16: How we landed our first customer (with Michael Dyrynda of Laracon AU)
In this episode, Mitchell flies solo without Gavin (who’s soaking up the sun in Fiji) and sits down with Laracon AU organiser and SixSides’ very first customer, Michael Dyrynda. They dive deep into what it takes to run a developer conference, how Laracon AU has evolved over the years, and how SixSides went from talk idea to full-blown product.Expect a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to launch a B2B SaaS company from scratch – completely bootstrapped.Got questions or topics you want us to cover? Email us at [email protected] you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review on your favourite podcast app. It really helps us reach more people!In this episode, we cover:The early days of Laracon AU and how it got startedWhy Brisbane has become the new long-term home for the conferenceHow Laracon AU balances growth, inclusivity and vibeMichael’s approach to managing sponsors, booths and the foyer experienceThe story behind SixSides and its in-conference photo gameHow Mitch’s talk turned into a SaaS companyDealing with fire alarms, bowling nights, and late-night scooter ridesLessons from using Bento and running segmented email campaignsMichael’s evolving role from developer to full-time event operatorWhat’s coming next for both Laracon AU and SixSidesChapters:Atlas Software is a premier software development agency based in Sydney, Australia, and founded by Mitchell Davis. We specialise in building innovative, robust, and scalable applications that drive business growth. With expertise in Laravel, Vue, React, and React Native, we help businesses craft tailored software solutions that streamline operations and enhance user experiences. Whether you're a startup finding product-market fit or an enterprise scaling digital transformation, Atlas ensures your tech vision becomes reality. Learn more at atlas.dev.Gavin Tye is a sales strategist and the creator of Sales Market Fit (SMF) - a game-changing framework that helps B2B startups unlock predictable, scalable growth. With over 20 years of experience in high-value SaaS sales, Gavin has cracked the code on why businesses struggle to close deals and how they can transform their approach. Sales Market Fit aligns positioning, go-to-market strategies, and sales execution into a repeatable process that wins more clients with less friction. Learn how to stop relying on hope and start winning with a deliberate, proven sales strategy at salesmarketfit.co.Links:SixSides: sixsides.coBook a call with Gavin: call.sixsides.coLaracon AU: laracon.auCaleb Porzio's Notes On Work: notesonwork.transistor.fmConnect with us:Mitchell on Bluesky: mitchdav.isMitchell on LinkedIn: mitchdavGavin on LinkedIn: gavintyeMichael on X: michaeldyryndaMichael on Bluesky: dyrynda.auMichael on LinkedIn: michaeldyryndaSixSides on LinkedIn: sixsidesSixSides on X: sixsideseventsSixSides on Bluesky: sixsides.co