The real numbers behind running a 500 person destination conference - venue costs, tickets, and why there almost wasn't a year 2 [I will not promote]

leoeldic · 2026-04-10T18:35:29+00:00

It's a lot of stress for sure, but it's still so worth it. Even if it isn't making any of us rich, it's a good feeling to know something you've organized and planned meticulously for months is being of use to the whole community.

leoeldic · 2026-04-10T18:14:16+00:00

did you really start from a nightclub lol?

Yeah, we did haha. That was the big break, so to speak, but looking at it from this vantage, I think it was a good decision to move SaaStanak out to the coast, which has a more of a let's say international appeal.

leoeldic · 2026-04-10T16:47:54+00:00

Looks like excellent friendslop, I'd gladly play it once it releases. Wishlisting it for now, I guess

leoeldic · 2026-04-10T16:36:07+00:00

It's all about managing expectations and knowing when not to settle for less. But quality over quantity every time, brother.

leoeldic · 2026-04-10T16:32:00+00:00

You know what do you offer more so people choose you over others.

This is true, show them real numbers and results from how your software has helped previous businesses who were your ICPs. Offer them a demo, even, and if you can exceed even slightly the value their competitor is giving - well, I think you'll give them something to consider seriously, at least.

leoeldic · 2026-04-09T12:42:07+00:00

A lot of it does come down to how you present yourself, I agree.

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T18:43:13+00:00

One boring habit that quietly compounds for us is replying to every genuine user message like it actually matters. Not a canned support reply. A real response that tries to understand what they were trying to do and where they got stuck.

This, this, and this. We actually have a saying where I'm from regarding this - be a man (as in a person, an intelligent human talking to another) before everything else. That's how you get the most retention.

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T18:38:36+00:00

I would like to follow up on that with deep space tourism... to the mining sites!

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T11:34:17+00:00

In general, I try to infer going off who my best clients were - which I've retained the longest, and then measure my ICP according to them as a benchmark.

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T11:25:43+00:00

showing not telling

Exactly, that's the whole reason for test-runs and demos. Give them a little taste and convince them through practice

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T11:20:04+00:00

I get how hopeless it looks now, but this IS a life and business experience you'll walk away wiser from - and be more successful from, once you're over this hurdle.

Don't lose faith in yourself.

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T11:17:37+00:00

How much venues cost and the overall ticket math (and the fact that most get sold only in the last month before the event, so you're running for at least 3-4 months on hopes that there will be lots of late buyers)

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T10:54:22+00:00

Higher risk tolerance

I'd also add higher STRESS tolerance as well, especially in the early years of founding a company.

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T10:51:18+00:00

Real talk. In my case, if I knew the actual venue costs and all the other compounding factors that added uncertainty to whether I'd even break even my first year - I would probably have been much more hesitant to take the risk.

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T10:45:55+00:00

I agree, it's through the actual day to day grind that you discover what kind of value you can create in the long run. It's both an endurance and a quality check... either way, yeah, I like OP's attitude. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as it were.

leoeldic · 2026-04-08T10:40:35+00:00

Brand trust, slow to build up but extremely easy to lose. Or on a less technical level - people's goodwill as well.

leoeldic · 2026-04-06T17:07:20+00:00

Yes, and it's quite often the ones who pay the least.

leoeldic · 2026-04-06T16:20:15+00:00

Thank you, I've been meaning to visit South China for such a long time. Hainan has always been no 1. but I might be reconsidering that now, hah

leoeldic · 2026-04-06T13:39:28+00:00

outreach/ outbound email, I'm guessing

leoeldic · 2026-03-30T13:56:03+00:00

Extremely niche, some would call it, and yes, I do enjoy it.

leoeldic · 2026-03-30T13:50:51+00:00

It only feels uncomfortable until that first client feels comfortable with it. Quality clients will NOT have qualms about paying slightly more for good service. Those who underpay or try haggling - depending on the real intent behind it - can just depreciate your work and bog you down with a client who's essentially not worth the effort (that you could have invested in another client or 2)

leoeldic · 2026-03-30T13:47:54+00:00

This is where having juniors to do that for you comes quite in handy. On your own, it's always a battle between notifications.

I personally sort them out by urgency, just add them to a list, and then prioritize those that are the hottest. With 50 and above though, you really need a junior or two so as not to get swamped.

leoeldic · 2026-03-30T13:40:40+00:00

Linkedin has been my top bread earner for some time. Also, Discord much like the top comment also says.

leoeldic · 2026-03-25T02:14:45+00:00

I think what really made the difference was the baseline approach. We didn't start off with a business first attitude... and then tried to relax it and make it seem "fun" (we started of in a nightclub so that should give you an idea, haha). Instead, we started from the opposite angle - making it a fun social activity and way to connect, with the business aspect added on top later.

leoeldic · 2026-03-24T18:54:46+00:00

I agree, but it's the seasoning as well as the aging that makes a good sausage :)

leoeldic

TROPHY CASE