The Built hapily Podcast

Rachel Sullivan, Head of Partnerships at RevOnyx, shares her journey from auditing to RevOps to partnerships, emphasizing why automation can't replace human connection in building successful partnerships. After fixing a broken Zoho instance during a two-week YouTube bender, Rachel discovered her passion for solving system problems and helping people.Now leading partnerships at RevOnyx, Rachel discusses the importance of starting every partnership call with personal connection rather than business talk. She reveals her systematic approach to tracking partnerships through spreadsheets and ClickUp, including tiering partners and measuring success beyond just revenue. The conversation explores the reality of one-sided partnerships, why transparency is crucial from day one, and how most clients come with trauma from previous bad experiences with vendors.Rachel and the hapily team dive into what makes partnerships actually work - genuine give and take, vulnerability in asking for help, and understanding that helping clients sometimes means becoming a partner just to get them a discount. Her philosophy centers on Maya Angelou's wisdom that people remember how you made them feel, not what you said or did. Contact Rachel and RevOnyx: 🔗 Rachel Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-r-sullivan/🔗 RevOnyx: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revonyx/🔗 hapily: https://hapily.com

Jack Tolley took his wife out of university, moved to Thailand, and dove headfirst into building HubSpot apps with zero prior HubSpot experience. Ten months later, he's crushing workflow edge cases and competing with native features.From software engineer building real-time trading software in London to solopreneur in Thailand, Jack reveals how a $15 Chrome extension for exporting HubSpot snippets validated his entire business model. That first taste of internet money completely shifted his worldview about what's possible as a solo developer.He learned the hard way that building massive multi-feature apps is a trap. His main app bundles multiple workflow actions together, but really only the rate limiter gets used. The lesson? Focus on one problem, solve it perfectly, and ship it fast rather than trying to build the Swiss Army knife of HubSpot apps.Jack and his wife run the entire operation together - she handles marketing and design while he codes. Recently, Claude Code has revolutionized how he works by connecting his entire tech stack. He can now orchestrate HubSpot, Linear, and his database through natural language, eliminating the need to Google documentation or manually check properties.When HubSpot built a feature competing with his top app, Jack's response was philosophical rather than panic. He sees it as part of the platform game - HubSpot improving benefits everyone, and it might actually introduce more people to the concept who then need his advanced version.Contact the built hapily team: 🔗 hapily: https://hapily.com🔗 Guest: Jack Tolley @ Daeda Apps  https://www.daeda.tech/ #HubSpot #AppDevelopment #Solopreneur #HubSpotApps #BuildHappily #Thailand #StartupLife #AI #ClaudeCode #Entrepreneurship

In this episode, Pete walks us through his journey from running a services agency to launching native apps like DoPricer and DoCurrencies on the HubSpot marketplace. Along the way, he breaks down the critical tech shifts that changed the game—like the introduction of UI extensions—and why app billing was a problem begging for a smarter solution. Pete shares: ✅ How DoPricer and DoCurrencies came to life ✅ The power of building inside HubSpot with UI extensions ✅ Why the “Do” series of apps solve real problems for small agencies ✅ The difference between native apps and integrationsIf you’re a HubSpot app builder or curious about turning your agency into a product company, this is your masterclass.Connect with us!🔗 hapily: https://hapily.com🔗 Dax Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daxamion/🔗 Max Cohen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxjacobcohen/🔗 HubDo: https://www.hubdo.com/🔗 Pete Nicholls: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penichol/Learn about our hapily apps!🔗 event•hapily: https://event.hapily.com🔗 quote•hapily: https://quote.hapily.com🔗 saas•hapily: https://saas.hapily.com🔗 associ8: https://hapily.com/associ8🔗 clone attack: https://hapily.com/clone-attack#HubSpot #AppMarketplace #SaaS #B2BApps #builthapilypodcast #hapily #DoPricer #DoCurrencies #HubDo

In this premiere of Season 3 of the Built Happily Podcast, we finally sit down with Kyle Jepson—HubSpot’s go-to guy for Tips & Tricks, Admin HUGs, and product evangelism. From launching the original CRM Academy course to becoming a product evangelist, Kyle dives into his 10-year journey at HubSpot. Hear how LinkedIn posts turned into an industry movement, why he started the now-iconic #HubSpotTipsAndTricks, and what the future of evangelism looks like in B2B SaaS.📌 Stay in the loop with new HubSpot features with Kyle's content!🔗 Follow Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleanthonyjepson/🔗 Join the Admin HUG: https://community.hubspot.com/t5/HubSpot-Admins-HUG/gh-p/hubspot-admins🔗 Learn more about us: https://hapily.com🔗 Dax Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daxamion/🔗 Max Cohen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxjacobcohen/

Tired of getting 50 random proposals when all you need is real, vetted HubSpot help? Same here. That’s why Profoundly exists—and this episode unpacks the entire story. 🚀 In this episode of The built hapily Podcast, we chat with Jason Azocar and Brian Garvey, the co-founders of Profoundly, a platform reshaping how HubSpot users and partners connect with expert help—without the guesswork. 🔥 What you'll learn:How Profoundly solves the “where do I find HubSpot help?” dilemmaTheir origin story, including early traction and vetting prosWhy the HubSpot ecosystem needed this marketplace yesterdayHow Profoundly supports both freelancers and agenciesWhat’s next for the platform This one’s for HubSpot admins, Solutions Partners, RevOps pros, and anyone tired of struggling to find reliable help. Links: 🔗 https://www.profound.ly🔗 https://www.hapily.com #HubSpot #Profoundly #builthapily #RevOps #HubSpotHelp #Marketplace #FreelanceOps #HubSpotPartners #HubSpotEcosystem

In this episode of The built hapily Podcast, we sit down with Chris Carolan, founder of Profoundly, and a force of nature in the HubSpot ecosystem. From chemist to community catalyst, Chris shares how his journey through operations, marketing automation, and deep HubSpot expertise led him to build Let's Build, a daily live content series, and ultimately Profoundly — a marketplace and media network for HubSpot experts.We talk about:The need for a human-first solution to HubSpot help What makes Let's Build a movement, not just a show The vision for Profoundly as the "HubSpot Network" Scaling media, expert networks, and AI-powered concierge for HubSpot users 💡Whether you're a solo admin or a full-stack partner, you’ll love this transparent, passionate deep dive into community, content, and customer-first transformation.🔗 https://hapily.com🔗 https://profound.ly🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-carolan#HubSpot #CRM #MarketingAutomation #Profoundly #builthapilypodcast #LetsBuild #HubSpotPartners #DigitalTransformation #B2BMarketing #SaaSInnovation

Tim Jones, founder of Eternal Works and the BOHAP community, joins the built hapily Podcast to talk about building a business with his spouse, navigating the HubSpot partner ecosystem, and why representation and safe spaces matter. Hear how BOHAP started with a simple question and grew into a powerful community of Black agency owners. 🔗 https://hapily.com🔗 https://eternalworks.com #BOHAP #HubSpotCommunity #RepresentationMatters #AgencyLife #hapily #builthapilypodcast

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, we chat with Blake Brock from NewEdge Growth about how they built Matador, a fully functional applicant tracking system (ATS) on HubSpot. Discover how they identified a niche in staffing and recruiting, why HubSpot is becoming the new foundation for vertical SaaS, and how they turned customer pain into product opportunity.✅ Building products on HubSpot✅ RevOps meets recruiting✅ Creating scalable, customizable tools inside the CRM✅ Blake’s vision for predictive hiring with AI🌐 Guest: Blake Brock, Co-founder @ NewEdge Growth 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-brock-2080b641/🎙️ Hosted by Max & Dax  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/daxamion/🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxjacobcohen/🚀 Powered by hapily#BuiltWithHubSpot #RevOps #ATS #hapily #HubSpotApps #Matador

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, we sit down with Matt Bolian, co-founder of Supered, one of the most impactful apps in the HubSpot ecosystem. Matt unpacks:✅ Why the best product doesn't always win — but the best go-to-market strategy does.✅ How Supered helps teams move from CRM chaos to process compliance and true enablement.✅ The story of going from RevOps pain to building a product born out of necessity — and battle-tested inside the HubSpot partner ecosystem.✅ Why “adoption” is broken — and how to rethink it as a byproduct of doing the right things for your users.🔗 Learn more about Supered: https://www.supered.io🔗 Explore hapily apps: https://hapily.com

From Salesforce services to HubSpot app stardom! 🎯 In this episode of built hapily, we chat with Chris Eustace and Jackie Wucher of SparkGrid Software, the team behind the official Box + HubSpot integration.They share: ✅ What it takes to build a real app—not just an integration✅ How Jackie went from design to HubSpot dev master✅ The difference between Salesforce and HubSpot app development✅ Tips for staying ahead with UI extensions✅ What it’s really like selling SaaS vs. servicesTheir app brings deep box functionality inside HubSpot, including document management, workflow actions, and e-signatures!Connect with us! 🔗 https://hapily.com🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/daxamion/🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxjacobcohen/Try out the Box Connector! 🔗 https://sparkgridsoftware.com🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-wucher-b0a881163/🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriseustace/

What does it really take to become a HubSpot Elite Partner? In this episode of The built hapily Podcast, we’re joined by Miles England and Zach Panzarella from Vonazon—a team that’s nailed the balance of growth, retention, and staying human in a rapidly evolving ecosystem.We cover: 🔥 The real story behind Vonazon’s climb to Elite status💪 Why retention (of clients and teammates) is their not-so-secret weapon📈 The power of inbound marketing in a RevOps-obsessed world🧠 How small teams can win with HubSpot’s Content Hub & AI tools🤝 Building flexible teams, scalable systems, and long-term client trust🔗 https://hapily.com🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/daxamion/🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxjacobcohen/

In episode 5 of the Built Hapily Podcast, Sam Anderson, founder of Origin 63, joins us to talk about building a standout HubSpot Solutions Partner business—without chasing every trend.Sam shares how Origin 63 carved out a niche by focusing on post-sales growth and customer retention. She breaks down what real implementation success looks like, why change management isn’t optional, and how their HubDesk service keeps clients supported long after go-live.We also dig into what’s new in Service Hub, how partners should really be thinking about AI, and Sam’s best advice for new (and seasoned) partners trying to find their voice in a crowded ecosystem.Whether you're building services, apps, or just love the HubSpot world—this one’s packed with real talk and tactical takeaways.#HubSpotPartner #builthapilypodcast #hapily #Origin63 #CustomerRetention #ServiceHub #HubSpotEcosystem #B2BMarketing #ChangeManagement #CRMStrategy #PartnerTips #SaaSLeadership

QuotaPath CEO AJ Bruno joins the built hapily podcast to share how his company revolutionized commission tracking, integrated deeply with HubSpot, and built a thriving SaaS business.From co-founding TrendKite (sold for $225M) to launching QuotaPath, AJ reveals:✅ Why sales commissions are broken & how to fix them✅ How to scale a SaaS company within the HubSpot ecosystem✅ The role of AI in revenue operations & sales compensation✅ Insights on building long-term partnerships in SaaS🎧 Listen for expert insights on scaling, SaaS, RevOps, and HubSpot success!🔗 Learn more about hapily: https://hapily.com🔗 Learn more about QuotaPath: https://www.quotapath.com/🔗 Dax Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daxamion/🔗 Max Cohen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxjacobcohen/🔗 AJ Bruno: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajbruno3/#HubSpot #RevOps #SalesCommissions #SaaS #QuotaPath #hapily #TechGrowth #StartupSuccess #SalesLeadership #Entrepreneurship

Nico Lafakis isn’t just building tools—he’s redefining what’s possible in the HubSpot ecosystem. In this episode of the built hapily Podcast, Nico joins Max Cohen and Dax Miller to talk about how and why he created Hub Helper Harry, the first AI tool built specifically for HubSpot users. They dig into what it means to be “AI-ready,” the real reason Nico is giving it all away for free, and why this tech isn’t just replacing jobs—it’s creating new ones. Packed with laughs, big ideas, and real talk on the future of work, this is one you don’t want to miss.👾 Plus: NES games, fax machines, and what’s actually next for agent-based AI.

In this episode of The built hapily Podcast, we sit down with Rob Jones, Creative Director at RevPartners and the unofficial “Mayor of Inbound.” Rob shares his journey from firefighting to becoming a top content creator in the HubSpot ecosystem. We talk about his unique approach to marketing, how he scales creativity, and why making content that amuses you is the secret to audience engagement.Plus, we dive into the impact of Southbound, a HubSpot-focused event shaking up the Southeast tech scene. If you’ve ever wondered how an orange suit, parody songs, and a little humor can drive real business results, this episode is for you.🔹 How content can drive revenue without being salesy🔹 The power of agenda-less content🔹 Why Atlanta is the next big tech hub🎧 Tune in now!

Paul Sullivan, the founder of Arise GTM, joins the built hapily podcast to break down his unique ARISE methodology and how he’s revolutionizing go-to-market (GTM) strategy using AI. In this episode, Paul shares his journey—from finance to tech entrepreneurship—and gives us a sneak peek into his AI-driven HubSpot app designed to optimize GTM strategies.👉 Topics covered in this episode:✅ The Arise methodology: Assess, Research, Ideate, Strategize, Execute✅ AI’s role in GTM and how HubSpot users can leverage it✅ The power of productizing services for B2B success✅ Why he wrote a book in 90 days and how it’s shaping the industry✅ His take on Breeze AI, enrichment, and the HubSpot ecosystem🚀 Don't miss this deep dive into AI, GTM strategy, and HubSpot innovation!🔗 Paul's Book: https://rb.gy/6vmmv4🔗 Connect with Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsullivan6/🔗 https://hapily.com🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/daxamion/🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxjacobcohen/🔔 Subscribe for more insights on AI, HubSpot, and GTM strategies!#AriseGTM #HubSpot #AI #GoToMarket #B2BMarketing #PaulSullivan #BuiltHapily #SaaS #MarketingAutomation #InboundMarketing #HubSpotApps #AIinBusiness #StartupGrowth

What if sales felt more like a game? 🎮 In this episode of the Built hapily podcast, Max Cohen and Dax Miller sit down with Steve Claydon and Darcy Smyth, co-founders of Outbound.Game. They share their journey from in-person sales training to launching a gamified HubSpot app that’s changing how sales teams operate.We dive into:✅ How gamification drives CRM adoption ✅ The psychology behind motivating sales teams ✅ Turning HubSpot into an arcade for sales success Join us as we explore how Outbound.Game is revolutionizing the way sales teams engage, perform, and win.🎧 Tune in now and let the games begin!

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, Max Cohen and Dax Miller sit down with Dan and Austin—co-founders of OrgChartHub and GeoMapper. The duo shares their journey of creating game-changing HubSpot apps, how their background as early HubSpot CRM users led to these innovations, and what they’ve learned about going deep with customer needs. They also reveal exciting behind-the-scenes insights into the latest UI enhancements and upcoming features that make their tools even more integrated into HubSpot workflows.Whether you’re an app builder or just curious about what it takes to thrive in the HubSpot ecosystem, this episode is packed with advice on building sticky, customer-driven products.

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, we dive deep with Daniel Zarick, Co-Founder of Arrows, the leading onboarding platform in the HubSpot ecosystem. Daniel shares the journey from building standalone tools to becoming a HubSpot Ventures-backed app, launching Sales Rooms, Client Portals, and more. Learn how Arrows integrates seamlessly into HubSpot, empowering teams to create happy customers through every stage of the customer journey.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro & Daniel’s Origin Story3:00 – Building CRM-Native Tools8:45 – Evolution of Arrows: From Standalone to Integrated14:30 – Sales Rooms & Client Portals Explained22:00 – Why HubSpot is the Future for SaaS Builders30:15 – Challenges, Branding, and Future Roadmap

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, hosts Max Cohen and Dax Miller chat with Ryan Gunn, Director of Demand Generation and Marketing Operations at Aptitude 8. Ryan shares his insights on mastering content creation for LinkedIn, building personal branding in the HubSpot ecosystem, and crafting a repeatable process for consistent output.What You’ll Learn:How Ryan discovered HubSpot in grad school and turned it into a career focus.Tips for overcoming the fear of hitting "record" and starting video content.The tools and techniques Ryan uses for efficient content creation.Why he believes engagement matters more than impressions on LinkedIn.Behind-the-scenes details about balancing a high-impact marketing role with content production.

In this episode of built hapily, we sit down with Justin Shardlow, founder of Pacific Marketing and Pacific Marketing Labs, to explore his journey as a HubSpot Solutions Partner and App Partner. Justin shares how his team balances app development with running a successful solutions agency. If you’re interested in creating apps for HubSpot or understanding the opportunities within the ecosystem, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways!What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Justin transitioned from a Martech agency to a dual solutions-and-app businessThe role of HubSpot’s App Accelerator program in launching Justin's appsKey technical and business challenges of app development, like API limits and scalingThe value of lightweight, workflow-integrated apps for solving specific customer pain pointsWhy collaboration within the HubSpot app community is the key to growing the ecosystem

In this episode of built hapily, Dax and Max chat with Brendan Tolleson, CEO and Co-Founder of RevPartners. Together, they explore the journey of building RevPartners into a top-tier HubSpot partner in less than two years, focusing on culture, trust, and innovation. Brendan shares valuable insights on transforming CRMs into agile, ever-evolving products rather than one-off projects, and reveals the philosophy driving RevPartners’ success: unlocking latent human potential. Whether you're a leader, a CRM enthusiast, or looking to understand the power of a united business ecosystem, this episode has something for you.

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, Dax and Max sit down with Adam Sand of Roofing Business Partners (RBP). Adam shares his inspiring journey from starting in the roofing industry to building an innovative HubSpot solutions partner business. Listen in as Adam discusses the importance of creating efficient processes, the challenges of managing a niche industry, and the rewarding experience of integrating advanced technology into traditional businesses.

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, Max and Dax are joined by Ali Schwanke from SimpleStrat and HubSpot Hacks. Ali shares insights on starting SimpleStrat, the inception and growth of the HubSpot Hacks YouTube channel, and effective YouTube and content marketing strategies. The conversation focuses on specific tactics for channel optimization, content repurposing, and integrating YouTube with HubSpot for better analytics.

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, Dax and Max sit down with Lauren Ryan, co-founder and CEO of Coastal Consulting. Lauren shares her remarkable journey in building a successful HubSpot solutions partner business, specializing in the integration between HubSpot and Salesforce. From starting her career with both platforms to founding Coastal Consulting, Lauren has carved out a unique niche by bridging the gap between these two powerhouse CRMs.Lauren discusses the importance of creating educational content, establishing a niche, and building a business that aligns with personal values and lifestyle goals. She also touches on the challenges and rewards of working with family, specifically her sister, who plays a crucial role in the business.If you’re a HubSpot partner, a marketer navigating CRM integrations, or an entrepreneur looking to define your niche, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice.

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, Dax and Max chat with Chris Barnett, CEO and Founder of WORQFLOW. The discussion focuses on Chris' journey to building a successful HubSpot solutions partner business. Listeners can expect to learn tips on getting started as a consultant, transitioning to becoming a partner, scaling a services business, solution selling, and more. Some Main Discussion Points:- How Chris went from being a HubSpot user to freelancer to founding WORQFLOW- Tips for consultants getting started on platforms like Upwork- The value of the HubSpot community forums for finding opportunities- Transitioning from relying on HubSpot reps to directly selling and solutioning - Building an effective handoff process from sales to delivery- Creating a unified experience for customers throughout the buyer journey- Upskilling team members to sell, solution, and deliver successfully

In this episode of the built hapily podcast, Dax and Max sit down with the legendary George B. Thomas to discuss his journey in the HubSpot ecosystem. George shares how he went from being an agency developer to becoming a renowned HubSpot educator, creating over 3,000 tutorials and building a massive personal brand. He dives into the pivotal moments that set him on the path to HubSpot success, like attending his first INBOUND conference in 2012 and deciding to share his learnings through videos and a podcast. George provides insights on consistently creating value, embracing authenticity, and having patience as you build an audience brick-by-brick.He also opens up about recently starting his own HubSpot Solutions Partner business, George B. Thomas LLC, which incredibly achieved Gold partner status in just 3 months. George shares his process for pricing services, landing those first clients, and building out his team (which he's coined "the feme" for being a family-first company). This episode is packed with inspirational stories and tactical advice for anyone looking to establish a personal brand, become a HubSpot consultant, or simply live a more purposeful life.