SaaS Secret Sauce - PEOPLE

As we step into the new year, I’ve been reflecting on what truly drives success in delivering best-in-class SaaS products and wanted to share some thoughts. Spoiler alert: the secret sauce isn’t really a secret—it’s pretty obvious if you’re paying attention.

The first and most important ingredient is PEOPLE. No matter how smart or ambitious you are, it’s pretty hard to build Rome by yourself. Surrounding yourself with the right people is critical to success.

There are many demographics people fall into, including race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, age, and more. A diverse team is undoubtedly a strong team, and inclusivity is essential. But beyond demographics, what matters is an individual’s character. At its core, the key ingredient here is Good People.

As they say, surround yourself with Good People, and good things happen because Good People:

• Focus on the Solution, not the problem

• Check their egos at the door

• Do what it takes to get the job done

• Create a collaborative environment

• Aren’t afraid to address problems head-on

When building a core team, it’s critical to find people with the right skills—but it’s equally important to ensure those skills come with shared values and a commitment to the mission. It’s easy to be dazzled by raw talent, but experience has shown that perseverance and alignment with the mission consistently outperform talent alone. The best teams are built not just on capability but on resilience and a shared sense of purpose.

A great example comes from the early days of scaling reeazily. It was year-end, and many of our new clients suddenly demanded reports we didn’t yet have but absolutely needed to deliver. Creating these reports wasn’t a simple task—it required building a complex feature to compile the necessary data. With a ridiculous deadline at the most inconvenient time, including a principal engineer working through a fever, the team pulled together and delivered. Thanks to the exceptional effort of the team, what could have been a major setback turned into a moment of delight for our clients and an incredible bonding moment for the team.

I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to be surrounded by Good People. Starting in the early days of my career, I had amazing mentors who taught me not just the job at hand but also skills that persist across domains. I’ve carried those lessons with me and have had the privilege to collaborate, compete, and work alongside some truly great people. The result? Innovating while having fun doing it.

Thanks to all the Good People who made the journey worthwhile. Here’s to more of them in 2025!