25 sure-fire Ways to BootStrap your Startup Business

Startup Quotes:

“When you get an idea that you can’t stop thinking about, that is definitely a great idea that you have to boot-up.

“Instead of trying to create the “perfect” product, you should be eager to launch a minimum viable product [MVP], the leanest product. Then, if you get interest, iterate and develop it.

“Start small, so you don’t desperately need funding. It’s wiser to start “lean” with a business than ever – BootStrap !!!

To be successful in any business, an Entrepreneur needs to use the available resources at his disposal while limiting the borrowing of funds. Having 100% ownership of the business and not giving up an Equity stake to an Investor is on the wish list of every Entrepreneur. This may be accomplished with what is called Boot-Strapping. Once one becomes a Boot-Strapper, no one will ever be on your back all the time, asking what has been done or directing on how you should run your business.

Benefits. Boot-Strapping comes with a wide range of benefits to Entrepreneurs. To begin with, the business won’t be indebted to any Investor. Secondly, you won’t be under any pressure to repay any form of business Loans to a financial institution. Many people who have fantastic Business ideas have a borrowing mentality such that they believe one needs to have thousands of $$$ as start-up capital which is an absolute misconception.

Lean. Boot-Strapping means using the little that you have as start-up capital for the business. When little profits are realized, you need to put them back into the business. By doing so, the business would experience growth. The million $$$ question with many Entrepreneurs is “How can I learn the art of Boot-Strapping my business?” We got you covered. Here is a vivid description of 25 business Boot-Strapping ideas you need to know.

TOPICS: Research, Low $, Fast $, Test, Barter. Partner, Inc, Own $, Biz Plan, Image, cut Expenses, Home, Office, Cash Flow, Out-Source, Lease, etc.

1. Conduct thorough Market Research

As an Entrepreneur, conducting Market Research and getting to know all the dynamics that your business venture will be involved in limits the chance of failure. On the same note, you may never need an infusion of capital from someone else by being well prepared. (ie, there are great tools such as Survey Monkey that can help you in doing online Customer Surveys)

2. Look for a Business that Needs less Start-Up Capital

Starting up a world-class Business sounds like an awesome idea right? Many of us would obviously love to own one. However, such an investment needs a huge amount of Capital. Thus, it is good to put it as a long term objective. If you have less capital, it is advisable to start small and accumulate enough profits to start BiG – when you can afford it.

3. Start with a Generate Fast Cash Biz

Since you do not have a large amount of capital to start up a large business, we would recommend that you use the little capital that you have and invest in a business that is market-ready. Look for a business that generates immediate returns so you can put the profits back into the business to grow it. Doing so will allow you to accumulate the business funding you need to eventually kick-start the large business.

4. Test the Waters

One of the largest mistakes you can ever make as an Entrepreneur is to quit your job – believing that your business will be an immediate success overnight. To avoid disappointment, start your business idea as a part-time business, analyze the progress, then later dive into it – when you’re ready.

5. Try Bartering

When starting up a business, it is wise to conserve your start-up Capital as much as possible. This means try to swap the products that you need – for the products someone else needs. With this kind of exchange, though, make sure that the products you exchange are of reasonably equal value.

6. Form a Partnership

As explained in #3 above, it is good to start your business as a part-time thing. With this, you may look out for a Partner with different skills that you don’t have and partner-up with them. Also, the Partner should be available whenever you are tied up with your regular job. This is the best way to run a small business without high expenses and added stress.

7. Incorporate your Business Online

Many Entrepreneurs find it hard to sustain their businesses at the start especially when the returns are lower than expected. Due to this, it’s good to protect whatever you have by limiting your personal liability. Consider “Incorporating your business online“, so if you are sued by a client, your personal assets are protected.

8. Start with your own $$$ as the Capital

To avoid borrowing funds and resorting to personal and/or business Credit cards, the best way to Boot-Strap your business is to collect all the savings you have and use them as your Startup Capital. This makes it easy for you to depend – only on you – in determining what to spend your hard-earned $$$ on. However, be careful to limit using your Retirement savings as you may never pay it back.

9. Have a good Business Plan

A Business Plan acts as a guideline for all that your business needs to achieve. Thus, a well-done Business Plan will always ensure that you do not waste your $$$ via impulse buying or unnecessary expenses that might lead to a cash decline in your enterprise.

10. Enhance your Image

To any business, Image is everything. Thus, you must ensure that your Website – as well as Social Media accounts, have top quality photos & graphics that are appealing to the eye of a potential customer. Download top quality images for your business from Pixabay or Stocksnap with ease, then upload them.

11. Cut your Expenses

If you are planning to successfully Boot-Strap your business, one of the best methods is to cut down your Daily expenses. For example, you may start your business from home to avoid monthly Rental payments. Look for other things you can do to keep your expenses low.

12. Work from Home – as long as possible

Monthly Office Rent payments are one of the most dreary expenses you can subject yourself to when starting your business. If you can comfortably work from home and provide all the goods & services that your Clients/Customers need, then you will be able to save a lot of $$$. Don’t just save though, save and invest back into your business for expansion.

13. Don’t Rush to have Office Space

As an Entrepreneur who is starting up a business, it is not advisable to look for an office space unless you have absolutely need it & can afford it. This is because an office needs new equipment, office furniture and perhaps one extra member on staff which are all added expenses. If you can operate without an office, then do so – as long as possible.

14. Insist on immediate Payments

Another great idea to BootStrap your business is to ensure that all your Clients pay for their product purchases instantly instead of financing their purchase. This will make it easier for you to make other purchases sooner than later and keep investing money back into your business. Time is money and hence the earlier the payments, the better.

15. Avoid Unnecessary Purchases

The main purpose to BootStrap your business is to ensure that only your personal Capital runs the business without the need for Capital infusion (= confusion) from any other source. Therefore, any Entrepreneur who is serious about their business should strongly limit engaging in unnecessary expenses. Go for free version SW – available online – for all your needs.

16. Keep an Eye on your Cash Flow

A business that is financially stable will usually grow & expand. This should mark the foundation for you. Keep a very close eye on any Cash that either flows in or out of the business. Do it on a daily basis. Look for an Accounting program that can sync your Bank account online for you to always have the real-time Financial Status of your business.

17. Conserve Your Cash

Do not be tempted to spend the profits gained by your investment. Many Entrepreneurs tend to take the profits from the business in buying expensive Office Furniture or Cars to impress customers. Resist all these and invest in your business with new technologies that will boost your earnings.

18. Follow up on All Invoices

One of the major causes of Business failure is bad debts. There is a tendency for Entrepreneurs to always forget to follow up on all the Invoices & Receivables of the business. You should, therefore, download one of the free Invoicing apps for your business – which will make it easy for you to send reminder messages and follow up on debts that are past due.

19. Don’t Hire – Outsource !!!

We understand that at one time or the other, you will definitely need someone to do extra work part-time – that your staff can’t handle – time or talent. However, you do not need to employ someone permanently to do this. The best way is to Outsource employees and pay them either on an hourly or a job basis.

20. Use Family Members

When it comes to maybe moving your furniture, avoid hiring somebody to do it for you expecting payment. Be as economical as possible to increase your savings. Try reaching out to some of your family members for help and see if they will do you a favor instead of hiring someone whom at the end of the day would require payment.

21. Integrate Digital Marketing

Traditional advertisement methods such as Radio and TV stations are almost outdated. Social Media is the hot thing in town with unmatched ability to gather fans & followers. Make sure that your business has an online presence and promote all your products from there at no to little cost.

22. Avoid Impulse Buying

In order to properly BootStrap your business, you need to keep off from impulse buying. Always have a Budget for your needs and make sure that you stick to it by avoiding to buy stuff that is not on your budget – unless you can justify it.

23. Use Vendor-deferred Payments

If you want to fully ensure that your business is fully BootStrapped, one rule has to be adhered to. The rule is to ensure that Cash in is higher than Cash out. One of the best ways to improve Cash Flow is paying your suppliers at a later date after you have already sold the products. When using this tip, however, always ensure that you pay off the debts after the products are sold to avoid debt accumulation.

24. Lease Equipment

There comes a time when your business could be in need of certain machinery. Rather than pay the total cost up front, it is better to lease them from another company. This will enable you more Cash Flow as you go.

25. Have Future Plans

Starting small does not mean that you should just lay the foundation lightly. Have a Strategic Plan for the business. Go ahead and open a separate business account for the business and work hard to establish a high Credit Score. Also, set room for expansion among many other issues that might benefit the business in the future