What's the buzz? Tell me what's a-happening.

Filed in archive Bootstrapper Tips on March 20, 2007

The suggestions for business mantras have already begun to pour in and I must say the entry from Buzzoodler Ron McDaniel puts me in mind of that tune from Jesus Christ Superstar.

To understand why buzz is important to the bootstrapper sometimes it helps to compare and contrast the buzz factor of the little start-up with that of the well established firm having money to burn but little or no passion for the product among its employees.

The example I most often give is from my early days at a mid-sized northeastern Pennsylvania newspaper.

As head of a recently established bureau office in a highly competitive fringe market, I was driving past a local volunteer fire company when I noticed vending machine for two of our competitors out front but a conspicuous absence of our own paper in that part of town.

Returning to my office, I immediately phoned our circulation manager to ask how soon he could drop a box in the spot.

"They'd only steal it," a disheartened voice replied.

What advantage do small bootstrap entrepreneurs have over huge established companies?

Passion for their product and a hunger to attack every opportunity.

Without these qualities, a business will never succeed, no matter how well funded.