E75 Walk Slow, Smile More: Lessons from PropFuel CEO Dave Will

Dave Will, co-founder of PropFuel, joins the Founder Secrets podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey from corporate life to building a member engagement platform for associations. From his early experiences at SAP to founding Peach New Media and eventually selling it to a private equity firm, Dave explores how his path shaped his approach to building businesses that focus on personal connection and engagement. In this episode, Dave discusses the evolution of PropFuel, the strategic decisions behind its growth, and the challenges of transitioning from an employee recognition tool to a conversational engagement platform. He highlights the power of asking questions, capturing insights, and using those insights to create meaningful interactions with members. Dave also opens up about his personal philosophies, including “walk slow, smile more,” and his experience with 75 Hard, a personal development challenge that has influenced both his business and personal life. Key Highlights: • Corporate to Entrepreneur: Dave’s shift from working at SAP and PwC to founding Peach New Media, and later PropFuel, a platform designed to help associations better connect with their members through conversational engagement. • The Evolution of PropFuel: How PropFuel pivoted from employee recognition software to a member engagement platform, using conversational techniques to gather insights and deliver personalized experiences. • Conversational Engagement: PropFuel’s unique approach to engagement by asking questions, listening to feedback, and taking action based on the responses, rather than relying on traditional broadcast marketing. • Personal Development and Resilience: Dave’s philosophy of “walk slow, smile more,” and his journey through the 75 Hard challenge, which emphasizes discipline and self-improvement in both personal and professional realms. • Selling a Business: Dave’s insights into the process of selling Peach New Media, navigating private equity offers, and deciding when to exit a business for the right reasons. • Scaling and Market Fit: PropFuel’s growth strategy and how they found product-market fit by experimenting with new approaches and listening to feedback from the association market. Join us as Dave shares valuable lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, offering insights on building platforms that foster meaningful connections, finding the right time to sell a business, and balancing personal development with professional success.