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The Smartest Entrepreneurs Bootstrap Their Startup

Startup Professionals Musings

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. General startup expenses are beyond your means. bootstrap business entrepreneur startup' Marty Zwilling.

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6 Startup Lessons Learned By Passionate Entrepreneurs

Startup Professionals Musings

In my own experience with technical startup founders, I still find it hard to name one who was also good, or even interested in financials or business operations. Most aspiring entrepreneurs don’t have the resources alone to “bootstrap” or fund their new business alone. Finding the right investors can make or break you.

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7 Startup Risks That Come With Other People’s Money

Startup Professionals Musings

One of the myths I often hear as an advisor to many entrepreneurs is that their lifestyle would somehow be better if they could more easily find other people’s money to build their startup. Usually it pays to move a startup slower rather than risk relationships. Bootstrapping gives you the flexibility to explore creative alternatives.

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6 Strategies For Startup Exit That Investors Accept

Startup Professionals Musings

The last thing a new entrepreneur wants to think about for a new startup is how it will end. Startups with no exit planned will minimize investor returns. Most entrepreneurs like the startup role, but not the big-company role. Yet one of the first things a potential equity investor asks about is your exit strategy.

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7 Startup Costs That You Assume With Outside Funding

Startup Professionals Musings

One of the myths I often hear as an advisor to many entrepreneurs is that their lifestyle would somehow be better if they could more easily find other people’s money to build their startup. Usually it pays to move a startup slower rather than risk relationships. Bootstrapping gives you the flexibility to explore creative alternatives.

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9 Messages From Sales Training May Save Your Startup

Startup Professionals Musings

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. That mentality has to be part of the culture of every startup team member from the start.

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7 Startup Proposals That May Raise Investor Red Flags

Startup Professionals Musings

Yet everyone has limits, and every investor implicitly has similar limits on what makes a startup investable, or one to avoid at all costs. 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.