Shaun Clark’s Highlevel Journey
In the latest episode of BEGrowthDriven, we had the pleasure of welcoming back Shaun Clark, co-founder and CEO of GoHighLevel. Known for revolutionizing the way customer relationships and marketing management are handled, Shaun shared invaluable insights into his journey and the growth-driven strategies that have propelled his company to success.
From College Dropout to SaaS Innovator
Shaun’s path to success began with a pivotal decision to drop out of college and pursue entrepreneurship. He recounted how his mother advised him that he could always return to college if things didn’t work out, which gave him the courage to take the leap. This decision eventually led to the creation of HighLevel, a SaaS platform designed to streamline business operations and revolutionize customer relationships and marketing management.
The Importance of Customer Feedback
A significant turning point for HighLevel was understanding the true needs of their customers. Initially, despite positive feedback during demos, customers were canceling after two weeks because they didn’t have the time to learn the platform. This challenge highlighted the importance of listening to customers and adapting to their needs. Shaun emphasized that helping the people who help small businesses was key to their success, leading them to focus on marketing agencies.
Building a Strong and Innovative Team
Shaun discussed the critical role of having a dedicated and passionate team. HighLevel prides itself on having the best and fastest development team in SMB software. Each product manager acts like a mini-CEO, owning their feature set, talking to customers, and being held accountable for their KPIs. This approach ensures that the team is always aligned with customer needs and is constantly innovating.
Navigating Challenges and Setbacks
Every entrepreneurial journey comes with its share of setbacks. Shaun shared a lesson learned from hiring individuals with impressive resumes but incompatible cultural values. This experience underscored the importance of hiring people who align with the company’s mission and culture. HighLevel now focuses on hiring individuals who are passionate and culturally fit, even if they lack certain skills, which can be trained.
The Role of AI in Marketing
Looking ahead, Shaun highlighted the significant role AI is playing in marketing. HighLevel is integrating AI into various aspects of their platform, from chat and voice AI to assistive technologies that help create content. AI’s ability to automate and improve customer interactions is seen as a major advancement that will continue to evolve.
Networking and Community Engagement
Shaun also spoke about the value of networking and community engagement. Despite being more comfortable behind a computer, he acknowledged that meeting people in person is irreplaceable. Networking events offer invaluable opportunities to learn from others, validate ideas, and make meaningful connections that can drive business success.
Daily Habits for Success
One of Shaun’s key daily habits is talking to customers. By prioritizing customer interactions, he ensures that HighLevel is always focused on helping customers succeed. This customer-centric approach has been fundamental to their growth and innovation.
Final Thoughts on Being Growth-Driven
For Shaun, being growth-driven means constantly asking whether the next steps are aligned with customer needs and ensuring that the team is innovating every day. It’s about creating products and services that truly help customers succeed, driven by a genuine desire to serve and add value.
Shaun Clark’s insights provide a blueprint for entrepreneurs looking to innovate, build strong teams, and stay closely connected to their customers. His journey with HighLevel serves as an inspiring example of how dedication to customer success and continuous innovation can lead to remarkable growth.
