If you're running a small business, chances are that you might have heard of FreshBooks. And you should probably use it! :) The cloud accounting software has helped over 10 million small business owners with making billing painless.
The Toronto-based company was founded by Mike McDerment. From starting a company in his parent's basement to building a product to compete with his own, Mike knows how to take risks.
Innovation in itself is taking a risk but it's critical for a company to stay ahead of the game. In today's business landscape, consumers expect products to be constantly improving. That's especially true for software. But how do you make major changes in a way that does not disrupt existing users? How does a company allow for the exploration required for innovation without screwing up what it's already getting right?
In our fireside chat with Mike, we'll hear a series of his stories that'll touch upon why it is important for us all to take risks, and why the benefits almost always outweigh the risks.
You'll learn how this visionary CEO had the foresight to recognize his product was going to fail and the huge risk he took to overcome the inevitable - giving his team the freedom to spend 2 years building a new competing product to test UX designs in the market.
FreshBooks
CEO & Co-founder
Mike McDerment is co-founder and CEO of FreshBooks, the world's #1 accounting software in the cloud for self-employed professionals and their employees. He started FreshBooks in 2003 from his parents’ basement in Toronto. Since then, over 10 million people have used FreshBooks to save time billing, look professional, and collect billions of dollars.
Mike McDerment is co-founder and CEO of FreshBooks, the world's #1 accounting software in the cloud for self-employed professionals and their employees. Prior to FreshBooks, Mike ran his own design firm where he accidentally saved over an invoice and realized an unmet need in the market. In 2003, he started FreshBooks from his parents’ basement in Toronto. Since then, over 10 million people have used FreshBooks to save time billing, look professional, and collect billions of dollars. Mike and his team dedicate themselves to executing extraordinary experiences everyday for customers who want to focus on what they love, not their paperwork.
The Founder Institute Vancouver
Director
