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| Tips for boot strapping a start-up |
10 Tips for Starting a Business from Scratch
Written by Robyn T
Braley
Now is not a great time to be thinking about starting a business. We are officially using the “R” word in Canada.
In January, 2015, oil prices dropped like a rock into a thick puddle of porridge!
Later that same year those who were laid-off were running out of their employment insurance benefits. Most have been diligently working their networks and submitting resume’s by the hundreds to no avail.
Some
are able to find employment is other parts of the country or even the world where their skills and abilities
are in demand. For others, reasons like family eliminate moving as an option.
So, what now? At this point some are deciding to start a business. They do it for one of two reasons;
- As an act of desperation as there are no other income options.
- To seize an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream.
Then they realize that other problem. They have no
money and no idea about what to do next.
When talking about bootstrapping, I never use the word “free.” For example, getting a story covered by the media, building your own website or self-producing a YouTube video you hope will go viral takes time, knowledge, and abilities. It’s your time, your knowledge and your abilities.
There’s Hope
Albertans
are entrepreneurial minded and are not afraid to try and fail. My
company, Unimark Creative, has worked with clients that started with very little
and went on to build multi-million dollar companies.
- A marble and stone business started out of the back of a half-ton after the Dad had emigrated from Europe.
- A major gourmet coffee roaster sold office coffee out of the trunk of his car.
- A wholesale distributor started with a prospect list and a phone
- A drilling tool owner stored drill-bits in his garage and started selling them one by one
- A hamburger chain owner arrived by plane from Europe with all he owned in a suitcase. His first job was washing dishes in a fast food restaurant. He went on to found a multi-location hamburger chain
- A caretaker started a business with a subcompact care, a mop and a bucket. He built the business into a major corporation offering janitorial and reclamation services
- A pest control business owner dropped out of 2nd year chemistry and started a company out of his car until he could afford a halftone. The company grew to dominate the market.
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| It all begins with a dream! |
Startups are Not Easy
I started my creative services business in 1993. I had been head hunted from a major media network to be the fund raising and marketing director. The job I accepted proved to be different than advertised and when the first year ended we parted ways.
Unlike some people, I was fortunate enough to have a couple of career options including a job offer in the media. For better or worse, I decided to start a communications business.
Unlike some people, I was fortunate enough to have a couple of career options including a job offer in the media. For better or worse, I decided to start a communications business.
To be honest, it wasn't fun at first. There were times when we went grocery shopping with a $20 bill. One Christmas Eve morning my wife and two daughters sat outside a client’s store while I went in to pick up a cheque to buy presents and groceries for the holidays. Not fun!
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| Jay Levenson; the original Guerrilla Marketer. |
What is Bootstrapping with Broken Laces?
Why did I choose that name? Well, Guerrilla Marketing was taken and is a franchise developed by Jay Levenson that he started in 1984.
Today there are 58 volumes in 62 languages, and more than
21 million copies have been sold worldwide. I recommend buying a
copy - or borrowing copies from the library .
Hundreds of cheap and easy-to-use marketing tips are explained to those starting a business with little resources except for their creativity and hard work.
My Bootstrapping with Broken Laces approach focuses on start-ups. You will notice I never use the word “free.” For example, getting a story covered by the media or self-producing a video to be uploaded to YouTube video to go viral requires time, knowledge, and abilities. It’s your time, your knowledge and your abilities.
My Bootstrapping with Broken Laces approach focuses on start-ups. You will notice I never use the word “free.” For example, getting a story covered by the media or self-producing a video to be uploaded to YouTube video to go viral requires time, knowledge, and abilities. It’s your time, your knowledge and your abilities.
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| Do more than think outside the box |
Once you've clarified your great idea, it's time to clarify your dream by asking the hard questions.
What do you want to do?
What do you want to do?
- Why do you want to do it?
- What makes you think you can do it?
- What is the identifiable need you will meet?
- What resources will you need?
- What steps must you take before you received your first cheque?
- Who forms your support network of mentors, referrals and resources? What professional people like accountants, bankers, lawyers and marketing people can you lean on?
- How will you feed yourself and your family while you get your business off the ground?
Ask for Advice
Once
you have clarified your business idea, start asking people for advice. I didn’t
do that. My business would have grown faster had I put my pride aside to ask
key questions of people with knowledge and experience.
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| You'll be amazed how many will help. |
Some
of the most successful people will meet you at McDonalds for breakfast because
that is what you can afford. Ask them. Many will help you because they may have
bootstrapped their own business and want to mentor others.
Gather Resources
What
is available today that was not even 10 years ago is online knowledge. You can
find “how to’s” for just about anything. For business, there are excellent
tutorials and templates for
·
Business
plans
·
Marketing
plans
·
Sales
strategies
·
Management
Systems
·
Investment
options
Bootstrap Your Company with $1,000 or Less.
1.
Create
an elevator speech
2.
Shoot
an attractive, head shot for business
3.
Write
a one page company profile.
a.
2
paragraphs to describe your business
b.
List
of benefits. Why should anyone care
c.
Outline
your experience positioned as your company
d.
Include
your head shot and any free online photos that are relevant to what you do
e.
Include
all contact information
4.
Create
an effective LinkedIn profile (google Canadian Melodie Dodaro or Kim Garst for
free tips)
a.
Consider
other Social Media platforms like YouTube, Podcasts or Blogs based on your
capabilities and needs.
5.
Print
full color business cards that reflect your business niche
6.
Build
a 2-3 page website using a free platform – limit to 2 days. Keep simple but
must make a good first impression.
7.
Assemble
a targeted email list from personal and professional networks
a.
Primary
– people who might need your services
b.
Secondary
– people who know people who might need your services
8.
Research
relevant industry directories online, in a library or through LinkedIn
9.
Find
a simple selling model that works for you cold calling or in person. Rehearse it. Role play with friends or family.
10.
Network
person-to-person – everywhere you go. Always carry business cards
a.
Industry
association meetings
b.
Chamber
of Commerce events
c.
Political
events
d.
Not-for-profit
events
Robyn T. Braley is a brand specialist, writer, and speaker. He is also a media commentator and Rotarian. Robyn is the President of UniMark Creative which does website design, video production, media services (editorial and advertising), and graphic design. He speaks at business conferences and also blogs about branding.
CONTACT INFO
CONTACT INFO
robyn@unimarkcreative.com
Website: www.unimarkcreative.com
Speaking: www.robyntbraley.com
Twitter: @robyntbraley
LinkedIn
Website: www.unimarkcreative.com
Speaking: www.robyntbraley.com
Twitter: @robyntbraley
Great tips..Thanks for sharing these tips..
ReplyDeleteEric Kuvykin marketing
No problem Eric. thanks for taking time to read it. Hope it gave you ideas.
DeleteThanks a lot for this article Robyn! We started our band Myztery 18 years ago, but I recently quit my day job to go full-time as a musician, author and speaker. We are learning to stick within our budget.
ReplyDelete