WHR 3.300: Build It to Sell It – Owning a Software Company Without Being a Tech Person

In this episode of the Work at Home Rockstar Podcast, Tim Melanson chats with Stuart Faught, founder of MiniHorse.ai, about building small software businesses as assets you can own, grow, and eventually sell. Stuart shares how a curiosity project during the COVID era turned into a repeatable process, and why he believes you don’t have to be a technical person to own a software company. Stuart also gets real about the lessons he learned the hard way. For years, he picked up two dozen donuts every morning and visited 15 dental offices a day to land contracts. It worked, but it wasn’t scalable. With help from mentors, he built a partnership sales system that uses trusted consultants and short demo videos to open doors. Along the way, Stuart explains how to choose the right vertical, why speaking your customer’s language matters, how he leans on A+ contractors and virtual assistants, and why he believes in hiring slowly and firing quickly. If you’ve ever wondered whether owning a software business could be your path to working from home, this one’s for you. 🎸 Who is Stuart Faught? Stuart Faught is the founder of MiniHorse and the #1 seller on Acquire.com. He has built and sold more than 20 software businesses and now helps first-time founders become software business owners through ready-to-scale businesses, one-on-one training, and mentorship. Stuart has been self-employed and working from home for 15 years. Before launching MiniHorse, he ran a software company for eight or nine years and sold it. He describes himself as a non-technical guy who focuses on growth and sales, and his big message is that you don’t have to be a technical person to own a software company. Connect with Stuart Faught Website: https://minihorse.ai Personal Website: https://stuartfaught.com LinkedIn:   / stuart-faught-59a5a76b   Host Contact Details Website: https://workathomerockstar.com Facebook:   / workathomerockstar   Instagram:   / workathomerockstar   LinkedIn:   / timmelanson   YouTube:    / @workathomerockstarpodcast   Twitter/X:   / workathomestar   Email: tim@workathomerockstar.com Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:27 Stuart’s First Big Exit 02:39 Building to Sell Mindset 04:26 Hard Lessons and Mentors 06:03 Donut Shop Sales Hustle 09:11 Partnership Sales System 12:45 Demo Videos and Vertical Niches 15:40 Choosing the Right Vertical 19:30 Why Nontechnical SaaS Wins 22:35 Hiring Contractors and VAs 24:37 MiniHorse Ready to Scale Offer 26:58 Who Succeeds With MiniHorse 28:12 Favorite Bands and Wrap Up Disclaimers The results Stuart shares in this episode come from his own experience. They aren’t typical or guaranteed, and every business is different. This episode is for inspiration and education only, not financial, legal, or investment advice. Before buying or investing in any business, do your own research and talk to a qualified professional.