---
title: "The Bootstrap Playbook: Scaling Paperform as a No-Code SaaS"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/504f733d-c26a-4525-8325-1194740becbc
source_url: "https://www.codestory.co/episodes/s3-e13-the-bootstrap-playbook-how-paperform-scaled-a-global-no-code-saas-to-take-on-typeform-and-google-forms-with-dean-mcpherson/"
stack: https://stacklist.com/c/podcast/stack/5ec9d90b-f9c8-4e6d-98a1-c24a59b0416e
summary: "Code Story podcast episode S3 E13 features Dean McPherson discussing how he and his wife bootstrapped Paperform, a global no-code SaaS platform for forms, to compete with Typeform and Google Forms. The episode covers McPherson's unconventional path from a music and philosophy degree to self-taught developer, and the origin story of Paperform starting from a friend's request in 2013."
tags: "bootstrapping, no-code, saas, startup, podcast, paperform, technical-founders"
key_entities: "Dean McPherson (person), Noah Labhart (person), Paperform (organization), Typeform (organization), Google Forms (organization), Code Story (organization), no-code (concept), bootstrapping (concept), Cloud Academy (organization), Transistor.fm (technology), Squadcast (technology)"
classification: "transcript"
content_hash: "sha256:be346167a77b334b915f2c13bffe9e68b82747877e6820aa54beceb71fc16add"
acp_version: "0.2"
token_counts_approximate: 654
visibility: public
agent_accessible: true
status: "final"
---

# The Bootstrap Playbook: Scaling Paperform as a No-Code SaaS

Code Story | Startup Podcast for Technical Founders — S3 E13: The Bootstrap Playbook: How Paperform Scaled a Global No-Code SaaS to Take On Typeform and Google Forms with Dean McPherson Press Play to Listen While You Browse S3 E13: The Bootstrap Playbook: How Paperform Scaled a Global No-Code SaaS to Take On Typeform and Google Forms with Dean McPherson Code Story | Startup Podcast for Technical Founders 0:00 30:51 1× Dean McPherson - you guessed it... has always been interested in tech. Though unlike many of our guests, he taught himself how to code after he finished his degree program in music and philosophy. And then - he sold his way into a jr. programming job. Prior to his current venture, he spent several years doing mobile and full stack development for a couple of companies. He has a small family - 2 little boys - and his wife is not only his partner in life, but in business as well. He loves the idea of fishing - but doesn't really go much. And, he is a well rounded musician, but most interestingly.. he plays the didgeridoo. I can only imagine this at parties. In 2013, Dean's friend asked him to build a registration form for his business. He was baffled that he would ask for something like this, given there are solutions out there for this sort of thing. However, after searching for options - he couldn't find anything to recommend. In 2016, he and his wife set out to build something to solve this problem - something easy to use, doesn't require coding, and offers a well rounded, branded solution. This is the creation story of Paperform. Sponsors Cloud Academy (https://cloudacademy.com) Links https://paperform.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-mcpherson/ https://gobrief.com/blog/interviews/dean-mcpherson-co-founder-of-paperform Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Amazing tools we use: If you want the best publishing platform for your podcast, with amazing support & people - use Transistor.fm Want to record your remote interviews with class? Then, you need to use Squadcast . Code Story uses the 1-click product ClipGain , sign up now to get 3hrs of podcast processing time FREE Credits: Code Story is hosted and produced by Noah Labhart. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts , Google Play , Breaker , Youtube , or the podcasting app of your choice. Checkout our episode stacks on Stacklist! https://stacks.codestory.co/ Hosted by Noah Labhart | Technical Founder & Startup Mentor. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Latest Season of the Podcast is Sponsored By