This interview has been a long time coming.

Mainly because we did the interview a few months ago! Don’t worry, I won’t use this space to whine about how busy the last couple of months have been because well… it is what it is and I’m back and moving forward!

Nick Davis, Italy and Pricing Themes

Another reason I love what I do… Nick was in Italy when we recorded this interview (how awesome is THAT?). Like most interviews, we started with Nick’s backstory and how he ended up starting Lean Themes with his business partner, Derry Birkett (the designer behind the clean design & awesomeness of their themes).

We talked about how they connected and decided to partner on Lean Themes and why they went with a Genesis Child theme company (as opposed to doing a stand-alone theme). Like any other new business, they faced challenges when starting and launching (although one of the ‘challenges’ was the blessing of his first child).

I’ve talked a few times about pricing – whether it’s your product or your services and Nick and I discussed this in length. When they launched Kickstart to their subscribers (people who had signed up for early notification), they offered a lower price for the first version. It wasn’t a ‘discounted’ price- think first offering. They were looking for validation and for people to get their hands into the theme. I absolutely loved what Nick said about ‘discounting’ and that it’s something they wouldn’t do because it devalues the product. If you’re solving a business problem by providing a solution, what is the value and ROI for the individual who buys your product?

What does Seth Godin have to do with WordPress?

We went in a little different direction when we started talking about how to be yourself, branding yourself, and simply showing up. Nick shared how he’s taken his company from an agency feel to branding it as himself. We talked about the need to show up as yourself and really put YOU into your brand. You know I’m a fan of ‘showing up’ and it’s awesome to see people behind themes and plugins showing that side of themselves as well.

What’s in store for Lean Themes

Perfection.

Kidding.

They want to continue focusing on Kickstart and making it the best theme possible as well as getting more involved in the WordPress community.

Before I post the links we mentioned in this episode, check out the customization of the Kickstart theme I’ve done for a friend & mentor below:

Links mentioned in this episode

Leanthemes.co

Velocity Page