Build your bootstrapped business today

Filed in archive Bootstrapper Tips on May 5, 2008

You don't need to wait until the time is right to launch your bootstrap venture.

In fact, as entrepreneur Greg Gianforte has pointed out, one of the best things about bootstrapping is that you can start right away.

O.K. maybe the first couple of steps aren't the most glamorous, certainly nothing like the launch party of a big venture capital company.

But plenty of tools already exist out there to start your little unobtrusive company right now and let it grow for the future.

To test this theory out, I decided to jump start an idea for the ultimate content/social network called PostRanger.com with a couple of simple on line tools.

Here's how I went about it:
• I've got no software programming experience so I decided to stick to what I know (content)
• I used an existing tool (Squidoo) with established revenue potential to launch a couple of simple sites
• One site, The Coal Country Chronicle, takes advantage of my knowledge of the Pennsylvania Anthracite region after working a decade at a daily newspaper in the area
• Another site, Tamaqua Gateway Gazette, provides resources on a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania where I still own a house and which I have gained a knowledge of simply after spending about nine years living there.
• A third, Ocean City Fever, will provide resources on my favorite Maryland getaway

No these sites alone won't make me millions overnight, but here is what, in my view, they do provide:
• Revenue to be used for furthering my broader agenda of either partnering with a software entrepreneur or hiring a contractor to build PostRanger.com myself
• Experience and on line visibility as a content provider working in the field where I expect to build my business
• Interaction with others (entrepreneurs, software designers and other content providers) who may be future partners, costumers, suppliers for a growing venture in the future.

Be sure to check out the new sites. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Photo Credit: Stuart Whitmore, MorgueFile