Entrepreneurship: Bootstrapping Your Business

Start and grow your own business without outside funding. Learn what it takes to manage your spending, prepare your personal finances, apply for awards and grants, and more.

Introduction

• What is bootstrapping?

1. Conduct a Self-Evaluation

• Is bootstrapping right for you?
• Three questions to ask before bootstrapping

2. Starting Your Bootstrapped Business

• Create a business plan
• Setting up goals

3. Manage Your Spending

• Determine your cash flow
• Are credit cards right for you?
• What is a credit line?
• Find good partners and vendors
• Spending on office space
• Hiring full-time employees vs. part-time employees

4. Your Life vs. Your Business

• How to prepare your personal finances
• Prepare friends and family before bootstrapping

5. Utilizing and Building Networks

• Customer acquistion
• Utilizing founder forums and groups

6. Leveraging Press and Funding Opportunities

• Apply for awards and accolades
• Find local features
• Grants and contests

7. Control Your Finances

• Hiring a CPA
• Financial numbers you should know

Conclusion

• Next steps to starting your bootstrapped business