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Startups For the Rest of UsEpisode 753 | TinySeed Tales s4e3: Co-Founder Conflicts + Renaming a BusinessIn this episode of TinySeed Tales, Rob Walling reconnects with Colleen Schnettler, co-founder of Hammerstone, as she shares the latest developments in their startup journey.
Colleen opens up about the emotional challenges of co-founder conflicts with Aaron, highlighting the importance of communication and alignment in their partnership. They also discuss the significant pivot from their initial product offering to the newly rebranded Hello Query, a SaaS solution focused on internal reporting for teams.
Topics we cover:
(0:59) – Breaking up with a co-founder
(7:39) – How could this conversation have been different?
(9:49) – Navigating a major pivot
(14:37) – Changing the name
(16:56...2025-01-3023 min
Hammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyThe EndAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-09-2810 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyColleen is having all the funHelloQuery: https://helloquery.comAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-08-1530 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyOn the precipice of something greatHelloQuery: https://helloquery.comAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-06-3025 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyGood tweets are goodHelloQuery: https://helloquery.comAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-06-2326 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyColleen is pumpedHelloQuery: https://helloquery.comAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-06-0134 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyWe're HelloQuery now 👀HelloQuery: https://helloquery.comAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-05-1337 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyWe didn't break up!Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-05-0524 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyMicroConf RecapRefine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-05-0126 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyCustomer interviews lead to a new hypothesisRefine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-04-0539 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyTwo Separate BusinessesRefine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-03-2327 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyPlans for March (Subject to change)Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-03-0926 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyHi Sinclair! (and recapping Laracon EU)Back from Laracon EU, and it went well.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-02-1925 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyThe Nova launch and a (small) pivotKind of a pivot, but not really.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-01-1822 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyNew year, new energyWe're off to a good start for 2023.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2023-01-1228 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyLooking back, looking forwardColleen and Aaron recap 2022 and look forward to 2023.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-12-2324 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyWe're back baby!Colleen and Aaron are back from a hiatus.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-11-1826 min
Software SocialRefine Update with Aaron and ColleenAaron Francis, Colleen's co-founder, swings by to chat about Refine. Huge thanks to all of our listeners who’ve become Software Socialites and support our show! You can become a supporter for $10 a month or $100 a year at softwaresocial.dev/supporters Chris from Chipper CIThe Daringly Handsome Kevin GriffinAnd Mike from Gently Used Domains, who has a nice personalityDave from RecutMax of OnlineOrNotStefan from Talk to StefanBrendan Andrade of Bright BitsTeam TupleAlex Hillman from The Tiny MBARamy from Memo.fmJane and Benedikt from UserlistKendall MorganRuben Gamez of SignWellCorey Haines of SwipeWellMike Wade of Crow...2022-10-0435 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyUse CasesColleen and Aaron talk through use cases for Refine that may actually get people excited.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/mainTorchlight: https://torchlight.devAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-08-0232 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyBack from VacationAaron and Colleen are both back from vacation with a lot of updates to share.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/mainTorchlight: https://torchlight.devAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-07-1243 min
Remote RubyAaron & Colleen from Hammerstone [00:01:36] Colleen and Aaron introduce themselves and tell us what they do. [00:03:04] There was a workshop at RailsConf that Colleen and Aaron had around Advanced Active Record and we learn about the purpose of the workshop. [00:04:42] We find out what Arel is and what it gives us, and how Laravel handles everything you need but in a different way. [00:09:07] We find out where the query builders are in the process of launching for each side. [00:10:57] Andrew wonders if Aaron used CSS variables to make it cu...2022-06-2453 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyEmail Outreach, GitHub Actions, and a Demo SiteAaron got stranded in Dallas thanks to two cancelled AA flights. We're sending outreach emails and doing a bunch of ancillary product work.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/mainTorchlight: https://torchlight.devAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-06-1526 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyThe Calls are HappeningWe're starting to have calls with customers!Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/mainTorchlight: https://torchlight.devAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-06-0924 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyGlimmers of HopeThings are starting to look up!Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/mainTorchlight: https://torchlight.devAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-06-0220 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyWe Sent the Email! And Made No Sales!We sent the Nova email! And it didn't go quite as planned.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/mainRefine Nova: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/refine-novaTorchlight: https://torchlight.devAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-05-2326 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyIt's Time to BusinessTech time is over, it's time to business.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/mainRefine Nova: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/refine-novaTorchlight: https://torchlight.devAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-04-2730 min
Pushing BouldersAaron Francis round 2 - Hammerstone changes, Refine, and finalized Chipper pricingUnofficial co-host Aaron Francis comes by again! We take turns talking about our stuff. I talk about Chipper & the final pricing decision I made (sorry Dan!), and Aaron talks about changes made in Hammerstone, and how they're pushing forward to start selling the things!Aaron Francis (Twitter)Colleen Schnettler (Twitter)Refine - Hammerstone's main thingTorchlight - Aaron's (amazing) syntax highlighter thingSidecar - Aaron's serverless wizardry for Laravel thingChris Fidao (Twitter)Chipper CI - Chris's thingCloudCasts - Chris's one-thing-too-many (that may pivot to being specific to Laravel/PHP)2022-04-2549 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyThe Landing Page Lives!The Nova landing page (with a buy now button!) is live.Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/mainRefine Nova: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/refine-novaTorchlight: https://torchlight.devAaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancisColleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger2022-04-1945 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanySome Big ChangesSome big changes happening at Hammerstone.
Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/main
Refine Nova: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/refine-nova
Torchlight: https://torchlight.dev
Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancis
Colleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger
2022-04-1334 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyAaron's New Job, Balancing Client vs Product WorkAaron got a new job! We're trying to figure out how to balance client work and product work.
Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/main
Refine Nova: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/refine-nova
Torchlight: https://torchlight.dev
Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancis
Colleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger
Sean: https://twitter.com/sfioritto
Tuple: https://tuple.app
2022-03-1634 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyIs Rails Over? Aaron Goes Full HipsterWe talk about the future of Rails and how it differs from Laravel. Aaron has been experimenting with Cloudflare, Edge Workers, and Fly.io.
Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/main
Refine Nova: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/refine-nova
Torchlight: https://torchlight.dev
Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancis
Colleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger
Sean: https://twitter.com/sfioritto
2022-03-0238 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyConferences and First Revenue 💸Laracon is over, Colleen is speaking at a conference in March. We got paid!
Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/main
Refine Nova: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/refine-nova
Torchlight: https://torchlight.dev
Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancis
Colleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger
Sean: https://twitter.com/sfioritto
2022-02-1633 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyBonus: Talking Twitter with Matt SwansonIn a long bonus episode, Matt Swanson (https://twitter.com/_swanson) joins Aaron to talk about Twitter.
Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancis
Matt: https://twitter.com/_swanson
Boring Rails: https://boringrails.com/
ShowCode: https://showcode.app
2022-02-111h 38Hammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyLaracon is Tomorrow 😬Aaron is practicing for Laracon, a lot.
Laracon: https://laracon.net/
Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/main
Refine Nova: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/refine-nova
Torchlight: https://torchlight.dev
Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancis
Colleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger
Sean: https://twitter.com/sfioritto
2022-02-0838 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyFirst Nova Install 🎉 and Prepping for LaraconOur first Nova user has it installed and is trying it out. Aaron is prepping for Laracon and running out of steam.
Refine: https://hammerstone.dev/refine/laravel/docs/main
Refine Nova: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/refine-nova
Torchlight: https://torchlight.dev
Aaron: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancis
Colleen: https://twitter.com/leenyburger
Sean: https://twitter.com/sfioritto
2022-02-0148 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyAll the Frontends, Onboarding Nova, and MySQL StuffWe're wrangling multiple frontends all at once, trying to onboard Nova users, and Aaron did some fun MySQL stuff.2022-01-2747 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanySean Has Known All AlongIt's starting to work, but Sean always knew it was going to.2022-01-1844 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyBack in the SaddleThe team is back from Christmas break, with a lot to talk about.2022-01-0658 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyWork and Family, with Matt WensingMatt Wensing (https://twitter.com/mattwensing) joins Aaron to talk about sacrificing time early on in hopes of having more freedom later.2021-12-2346 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyOptimizing Time-to-UI and Next Steps for LivewireTalking through a few Vue changes, making a call on a Livewire frontend.2021-12-1541 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software Company(Finally) Exiting the Trough of DespairAaron and Colleen talk about the trough of despair and also numeric range optimizations, of course.2021-12-0834 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyReact, Vue, Laravel, Rails, and Hotwire. Oh my!Back from Thanksgiving, we talk about finding an amazing React contractor, integrating the Vue and Laravel libraries, and more. 2021-11-3038 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyLaunch Day is in SightIt's finally here.2021-11-1743 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyCoffee, Renderless Components, and ConfidenceWe talk about our coffee habits, new computers, renderless components, databases, and confidence.2021-11-1133 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyColleen Reaches EnlightenmentLots of exciting updates from Founder's Summit, and Aaron reports back on the first Laravel client.2021-11-0254 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyBack in the SaddleAfter a short break, we're back!2021-10-2228 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyPheasants, Live Coding, Filters-in-a-filterSean went pheasant "hunting", Aaron gave a live coding presentation, Colleen is building out nested filters2021-10-0144 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyWho _Are_ You?Colleen listened to Aaron's solo episodes and it... raised some questions2021-09-2440 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyHammerstone, a HistoryAaron comin atcha from the kitchen table. A solo show.2021-09-1727 minSoftware SocialA Tour Through Struggle: Cam Sloan, Founder of Hopscotch Product ToursSend Cam some love and support! https://twitter.com/SloanCamCheck out Hopscotch: https://hopscotch.club/ Michele Hansen 0:01 This episode of Software Social is brought to you by Reform.As a business owner, you need forms all the time for lead capture, user feedback, SaaS onboarding, job applications, early access signups, and many other types of forms.Here's how Reform is different:- Your brand shines through, not Reform's- It's accessible out-of-the-box... And there are no silly design gimmicks, like frustrating customers by only sh...2021-09-1454 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software Company2 Jobs, Stabilizers, and Torchlight ClientsSean is feeling the weight of his many jobs, Aaron tries to say "stabilizers" as much as possible in one episode, and we talk about new Torchlight clients.2021-09-1051 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyForeign Keys and Calvin & HobbesWe're kind of all over the place today! Sleep, foreign keys, CommandBar, Calvin & Hobbes somehow, Vue, and so on.Command Bar - "CommandBar gives your users onboarding nudges, quick actions [...] in one personalized [...] widget."2021-09-0343 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyBonus Episode: A Deep Dive into Sidecar with Greg SkermanGreg Skerman (https://twitter.com/GregSkerman) is the OG Sidecar user, and he stops by to teach Aaron a thing or two.
Greg's Twitter: https://twitter.com/GregSkerman
Greg's company: https://www.iseekplant.com.au
That one LinkedIn article Greg wrote: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/always-deploying-greg-skerman/
Laravel Brisbane: https://www.meetup.com/bne-laravel-meetup/
Sidecar: https://github.com/hammerstonedev/sidecar
InertiaJS
2021-09-0253 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyColleen's First Week, Refine Pricing, and Acquiring a ProductColleen is a week into working with the client. Sean can't sleep, Aaron is having surgery. We talk about Refine + Laravel launch date, and Hammerstone acquiring a product!2021-08-271h 11Hammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyBillions with a "B"Aaron can barely move, Colleen is working with billions of records. Sean is on vacation! Lucky Sean.2021-08-1338 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyHammerstone is Growing 👀Hammerstone adds a new partner.2021-08-0633 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyRailsifying Refine, Torchlight, and the Myth of the MVPRefine is getting more and more Rails-y, Aaron talks about Torchlight and the Hammerstone thesis, and we debate the merits of the "launch immediately" trope.2021-07-2348 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyUpdates, Updates, UpdatesSo many updates! Aaron has twins now, which is a lot of babies. Sean talks about his job changes. We talk about Sidecar, Torchlight, the Laravel ecosystem, and much more.2021-07-161h 01Hammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyYNAB For Business? Progress in Rails, Demand for Laravel.Sean pitches Aaron on using YNAB for our business. We're making good progress in Rails and people want the Laravel version already.2021-04-1041 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanySales Safari for Torchlight.dev & Wanting to Give UpSean and Aaron attempt a "Sales Safari" for Torchlight.dev. It gets a little painful because there aren't many results, and Aaron kind of feels like giving up. 2021-04-081h 10Hammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyRough Week, Good FridaySean has had an extremely busy week with work, other work, and house stuff. Aaron has torchlight.dev up and running and ready to start selling.2021-04-0220 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyHealing Back Pain, Twitter Coincidences, and Torchlight.devAaron has a bunch of mystery pain, Sean has a fix that's kind of "out there". Aaron runs into the owner of hammerstone.com in a Twitter thread. Launching torchlight.dev.2021-03-1938 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyRails Integration and Laravel Admin PanelsColleen and Sean have the Rails integration working, and Aaron talks about Laravel admin panels as a potential marketing channel.2021-03-1025 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyShedquarters, Refine Refinements, and Laravel AirdropAaron has moved into the shedquarters, Sean can't sleep. We talk Airdrop, Full Stack Panic, and Refine refinements.2021-02-2741 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyTexas Weather, Hotwire Success, and RefinementsAaron gets pushed out of his house for a week thanks to the freak storm. Sean makes some great progress on Hotwire.2021-02-2222 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanySean's Birthday, Mental Health, and HotwireWe talk about being old, and tired. And hotwire!2021-02-1237 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyAndrew from Bullet Train Stops ByAndrew from https://bullettrain.co stops by.2021-02-1036 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyToo Many Open Loops2021-01-2935 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyMaking Progress2021-01-2931 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyGetting Too TechnicalWe talk (in great detail) about our product. Too much detail.2021-01-2938 minHammerstone - Bootstrapping a Software CompanyWhat's Your Name?Figuring it out as we go2021-01-2932 min