Taking on AI Giants! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:54
🚀 From $1.2M to $143M— in just two years! What if I told you that today's guest turned a food business into a nine-figure empire before jumping into AI? She started as a factory worker, made it to FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women…
24 Years of Financial Wisdom in 30 Minutes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
In the world of emerging businesses, less than 10% make it to their fifth year. But what if you had the financial insight to break that mould and thrive? Today’s guest is a master at helping businesses do just that. With…