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Results for bootstrapping busin. Search took 0.09 seconds.
The Balance of Life
in BootStrapMe, on May 10, 2009
... wife. She starts with this: Slide into bed with an entrepreneur, and you wind up cuddling with his business. At a certain point, the entrepreneur's spouse has to answer the question: Are you in o...
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 ...
Resources for Women Entrepreneurs
in BootStrapMe, on April 19, 2009
...n't sound patronizing; it's not meant to.)
Adam published a list of resources for women in business a while back. I thought I'd revisit his list here in case anyone missed it.
Top of th...
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. Kle...
The Value-Price Relationship
in BootStrapMe, on March 31, 2009
...ry Farber earlier this month on how the relationship between value and price can make or break your business. I remember seeing this statement above a local printer's office:
Price, Service, ...
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
... 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 yo...
The Bootstrapper's Fable: Is a VC Hunting You?
in BootStrapMe, on February 28, 2009
...its money into you, it also sinks its teeth into you. You no longer have complete control of your business.
You can read the fable here .
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Image# 7066283
...
Due Diligence Comes in Flavors
in BootStrapMe, on February 16, 2009
...ne 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 d...
Seth Godin on Succeeding in a Down Market
in BootStrapMe, on February 9, 2009
...erful for bootstrappers in this economy. And it's also encouraging. Among his tips for start-up businesses in this economy: Recognize that you'll have less competition and expect your costs to...
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 ...
Building a Start Up from Scratch
in BootStrapMe, on January 21, 2009
...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 startu...
Unemployment Benefits? One of the Risks of Going it Alone...
in BootStrapMe, on January 15, 2009
...ry 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 ar...
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 ...
Fear Not! In a Recession, Fear Will Kill Your Business...
in BootStrapMe, on December 25, 2008
...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: Simply said, fea...
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 bus... ...f 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: ...
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
...urney.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...
Free Guide to Social Media for Small Business
in BootStrapMe, on November 25, 2008
...ok 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 ...
What others have to say about Shawn Hessinger and BootStrapMe.com
in BootStrapMe, on October 20, 2008
... blog topic for me. As founder of PostRanger.com , an interactive blogging network, I share my own bootstrapping struggles with readers regularly and with them seek solutions.
Here's what others... ...ered Shawn Hessinger and BootStrapMe.com while in the early start-up stages of my virtual assistant business. I was honored to be one of his featured bootstrappers at the time. I love Shawn's mult...
A Great Day
in Biz Plan Hacks, on October 20, 2008
How do you build a great day?
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto , Rich Legg
Planning can cause a day from go from good to great but it is up to you to do the things to make it happen.
The first suggestion is to take some quiet time and visualize your day. It will allow you to think about the d...
Another book on bootstrapping
in BootStrapMe, on October 14, 2008
...s " book due out this spring.
In a post on her Distribution Solutionz blog, Chicke suggests bootstrapping may be key to innovation today because:
• Economic hard times tend to squelch innovat... ...l 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 su...
Bootstrapping key in tough economic times
in BootStrapMe, on October 13, 2008
... thrive in an uncertain economy because they:
• Do more with less. Since the very definition of bootstrapping is getting along without outside investment this implies a startup and growth without lo... ...f 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 ...
Tips for the serious bootstrapper
in BootStrapMe, on October 11, 2008
...s you'd like to do from day one in your business.) This presupposes, of course, that you're bootstrapping for the long haul not just long enough to get backing.
Remember, whether you eventua... ...y 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...
Help me make this blog even better
in BootStrapMe, on October 8, 2008
...pers .
And, of course, I'll be providing more tips as well...and more tales of my own ongoing bootstrapping efforts .
But if you have any ideas about other things that could be added to make th...
Bootstrapping my blog network
in BootStrapMe, on October 7, 2008
...o 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 ZooQ . If you would like to be added as one o...
Make me an offer!
in BootStrapMe, on October 6, 2008
...ed) will be paid for and will be part of the revenue that keeps the site up and running...and us in business.
I'm using ZooQ , a new problem solving community profiled recently here on BootStra...
Top 10 links on BootStrapMe.com
in BootStrapMe, on October 4, 2008
...sted in the Yahoo! Group at the end of September .)
1. Our main url as might be expected
2. Bootstrapping brings competitive advantage , a post from December 2007
3. 10 reasons for a bare b... ...trapping brings competitive advantage , a post from December 2007
3. 10 reasons for a bare bones business start-up , one of my personal favorites
4. What is your business mantra? The beginning...
"Bailout" news may not be good for bootstrappers
in BootStrapMe, on October 2, 2008
... doubts that a credit crunch really represents the end of the world for small business, especially bootstrapping entrepreneurs .
Is there anyone else out there who finds it difficult to swallow that... ...osted before about my doubts that a credit crunch really represents the end of the world for small business, especially bootstrapping entrepreneurs .
Is there anyone else out there who finds it dif...
Join ZooQ and help bootstrap my business
in BootStrapMe, on October 1, 2008
... 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. Ipser, Jr. has... ...te and its features
• How best to address pricing for sponsored posts creating an effective business model that will sustain the property's growth
• How best to determine the possibility of ev...
Founder: ZooQ is for bootstrappers
in BootStrapMe, on September 30, 2008
...lection of tools offered by the site have passed the Beta stage, ZooQ will remain accessible to the bootstrapping community:
The business model is, essentially, to provide value across the entire sc... ... site have passed the Beta stage, ZooQ will remain accessible to the bootstrapping community:
The business model is, essentially, to provide value across the entire scale of companies, bootstrapping...
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...
ZooQ gives bootstrappers company building tool
in BootStrapMe, on September 29, 2008
...s on a variety of subjects, our "guide to the new media" is ready to start developing its business model.
The first step in this process is to start offering what we call "sponsored po...
Forget the credit crunch: bootstrap your business
in BootStrapMe, on September 27, 2008
...cash flow and forget about needing money (or credit) to get started.
Here's more on bootstrapping and its virtues . Please consider joining our Yahoo! and MySpace groups to network with like... ...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 servic...
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 inte...
Bootstrapping principle #3: Freelance over full-time
in BootStrapMe, on September 22, 2008
...tstrappers too. Freelancing or subcontracting are among the easiest ways to start a fledgling bootstrapping business. They should understand the challenges you face and work harder to control costs f... ... © 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 n...
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 nee... ...lp 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 this .
LeadVine co-founder Allan Margate avoided the costs...
Bootstrapping principle #1: Cash flow over capital
in BootStrapMe, on September 20, 2008
...h flow edges out capital for startup because:
• The business must be operating to generate it. Bootstrapping guru Greg Gianforte explains in his " Bootstrapping your business " how bootstr... ...d launched his own on line printing service using cash flow from an existing conventional printing business. (Read more here .)
Cash flow edges out capital for startup because:
• The business must ...
Swerving off the bootstrapping trail...or am I?
in BootStrapMe, on September 18, 2008
...ld not be money. Portions of the company's cash flow would be reinvested for growth using basic bootstrapping principles.
The objective would be additional time gained by the entrepreneur to work... ...en though larger companies are struggling.
These are essentially like hundreds of profitable small businesses run by a larger corporation and perhaps in some cases might be better off running lean an...
Bootstrap building blocks: From part-time startup to full-time business
in BootStrapMe, on September 15, 2008
... " From Side Product to Startup " conference in Portland, OR, deal with the importance of bootstrapping in these early stages. Specifically:
• Bootstrap if you want to maintain control. Ta... ...ing will dilute that control (See Greg Gianforte's thoughts on the subject at Bootstrap Your Business ) and loads of money may not help you in the beginning anyway.
• Microbusinesses should be b...
My bootstrapping tools
in BootStrapMe, on September 14, 2008
... © quapan
Thought I'd take a moment this post to mention some key bootstrapping tools online.
Many regular readers know that in addition to editing this blog including tips, resources, int... ...f tools.
Here's a list including what I think each does best:
• Linkedin -A network for business connections, I've recently been on a mission to boost my connections in this department ...
Ask Google for bootstrap news
in BootStrapMe, on September 13, 2008
... 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's how to get started:
• Go to the Google Alert... ...to, why not let Google keep track.
Using a service like Google Alerts to create your own bootstrap business feed is one great way to bootstrap your own informational needs.
The alert will keep you i...
So what's the definition of bootstrapping again?
in BootStrapMe, on September 11, 2008
...t taking venture or angel , and assume that it means you're investing your own money. To me bootstrapping a business means that the business funds itself by making money from day one.
Cooperm... ...e or angel , and assume that it means you're investing your own money. To me bootstrapping a business means that the business funds itself by making money from day one.
Cooperman's definit...
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
...e rest.
As mentioned in a previous post , networking can be among the most important parts of the bootstrapping process allowing fellow entrepreneurs to share ideas and resources.
Connect with read...
What's your bootstrap venture?
in BootStrapMe, on September 6, 2008
...s an e-mail and share your experiences with us.
If you would like more information on bootstrapping, what it is and why it may be the best way to start a business today, read our mission statement... ...d you spend on startup?
• How did you get the money?
• How did you get the idea for your business?
• What's your business model?
• How did you get around the lack of external financing or ...
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 m... ...Michelle in Nov. 2006
• The bootstrapping of art. As others have used bootstrapping to build businesses with little or no beginning investment, Prestileo, working as Shell Presto, has bypassed th...
The ultimate bootstrapping trait?
in BootStrapMe, on September 5, 2008
...elieves it is one of the integral parts of the "founding team" of any successful bootstrapping venture.
How large is your social network and what steps can you take to grow it? The suc...
Bootstrapper's Labor Day
in BootStrapMe, on September 1, 2008
...revious posts come to mind both bearing on this day and its significance (or lack there of) to the bootstrapping entrepreneur.
• First, blogger Steve Pavlina reflects on why you shouldn't even...
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 us... ... saving himself significant startup costs and gaining a partner to handle the technical side of the business in the bargain.
CONTINUED NEXT POST
...
Bootstrapping tool inspired by simple business need
in BootStrapMe, on August 31, 2008
...ate admits LeadVine was born out of a very simple need shared by all bootstrappers and indeed all businesses starting out.
"I had the idea back in about 2001 and 2002," he said.
At that ...
Bootstrapping tool makes sign-up easy
in BootStrapMe, on August 31, 2008
...ates 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 up to get started ...
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
...only as the starting point to a business that must grow and evolve over time.
• The bootstrapping lifestyle. In the end, the bootstrapping life is a hard one, Dorobantescue says, but worth the cha... ...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 s...
Bootstrapper's hall of fame: Bra strap bootstrap
in BootStrapMe, on August 24, 2008
...39;s website willing to forgo compensation until the company started making money.
• No business plan required. In another move unconventional for more traditional entrepreneurship but common amon...
Bootstrapper's hall of fame: VA ventures
in BootStrapMe, on August 23, 2008
...l, 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...
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 fledglin... ...
As Allan explains it, the new site helps with a key bootstrapper problem (and one shared by every business) finding customers and closing sales.
I hope to be publishing an interview with Allan on h...
More bootstrappers join the party
in BootStrapMe, on August 20, 2008
...link back to your own website and tell fellow members more about what you're up to. I'm bootstrapping PostRanger.com, a new social blog network, and I'm hoping other bootstrappers will use... ...moting it again .
I'm hoping also to encourage other bootstrappers to join our Bootstrap Your Business Today group on MySpace and Bootstrapper's Club on MyBlogLog .
In the case of Yahoo! ...
Bootstrapper's hall of fame: Printing with promise
in BootStrapMe, on August 19, 2008
... simply. PrintingforLess didn't start out as a revolutionary concept but rather as a simple business seeking to fill a need.
• Satisfying customers. The key to Field's success has been s...
Bootstrapper's hall of fame: Pregnant mommy fashion
in BootStrapMe, on August 18, 2008
...aeden, now 2.
Here's the whole story:
• How she got started. O'Callaghan talks about bootstrapping her startup with very few resources and a LOT of creativity.
• What resources she used...
Guest blogging on bootstrapping and entrepreneurship
in BootStrapMe, on August 15, 2008
... Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 5521746
Have you got a blog with a need for posts on bootstrapping or more broadly entrepreneurship?
I'm seeking the opportunity to do some guest blogg... ...he opportunity to do some guest blogging on a variety of topics but particularly connected to small business startup.
In addition to maintaining this blog and efforts to bootstrap my own startup, Po...
Why you should join our Yahoo! Group
in BootStrapMe, on August 14, 2008
...you have to offer.
• Team building. I've saved perhaps the most important for last. Bootstrapping guru Bijoy Goswami suggests team building may be at the heart of the bootstrapping process. Fi...
Why you should bootstrap the business of your dreams today
in BootStrapMe, on August 13, 2008
...stin Horrocks
It's the basic idea behind our MySpace Group , and, I guess, the idea behind bootstrapping itself.
Why wait to start that business you've always dreamed of until someday in... ...nd our MySpace Group , and, I guess, the idea behind bootstrapping itself.
Why wait to start that business you've always dreamed of until someday in the distant future, when with no outside inve...
More blog posts at BootStrapMe's MySpace site
in BootStrapMe, on August 12, 2008
...neurship here opening additional networking opportunities and you can also join our Bootstrap Your Business Today group at MySpace.
And don't forget, we're still trying to renew interest in...
Why bootstrapping is so damned sweet
in BootStrapMe, on August 11, 2008
...teryna Govorushchenko
O.K., so there are reasons every entrepreneur might be intimidated by the bootstrapping approach.
I've committed to bootstrapping the startup of my own blog network Pos... ...lled on the Net so stay tuned.)
So what is it that I and others think is so great about starting a business with little or no money?
Here are some of the main reasons:
• Low or minimum risk. Boots...
Why bootstrapping is so damned scary
in BootStrapMe, on August 7, 2008
... below.
Our first question is listed above and I'd like to answer it with a few points below.
Bootstrapping is so damned scary because:
• It means working without a net. Without big investors ... ...mned scary because:
• It means working without a net. Without big investors no revenue means no business and even though you could startup a bootstrap business tomorrow, you could out of business th...
Bootstrapping growth in an existing firm
in BootStrapMe, on August 5, 2008
...mart growth even at most established companies these days often means using existing resources, or bootstrapping , at first with the idea that great revenue will allow for growth.
So here, from my o... ...ll allow for growth.
So here, from my own experience, are some tips on how to expand your existing business through bootstrapping:
• Invest time, not money -Don't immediately assume that growth...
Let's create the ultimate bootstrapper's group
in BootStrapMe, on August 3, 2008
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 5822932
The action has cooled down somewhat on our Bootstrapper's Group over at Yahoo! , but the possibilities are now better than ever with a new Rich- Text editor Beta .
This allows you the same kind of linking possibilities available in mos...
