How Two Brothers Built a Waste Management SaaS

SaaS Minds

In this episode, Alexej hosts Charlie Dolan, co-founder of DSQ Technology, a company specializing in software for the waste and water management industry. Previously, Charlie and his brother built and sold Sequoia Waste Solutions, a tech-enabled service business in the same sector. This episode delves into the entrepreneurial journey of pivoting from a service to a software company, discusses strategies for scaling without capital raising, and explores product feature prioritization and M&A. Charlie shares insights from the early days of starting a business in college to developing DSQ Technology and its products like Discovery and Pioneer, aimed at revolutionizing waste management through technology and automation. The conversation covers challenges, lessons learned, and the decision-making processes behind product development and company acquisitions. It's a fascinating look at navigating business growth, innovation, and sustainability in a traditionally non-tech industry.

🔍Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the Episode: An Introduction

01:17 Meet Charlie Dolan: From Waste Management to Tech Entrepreneur

03:38 The Evolution of Sequoia Waste Solutions

05:31 Transitioning to DSQ Technology: A New Venture

08:02 Building a Tech Team and Developing Products

09:14 Expanding the Product Line: Innovation in Waste Management

12:48 Navigating the Waste Management Industry Landscape
14:13 Strategic Marketing and Product Diversification
17:51 Understanding the Fragmented Nature of the Waste Industry
19:41 Exploring Software and Market Consolidation Trends

20:54 Sustainable Growth and Independence

22:09 Navigating Distractions in a Competitive Landscape

22:27 The Art of Saying No and Staying Focused

25:43 Acquisition Strategy and Integrating New Ventures
27:38 Leadership, Delegation, and Scaling Challenges

29:11 Adopting EOS for Strategic Alignment

30:11 Visionary Leadership and Team Dynamics

31:41 Key Lessons for SaaS Founders

33:21 Quick Fire Questions: Insights and Recommendations

39:37 Closing Remarks and Promotion

-- LINKS --

► Show Notes: http://nuoptima.com/saas-podcast/dsqtechnologies-charlie-dolan

🔗 Follow NUOPTIMA:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexej-pikovsky-9743701/
• Website: https://www.nuoptima.com

🔗 Follow Charlie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliedolan/
• Website: https://www.dsqtechnology.com/

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