How Nathaniel Pearlman used lean startup methods to get clients like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

Nathaniel Pearlman, NGP VAN, Bootstrapping, Customer Acquisition, Hiring, Networking

Today’s guest got launched his company from his attic and got his first clients through pure hustle.

Nathaniel Pearlman is the founder of NGP VAN Inc., a company that helps progressive campaigns and organizations leverage technology to meet their goals.

In this interview you’ll hear how cold calling led to meeting potential clients anywhere, including their apartments. You’ll hear how Nathaniel was knocking on doors until, one by one, he got a new client every month, then a new client every two weeks. Today NGP VAN gets new clients every day. Including Howard Dean, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama. Here’s how he did it.

Nathaniel Pearlman

NGP VAN

Nathaniel Pearlman is the founder of NGP VAN Inc., a company that helps progressive campaigns and organizations leverage technology to meet their goals.

His other projects include Graphicacy and Lever Fund

Andrew: Hey there, freedom fighters. My name is Andrew Warner. I’m the founder of Mixergy where I interview entrepreneurs about how they built their businesses. Joining me today is Nathaniel Pearlman. Nathaniel, good to have you on here.

Nathaniel: Happy to be with you.

Andrew: Nathaniel, you’ve watched some of my interviews so you know I like to be super prepared. We’ve had someone talk to you before the interview, I’ve researched you, I’ve gone to your site. Here’s the part that I have to admit. Before I even tell you who my sponsors are, before I give you proper intro, I don’t fully understand what your business did. I get it conceptually. I admire the people who work with it, but the big one that you’ve got is NGP-VAN, right? What I have here from my notes is it’s a company that helps progressive campaigns in organizations leverage technology to meet their goals.

I’ve gone on the site. You have...

Continue reading the transcript...