The First Customer - What Risk-Taking Looks Like When You Have a Plan with CEO Shae Feltz

The First Customer

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Shae Feltz, CEO and founder of NOTICS, an IT service provider based in Minneapolis.
Shae delves into his humble beginnings in Brainerd, Minnesota, where he learned early on that working for someone else wasn’t for him. At just 16, Shae launched a mobile iPhone repair business, gaining valuable insights into marketing, sales, and fulfillment. He credits his early experiences with shaping his approach to business, including the sale of his first venture’s client list and inventory. Through a combination of technical skill, hands-on problem-solving, and taking advantage of programs like PSEO to earn an associate degree while still in high school, Shae laid the foundation for his future success.

Shae also discusses the genesis of NOTICS, which he co-founded in college, with its first customer coming from his iPhone repair business. The company initially grew through word-of-mouth referrals but eventually hit a plateau, prompting Shae and his team to dive into revenue-generating activities like cold email campaigns. Despite industry challenges, Shae emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, personalized outreach, and adapting strategies to remain competitive.
Get to know more about Shae Feltz and discover his reflections on balancing risk-taking with skill-building, as well as the lessons learned from early jobs that serve as valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in this episode of The First Customer!
Guest Info:
NOTICS
https://www.notics.io
Shae Feltz' LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shae-feltz/
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
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https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
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