Many people aspire to one day start their own mission-driven business. However, the path to entrepreneurship is not always an easy one. There are a lot of important decisions that need to be made, and one of the most crucial is how to finance your business.
One option is to go the traditional route and seek out investors or take out loans. But that can be intimidating or even impossible for some people. That's where bootstrapping comes in. If you want to start and grow your business without outside help, it is the way to go.
What Is Bootstrapping?
Bootstrapping is the process of self-financing your business by using your personal finances. You can also do it by generating revenue through your business operations. In other words, it means using your own money to get your business off the ground.
There are a few different ways to do this method. You can use your savings, take out loans from family and friends, or even put your assets up as collateral.
Why Bootstrap Your Business?
There are several reasons you might want to bootstrap your business. Here's why:
You Have More Control
When you use your own money to finance your business, you have more control over it. You don't have to answer to investors or deal with the restrictions that come with loans. This allows you to make decisions that are in the best interest of your business, without having to worry about what other people think.
This factor plays a big role for social enterprises. When your business is bootstrapped, you can enjoy the following:
Not worrying about what your investors might think
Not being forced to make decisions that go against your mission
Being able to take more risks
Less Pressure
When you're starting a business, there's already a lot of pressure. You have to worry about making your product or service perfect, finding customers, and generating revenue. Adding the stress of seeking out investors or taking out loans can be too much for some people.
Of course, pressure will always be present when starting a business. But when you're bootstrapping, it is not as intense. You don't have to worry about convincing people to invest in your business. And you don't have to make promises that you might not be able to keep.
You Can Get Started Quicker
If you're trying to get your business up and running quickly, bootstrapping is the way to go. You can use your personal finances to get started and then generate revenue to grow your business.
This method is especially helpful for social enterprises. When you're bootstrapping, you can start working on your mission right away. You don't have to wait for investors or loans to come through.
It can take long to get approved for a loan. And it can take even longer to find the right investors. If you're bootstrapping, you can bypass all of that and get started on your business immediately.
You Might Be Able To Get More Done
Since you have more control over your business when you're bootstrapping, you might be able to get more done. You can focus on what's important to you and your business without having to answer to anyone else.
Of course, this isn't always the case. If you're not good at time management or decision-making, bootstrapping might not be the best option for you. But if you're confident in your abilities, it can be a great way to get things done.
It Teaches You How To Be Resourceful
Bootstrapping also teaches you how to be resourceful. When you're starting a business, you have to be careful with your money. You can't just spend willy-nilly and hope that everything works out.
This experience can teach you how to be more resourceful in other areas of your life. And it can help you become a better money manager.
It Helps You Build A Stronger Business
When you're bootstrapping your business, you have to be extra careful with your money. This means that you're more likely to make smart financial decisions. And it also means that you're less likely to waste money on things that aren't important.
This can help you build a stronger business in the long run. And it can also help you save money, which is always a good thing.
Of course, bootstrapping isn't right for everyone. But if you're looking for a way to finance your business, it's definitely worth considering. It has a lot of benefits that you might not get with other methods of financing. So it's definitely worth a shot.
How To Bootstrap Your Business
Now that you know all about the benefits of bootstrapping, you're probably wondering how to do it. Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Outsource CFO Services
One of the best ways to bootstrap your business is to outsource CFO services. This will help you save money on overhead costs. And it will also free up your time so that you can focus on your mission and other aspects of your business.
A virtual CFO can help you come up with strategies that won't drain your resources. They can also help you implement those strategies and make sure that they're working.
2. Use Technology To Your Advantage
Another great way to bootstrap your business is to use technology to your advantage. There are a lot of great tools out there that can help you save money and time.
For example, you can use project management software to keep track of your tasks and deadlines. You can also use accounting software to automate your finances.
Both of these tools will help you save a lot of time and money. And they'll also help you stay organized and on top of your business.
3. Cut Out The Non-Essentials
When you're bootstrapping your business, you have to be careful with your money. This means that you might have to cut out some of the non-essentials.
You might not be able to afford to hire a full-time staff right away. Or you might have to scale back on your marketing budget.
That doesn't mean that you can't still have a successful business. It just means that you might have to make some sacrifices in the beginning.
4. Focus On Your Core Competencies
One of the best ways to save money when you're bootstrapping your business is to focus on your core competencies. Don't try to do everything yourself.
Instead, focus on the things that you're good at. And outsource the rest.