Automation Solutions with Wade Foster Founder of Zapier

Today we have Wade Foster CoFounder of Zapier. Zapier gives you internet automation superpowers by making it easy to get your web apps to talk to each other. For example, I use Zapier in two ways - when someone fills out our type form application for Rise 25 it automatically imports it in Infusionsoft so we can make sure to stay in touch. Also for Inspired insider, when a blog post gets published it automatically posts the link on Twitter and Facebook. It's like having a virtual staff member focused on automation for a fraction of the price. Zapier went from zero to over 1.4 million users and grew to 50 staff in five years.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

• [0:55] Jeremy introduces today's guest, Wade Foster.
• [2:20] Wade talks about growing up in Missouri.
• [8:00] How did Wade fare with entrepreneurship before he started Zapier?
• [13:30] What were some of the sacrifices that Wade has made?
• [16:20] What progress was Wade seeing with Zapier that make him go full time?
• [17:20] How did they come up with the name Zapier?
• [19:00] Wade talks about work life balance.
• [23:50] Lessons learned from going through the Y Combinator process.
• [27:30] Wade talks about the progress from having no clients to having many clients.
• [32:00] What was it that made Wade's presentation a success?
• [41:40] How does Wade approach hiring?
• [44:40] Wade talks about his work retreats.
• [50:20] What is the craziest thing someone has automated via Zapier?
• [52:00] Business uses for automation via Zapier.
• [55:40] Why did Wade decide to have free plan for Zapier?
• [58:40] How did Wade set the price point for their plans?
• [1:00:50] What was the high point and low point for Wade and Zapier?
• [1:04:30] Wade's proudest moment with Zapier.
• [1:06:00] What products have come out of company retreats?
• [1:07:50] What Chrome extensions does Wade use?

In this episode…

How can your business benefit from automation solutions? You might be quick to point out that you don't run Uber and you aren't experimenting with kiosks at a fast food chain so what does automation have to do with you and your business? Wade Foster started a company called Zapier to provide automation solutions for everyday entrepreneurs and business leaders like you! On this episode of Inspired Insider, you will learn about Wade's company and all they have to offer. You will also hear about Wade's entrepreneurial spirit, some of his best business practices, and much more. This is a powerful episode you don't want to miss!

Some people are convinced that everyone can be an entrepreneur and some are convinced that it's something that can't be taught or developed, you have it or you don't. Wade Foster doesn't make a definitive case for either side but he tells his story of how each step was an arrival for him and his journey to become the entrepreneur and business leader he is today. Wade grew up in a culture that didn't really instill or cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit. But Wade kept finding himself pushing for more and more opportunities to prove his capabilities. From early on he couldn't shake the idea that you get paid for the value you create. This drive led to Wade eventually starting his own business, Zapier.

Success can feel like it is an elusive target when you are building a company from the ground up. You find yourself waiting, hoping, and stressing for something that feels like you have no control over. Then after all that effort, success starts to grow and blossom from all the plans you've put in place. This is the moment entrepreneurs LIVE for. On this episode of Inspired Insider, Jeremy talks with business leader Wade Foster. Wade started the company Zapier and after months and months of effort, he started to see his company take off. The networking relationships played a key role in convincing Wade that it was time to go all in and focus all of his energy and time into this new startup. Make sure to catch this episode for more of Wade's story!

Have you ever had a moment in your work day when you wish you could just press a button to send a report or to have a task begin? Automation is getting a lot of buzz in the business sector right now from self-driving cars, to fast food kiosks, and so much more! Wade Foster started Zapier as an extension of his engineering background. He loves the solutions that his business is able to come up with that saves business leaders time and energy so they can maximize profits. If you haven't heard of Zapier, you've got to check them out. Zapier moves info between your web apps automatically, so you can focus on your most important work. The tools they offer might be just the thing you need to take your business to the next level of success.

What advantage can you gain from giving your product away for free? Is this a good strategy? Wade Foster and his company Zapier didn't start with a free version of their product but they decided to offer one for marketing purposes. It makes sense to them because a lot of applications they were interfacing with offer free plans too. They also found that people were more likely to talks about and promote Zapier if it had a free plan that people could start using with no risk right away. To hear more about Wade's decision to offer a free plan and the lessons you can take away, listen to this episode of Inspired Insider.

Resources Mentioned on this episode

• Wade's Twitter page: twitter.com/wadefoster
• Zapier's website: zapier.com
• Job opportunities at Zapier found - HERE
• Learn about Zapier's integrations - HERE
• Find out more about "Push" by Zapier - HERE
• The latest Zapier new found - HERE
• BOOK: The Four Steps to the Epiphany
• BOOK: The Lean Startup
• Y Combinator
• Instacart
• Coinbase
• Mattermark
• BoostedBoards
• Kevin Hale
• Lastpass
• Ublock
• Pushbullet
• Buffer
• Onetab