Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Andres Peiro Palmer


This is the first in a series of posts of what I'm calling the "BIG WHYS" here at BootStrapMe.com.

Briefly, the idea is to ask a couple of questions about the bootstrap process both rhetorically, in the sense that I'm going to try to answer them myself, but also in the hopes that we can get some responses from readers, so I'm hoping you will participate below.

Our first question is listed above and I'd like to answer it with a few points below.

Bootstrapping is so damned scary because:
• It means working without a net. Without big investors no revenue means no business and even though you could startup a bootstrap business tomorrow, you could out of business the next if you don't bring in revenue.
• It means looking for the business model. That's right. It's time to throw that business plan in the garbage and look for what really works. What are the chances projections on a couple of pieces of paper can adequately predict a non-existent market? Bootstrapping makes you prove a model not just plan one.
• It means letting the customers decide. Read what Guy Kawasaki has to say about the true nature of marketing. Many entrepreneurs are dreamers with a vision they hope to realize. But bootstrapping is about realizing that beautiful website you've designed is being used not by academics and artists for lofty discourse but for teenagers trying to hook up...and being cool with that.
• It means assessing your strengths...and weaknesses. Since you will be the one doing much of the work in the beginning, it's time to separate reality from fantasy. What can you realistically accomplish if you must hold down a full-time job while running your business on the side. What are you prepared to do and where do your skills lie.
• It means being the salesman. Remember, you will be bootstrapping so you won't be hiring a sales staff. Greg Gianforte insists sales is the most important aspect of business and bootstrappers must get to it early. So if sales is something that freaks you out, get over it fast. (Read more)

If you've got some other suggestions that would fit into this list, leave them in the comment section below and join us next post for part two of our series "Why is bootstrapping so damned sweet?"