Episode 819 | QSBS, Exit Multiples, How to Learn Marketing, and More Listener Questions (Rob Solo)
Startups For the Rest of Us
Charging a Percentage of GMV in SaaS
Rob endorses adding GMV-based fees as supplemental revenue and compares GMV quality to usage-based fees.
Could your business structure quietly cost you millions when you sell?
In this solo episode, Rob Walling answers listener questions about when QSBS might justify a C Corp (vs. staying an S Corp or LLC), why SaaS exits are often discussed in ARR multiples rather than EBITDA, and how the profitability/growth tradeoff impacts valuation. He also shares thoughts on GMV-based pricing and where developers can learn practical, non-fluffy marketing skills.
Episode Sponsors:
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Topics we cover:
- (3:30) – How the QSBS tax benefit can save you millions
- (7:40) – C Corp vs. S Corp: which structure makes sense for founders
- (9:39) – Why ARR multiples matter more than EBITDA in SaaS
- (13:13) – Profitability as a drain on growth
- (17:48) – Should co-founders join the same mastermind?
- (19:16) – How to leverage GMV-based pricing in SaaS
- (22:48) – The best way for developers to learn real marketing skills
- (31:28) – Why every founder should master sales and marketing early
Links from the Show:
- TinySeed Applications Live Q&A - February 11th, 10:00 AM EST
- Apply to TinySeed - Applications are until Feb 17th, 2026
- The SaaS Playbook by Rob Walling
- MicroConf - Community for SaaS Founders
- Conversion Factory
- TinySeed Mentors
- Rob Walling on X (@robwalling)
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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