Austin Lortie's Profile
Austin Lortie
Recent Messages
#08_advice-questions - September 19, 2025 at 01:39 PM
<@U08HDCGTMS9> happy to discuss in further detail
#08_advice-questions - August 21, 2025 at 05:28 PM
@Bane Srdjevic
- Is a CPA, Attorney and investor, really insightful, would be my reccomendation
- Sam Rosati or Eric Pacifici are really well known
If their pricing is painful LMK, I know a bunch of attorneys in the space. Barlow & Williams is another but I don't know if they do tax work or simply acquisitions
#04_resources - August 11, 2025 at 04:42 PM
Here are some AI prompts for Sales & Marketing I thought may be valuable to the group:
#00_announcements - March 31, 2025 at 03:16 PM
I sent you a DM
#05_opportunities - March 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
<@U0862SEPZFB> I am happy to. I'll send you a DM!
#08_advice-questions - February 24, 2025 at 10:29 PM
@Sam Eisenberg great suggestion! Anyone else I should check out or would you say is the gold standard.
This is a 30+ slide CIM style deck.
#08_advice-questions - February 24, 2025 at 06:21 PM
^I'll hit you up on this offline! I figured you might!
#08_advice-questions - February 24, 2025 at 06:04 PM
Do y'all know anyone that could make an investment deck look pretty for me at a reasonable price? Preferably off-shore or near-shore so I am not paying US graphic design prices.
All the content is there i just need someone to go through and make sure it flows visually.
#05_opportunities - February 10, 2025 at 05:35 PM
A good friend of mine started a company and they’re doing a special thing for the next 5 weeks where they’ll build web apps and websites for free. They’re willing to invest their own time to build things on their platform. Basically it’s a new platform that can leverage AI to build quickly. All they’d be looking for is the ongoing monthly hosting fee. Let me know if you’d like an introduction.
#08_advice-questions - February 07, 2025 at 07:00 PM
@Amit Guruprasad we can grab some time if you'd like to discuss this at length
An LLC is typically the most tax efficient model until you are drawing more than $60k from the business annually whether as income or as distributions. When you are over $60k it typically makes more sense to file for an S-corp because there are some issues with LLCs in terms of double taxation. Again, better question for a CPA but I know the break point is around that $60k number.
If you mean optimize in terms of access to capital, a lot of angels would be open to still investing in an LLC and there are a ton of options when it comes to debt, SBA is a great one with a 10 year term and the best interest rate you are going to get anywhere.
#05_opportunities - February 07, 2025 at 06:51 PM
@Tanho Attah hl.d miss you brother, we gotta grab some time soon!
#05_opportunities - February 04, 2025 at 01:40 PM
Pegasus writing some checks this month. I know they put resources behind their PortCos in addition to capital.
#08_advice-questions - January 23, 2025 at 06:27 PM
Not legal or financial advice but;
Look up QSBS, if your goal is to exit in the future it can significantly reduce tax liability. You’re able to differ taxes on up to $10m but there are some time requirements.
If you ever raise capital most investors are going to want a c-corp as you’re fairly restricted in terms of how you can structure your cap table with a LLC. You’re also not able to set up employee option pools etc if that’s ever something you have an interest in doing.
From a tax perspective I am sure there are pros and cons of each but a better question for your CPA,
#05_opportunities - January 11, 2025 at 05:07 PM
Hey Ema, I am open to a conversation and have some thoughts on this. Shoot me a dm and I am happy to connect next week.
#08_advice-questions - December 23, 2024 at 02:12 AM
Charles here in Houston is phenomenal. I've sat down for lunch with him a few times. He's done everything from buy side acquisitions for large health systems to regulatory work with early stage biotech. Decent size team and tries to keep his rates reasonable, prefers working down market with early stage.
I am sure he is happy if you reach out via email or phone but happy to make an intro if it's helpful.
#08_advice-questions - December 06, 2024 at 04:49 PM
@Cynthia Harrington I am no middle funnel conversion expert but I would remove the initial friction of asking for card information prior to letting them experience your product. Maybe do a 2-week trial so they recognize the need for your product/service then lock them out and ask for the card to continue service or offer an option to refer additional users to extend their free trial.
I would guess if you're getting downloads but they aren't converting, the prospect has an interest in your product but you haven't built enough trust/value for them to be willing to offer their card information.
When you ask for a phone number in an initial lead form it significantly reduces the number of requests but the leads are typically of higher quality. I would guess that something similar is happening.
Just my 2 cents!
#06_social - August 30, 2024 at 06:04 PM
Creating feedback loops at every step of the customer journey. Use feedback to adjust product based on the needs of your users!
#08_advice-questions - August 06, 2024 at 10:12 PM
Who is a power user of commerce cloud from SalesForce?
Would love to pick someones brain regarding use cases specific to construction and healthcare.
#08_advice-questions - June 21, 2024 at 04:10 PM
Or last mile delivery in any capacity
#08_advice-questions - June 21, 2024 at 04:09 PM
Entertaining purchasing a FedEx P&D route. Anyone in our community have experience in this space or know someone who does?
#08_advice-questions - June 06, 2024 at 11:29 AM
If you only need email marketing Instantly is the best bang for your buck!
#02_general - February 15, 2024 at 08:00 PM
^ Top of funnel books
• $100m Leads
• Cold Email Manifesto
#02_general - February 07, 2024 at 05:25 PM
Hey Y'all I met an attorney at a networking event recently that was telling me about a cool grant program for those based in Queens NYC.
The chamber offers 5 hours of free legal help for those based in Queens. If you know anyone that could benefit feel free to send me a DM and I can get you connected.
The gentleman does a fair amount of Trademark and patent work for startups across the US, it just won't be pro-bono!
#02_general - January 08, 2024 at 07:50 PM
@Michael O'Hara thank you for the feedback, a blender being number 1, that is so funny!
#02_general - January 08, 2024 at 07:49 PM
No, for M&A. But that is a good call too, I could potentially still use that as a hook!
#02_general - January 08, 2024 at 06:43 PM
I've got a question for the group. I am going to a networking event at a local chamber of commerce tomorrow and they recommend a door prize to increase visibility.
What sort of door prize do you think would catch attention?
#05_opportunities - November 10, 2023 at 04:18 PM
Hey Everyone,
Someone in my network is looking for a CEO for their startup with the following qualifications:
• Leadership skills, entrepreneurial energy, pro-activeness, and efficient multi-tasking
• Prior experience as a startup CEO (20+ people minimum) with a successful exit
• Past B2B business development successes and relevant experience working in materials science, or with the chemical, paints or coatings industries
• Previous experience in angel and venture capital fundraising is required, and experience with M&A transactions
• Full-time commitment
They are in the coating business here is a couple sentences on what they do:
Revolutionary polymer coating formed via phase-inversion that exhibits both outstanding solar reflectivity and infrared emittance. It is intrinsically hydrophobic and UV resistant as well as tremendously versatile, being applicable on various surfaces including metals, fabrics, plastics, wood, and can also be made free-standing.
If you or anyone you know meets the required qualification and is interested feel free to send me DM and I will share some additional information and make an introduction if it makes sense.
#02_general - August 16, 2023 at 08:43 PM
@ appreciate the recommendation good sir, would love to catch up over Zoom some time if you're open to it!
#02_general - August 16, 2023 at 07:55 PM
Soooo I have a dumb question, a founder I am working with is going to SaaStr and is from Brazil. His goal is to meet with investors during his time at the event and I ironically in all of my years of B2B sales have never been to an event so I didn't have great feedback for him.
What advice would you give to someone that is going to SaaStr to maximize investor exposure?
Edtech platform that sells B2B into the US over $1m in ARR if that info is helpful. Focused on helping customer success teams drive engagement with their clients as opposed to just having a knowledge base.
#06_social - August 11, 2023 at 05:36 PM
Not historical but if I could building a fintech business with Mr. Wonderful would be a dream lol
#01_introductions - July 19, 2023 at 04:37 PM
Excited to see you here brother!!!!!!! To the moon 🚀🚀🚀
#02_general - July 13, 2023 at 08:16 PM
Good call David, I hate that I love ChatGPT lol!
#02_general - July 13, 2023 at 01:26 PM
Solid advice, thanks Andy!
#02_general - July 12, 2023 at 08:45 PM
^ love that take!
#02_general - July 12, 2023 at 08:25 PM
I have a meeting with a killer CFO to pick her brain on Friday regarding taxes and business structure. Anyone have recommendations on some good questions to ask?
I've got some thoughts of my own but sometimes you don't know what you don't know. Or any questions I could ask for you while I've got her ear?
#02_general - July 07, 2023 at 02:34 PM
I think we should definitely chat on this good sir! What you're selling is largely a commodity ya know same thing for me so there is always going to be a firm , especially offshore, that will be able to significantly undercut your price for virtually identical services. Let's schedule a time next week to catch up because I have some additional questions and a bunch of thoughts I am happy to share with you.
#02_general - July 06, 2023 at 05:41 PM
Alex, if I were you I would go look through the introductions tab and find someone who specializes in product and shoot them a message.
They probably won't have a ton for you in terms of what you should charge but they should have some great feedback on how to help you package your product offering.
#01_introductions - June 29, 2023 at 10:50 PM
Welcome Arik!!
#01_introductions - June 27, 2023 at 06:52 PM
Welcome April!!
#01_introductions - June 26, 2023 at 02:13 PM
Welcome Alex, thrilled to have you as a Member!
#06_social - June 23, 2023 at 05:12 PM
This is one of my favorite quotes and I think it's extremely applicable to this group. We seek challenges and responsibility! Cheers to being the architect of your destiny 🍻
#01_introductions - June 21, 2023 at 09:56 PM
Welcome Andy, you and Taiga up there in gods country, I am jealous! I would be interested in picking your brain on RE development at some point!
#01_introductions - June 19, 2023 at 08:19 PM
Oooooo buddy, I wish I would have taken advantage of something like this fresh out of high school. Please let me know if I can add value to you or your career in any way. To the moon 🚀🚀🚀
#01_introductions - June 16, 2023 at 04:00 PM
Welcome @ 👋
#01_introductions - June 07, 2023 at 07:52 PM
Excited to be here @Brian Lee thanks for the warm welcome
Hello Gildre community! My name is Austin Lortie and I have a background in Sales & Marketing. I'm currently in the process of launching an email marketing agency and as a special promotion for the Gildre community I am offering a limited number of free campaigns.
If you are interested in taking advantage of this promotion or talking shop on anything GTM related please send me a DM! I look forward to getting to know more of you in this community!