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Zraidi needed few resources to get started besides 20 years experience in the business world, many of those in the international finance department of a global engineering firm.

"I started my business with just the equipment, hardware, and software that I had available in my home at the time. The majority of my work is all done on the computer/online, so I have really only needed to acquire additional software when needed," she said in an e-mail explaining her business start-up.

Today her clients include Canto, the international digital assets management firm; a Parisian actors' workshop; WorldAccess7, an online community for business people and entrepreneurs; author and journalist Janine di Giovanni and Praxis Filmworks.

Aday too is a bootstrapper.

Her start-up costs included only membership in her local chamber of commerce and upgrades to her home computer system including an additional external drive, anti-spyware and an upgraded printer.

She designed her own website, bartered for hosting space with a former employer and has done little advertising except for free listings in both the online classified section of the Dallas Observer, a free local newspaper, and Craig's List.

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