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. Eighty percent of new entrepreneurs use this approach, with only six percent using investor funding. Entrepreneurs need to start small and pivot quickly.

Bootstrapping 276

Bootstrapping Entrepreneur Startup Burn Rate 276

Austin Startup

NOVEMBER 25, 2018

As I mentioned at the beginning of this series/ebook, over the years I’ve noticed that I tend to frequently share certain Lucky7 posts with entrepreneurs we’ve backed , team members at data.world, or other startup investors I know. So I’m packaging the best of them up for you here in a new series called The Entrepreneur’s Essentials.

Bootstrapping 48

Bootstrapping Austin Cofounder Equity 48

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

Without venture capital, without external loans, I bootstrapped my business and brought it to acquisition – in a field traditionally dominated by males ( 16% of male entrepreneurs are in the tech industry, compared to 4% of females ). Now I’m working on the leadership team, continuing to propel the mission forward. .

Technical Review 370

Technical Review United States Bootstrapping Venture Capital 370

ReadWriteStart

DECEMBER 15, 2022

But I recommend entrepreneurs and prospective business builders consider the Agency Builder model. So an entrepreneur forming a startup studio benefits from having experience in the industry sector they hope to serve. Following the digital agency model for a startup, studio offers significant advantages to entrepreneurs.

Incubator 188

Incubator Startup Software Developers Software Development 188

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

Yet every entrepreneur I meet wants to talk about the idea, and rarely mentions the team. Thus I was happily surprised when I found the classic book, “ The Tech Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide ,” by Bernd Schoner, PhD, and cofounder of ThingMagic, which leans heavily on the people side of the equation.

Technical Cofounder 308

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Stock Options 308

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2020

It’s more possible to bootstrap today than a few years ago, as the cost of entry continues to go down. The key to successful bootstrapping is to master the do-it-yourself approach, defer compensation or barter services whenever possible and become a frugal minimalist in all things requiring a cash outlay. Marty Zwilling.

Hockey Stick 423

Hockey Stick Bootstrapping Sweat Equity Intellectual Property 423

Hearpreneur

MARCH 21, 2021

We asked some entrepreneurs and business owners, why they started their businesses: #1- To do it for myself. 2- To help entrepreneurs become financially independent. One of our marketing strategies was to partner with an underwear company, and have models do deliveries in the underwear. Photo Credit: David Moise. I led projects.

Entrepreneur 139

Entrepreneur Technical Review Acquisition Software Review 139

The Entrepreneurial Mind

AUGUST 3, 2010

Such facilities can take a lot of cash to launch due to the cost of facility rent and equipment costs, and the aspiring entrepreneur had no ready source of cash. If the entrepreneur wanting to start the indoor play center cannot raise the money to launch the program fully formed, there are other options. We did that with 8.

Bootstrapping 75

Bootstrapping Business Model Software Review Programming 75

Hearpreneur

SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

We asked entrepreneurs and business owners on their best business or entrepreneur turnaround story and here are the responses. #1- Our intrepid founder, Tomas Gorny, has a classic immigrant entrepreneur story. What has been your favorite business or entrepreneur turnaround story? 1- Arianna Huffington.

Entrepreneur 75

Entrepreneur Bankruptcy Bootstrapping B2B 75

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2017

If you project a sense of desperation, or ignorance of the options and implications, no potential investor will give you the credibility to be your partner in a business. Many entrepreneurs see fund raising as a part-time task, behind high-priority solution development efforts. Building and maintaining momentum is key to success.

Technical Review 220

Technical Review Accredited Investor Due Diligence Equity 220

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2019

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, the most common question I get is, “I want to be an entrepreneur -- how do I start?” Many people with great ideas never make it as entrepreneurs, and true entrepreneurs can make a business out of anything. Few entrepreneurs can assimilate and hone a complete plan in their head.

Columbus 338

Columbus Entrepreneur Bootstrapping Equity 338

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

Not to mention the mental and emotional impact of being an entrepreneur. While you may be enamored with becoming an entrepreneur and bootstrapping your business, don’t quit your day job. According to a report from the Harvard Business Review , entrepreneurs who plan are 16% more likely to achieve viability.

Forecast 154

Forecast Software Review Bootstrapping Finance 154

YoungUpstarts

JULY 21, 2019

Small businesses and young entrepreneurs are in a difficult position in the market. Capital can be hard to come by when you’re a starting young entrepreneur. If your partner is your roommate, you don’t even have to find a space (yet). If you haven’t been able to save up for your capital, consider bootstrapping your business.

Software Review 146

Software Review Entrepreneur Cost Cofounder 146

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 18, 2020

When I heard a friend and business mentor say, “Your startup won’t fail if you don’t quit,” I realized that every entrepreneur should adopt “never give up” as their mantra. Rather than quitting, there are always alternatives, like pivoting the business model or merging with new partners for support. I’m not enjoying this anymore.”

Entrepreneur 304

Entrepreneur Bootstrapping Business Model Social Media 304

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 14, 2023

When I heard a friend and business mentor say, “Your startup won’t fail if you don’t quit,” I realized that every entrepreneur should adopt “never give up” as their mantra. Rather than quitting, there are always alternatives, like pivoting the business model or merging with new partners for support. I’m not enjoying this anymore.”

Bootstrapping 339

Bootstrapping Business Model Social Media Partner 339

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2022

A popular approach for aspiring entrepreneurs these days seems to be to corner anyone who will listen, with a pitch on their current “million dollar idea.” Theirs is not the autocratic style of leadership, which tells people what to do and dominates them, but a style which treats partners, investors, and customers as family.

Bootstrapping 374

Bootstrapping Angel Investor Differentiation Leadership 374

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 6, 2016

It’s more possible to bootstrap today than a few years ago, as the cost of entry continues to go down. The key to successful bootstrapping is to master the do-it-yourself approach, defer compensation or barter services whenever possible and become a frugal minimalist in all things requiring a cash outlay.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Hockey Stick Sweat Equity Intellectual Property 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2012

I often hear the qualms of business-smart but non-technical entrepreneurs, wondering if they really have a chance in this high-technology marketplace. The simple answer is to find a business partner, not an “implementer,” who already has the technical experience you need, and is willing and able to run that side of the business.

Technical Review 230

Technical Review Technology Founder Management 230

Gust

DECEMBER 7, 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. Eighty percent of new entrepreneurs use this approach, with only six percent using investor funding. Entrepreneurs need to start small and pivot quickly.

Bootstrapping 191

Bootstrapping Entrepreneur Startup Burn Rate 191

Hearpreneur

AUGUST 2, 2020

We asked some entrepreneurs and business owners, why they started their businesses: #1- Replicate what I was doing for others. We saw that many food entrepreneurs had these same problems. Now, we have a well-calculated formula for launching businesses that are 100% bootstrapped with a very small amount of initial capital.

Entrepreneur 147

Entrepreneur Technical Review South Korea United States 147

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I challenge them to think beyond what I call linear extensions to a current trend, such as another “easier-to-use” app for smartphones, a new dating site for pets, or another niche social network. Do you have the skills and interests to overcome problems, lead people, and find partners and funding?

Intellectual Property 317

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Bootstrapping Salary 317

The Startup Magazine

NOVEMBER 28, 2018

The event presenter, FUND, is a national connector of entrepreneurs, VCs, angel investors, and industry experts with a focus on deal flow and making connections. The beauty of our marketplace model is that we can transform our “competition” into partners in ways that Amazon and Etsy can’t.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Software Review Illinois Due Diligence 149

VC Cafe

JANUARY 22, 2021

The AWS APN Global Startup Program – for startup AWS Partner Network (APN) select and advanced technology partners looking to grow their products on AWS. Startups spend 10 weeks working closely with AWS experts, alongside an extended global network of investors and entrepreneurs.

Technical Review 174

Technical Review Startup Venture Capital Incubator 174

Duct Tape Marketing

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Helping Entrepreneurs Get To Where They Want To Go Faster written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Elizabeth Gore and Carolyn launched Hello Alice with the goal of helping entrepreneurs thrive with access to funding, resources, mentorship, and more. Marketing Podcast with Carolyn Rodz. We never have.

Technical Review 78

Technical Review Entrepreneur Networking Community 78

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, the most common question I get is, “I want to be an entrepreneur -- how do I start?” Many people with great ideas never make it as entrepreneurs, and true entrepreneurs can make a business out of anything. Few entrepreneurs can assimilate and hone a complete plan in their head.

Columbus 312

Columbus Bootstrapping Equity Partner 312

entrepreMusings

JANUARY 26, 2011

For other local bootstrapping resources here in Austin, check out the Bootstrap Austin site. Here are just a few tips on bootstrapping your new startup that I have found particularly beneficial from my own experience: Outsourcing. Partnering with a Complimentary Business. Internships. SCORE Business Counseling.

Bootstrapping 42

Bootstrapping Small Business Administration SBA Austin 42

Austin Startup

AUGUST 2, 2018

A week before that, my co-founder and I attended the Boss Babes ATX WORK Conference, along with hundreds of other female creatives, and entrepreneurs where we met a potential founder, who then connected us to a restaurant owner. In that spirit, I want to share some of my top resources for female entrepreneurs in Austin?—?the

Austin 57

Austin Software Review Technical Review Entrepreneur 57

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 2, 2019

Not only does the outsourcing business model improve performance and reduce a company’s overall costs – a significant appeal to bootstrapped startups – but it also gives you access to a worldwide talent pool that would otherwise be beyond your range. is the single biggest outsourcing country globally.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Due Diligence Technical Support Bootstrapping 131

YoungUpstarts

MAY 8, 2014

Or a partner defects with your top client. Along with several partners, I’ve built two thriving companies: Direct Mail Express (which now employs over 400 people) and Response Mail Express (which was eventually sold to an equity fund, Huron Capital Partners). Or a key vendor declares bankruptcy.

Technical Review 208

Technical Review Entrepreneur Florida Cofounder 208

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2014

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. They cite sources like the BusinessWeek story, “ Real Entrepreneurs Don’t Write Business Plans ” and this Forbes article. You need an investor, and want to solicit professionals online.

Business Plan 274

Business Plan Technical Review Angel Investor Due Diligence 274

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 4, 2016

Most first-time entrepreneurs seem to believe the myth that they need a minimum of a half a million dollars to start a business. Also, with bootstrapping, you won’t have the added pressure and risk of an investor boss hanging over your shoulder and second-guessing your every move. I’m convinced this also reduces risk.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Social Media Equity eCommerce 120

Hearpreneur

MARCH 25, 2020

A network of friends and partners can also serve as a great assurance and reminder that you’re not walking. Here are the various ways entrepreneurs and business owners stay motivated in business. #1- Staying motivated as an entrepreneur can be challenging. 4- Joining groups of like-minded entrepreneurs. 13- Several ways.

Entrepreneur 109

Entrepreneur Cofounder Restful Bootstrapping 109

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. So what should an entrepreneur do to convince themselves, as well as potential investors, that they have a viable business model before it is totally proven? Customer support is more than handling exceptions.

Business Model 273

Business Model Customer Angel Investor Bootstrapping 273

Up and Running

MAY 10, 2012

But sometimes circumstances align and a budding entrepreneur just knows that the time is right to make the leap. Sulaiman Sanni and his partner Ben Lamson were both working for Meltwater Group, a large, well known Software as a Service company, Su as a social media consultant and Ben as a sales manager. .”

Small Business 142

Small Business Advisory Board Employee Entrepreneur 142

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Yet every entrepreneur I meet wants to talk about the idea, and rarely mentions the team. Thus I was happily surprised when I found the classic book, “ The Tech Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide ,” by Bernd Schoner, PhD, and cofounder of ThingMagic, which leans heavily on the people side of the equation.

Technical Cofounder 144

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Advisory Board Startup 144

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2017

Entrepreneurs are people who dream up new ideas, and then commercialize them into new businesses. Yet, in my experience as a mentor to entrepreneurs, the majority of failures I see are related to starting and growing the business, not developing the solution. Learn to communicate effectively to insiders and outsiders.

Bootstrapping 120

Bootstrapping Metrics Technical Review Entrepreneur 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2023

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” If you have the urge to be an entrepreneur, I encourage you to think seriously about each of these, before you zero-in on one or two, and get totally discouraged if those don’t work for you.

Equity 266

Equity Startup SBA Small Business Administration 266