Small team vibe.

Host: Alright, so let's talk about this article on Hi, Moose—it's about affordable SEO tools specifically designed for small businesses. The first thing that stands out to me is just how different their approach is compared to, you know, the usual big, venture-backed platforms. Guest: Yeah, I noticed that too. The article makes it clear that Hi, Moose is basically a one-person operation, with Sam—and apparently his dog, Moose—building the tool. There’s something refreshing about that. No investors, no big team, just practical tools developed out of real-world SEO needs. Host: Right. And it’s interesting how they emphasize that they’re not chasing, um, what they call a "unicorn dream." Instead, they’re deliberately staying small and focused. That’s pretty rare in the SaaS world—most companies are all about scaling fast, taking on funding, and trying to dominate the market. Guest: Exactly. And I think that focus on small businesses comes through in their values. They explicitly say they’re building for the "little guys and gals," not Fortune 500 companies. In a way, it’s almost like an anti-corporate stance. Host: Yeah, and that anti-corporate vibe pops up a few times. For example, they mention trust and feedback as core values—like, actually wanting to build features people need instead of just, you know, adding bells and whistles for the sake of it. It’s a bit of a contrast to some bigger tools where you sometimes get a sense they’re just piling on features to justify a higher price tag. Guest: Huh, yeah, and on the topic of pricing, they’re really direct about wanting to keep things affordable. The article points out how a lot of SEO tools are priced out of reach for small businesses, partly because of big teams and expensive AI features. Hi, Moose seems to be intentionally keeping costs down so their product stays accessible. Host: That’s true. And they also mention how they avoid the whole "growth hacking" mentality. Um, like, they’re not constantly running experiments to squeeze more profit out of users or bombarding people with marketing emails. It’s a much more laid-back, respectful approach. Guest: I thought that was interesting too. They basically say, if you sign up, you’ll only get essential emails—no endless announcements or sales pitches. That’s a pretty rare promise these days, especially for SaaS products. Host: It is. And I also like how they talk about responsibility, especially when it comes to AI. They’re upfront about not wanting to contribute to, as they put it, "AI slop." There’s an emphasis on using AI thoughtfully, with humans involved, rather than just automating everything for the sake of scale. Guest: Yeah, and I think that ties back into their core principle of doing great work. They acknowledge that, sure, there will be bugs and imperfections, but they’re committed to making things good—and then, once they are, making them great. It’s kind of a continuous improvement mindset, but without the, um, pressure to move at breakneck speed. Host: Absolutely. And another thing that caught my eye was their stance on profitability. They’re not shy about saying they need to be profitable to keep going, but it doesn’t sound like they’re chasing profit above all else. There’s that line about family coming before profit, and about being people-first—not just as a slogan, but in how they actually operate. Guest: Right. They even call out how some companies claim to be people-first and then, you know, lay off hundreds of people while executives get raises. Hi, Moose seems to want to prove their commitment through actions—like taking care of their team and community, even if it’s a small team. Host: There’s also a bit about truth and respect, which, I mean, is pretty important these days. They take a stance against supporting organizations that spread misinformation or hate. That’s not something you always see companies spell out in their about pages. Guest: Yeah, it all feels very intentional. Like, every value is there for a reason, not just as a checklist. And I think that’s probably appealing for small businesses who are, um, maybe a bit tired of being overlooked by bigger SaaS providers. Host: For sure. It’s a very different energy. Instead of trying to be everything for everyone, Hi, Moose seems happy to stay small, focus on real needs, and build trust over time. It’s a nice reminder that there’s room in tech for companies that don’t want to chase hypergrowth. Guest: Definitely. I guess, in a way, it’s about finding your audience and serving them well, rather than trying to capture the whole market. And for small businesses that need SEO tools without the noise or the high cost, this feels like a solid alternative. Host: Yeah, and I appreciate the clarity and honesty in the way they present themselves. There’s no hype, it’s just—here’s what we do, here’s what we care about, and if it’s a fit for you, great. Guest: Well, thanks for listening along as we unpacked this. There’s a lot to think about when it comes to how tech companies approach growth and values, and Hi, Moose is a pretty interesting case. Host: Agreed. Thanks for joining us, and, uh, hope you found this conversation useful.