Up and Running

MAY 28, 2015

We recently had Tim Berry, Palo Alto Software founder and business planning expert, present our Bplans audience with his latest advice on lean business planning. It’s all about making your business life easier, doing what works best, getting the best results by tracking what works and always improving.

Lean 60

Lean Business Plan Video Software Review 60

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2020

If you really want to start a business your way without a boss or professional investor hovering over you, then just fund it yourself or through friends and family, and grow it organically. It’s more possible to bootstrap today than a few years ago, as the cost of entry continues to go down.

Hockey Stick 423

Hockey Stick Bootstrapping Sweat Equity Intellectual Property 423

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2023

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million-dollar investment before they even have a business plan. It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it.

Incubator 305

Incubator Startup Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 305

ReadWriteStart

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

While funding is necessary for almost all businesses, seeking it out yourself isn’t necessarily the right path for everyone. Instead, knowing how to bootstrap your startup might be a better option. How to Bootstrap Your Startup. When you bootstrap your startup, you retain full control of the new business.

Bootstrapping 145

Bootstrapping Startup Cofounder Angel Investor 145

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 18, 2011

The cost of entry has never been lower. In the early days (20 years ago), most new e-commerce sites cost a million dollars to set up. Be sure it matches your business, and get a hosting agreement from one of the popular providers like GoDaddy. Now the price is closer to $100, if you are willing to do the work yourself.

Hosting 248

Hosting Bootstrapping .Net Social Network 248

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 10, 2013

The cost of entry has never been lower. In the early days (20 years ago), most new e-commerce sites cost a million dollars to set up. Be sure it matches your business, and get a hosting agreement from one of the popular providers like GoDaddy. Now the price is closer to $100, if you are willing to do the work yourself.

eCommerce 196

eCommerce Hosting Bootstrapping .Net 196

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2020

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million dollar investment before they even have a business plan. It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it.

Incubator 429

Incubator Startup Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 429

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2021

Yet every business requires revenue and volumes, as certainly as it requires a product to sell. Thus, financial projections for up to five years are a necessary element in every business plan. External investors will demand a financial forecast, but it’s equally valuable to you, even if bootstrapping.

Forecast 369

Forecast Burn Rate Startup Widget 369

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 6, 2016

If you really want to start a business your way without a boss or professional investor hovering over you, then just fund it yourself or through friends and family, and grow it organically. It’s more possible to bootstrap today than a few years ago, as the cost of entry continues to go down.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Hockey Stick Sweat Equity Intellectual Property 120

Gust

APRIL 27, 2014

Use a simple accounting tool like QuickBooks, get away from co-mingled funds, and you have the first business process you need. Develop your business plan. Write down the key elements of your business plan very early, and keep it current as things evolve. Funding process. Customer service and support.

Startup 187

Startup Institutional Investors Angel Investor Bootstrapping 187

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 24, 2015

Espousing that borrowing money and debt are optional, the book proposed that entrepreneurs starting such businesses were more interested in the lifestyle it offered rather than making oodles of cash. 3 One-page business plan. Develop a one-page business plan. 4 Compelling offer. 6 Hustling and promoting.

Technical Review 100

Technical Review Software Review South Carolina Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2019

In my role as a small business consultant and mentor to many entrepreneurs, I recommend the following key considerations for the best strategy to pursue for outside funding, if you choose not to fund the business yourself: Consumer products and trends need market validation. Compare the time frames and costs of alternatives.

Non-disclosure Agreement 299

Non-disclosure Agreement Angel Investor Bootstrapping SEC 299

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2023

In the aftermath of the recent pandemic, which caused many businesses to close, a new raft of business workers and entrepreneurs are deciding to pursue their own dreams of being a new business owner, and controlling your own destiny. Pick a name, location, and marketing strategy early.

Intellectual Property 245

Intellectual Property Social Media Angel Investor Metrics 245

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 21, 2012

In fact, he points out that conventional term loans are a far less common way to finance a business, and in some countries, credit cards are actually a more popular source of startup capital. Bootstrap, bootstrap, bootstrap. Don’t get hung up on the business plan. His advice?

Technical Review 184

Technical Review Entrepreneur Bootstrapping Acquisition 184

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2021

In my experience as a business advisor and occasional investor, many of you won’t make it that far, succumbing to the high costs of getting those first customers, funding an initial inventory, and building an operational support process. Build your plan around resources you know. Start networking for funding before the crisis.

Dilution 404

Dilution Incubator Bootstrapping Government 404

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2017

Don’t assume anything until you have done market research and listened to real customers. Formulate and adopt a specific and detailed business plan. A successful business requires focus – define the customer need with a specific solution for a specific price and cost. Communication must be proactive, not reactive.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Metrics Technical Review Entrepreneur 120

crowdSPRING Blog

DECEMBER 7, 2012

These posts and videos are about logo design , web design , startups, entrepreneurship, small business, leadership, social media, marketing, and more! If your small business or startup sends email newsletters or other email marketing campaigns, what is the best time of day to send those emails? Recruiting Developers?

Social Media 104

Social Media Small Business Design Media 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2012

I come from a high-tech software background, and only a few years ago, it would cost at least a million dollars ($1M) for a team of professionals to produce any commercial software product. Now, with open source software components, and low-cost development tools, the same job can be done by one good hacker for a few thousand dollars.

Cost 255

Cost Burn Rate SEM Startup 255

Gust

JUNE 19, 2012

I used to think you could use convenience and common sense to predict markets. One of my earliest excursions into market research was working for a research firm doing a 1979 forecast on ATMs. There’s also timing and trends, leadership, luck, and maybe even marketing. . The Cost Equation for a Startup is Better Than Ever.

Startup 180

Startup Forecast Angel Investor Software 180

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

OCTOBER 11, 2010

WhenBusy is a bootstrapped startup that lets people schedule meetings with you in currently-available time-slots without you having to share your calendar [disclosure: I'm an advisor]. He didn't just "tell it like it is," he gave up his marketing secrets and opened his company books. Infection built-in, not bolt-on. That's compelling.

Software Review 261

Software Review Technical Review Viral Software Developers 261

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 28, 2018

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million dollar investment before they even have a business plan. It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it.

Incubator 236

Incubator Exit Strategy Institutional Investors Angel Investor 236

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2015

Thus it behooves every entrepreneur to optimize their investment strategies early, based on time and dollar costs, as well as odds of success. Investors are buying your business, not your product. The right investor will have specific feedback on pricing models, distribution and market positioning to improve scalability.

Cost 120

Cost Angel Groups Due Diligence Silicon Valley 120

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Startups have to deal with starting costs and ongoing businesses have to finance growth and working capital. Financing options depend on what kind of business you have. Its age, position, performance, market opportunities , team, and so forth are very important. Actually, banks don’t finance business startups.

SBA 161

SBA Venture Capital Angel Investor Technical Review 161

Up and Running

MARCH 8, 2016

So, you’re in the market to start a cleaning business? The thing is, you’re not quite sure what, exactly, is involved in starting a cleaning a business. Market research and business idea validation. To do really well, you need business smarts and you need to stand out from the crowd.

SBA 60

SBA Technical Review Software Review Business Plan 60

Tim Keane

MARCH 9, 2011

How to prepare a sales forecast for a business plan » March 09, 2011. The overarching idea, of course, is to reduce the cost of capital while maintaining appropriate flexibility for the venture.  Business success is the ultimate goal. .  Can you bootstrap your way to positive cash flow?

Finance 83

Finance Bootstrapping Startup Equity 83

Gust

JUNE 10, 2012

I come from a high-tech software background, and only a few years ago, it would cost at least a million dollars ($1M) for a team of professionals to produce any commercial software product. Now, with open source software components, and low-cost development tools, the same job can be done by one good hacker for a few thousand dollars.

Cost 139

Cost Burn Rate SEM Startup 139

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

To organize my thoughts, I found a new book, “ Burn the Business Plan ,” by Carl Schramm, who speaks from experience founding five companies, working major corporate roles, and being an active venture investor. You need a business degree to start a venture today. All successful businesses start with a business plan.

Incubator 180

Incubator Angel Investor Dilution Equity 180

Up and Running

APRIL 10, 2019

It’s easier to start a digital marketing agency without funding than people might think. In this post, I will cover starting your business on your own—with aspirations of becoming an agency. The beauty of setting up a digital marketing agency is that you can start from virtually nothing. Setting up. Training your team.

Marketing 79

Marketing Bootstrapping Sweat Equity Harvest 79

The Startup Magazine

JANUARY 29, 2021

Whether you choose to set up an online savings account and start saving months in advance, or you reach out to investors, you will need some money to kick-start your business. Depending on your business type, you may be able to bootstrap your startup with very little cash. Create A Solid Business Plan.

Bootstrapping 104

Bootstrapping Social Media Business Plan Audience 104

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2023

Estimate your costs, including a 50 percent gross margin, as a lower bound on a price. Products too expensive for the market won’t succeed, and prices too low will leave you exposed. Match with competitor prices and market demographics. Here again is your chance to make pivots for almost no cost.

Technical Review 220

Technical Review Advisory Board Software Review Business Model 220

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2013

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million dollar investment before they even have a business plan. It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it.

Incubator 256

Incubator Entrepreneur Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 256

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2021

Estimate your costs, including a 50 percent gross margin, as a lower bound on a price. Products too expensive for the market won’t succeed, and prices too low will leave you exposed. Match with competitor prices and market demographics. Here again is your chance to make pivots for almost no cost.

Technical Review 399

Technical Review Product Advisory Board Business Model 399

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 28, 2020

Write a Business Plan. The first thing to do for any entrepreneur, will be to begin with a solid plan for business. This crucial component of your business campaign provides direction and rhythm to your efforts. What is your hiring plan? What is your marketing plan? Fund Your Business.

LLC 164

LLC Finance Business Plan Hiring 164

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

However, if you are to launch and gain traction with your startup successfully, you will need more than a fancy business plan; you will need actionable ideas on how to handle important aspects of your business such as production, marketing, and distribution. Have your business funding figured out.

Startup 178

Startup Bootstrapping Finance Social Media 178

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 25, 2016

by Ed “Skip” McLaughlin and Wyn Lydecker, co-authors of “ The Purpose Is Profit: The Truth about Starting and Building Your Own Business “ You have a great idea for a new business and can’t wait to start up. Or should you do some planning first? How will you brand the business (name, logo, tagline)?

Bootstrapping 100

Bootstrapping LLC Equity Revenue 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2016

Some entrepreneurs start polling venture capitalists for that multi-million dollar investment before they even have a business plan. It won’t work, it costs time and money, and hurts your credibility when you need them later. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it.

Incubator 120

Incubator Startup Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2014

Use a simple accounting tool like QuickBooks, get away from co-mingled funds, and you have the first business process you need. Develop your business plan. Write down the key elements of your business plan very early, and keep it current as things evolve. Funding process. Customer service and support.

Startup 268

Startup Institutional Investors Angel Investor Bootstrapping 268