🌼How to Start a Business from Nothing

Stay hungry. And bootstrap.

Hustling and thinking about building a business? I got your back.

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Listen, I know what you’re thinking: how in the world do you start a business with empty pockets, a ramen noodle diet, and barely enough cash to keep Netflix streaming?

Well, strap in, because we’re about to embark on a no-frills journey from zero to hero, entrepreneurship edition.

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Read also: 4 unconventional things I do to insulate my business from recessions

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No VIP Entry Needed in Entrepreneurship

In the grand club of business, there’s no need for a posh accent or a trust fund to get you past the velvet rope.

Money can’t buy hustle and street smarts, which, trust me, are the lifeblood of starting a business. You don’t need the big bucks to turn a clever idea into a booming biz.

Just look at the likes of Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. They started from scratch, without a dime, in a garage.

If you’re already in a garage, you’re halfway there!

Let Your Sofa Become Your Seed Fund

Okay, so your sofa cushions spat out only 37 cents and a stale Dorito. Don’t sweat it!

Bootstrapping is the Chuck Norris of business financing — it doesn’t take any prisoners, and it needs no handouts.

It’s all about growing your business with the resources you have at hand.

So what can you do?

Start with a service-based business. Your skills are your seed capital.

You can code? Design websites.

You can write? Start a freelance copywriting gig.

Hell, you can fold a mean origami swan? Start an Etsy shop.

You’re selling your skills, not your kidney.

Embracing the Lean Lifestyle

Living the lean life isn’t just about swapping your Venti Starbucks latte for a homemade drip coffee (though it doesn’t hurt).

It’s about keeping your business trim and fit, like a cheetah, not a well-fed house cat.

Cut out the fat, streamline your operations, and focus on the things that bring in the bacon (even if it’s just a slice at a time).

Don’t rent swanky office space just because you saw it in an episode of “Silicon Valley.”

Your kitchen table is just fine.

Fancy business cards? Your LinkedIn profile’s got you covered.

Kickstarter Ain’t Just for Indie Bands

Now we’re getting serious but stick with me. It’s time to hit up the global piggy bank known as crowdfunding.

Platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe are the modern-day equivalent of standing on a soapbox in the town square, hat in hand. But instead of tossing you a pity penny, people are investing in your big idea.

And hey, remember that potato salad Kickstarter that raised over $55k?

If a mayo-based side dish can do it, your big business idea certainly can.

Read also: 4 things people who are good with money avoid buying

Mingle with the One Percent

Alright, let’s say you’re an introvert like me, and the idea of schmoozing makes you break out in a cold sweat. I feel you.

But networking isn’t all about fake laughs and dull small talk.

It’s about building relationships and playing a real-life game of “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” except you’re Kevin, and the rest of the world is Bacon.

And you don’t have to go to fancy dinners or exclusive clubs to network.

Twitter, LinkedIn, local meetups, online forums, heck, and even your cousin’s daughter’s birthday party can be a networking goldmine.

Just remember, everyone you meet is a potential customer or business partner. So, put on your game face and start mingling.

Persistence, My Friend Starting a business from nothing requires a healthy dose of perseverance. It’s like running a marathon without shoes, uphill, in the snow.

But, the view from the top is worth it. Don’t let setbacks or initial failures discourage you. Remember, even the greatest success stories have chapters filled with struggles and setbacks.

We have a “strategic” plan its called doing things.

— Herb Kelleher

Contributed by Zohvib Ali

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