Founder2Founder with Aaron Spivak
Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career—it’s a relentless, all-consuming way of life.
Welcome to Founder2Founder a raw and unfiltered podcast where host Aaron Spivak pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build something from the ground up. No sugarcoating, no overnight success stories—just deep, honest conversations with some of the most driven, underrated, and game-changing founders of our time. From brutal setbacks to game-changing mindset shifts, Aaron goes beyond the polished success stories to uncover the unglamorous, deeply personal side of building a business.
As a seasoned entrepreneur himself, Aaron goes beneath the surface and gets into the nitty-gritty of what it truly takes to succeed. He’ll dive into the habits, behaviors, and routines that set elite founders apart, the tactics and strategies that are working today, and the mindset shifts required to push through the hardest moments. Through raw personal stories, late-night struggles, and breakthrough moments, guests open up about what it really means to grow, not just as a founder, but as a person.
Each week, Aaron sits down with visionary entrepreneurs from high-growth startup founders to seasoned CEOs, for real, unfiltered conversations about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Whether you're scaling a company, launching your first venture, or just looking for inspiration, this podcast will give you the insights, motivation, and real-world advice you won’t get just anywhere. If you're ready to strip away the illusion and get real about what it means to build, sacrifice, and thrive, this is the podcast for you. Join us every Wednesday!
Founder2Founder with Aaron Spivak
How Founders Can Stop Losing A-Players and Start Building Ownership Culture with Michael C. Bertoni
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In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Michael C. Bertoni, Founder and CEO of SaaS Talent, the global talent and growth engine behind hundreds of high-performing SaaS and tech companies. With over 25 years of experience helping founders scale revenue, build elite go-to-market teams, and turn hiring into a competitive advantage, Michael operates at the intersection of SaaS growth, recruiting, AI, and leadership.
Michael shares his journey from being a high-performing sales leader working for others to taking the leap into entrepreneurship at 39. He opens up about early mistakes, the mindset shifts that shaped his evolution, and why he believes every business challenge traces back to one core issue: talent. This conversation is a practical and honest look at what it really takes to scale a company through people, systems, and energy.
Chapters:
01:35 - The Origin of “The Rainmaker”
03:37 - Taking the Leap Into Entrepreneurship at 39
05:54 - Starting as a Solopreneur Without a Playbook
07:36 - Early Mistakes and Getting Kicked Out of Co-Working Spaces
10:25 - Self-Awareness and Evolving as a Founder
13:27 - Building a Personal Board of Advisors
18:01 - Inside SaaS Talent: Talent Acquisition and GTM Growth Coaching
19:48 - “Every Problem Is a Talent Problem” Explained
22:22 - How to Know If You Have the Right Person in the Right Seat
24:00 - Locking In A-Players Through Growth and Ownership
26:40 - The Founder’s Role: Bringing the Energy and Vision
30:09 - What Young Founders Should Look for in Talent
34:27 - Creating “Wow” Moments and Hiring Through Community
41:11 - Lessons from 20+ Years in SaaS and Tech
46:07 - Why You Need an Operating System to Scale
49:26 - Advice to His 13-Year-Old Self
52:07 - The Morning Routine That Changed His Leadership
55:13 - Gratitude, Manifestation, and Long-Term Growth
1:00:21 - Using LinkedIn as a Growth Engine
1:04:00 - Final Reflections and Building With Energy
Guest Links:
Website: https://www.saas-talent.com/
LinkedIn: Michael C. Bertoni
If you're a founder doing $1MM+ in annual revenue, apply for the Founders Club today: https://go.foundersclubofficial.com/intro-fc-aaron
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