What kind of business would you like to bootstrap?
Since last month here on BootStrapMe.com we've been focusing increasingly on ideas for new bootstrap business startups.
I hope these are the kinds of simple ideas that could act as catalysts for motivated young bootstrap entrepreneurs to start their own ventures with little or no outside investment.
In that time we've looked at ideas for how to start your own café, ice delivery service, retail business, newspaper or other publication, blog business, telephone installation businesses, social network, movie production/distribution company or numerous at-home on line businesses.
But in this post I'd like to turn the spotlight on you the reader and ask "What kind of business would you like to bootstrap?"
It's a question I've also posted in the forum of our new MySpace group "Bootstrap your business today."
I challenge you to enter your answer today creating a MySpace account first if you don't already have one.
On New Years Day, I challenged would-be entrepreneurs reading this blog to "Launch your bootstrap business in 2008." One of the best ways to get started would be to announce your intentions today in the forums of "Bootstrap your business today" on MySpace or in the comment section of this blog.
Then check back regularly to tell us how you're doing.
We'll be waiting to hear from you.
February 17th, 2008 at 9:27 am
While not for myself, my SO has for quite some time been interested in opening a “pet spa & daycare”. Obviously, this is something that will take some capital to bring to fruition, but I have been trying to figure out if there is a way to build it up by bootstrapping.
My guess is that there mught be a way to start with dog-sitting services on weekends, etc., to build up a clientele since she has a full0time job, but what I run into is the question of how to go beyond that.
February 17th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Leo,
That does sound like a great way to start. It seems like the weekend thing might be a way to develop some cash flow. Then once you determine how much revenue you could figure out if there was a.) a way to take it full time b.) a way to partner with others and sort of act as a referral service for clients. What does she know about the business already? Would it be possible to develop a blog with pet care info. and use it to gain visibility for the service? In the second scenario the key thing would be to carefully screen others you might bring in as subcontractors and start a pet day care referral service using contractors to bring in more and more clients. Over time you might be able to use revenue from this first business to build the spa and with the referral service you would already have a ready client base.