Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 3, 2014

When someone asks me for the best way to fund a startup, I always say bootstrap it, meaning fund it yourself and grow organically. Bootstrapping avoids all the cost, pain, and distractions of finding angels or VCs, and allows you to keep control and all your hard-earned equity for yourself. Reinvest gross profit. Marty Zwilling.

Bootstrapping 278

Bootstrapping Startup Merger Salary 278

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

I recently found the classic sales training book “ Bootstrap Selling The Sandler Way ,” by Bill Morrison, who has 20 years in sales leadership roles, and I was amazed at how many of his sales lessons are great lessons for new entrepreneurs as well. Your first idea about where pain resides is nearly always wrong.

Sales 348

Sales Startup Bootstrapping Technical Review 348

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

A sales fanatic on the founder team helps to contain that risk. The combination of technical insight, founder authority, and sales experience is a hard-to-beat advantage in a competitive market. Or you can always bootstrap the idea yourself, get some traction, and build your first startup organically. The financial suit.

Technical Cofounder 308

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Stock Options 308

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

Here is my perspective on the highest risk elements, from my years of working with investors and watching startups come and go: All the co-founders are first-time entrepreneurs. These are ones you need to bootstrap, crowdfund or pitch to friends and family. Marginal legality or poor public image.

New York City 315

New York City Silicon Valley Startup Bootstrapping 315

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 15, 2014

Based on the Startup Environment Index from the Kauffman Foundation and LegalZoom a while back, personal money, or bootstrapping, continues to be the primary startup funding source. Investors like to replace Founders who don’t seem to be moving fast enough. bootstrap business entrepreneur startup' Marty Zwilling.

Bootstrapping 276

Bootstrapping Entrepreneur Startup Burn Rate 276

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2016

They don’t realize that according to statistics , more than 90 percent of satisfied entrepreneurs use bootstrapping, since other people’s money always comes with strings, most of them negative. Bootstrapping gives you the flexibility to explore creative alternatives. You left your corporate job to get away from budgets.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Advisory Board Startup Venture Capital 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 26, 2010

When someone asks me for the best way to fund a startup, I always say bootstrap it, meaning fund it yourself and grow organically. Bootstrapping avoids all the cost, pain, and distractions of finding angels or VCs, and allows you to keep control and all your hard-earned equity for yourself. Reinvest gross profit. Marty Zwilling.

Bootstrapping 240

Bootstrapping Merger Salary .Net 240

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. Maybe that’s why bootstrapped startups are the norm, rather than externally funded ones. Marty Zwilling.

Sweat Equity 239

Sweat Equity Technical Review Bootstrapping Equity 239

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2012

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping your growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Yet, I find that startup founders often fixate on one or two sources, often to the detriment of their business. Friends and family.

Technical Review 257

Technical Review Bootstrapping Venture Capital Incubator 257

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2023

Even if you are bootstrapping your business, and you are the only investor, you should be asking yourself the same question. Too many founders have learned that passion and free beta products do not imply a sustainable business.

Business Model 273

Business Model Customer Angel Investor Bootstrapping 273

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. Maybe that’s why bootstrapped startups are the norm, rather than externally funded ones. Marty Zwilling.

Sweat Equity 255

Sweat Equity Technical Review Entrepreneur Bootstrapping 255

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2018

Here is my perspective on the highest risk elements, from my years of working with investors and watching startups come and go: All the co-founders are first-time entrepreneurs. These are ones you need to bootstrap, crowdfund or pitch to friends and family. Marginal legality or public image.

New York City 202

New York City Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 202

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

A sales fanatic on the founder team helps to contain that risk. The combination of technical insight, founder authority, and sales experience is a hard-to-beat advantage in a competitive market. Or you can always bootstrap the idea yourself, get some traction, and build your first startup organically. The financial suit.

Technical Cofounder 144

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Startup 144

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2013

They evaluate you like you should assess a possible co-founder or first employee. Another common approach is to bootstrap your first startup to success, possibly with some help from friends and family. entrepreneur startup idea investor funding founder business' Investors are people too. What are your credentials?

Founder 270

Founder Cofounder Bootstrapping Entrepreneur 270

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 19, 2013

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup Founders dilemmas in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Should you start a company solo or find co-Founders to help you? The co-Founder relationship dilemma.

Founder 245

Founder Hockey Stick Cofounder Liquidity Event 245

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2014

A sales fanatic on the founder team helps to contain that risk. The combination of technical insight, founder authority, and sales experience is a hard-to-beat advantage in a competitive market. Or you can always bootstrap the idea yourself, get some traction, and build your first startup organically. The financial suit.

Technical Cofounder 245

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Startup 245

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2011

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping your growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Yet, I find that startup founders often fixate on one or two sources, often to the detriment of their business. Friends and family.

Technical Review 233

Technical Review Bootstrapping Startup Venture Capital 233

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2023

External investors will demand a financial forecast, but it’s equally valuable to you, even if bootstrapping. Controlling cash flow is critical as founders move from working “in” the business to working “on” the business. Thus, financial projections for up to five years are a necessary element in every business plan.

Forecast 290

Forecast Burn Rate Widget Business Plan 290

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 14, 2014

The net is that if I see a website business plan today with a projected development cost greater than $200K, I suspect the founder must be including some fancy perks, or they don’t understand the market dynamics of website applications today. Life is more fun that way.

Startup 252

Startup eCommerce Hosting Bootstrapping 252

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2021

Even if you are bootstrapping your business, and you are the only investor, you should be asking yourself the same question. Too many founders have learned that passion and free beta products do not imply a sustainable business.

Business Model 414

Business Model Angel Investor Bootstrapping Revenue 414

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 10, 2014

The only way an entrepreneur can really dodge this issue is to totally fund the startup with personal funds (bootstrapping). Some founders are too focused on quick repayment, and they compromise strategic decisions. Pay the money back, with thanks, as quickly as you can. This money is real, so don’t assume it doesn’t have to be repaid.

Founder 254

Founder Cram Down Angel Investor Equity 254

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2019

In reality, the most successful funding decision I still see is called ‘bootstrapping,’ or self-funding. Even today, the majority of successful businesses are bootstrapped or funded in the initial stages by the founders or bank loans rather than outside cash injections.

Non-disclosure Agreement 299

Non-disclosure Agreement Angel Investor Bootstrapping SEC 299

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 14, 2023

The number one reason seems to be that the founders just walk away. If you can’t bootstrap the venture yourself, find a partner, friend or family member, rather than a professional investor to carry some financial weight. Nothing is more discouraging to aspiring entrepreneurs than the high failure rate. So why do most startups fail?

Bootstrapping 339

Bootstrapping Business Model Social Media Partner 339

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2014

Here is my perspective on the highest risk elements, from my years of working with investors and watching startups come and go: All the co-founders are first-time entrepreneurs. These are ones you need to bootstrap, crowdfund or pitch to friends and family. Marginal legality or public image.

New York City 254

New York City Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 254

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2021

Thus, in my role as mentor to young entrepreneurs, I always recommend that you first take a hard look at your own values and priorities, before jumping into any new startup, as the founder, or even as a side hustle. Bootstrapping is always a great alternative, since you can retain full ownership and make all your own decisions.

Startup 399

Startup Exit Strategy Cofounder Equity 399

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2015

That’s why I recommend that they find a co-founder who loves business challenges, including marketing and finance. Most founders bootstrap product development. Very few people have both, but there are some notable exceptions, including Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Elon Musk , founder of Tesla Motors, SpaceX and others.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Intellectual Property Cofounder Bootstrapping 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have enough resources to bootstrap our own startups, so we are completely dependent on investors to help turn great ideas into great businesses. Founders who present themselves as a lone entrepreneur may develop an innovative solution, but building a business requires a team.

Intellectual Property 352

Intellectual Property Equity Bootstrapping Valuation 352

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2011

Yet the smart entrepreneur can still bootstrap the technical team, using one or all of the following evaluation and hiring approaches: Hire an expert consultant for initial interviews and recommendation. It is just really hard to found a technology company successfully with only one founder, technical or non-technical.

Technical Review 236

Technical Review Partner Entrepreneur Architecture 236

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2016

Ron Conway , of SV Angels, and Reid Hoffman , LinkedIn's founder, are names often mentioned in this category. Startup founders typically invest some real dollars into their new startup as well as months or years of their time with no salary. Deep-dive meeting. Although the term may sound negative, it’s actually a very positive sign.

Software Review 120

Software Review Sweat Equity Accredited Investor Angel Investor 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 22, 2020

You don’t need permission from anyone, and you are less dependent on coaching and mentoring from the rare skilled and available people that most smart young founders depend upon. Use your ability to bootstrap and set a sustainable base. You also know when to say no, and don’t try to solve every problem.

Bootstrapping 324

Bootstrapping Angel Investor Entrepreneur Leadership 324

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 18, 2011

The net is that if I see a website business plan today with a projected development cost greater than $200K, I suspect the founder must be including some fancy perks, or they don’t understand the market dynamics of e-commerce today.

Hosting 248

Hosting Bootstrapping .Net Social Network 248

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 10, 2013

The net is that if I see a website business plan today with a projected development cost greater than $200K, I suspect the founder must be including some fancy perks, or they don’t understand the market dynamics of e-commerce today.

eCommerce 196

eCommerce Hosting Bootstrapping .Net 196

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

This is really the realm of bootstrapped startups, and a small segment of the angel investor community that is looking for a “quick hit” with a quick return. I’m always impressed with entrepreneurs who pitch how they plan to bootstrap an idea, but if you need a million dollars, you better be able to communicate and lead with a vision.

Bootstrapping 261

Bootstrapping Founder Angel Investor Differentiation 261

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

A sales fanatic on the founder team helps to contain that risk. The combination of technical insight, founder authority, and sales experience is a hard-to-beat advantage in a competitive market. Or you can always bootstrap the idea yourself, get some traction, and build your first startup organically. The financial suit.

Technical Cofounder 120

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Stock Options 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 1, 2010

For example, with any outside investment, you give up some ownership and control, and with bootstrapping you growth curve will likely be longer and more organic. Yet, I find that startup founders often fixate on one or two sources, often to the detriment of their business. Friends and family.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Bootstrapping Startup Venture Capital 149

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2016

Here is my perspective on the highest risk elements, from my years of working with investors and watching startups come and go: All the co-founders are first-time entrepreneurs. These are ones you need to bootstrap, crowdfund or pitch to friends and family. Marginal legality or public image.

New York City 120

New York City Silicon Valley Startup Bootstrapping 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2016

I recently found the classic sales training book “ Bootstrap Selling The Sandler Way ,” by Bill Morrison, who has 20 years in sales leadership roles, and I was amazed at how many of his sales lessons are great lessons for new entrepreneurs as well. Your first idea about where pain resides is nearly always wrong.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Sales Technical Review Social Media 120