SixSides
62: How to stay married while bootstrapping a SaaS (with Mel Tye)

62: How to stay married while bootstrapping a SaaS (with Mel Tye)

May 05, 2026

In this episode, Gavin is joined by his wife Mel to unpack how they met, how they process risk differently, what it is like watching SixSides grow from the sidelines, and why trust, communication, and the occasional hard conversation matter when you are building a bootstrapped SaaS around family life.

Chapters

  • (00:00) - Mel’s first podcast begins
  • (02:10) - How Gavin and Mel met
  • (07:40) - Same values, very different ways of processing information
  • (13:20) - Work, motherhood, control, and learning to let go
  • (18:50) - Gavin’s many business ideas before SixSides
  • (26:30) - From Sales Market Fit to DealBuddi
  • (33:20) - How Mel reacted to SixSides and meeting Mitch
  • (42:00) - When your co-founder becomes part of the family
  • (49:10) - Big client wins and the next phase of SixSides
  • (56:30) - Advice for founders and their partners

In this episode, we cover:

  • Mel’s first ever podcast appearance
  • How Gavin and Mel met while working in recruitment and electrical contracting
  • First impressions, nervousness, arrogance, and how people can be misread
  • The difference between Gavin and Mel’s decision-making styles
  • Getting comfortable with risk when your partner is a founder
  • Gavin’s long list of past business ideas, including importing products, dog mats, lights, car mattresses, Cards Against Humanity, and 3D pens
  • How Sales Market Fit evolved into DealBuddi
  • Why Gavin’s sales skills work best when he is helping other people clarify and sell their own ideas
  • The $20K course decision, and what it taught Gavin and Mel about making big financial calls together
  • How Mel felt when Gavin first started working with Mitch on what became SixSides
  • Why meeting Mitch and Nicole mattered personally, not just professionally
  • The blurred line between business partnerships, friendships, and family
  • Winning the World Police and Fire Games, and the role of long-term effort rather than luck
  • Signing the Civil Contractors Federation as a major new SixSides client
  • Moving into the next phase of SixSides, including team management and additional support
  • Advice for founders and partners on communication, money, risk, and staying aligned

Got questions or topics you want us to cover? Email us at journey@sixsides.co

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