What does it really take to scale a B2B SaaS startup from 0 to $5M ARR—and keep your team aligned, your users happy, and your ego in check?
In this episode of The Ugly Phase, I sit down with Vuk, CMO of HeyReach, to unpack the tactical and leadership decisions that drove HeyReach’s breakout LinkedIn-led growth. From chaotic early-stage pivots to building a decentralized marketing org, Vuk shares a masterclass in go-to-market execution, team accountability, and marketing without fluff.
🎧 We cover: • How HeyReach nailed product-market fit by niching down before scaling up • The invisible tension between growth and marketing—and why Vuk leads both • Why decentralizing KPIs leads to stronger team ownership (and faster execution) • The simple hiring filter Vuk uses to find top marketers (hint: it's not experience) • How to launch a new product when you’ve got $0 in ad budget • What bad growth advice to ignore (and what to do instead)
👀 If you’re a founder, marketing lead, or growth operator navigating messy middle-stage growth, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed.
🟢 Optimized for: entrepreneur burnout podcast, startup psychology, how to scale without burnout, stories from founders who pivoted, business growth plateau
🔥 Follow for more real startup stories and practical GTM insights—minus the vanity metrics.
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Where to Find Vuk:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vukasinvukosavljevic/
Follow me on IG @olyagrovelofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olya-grovel-ryabinina/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheUglyPhase Website: https://olyagrovel.com/