It's a common strategy when starting the next great software venture.

But how can bootstrapping business techniques help bricks and mortar entrepreneurs build more traditional businesses without outside investment and costly borrowing?

Partners Jed Rapoport and Haika Powell found a way to build their new specialty bake shop on bootstrap principles in Allentown, PA, by downsizing their expectations, buying used equipment over a two year period and funding their start-up out of pocket.

Many of their inspirations have been guided by necessity as their business has evolved in the first few months of operation.

"The business is sort of defining itself," said Rapoport.

A bootstrap profile on the couple who transformed creative confections into a viable business model is coming soon at Bootstrapme.com