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When Setbacks Happen
in BootStrapMe, on June 29, 2009
In this economy you have to expect setbacks. And you have to be prepared to deal with them. Whatever you do to create that mental framework is up to you. I know of people who keep a litttle laminated card in their wallet that gives them a list of steps to remember when bad things happen. I don't...
How Big is Your Farm?
in BootStrapMe, on June 21, 2009
Seth Godin asked that question recently, as a metaphor. If you own a lot of acres but just have a few bags of seed, you might be tempted to spread out what you've got and cover as much territory as you can. Farmers tell me that this is wasteful and time consuming. You end up with less yield an...
Accelerating Relationships with Social Networking
in TJ's Weblog, on June 15, 2009
Business has always been at least partly about networking. More and more, it has come to be about social networking. I wrote recently about the need to focus your efforts in social networking. I came across this piece not long ago by Christopher Rollyson on how business relationships can, in h...
Problem Solving is Key
in BootStrapMe, on June 12, 2009
Success in starting a business is mostly about figuring out what to do when challenges arise. So I couldn't help but get a little excited when I say this point on problem solving .
In the piece Sid Kemp looks a six basic steps to assessing and solving problems. And in his view, most of it is c...
Social Networking With Purpose
in BootStrapMe, on June 7, 2009
Entrepreneur.Com had a piece recently that made a simple point: You should be selective with your social networks.
The simple truth is that social networking can be a time consuming endeavor. It's easy to get bogged down trying to read all your Twitter posts. Social networks can become redun...
Viral Marketing Chocolate Grasshoppers
in BootStrapMe, on May 30, 2009
© worak
Small Business Trends had a cute piece recently on a viral marketing campaign that included mailing chocolate covered grasshoppers to some 5,000 marketing gurus with a simple message: if you can eat one of these, you probably have the guts to be an entrepreneur, too.
From Rob Ma...
Using Video to Boost Your Profile
in BootStrapMe, on May 24, 2009
© renaissancechambara
Entrepreneur.com pointed out recently how easy it is to create and host online a video about your business. It's a powerful marketing tool that can give your business' image a big boost.
It's not hard to make a video look pretty professional with an inexpen...
MBAs and Entrepreneurs
in BootStrapMe, on May 21, 2009
BusinessWeek recently published an article that looked at our infatuation as a nation with the MBA and suggested that perhaps we should be more concerned with the talent of entrepreneurship than with training. Rarely have I seen the contrast spelled out so clearly... Now, I understand the us...
The Balance of Life
in BootStrapMe, on May 10, 2009
Like many high pressure careers, bootstrappers face a problem that can sometimes be difficult. It is a problem for which no pat answers or prefabricated solutions are available. The problem: maintaining a balance between your entrepreneurial endevears and the rest of life.
You do have a life , do...
How Sound is Your Business Plan?
in BootStrapMe, on April 27, 2009
I recently reported at BizPlanHacks on some research that shows that business plans don't get start-ups funded by VC's. But what do we care?
A business plan takes on a whole new meaning in the context of a bootstrapped business. PE Hub 's Joanna Glasner rightly points out that the...
Resources for Women Entrepreneurs
in BootStrapMe, on April 19, 2009
Adam over at Blogtrepreneur points out the prominent role women play in the bootstrap community and the larger world of entrepreneurs today. He uses suffrage as a point of reference; 90 years ago women couldn't even vote. "You've come a long way, baby." (Hope that doesn't...
Before You Start a Business, Do an Internship
in BootStrapMe, on April 4, 2009
Before you start a business, you can gain a lot of insight into you new industry or market by doing an internship in a business in the same sector of your economy. That was the advice of Karen E. Klein at BusinessWeek last month. She called it an "inexpensive way to avoid mistakes when you la...
The Value-Price Relationship
in BootStrapMe, on March 31, 2009
...two)
If you choose to lower your price, something else may suffer. No matter how tough the market gets, you'll have to stick to your principles to sell the value that differentiates you from you...
The Personality of an Entrepreneur
in BootStrapMe, on March 25, 2009
Young Entrepreneur had a piece recently on entrepreneurial personality. It was an interesting look at the importance of matching personality to your job function.
The article interviews consultant Bill Wagner of Accord Management Systems. Word to the wise, we can't change our personality bu...
VC's Overrated...
in BootStrapMe, on March 19, 2009
Brad Feld had an interesting piece recently that I thought my BootStrapper friends would smile about. It was on the relationship between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. When I think about who I spend most of my time with, it's entrepreneurs. When I think about who really drives innovati...
Confessions of a Startup Addict
in BootStrapMe, on March 11, 2009
Ivan Widjaya over at Noobpreneur had a cute piece Monday. He confesses that he's addicted to starting new businesses.
Ivan looks at the symptoms of his addiction (with an eye toward helping to decide if you share his problem). Then he looks at himself as a case study. I started dozens of busi...
The Bootstrapper's Fable: Is a VC Hunting You?
in BootStrapMe, on February 28, 2009
Scott Dig , a bootstrapper himself, had an instructive little fable for the bootstrappers of the world earlier this month. I won't retell it in its entirety, but the moral is that we often lose sight of our most valuable assets.
Scott's message is simple: as a Bootstrapper, your most valua...
Due Diligence Comes in Flavors
in BootStrapMe, on February 16, 2009
Sometimes it's easy to forget that there's more than one type of due diligence. At the start-up stage, remembering to do both legal due diligence and business due diligence is critical.
Scott Dig posted a good description of the two type of due diligence earlier this month. He's ...
20 Bootstrapping Tips
in BootStrapMe, on February 4, 2009
Evan Carmichael has a good piece today that looks at ways you can bootstrap. What it amounts to is 20 tips for succeeding as a bootstrapper.
The tips are basic: Hire people on a part time basis
Automate wherever possible
Don't quit your day job (and we've said that before)
Form ...
Focus on Strength
in BootStrapMe, on January 28, 2009
Black in Business ran in encouraging piece earlier this month on how to develop a positive outlook on your business activities.
It's a simple message. Manage your weaknesses; we all know that. But the important part of the message for bootstrappers is that we should enhance out strengths. Our...
Building a Start Up from Scratch
in BootStrapMe, on January 21, 2009
Evan Carmichael over at the Young Entrepreneur blog has a nice basic step-by-step on how to start out with nothing and build yourself a start up business. Here are the steps that I took. This process helped me build my business with $0 in startup capital. Hopefully you can learn from my experien...
Unemployment Benefits? One of the Risks of Going it Alone...
in BootStrapMe, on January 15, 2009
National Public Radio had an interesting story yesterday that highlighted the plight of many people involved in entrepreneurship and home-based business. If their business fails, they are just as unemployed as a laid off autoworker. But they are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Most people ...
The Place of Loyalty in Your New Company's Values
in BootStrapMe, on January 12, 2009
Jack and Suzy Welch over at BusinessWeek had a good article a few days ago on the role of loyalty in corporate culture - especially in hard times. I thought it was useful to consider in the context of building a new business.
Your business is off the ground and you've hired a few people. The...
Fear Not! In a Recession, Fear Will Kill Your Business...
in BootStrapMe, on December 25, 2008
Brian Solis over at TechCrunch had an excellent piece early this week on the negativity and fear that comes with a recession. While bootstrappers are probably a little less prone to fear and panic than most other business people, Brian 's advice is still timely.
A tidbit from the piece: S...
What is a Bootstrapper?
in BootStrapMe, on December 24, 2008
Dave Cheong had an interesting piece this week on bootstrapping. It was a nice, simple review of the concept.
"A bootstrapper is someone who uses his own time, money and resources to get a business launched...," Cheong writes. Then he asks every bootstrapper's favorite question: Isn...
Are You Successful...?
in BootStrapMe, on December 12, 2008
Dan Schawbel over at Personal Branding Blog has an insightful interview online at the moment Romanus Wolter , "the Kick Start Guy." And Wolter makes what I think is a very important point for today's world: you don't get to define success all by yourself.
"A person is su...
Cash Flow: Solving the Problem of How to Get it Started
in BootStrapMe, on December 3, 2008
I saw a post last month that I like by Yaro Starak over at Entrepreneurs-Journey.Com about getting your cash flow started.
Lack of cash flow when you first get started in a business can be a major obstacle. Often the solution is a catch-22: you get a second job to bring in money for the start-up ...
Free Guide to Social Media for Small Business
in BootStrapMe, on November 25, 2008
A Facebook friend of mine, Anita Campbell, pointed me toward a new free guide to social media for Small Business . The book is "Let's Talk: Social Media for Small Business," by John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing. I just finished reading it and recommend you check it out. The guid...
What others have to say about Shawn Hessinger and BootStrapMe.com
in BootStrapMe, on October 20, 2008
... Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Devon Stephens
Since June 2006 , BootStrapMe.com has been sharing the possibilities of bootstrap startups with entrepreneurs the world over.
It's more than ju...
Share bootstrap resources on Yahoo!
in BootStrapMe, on October 15, 2008
© Yodel Anecdotal
Got a resource you'd like to share with other bootstrappers?
Do so at The Bootstrapper's Group on Yahoo! using the Rich-Text Editor function to create links to blogs and other website resources .
Using The Bootstrapper's Group you can:
• Share resources you...
Another book on bootstrapping
in BootStrapMe, on October 14, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Courtney Weittenhiller
Travel industry entrepreneur Chicke Fitzgerald is one of numerous contributors to a new " Bootstrap Business " book due out this spring.
In a post on her Distribution Solutionz blog, Chicke suggests bootstrapping may be key to i...
Bootstrapping key in tough economic times
in BootStrapMe, on October 13, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Tatiana Gladskikh
Despite the market's dramatic rebound today, some in the business community continue to be pessimistic about the immediate future.
But, as I mentioned in a recent post at the Bootstrapper's Gtoup on Yaho o!, Mark "Rizzin" ...
Tips for the serious bootstrapper
in BootStrapMe, on October 11, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Magdalena Duczkowska
Once the wave of exuberance over starting a new bootstrap business passes giving way to a lot of hard work accompanied by occasional disappointment, it's time to take some serious stock.
Unlike the funded model, there may not be any bi...
Help me make this blog even better
in BootStrapMe, on October 8, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Rafal Zdeb
I've received a few very nice comments over the last couple of days about this blog and how it has been helpful to readers.
Thanks to all of you for visiting and responding.
In the near future I plan to have more interviews with other companie...
Bootstrapping my blog network
in BootStrapMe, on October 7, 2008
...9;t joined yet, do so, and feel free to ask to link to my network by simply telling me you're a BootStrapMe reader.
You can also follow the bootstrapping of this interactive blogging network at ...
Make me an offer!
in BootStrapMe, on October 6, 2008
...d us in business.
I'm using ZooQ , a new problem solving community profiled recently here on BootStrapMe , to get some suggestions on the question of setting prices. Here's what I posted un...
Hunger gives bootstrappers their edge
in BootStrapMe, on October 4, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Skip ODonnell
( Editor's Note: Entrepreneur Cristian Dorobantescue interviews mike Michalowicz about the ultimate bootstrapper advantage. )
I've recently had the chance of interviewing Mike Michalowicz , serial entrepreneur and author of the book...
Top 10 links on BootStrapMe.com
in BootStrapMe, on October 4, 2008
...ly checked the Google Analytics account for this blog and discovered the top performing links among bootstrapme.com readers run the gamut from info on the importance of cash flow to how to start a thr...
"Bailout" news may not be good for bootstrappers
in BootStrapMe, on October 2, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Lilli Day
As a revised version of Monday's failed Wall Street "bailout" legislation passes the Senate and is now being evaluated by members in the House here in the U.S., it's time again for reflection.
I've posted before about my doubts...
Join ZooQ and help bootstrap my business
in BootStrapMe, on October 1, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Khuong Hoang
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST
Now that we've reviewed the tools available through ZooQ , the new problem solving application with implications for the bootstrapping entrepreneur , I've decided to try it myself.
Co-founder Edward A. Ipse...
Founder: ZooQ is for bootstrappers
in BootStrapMe, on September 30, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Ashok Rodrigues
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST
Ultimately, ZooQ 's co-founder Edward A. Ipser, Jr. maintains that the application is a perfect fit for bootstrappers . In a series of e-mails on the subject earlier this month he explained:
ZooQ is [a]...
Bootstrapping your group or challenge with ZooQ
in BootStrapMe, on September 30, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Alistair Scott
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST
Use these simple tools to bootstrap your group or advisory board with ZooQ :
• Set a challenge. Define the challenge, the problem you need to solve. Decide who you want to help you solve it. (Open it to ev...
Tool gives bootstrappers board of directors of the big guys
in BootStrapMe, on September 29, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , yang yu
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST
So how does ZooQ work?
Well, the new social application officially launching beginning in October is built on the premise that anyone should be able to get together a bunch of advisors to solve a problem no matter how ...
ZooQ gives bootstrappers company building tool
in BootStrapMe, on September 29, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , christine balderas
Many of you know that in addition to editing this site, I am also the founder of an interactive blog network called PostRanger.com .
Now established as a site featuring posted links to blogs and other on line resources on a variety of subjects...
Forget the credit crunch: bootstrap your business
in BootStrapMe, on September 27, 2008
Has the latest news on U.S. and global financial problems got you down?
There is an alternative. Stop worrying about Wall Street and bootstrap your business startup or expansion instead.
Here's how:
• Start with no money. Begin with a service (generally the least capital intensive kind ...
Reader's pick for bootstrapper principles
in BootStrapMe, on September 23, 2008
© a2gemma
We've laid out a couple of what I consider to be among the most important bootstrapping principles over the last few days: Here they are .
But I want to keep this site as interactive as possible so now it's your turn to add to the list.
If there are any important princi...
Bootstrapping principle #3: Freelance over full-time
in BootStrapMe, on September 22, 2008
© douglemoine
As anyone in an operating business can tell you these days, hiring freelancers or subcontractors can sometimes be a better option than full-time employees .
So it should come as no surprise that bootstrappers must sometimes rely on freelance over full-time workers and should b...
Bootstrapping principle #2: Partnerships over pay-out
in BootStrapMe, on September 21, 2008
© Mel B.
Next in our series of top bootstrapping principles , we look at how partnerships triumph over pay-out or how sometimes teaming with others can help cut the costs of startup.
If you need a refresher on what we are talking about when we discuss business bootstrapping, have a look at t...
Bootstrapping principle #1: Cash flow over capital
in BootStrapMe, on September 20, 2008
© .craig
As mentioned in my previous post , bootstrappers know there are more important things than outside capital investment when it comes to building a company: cash flow for example.
My own interactive blog network startup PostRanger.com will soon be concentrating on generating positiv...
Swerving off the bootstrapping trail...or am I?
in BootStrapMe, on September 18, 2008
... need is time not money...so far typical bootstrapper thinking , right?
Well, here's where it gets complicated. As many regular readers of this blog know, I'm a part-time entrepreneur with a...
Bootstrap building blocks: From part-time startup to full-time business
in BootStrapMe, on September 15, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, mustafa deliormanli
Social media guru Dawn Foster has this great post on taking your venture "from side project to startup."
Interestingly, some of the ideas taken in the form of notes from the two day " From Side Product to Startup " ...
My bootstrapping tools
in BootStrapMe, on September 14, 2008
...pper group today!)
• LeadVine -This new community, which we recently profiled here at BootStrapMe , is a unique tool in that it allows folks who might regularly come across sales leads or human ...
Ask Google for bootstrap news
in BootStrapMe, on September 13, 2008
...own informational needs.
The alert will keep you in the know not only about each new post here at BootStrapMe.com , but also on any information on bootstrapping anywhere across the world.
Here'...
So what's the definition of bootstrapping again?
in BootStrapMe, on September 11, 2008
... immediately.
For example, LeadVine co-founder Allan Margate said in a recent interview with BootStrapMe.com that his company has focused on building community first and has not yet settled on ...
Bootstrapping and presidential politics
in BootStrapMe, on September 9, 2008
© zenobia_joy
With both major party presidential conventions behind us, it seems the coming general election holds little promise for bootstrappers here in the U.S. (See the video from JibJab below).
However, as suggested in an earlier post on this blog , there may be at least one third...
BootStrapMe readers: Join my Linkedin network
in BootStrapMe, on September 6, 2008
...
I'm looking for bootstrappers and other BootStrapMe.com readers to join my Linkedin network .
I'm hoping to discuss projects and opportunities with others in the network coming up soon i...
What's your bootstrap venture?
in BootStrapMe, on September 6, 2008
...your turn.
Tell us about your bootstrap venture and let us add it to our list of profiles here at BootStrapMe.com.
Some of the things we'd like to know:
• How much did you spend on startup?
•...
Bootstrapper's hall of fame: Cartoonist makes bootstrapping an art
in BootStrapMe, on September 6, 2008
Aspiring cartoonist Michelle Prestileo has discovered bootstrapping need not be limited to entrepreneurial startups on line or in the real world.
A decade ago, the Pennsylvania based artist might have had to rely on getting her portfolio into the hands of the right agent, Hollywood producer...
The ultimate bootstrapping trait?
in BootStrapMe, on September 5, 2008
© visulogik
From the legendary Paul Revere to modern "connectors" who become catalysts for change and exchange, author Malcolm Gladwell argues at least part of what causes an idea to spread has to do with those who spread it.
In his book The Tipping Point , Gladwell lays out th...
Bootstrapper's Labor Day
in BootStrapMe, on September 1, 2008
© doratagold
As my labor day weekend draws to an end, I managed to get in some relaxing...but not much.
For those readers not living in the U.S., here is a brief explanation of the holiday and what it means.
In the past, I've posted (somewhat irreverently, I admit) about the rel...
Connectors key in bootstrapping
in BootStrapMe, on August 31, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 6695073
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST
Still, not only those with a product or service to sell or job to offer are welcome on LeadVine .
In fact, the very concept behind the network is that some members of the community with nothing to buy or sell may...
Bootstrapping tip: Call your competitor
in BootStrapMe, on August 31, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 6219339
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST
Not just a bootstrapping tool, LeadVine is a bootstrapped venture itself .
At last check, the site boasted 169 users, 74 listings and about $116,000 in finders' fees, though co-founder Allen Margate admits he&...
Bootstrapping tool inspired by simple business need
in BootStrapMe, on August 31, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 6413338
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST
Interviewed last week after the launch of his new venture , co-founder Allan Margate admits LeadVine was born out of a very simple need shared by all bootstrappers and indeed all businesses starting out.
&q...
Bootstrapping tool makes sign-up easy
in BootStrapMe, on August 31, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 833614
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST
We saw last time how LeadVine creates a new tool for bootstrappers helping them with possibly the biggest challenge of operating a business: recruiting sales and customers.
Of course, best of all is that signing ...
Bootstrapping your sales force with LeadVine
in BootStrapMe, on August 28, 2008
Got a product or service, but no time or resources to get it to those who may want it most?
That's where LeadVine.com , a recently launched website built to serve as a sales tool for bootstrap entrepreneurs, comes in.
"We're basically crowd sourcing the whole sales process,&quo...
Bootstrapper's hall of fame: Bootstrapping in Eastern Europe
in BootStrapMe, on August 27, 2008
His name is Cristian Dorobantescue, and though he may think of himself as just an ordinary entrepreneur, his efforts to build and sustain not one but two businesses in the former Eastern Block make him a pioneer.
Today he is still re-organizing, still seeking new opportunities in classic bootst...
Bootstrapper's hall of fame: Bra strap bootstrap
in BootStrapMe, on August 24, 2008
Shelli Styles did not start out as a bootstrapper seeking to make a pile of money for herself.
Instead, the founding of Strappity-do-da , a company that markets specialized beaded bra straps from South America, was motivated by a desire to lift her husband's family out of poverty.
Here ar...
Bootstrapper's hall of fame: VA ventures
in BootStrapMe, on August 23, 2008
In a recent e-mail, Denise Aday confirms she has launched a new blog , a sign, it seems, that her virtual assistant business continues to move in new directions.
But way back in 2006, Denise was just getting started after being laid off from a full-time job.
We hope to have a lengthier conve...
Wanted: bootstrapper tools
in BootStrapMe, on August 21, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Skip ODonnell
In addition to editing this site, I'm also a bootstrapping entrepreneur in my own rite, with my current project being the launch of the fledgling blog network PostRanger.com .
So it's understandable that when I hear of new tools and ser...
More bootstrappers join the party
in BootStrapMe, on August 20, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Denis Vorob'yev
We've had at least two new members join our revitalized Yahoo! Group this month since we began promoting it again .
I'm hoping also to encourage other bootstrappers to join our Bootstrap Your Business Today group on MySpace an...
