In this episode of the Unfunded podcast, tech writer Joan Westenberg sits down with Jess Ruhfus, the brilliant mind behind Collabosaurus and the new venture, No.2. The discussion dives into Jess's entrepreneurial journey, the pitfalls and triumphs of bootstrapping start-ups, and the stark realities of seeking venture capital in the tech industry. Jess candidly shares her experiences, from launching Collabosaurus on a tight budget to facing the relentless grind of fundraising and finally finding success through an innovative feature that revitalized her business.

Jess highlights the foundational steps and challenges she faced while launching Collabosaurus in 2015, focusing on a strong, organic growth strategy leveraging Instagram and Facebook groups. She explains how the initial assumptions and excess expenditures provided crucial learning opportunities. The conversation also delves into the evolving influencer culture and how Jess's new venture, No.2., navigates physical product marketing using these modern strategies. This episode offers insight not only into Jess’s journey but also serves as a guide for current and aspiring founders on the importance of resilience, adaptability, and creative problem-solving.