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Shelby Stephens
Founder based in Austin, Texas
Shelby Stephens is an entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas, known for founding GrowthMatch, a company designed to assist businesses with their go-to-market and growth challenges. GrowthMatch also connects independent growth specialists with mission-driven companies, emphasizing the importance of creating value for both clients and professionals in the industry. Shelby has been leading GrowthMatch since September 2021.12
Prior to GrowthMatch, Shelby founded several other ventures, including Jolly, which he worked on from January 2019 until July 2023, and Servable, which he led from December 2016 to January 2019. He also co-founded HubRunner and has held various roles in different startups since 2006.123
Shelby holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington and Lee University (2001-2005) and has participated in the Techstars accelerator program from 2019 to 2020. He is passionate about helping companies grow and has a track record of mentoring other founders.124
Highlights
One of the most effective yet straightforward ways to gather and use customer feedback to inform your product roadmap comes from Rahul Vohra, founder of Superhuman. His product-market fit framework is a game-changer.
Here's the gist: Ask your users how disappointed they'd be if they could no longer use your product or service. Based on their responses, you can strategically shape your product roadmap:
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For those who'd be very disappointed, double down on the features they love — this should be about half of your roadmap.
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For those who'd be somewhat disappointed, focus on the improvements they suggest — move them from lukewarm to loyal.
This approach helps you systematically improve your product's fit with your customers' needs without getting bogged down in complexity.
Have you tried this framework, or do you have another method for gathering actionable customer feedback?
#CustomerFeedback #ProductMarketFit #CustomerInsights
Video by GrowthMatch
Here's what toilet paper can teach us about innovation.
So, I was on a mission to restock our toilet paper at H-E-B (if you don't live in Texas, H-E-B is the greatest grocery store on the planet).
Among the hundred options, one package caught my eye: toilet paper with "on-the-go rolls" included. As a dad of three young kids, anything labeled "on-the-go" immediately piques my interest. So, naturally, I grabbed it.
Back home, I unwrapped the package, and what did I find? A solid roll of toilet paper with no empty tube in the middle. With a simple press of my thumb, I was able to pop out a neatly wrapped "on-the-go" roll from where the empty core normally is. It was portable and convenient.
It's moments like these that remind me innovation isn't just reserved for high-tech gadgets or groundbreaking inventions. Opportunities for innovation are everywhere, right in front of us, all the time.
Ever had a simple product surprise you with its innovation? What's your favorite example?
#Innovation #CreativeSolutions
Video by GrowthMatch
