“Everyone—from the engineer to the CEO—should take part in supporting customers. It changes how we build everything.”

That insight from fractional CTO Brian Childress isn’t just memorable—it’s a blueprint for building better tech businesses. In this episode, Brian shares how embedding customer support into every role improves product development, team alignment, and long-term growth. Whether you're a SaaS founder, solopreneur, or future CTO, this episode is full of sharp, actionable advice.

Brian Childress is a seasoned software architect and fractional Chief Technology Officer. With deep experience leading software engineering teams and scaling tech infrastructure, Brian helps startups and growth-stage companies make the leap from “just launched” to “ready for real users.” His superpower? Balancing deep tech know-how with customer-first strategy.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT

• What a fractional CTO does (and how to become one)
• The hardest part of shifting from employee to business owner
• How to prepare your SaaS platform for real-world users
• Why every team member should experience customer support
• Creating company culture without making it a “project”
• How AI agents can act like super interns
• Protecting your intellectual property while using AI tools
• Why understanding your team’s cultural background improves collaboration
• Systems and frameworks that keep solo consultancies running smoothly

Tune in now for a candid conversation full of practical strategies and lightbulb moments.

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