In his article "Break the 5 Barriers to Starting a Business" at About.com, Darrell Zohorsky suggests bootstrapping may be a key component in overcoming the obstacles to becoming an entrepreneur.

Darrell recommends:

1. Overcome a lack of money by controlling costs. The bootstrapper keeps costs low forgoing the big impressive office and other trappings of success in favor of developing customers and cash flow.

2. Overcome a lack of time through sacrifice. Give up those weekend getaways, at least occasionally, to work on your business and show real discipline in how you use your time.

3. Overcome a lack of benefits by finding alternatives. You can perhaps live off a spouse's benefits plan or look into a health savings account.

4. Overcome a lack of family support with a strong business plan. Darrell suggests a simple business plan to put your loved ones' minds at ease. I've expressed concern about traditional business plans in the past, but in this case they may be a benefit. Your family will be sacrificing almost as much as you will for your new venture with missed weekends and other family time. They have a right to understand and be comfortable with the risks and rewards of your project.

5. Overcome a lack of courage by learning to use fear as a motivator. Afraid of failure? Good. Than work to make your business a success.

Bootstrapping can help you break those barriers to entrepreneurship and start your new business.