The Koerner Office - Business Ideas and Deep Dives with Chris Koerner - 012: $166K/Month Selling Training Softwares

Episode Date: September 14, 2023

Welcome, everyone. Today, we delve into the inspiring journey of Chris Ronzio, the mastermind behind Trainual, a brand that has transformed the way small businesses operate. From a young entrepreneur starting a video production company at just fourteen to becoming a beacon of innovation in business process organization, Chris's story is a testament to the power of focus and the importance of adapting to the needs of the market. Listen closely as Chris shares the pivotal moments and the lessons learned in building a brand that is not just a business but a movement aiding companies worldwide.

Welcome to Startup Gems. We find undiscovered startup growth hacks, stories, and case studies from every random nook and cranny of the internet. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur and aspiring startup enthusiast or simply someone seeking inspiration, startup gems is your source for the stories that ignite the flames of innovation. Welcome, everyone. Today we delve into the inspiring journey of Chris Ronzio, the mastermind behind Trainual, a brand that has transformed the way small businesses operate. From a young entrepreneur starting a video production company at just 14 to becoming a beacon of innovation in business process organization, Chris's story is a testament to the power of focus and the importance of adapting to the needs of the market. Listen closely as Chris shares the pivotal moments and the lessons learned in building a brand that is not just a business, but a movement aiding companies worldwide. Here is Chris's story. My name is Chris Ronsio, and I'm the driving force behind Trump. Trainual, a brand that's revolutionizing the way businesses on board and train their teams. Our software is designed to simplify the complexities of small business operations.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, we started our journey in January 2014. Today, with a dedicated team of 19, we're proud to report a monthly revenue of 166 grand. Trainual isn't just another software. It's a unique blend of a wiki, knowledge base, intranet, and an enterprise training tool. We envisioned it for small businesses, transitioning from scattered Google Docs and cluttered Dropbox folders, aiming for a centralized system. Our platform captures every process, role, and responsibility, creating a consistent and scalable knowledge base.

At its core, Trainual is about empowering business leaders to do more of what they love. We're currently serving over 15,000 users across 80 countries with an annual recurring revenue of $2 million. My journey to Trainual began with my first venture, a video production company I started at 14. Over a decade, I expanded it into a nationwide enterprise with three offices generating over $3 million in video sales. But my passion for technology and efficiency led me to my second venture, organized chaos, a consulting firm.

It was here that the idea for Trainual was conceived initially as a beta platform to address my client's onboarding and training challenges. The inspiration for Tranual stemmed from my experiences. Scaling my video company and consulting for numerous small businesses exposed me to the chaos that often ensues from disorganized business processes. I realized that businesses struggled with consistency. Knowledge often got lost when key personnel left or when there was a lack of clear communication. Trainual was my solution to this widespread problem. The initial version of Tranual dates back to 2014, but its public launch was in January.

2018. Interestingly, the concept was first developed by a group of college students for an entrepreneurship competition I was judging. Recognizing its potential, I acquired the code, refined it to match my vision, and introduced it as Tranul's MVP. While the initial response was lukewarm, by 2017, word of mouth and some online exposure began drawing attention to our platform. That's when I decided to pivot from consulting to fully focus on Tranual. Our official launch in 2018 was a team effort. With the support of our operations manager Chelsea and my brother Jonathan, our CMO, we began our mission to grow trainual.

Our marketing strategy was multifaceted. We offered a two-week trial to potential users, leveraged my professional network, initiated an affiliate program, and embarked on a series of podcast interviews. As our brand gained traction, we invested heavily in digital advertising, focusing on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google, and LinkedIn. Our content strategy also expanded to include thought leadership articles, YouTube content, podcasts, and a company blog. Today, our vision is clear.

We aim to serve 25,000 active companies by the end of 2022. With a growth rate of 15 to 20% month over month, we're on track to achieve this. Our team has doubled in the past three months and we're continuously refining our product to max value for our customers. Reflecting on my journey, one lesson stands out, the importance of focus. Juggling multiple roles within Tranual initially spread me thin, but with time I learned to prioritize, setting clear targets and building a supportive team around me. In fact, I even use Trainual to document my roles, gradually delegating responsibilities as our team expanded.

In terms of tools, we're big fans of Google's suite of products and Apple's ecosystem. We also rely on Trello, Slack, HubSpot, Evernote, Canny, Profitwell, Zapier, and Intercom to streamline our operations. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, several resources have guided me. Michael E. Gerber's The E-Mith was a game changer, so much so that Michael and I later formed a business partnership.

Other influential reads include Scaling Up by Vern Harnish, rework by Jason Freed, and Traction by Gino Wickman. For budding entrepreneurs, my advice is simple. Build a dedicated team you can trust implicitly. Ensure they're not only skilled, but also align with your company's mission and values. With the right people by your side, anything is possible. As we wrap up Chris's remarkable journey, we are left with some invaluable takeaways. The inception and growth of train you will underscore the necessity of focus in entrepreneurship.

Chris's ability to pivot adapting from a consulting role to spearheading a software solution, speaks volumes about the dynamic nature of business leadership. Moreover, his emphasis on building a trustworthy and aligned team stands as a golden rule in the entrepreneurial playbook. Chris Ronsio's story is a beacon, illuminating the path for aspiring entrepreneurs, showcasing that with passion and the right team, the sky is the limit. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and remember, in the world of business, adaptability is your greatest ally. Thanks for joining us on this journey through the world of startups and innovation.

We hope you've uncovered some valuable gems to fuel your entrepreneurial spirit. Don't forget to tune in next time for another inspiring story that will keep your entrepreneurial fire burning. Until then, keep exploring, keep innovating, and keep shining bright with startup gems.