Hey,
Happy New Year.
I hope you are reading this slowly. Not in between meetings or while skimming notifications. Slowly. The way this day deserves.
Before we talk about what is next, I want to say thank you.
Thank you for staying with me through the year that just ended. Thank you for reading, replying, forwarding these emails, and being part of a community that is quietly focused on building real companies in Africa. I do not take that lightly.
The days between Christmas and New Year always do something to me.
Christmas, for me, is about remembering. Remembering people. Remembering why I started. Remembering that life existed before metrics and targets.
I think Christmas gives founders something rare. Perspective.
It reminds you that your company is important, but it is not your entire identity. That your ambition is valid, but it should not cost you your peace. That growth feels better when it does not come at the expense of everything else.
I carry that feeling into the New Year on purpose.
Because January has a way of rushing us back into pressure. New goals. New expectations. New noise.
So here is my honest take on starting a new year as a SaaS founder in Africa.
Do not rush to set louder goals. Set clearer ones.
Last year taught us enough.
Some of you learned that revenue can grow faster than systems.
Some of you learned that traction without focus creates chaos.
Some of you learned that scaling too early is just as dangerous as scaling too late.
Those lessons matter more than any resolution you write down today.
As we step into this year, I want you to think less about doing more and more about doing better.
Better customers.
Better decisions.
Better conversations.
Better boundaries.
At Smarter SaaS Growth, this is the year we go deeper, not broader. More honest breakdowns of African SaaS companies. More real operator conversations. More practical guidance for founders serious about crossing the 1M ARR mark without burning everything down.
We will spend more time on the unglamorous things that actually move the needle. Pricing clarity. Distribution that fits our markets. Hiring at the right moment. Systems that scale before stress shows up.
If you have been on the fence, this year is a good time to step closer, because the conversations get better when the room is smaller and more intentional.
For today though, here is something valuable you can use immediately.
As you plan your year, ask yourself just three questions.
What will I stop doing that is no longer helping the business grow
What will I double down on that clearly works
What kind of founder do I want to be when December comes again
Write the answers down. Keep them close. They matter more than most plans.
If this email resonated with you, please share it with one founder who might need a calmer start to the year. This community grows best through trust.
I am grateful you are here. I am excited about what you are building. And I am looking forward to growing alongside you this year.
Happy New Year.
Warm wishes,
Angela
Smarter SaaS Growth
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