Founder Growth Without the Ads Crutch | Ep. 53 w/ Daniel Perumal + Nick Alter (ThriveSide)
Daniel Perumal and Nick Alter (ThriveSide/Founders Best Friend) explain why paid ads don’t work like they used to...and what founders should do when they can’t “buy growth” anymore.
We unpack the post-iOS reality, shrinking trust, platform incentives, and ThriveSide’s founder maturity model for building sustainable growth without skipping steps.
You’ll hear when ads still help (micro-validation), why founders confuse spend with strategy, and the simple move most people avoid: build a list, start real conversations, and build community that referrals can run through.
Guests:
Daniel Perumal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-perumal-882a1652/
Nick Alter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasalter/
ThriveSide: https://thriveside.com/
Founders Best Friend: https://www.foundersbestfriend.com/
Host: Adam W. Barney
Transition Leadership Foundation Call (20 min): https://calendly.com/adamwbarney/foundation-call-20min
Creators and Guests
Host
Adam W. Barney
Adam W. Barney helps transitioning leaders navigate career and leadership inflection points with clarity and momentum. Author of Make Your Own Glass Half Full and creator of EnergyOS. Based in Boston, fueled by family and music.
