This document discusses how to grow a company during difficult economic times. It describes how the founder started the company FireHost in 2008 during the recession. It outlines the founder's goals for each part of the work day. The document also includes graphs and charts showing FireHost's growth in targeted website visitors, leads generated, and paying customers over time, as well as funding rounds from venture capital investors. The founder believes focusing on purpose, risk-taking, communication, self-education, and perseverance helped FireHost succeed when economic conditions were challenging.

1. How to Grow a Company When “The Sky is Falling!”
Chris Drake
Founder and CEO of FireHost
Email chris.drake@firehost.com Twitter @chrisdrake
TRAITS WORKING DAY (Goal)
• Purpose Driven • Mornings: Vision
• Risk Taker • Afternoons: Communication
• Evenings: My Tasks
• Nights: Self-Education/Preservation

2. How to Grow a Company When “The Sky is Falling!”
Starting Out

3. How to Grow a Company When “The Sky is Falling!”
Thanksgiving 2008

4. How to Grow a Company When “The Sky is Falling!”
The Sky is Falling!
Perfect Timing
OH NOES!!

5. How to Grow a Company When “The Sky is Falling!”

6. How to Grow a Company When “The Sky is Falling!”
Series C
TARGETED VISITORS TO THE WEBSITE
Off The Hood
( 3% *
MRR Months (Annualized)* Multiple
of Targeted Visitors Convert to Leads
Total Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
OPM = OPO
) = Return
on CAC
Spring
Cleaning
54%
of Leads Turn Into OpportunitiesCAC
(Quotes or Self Check-out)
Europe Expansion
Enlightenment
Grape or
Pound
of Flesh
( Watermelon?
$1,200 * 12 Months * 6x
Brass
Balls
40%
Off The
$6,200
)
of Opportunities Become Paying Customers
Drug
= 14 x
Series B
Multiple
22% OF LEADS BECOME PAYING CUSTOMERS
Take Out the Trash
Series A

7. How to Grow a Company When “The Sky is Falling!”
Thank You.
Our Story Continues…
Chris Drake Email chris.drake@firehost.com
Twitter twitter.com/chrisdrake