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Whenever I talk about working w/ the incredible bootstrapped founders at @FounderSummit + @earnestcapital, my community wants to know 2 things:
“What is bootstrapping?”
“Does it uphold the same prejudiced mythology of *pulling yourself up by your bootstrap*?”
1/
“What is bootstrapping?”
“Does it uphold the same prejudiced mythology of *pulling yourself up by your bootstrap*?”
1/
Here& #39;s my take:
The "bootstrapper" world feels like hacker + DIY + indie maker communities rolled into one.
It& #39;s about choosing non-VC capital + sustainable, profitable growth—
in contrast to the aggressive, billion dollar unicorn-or-bust VC tech mentality.
2/
The "bootstrapper" world feels like hacker + DIY + indie maker communities rolled into one.
It& #39;s about choosing non-VC capital + sustainable, profitable growth—
in contrast to the aggressive, billion dollar unicorn-or-bust VC tech mentality.
2/
Technically, @vauntastic + I bootstrapped our company in 2013—funded via a mix of things that included my income waiting tables.
But I wouldn’t have called it “bootstrapping” at the time, because that wasn’t my word.
We called ourselves indie, self-funded, small biz.
3/
But I wouldn’t have called it “bootstrapping” at the time, because that wasn’t my word.
We called ourselves indie, self-funded, small biz.
3/
Some terms, including “founder” and “bootstrapper” felt foreign for a long time—loaded with cult-like mythologies that didn’t seem to include me.
Just starting a biz didn’t feel like enough to claim the title “founder”—
most women I worked with ID-ed as owner, CEO, etc.
4/
Just starting a biz didn’t feel like enough to claim the title “founder”—
most women I worked with ID-ed as owner, CEO, etc.
4/
Bootstrap is a loaded term.
Bootstrap is often a code word for “generational or personal wealth/access/safety net/ resources”
I rolled my eyes every time I read about a bootstrapped founder who raised a $$$$ “friend and family” round.
5/
Bootstrap is often a code word for “generational or personal wealth/access/safety net/ resources”
I rolled my eyes every time I read about a bootstrapped founder who raised a $$$$ “friend and family” round.
5/
These days many tech + tech enabled companies are celebrated for massive valuations or exponential (often money-losing) growth instead or profit or impact.
VC is also evolving but overall there’s still a culture of more $$$$ = better.
Bootstrapped ethos is the opposite
6/
VC is also evolving but overall there’s still a culture of more $$$$ = better.
Bootstrapped ethos is the opposite
6/
Bootstrapped’s meaning has evolved.
Bootstrap brings it back to the people creating without all that hype + fan-fare.
Grants, bank loans, alt funds (like @earnestcapital), waiting tables—tons of ways to raise capital and still be considered bootstrapping.
7/
Bootstrap brings it back to the people creating without all that hype + fan-fare.
Grants, bank loans, alt funds (like @earnestcapital), waiting tables—tons of ways to raise capital and still be considered bootstrapping.
7/
The #bootstrapper community
-celebrates even your 1st customer
-is transparent + collaborative
-builds things people need
-believes in work-life balance
-respect a sustainable growth curve
-thinks a side-hustle/ lifestyle biz / unsexy industry are all valid
(and more!)
8/
-celebrates even your 1st customer
-is transparent + collaborative
-builds things people need
-believes in work-life balance
-respect a sustainable growth curve
-thinks a side-hustle/ lifestyle biz / unsexy industry are all valid
(and more!)
8/
In short, I get it—when I say “bootstrapped founders” it raises some eyebrows.
As an underestimated founder, I& #39;ve found the bootstrapper community surprisingly supportive + welcoming over the 6 months (ish) I& #39;ve been building @FounderSummit.
9/
As an underestimated founder, I& #39;ve found the bootstrapper community surprisingly supportive + welcoming over the 6 months (ish) I& #39;ve been building @FounderSummit.
9/
Last thing (and a tiny 
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If you& #39;re a founder of a tech or tech enabled company, and don& #39;t think VC culture is a fit, @FounderSummit (and our new Mastermind Sprinthttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏽" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (mittlerer Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (mittlerer Hautton)">) might be your jam.
The bootstrapped founder community welcomes you!
Fin/ https://twitter.com/FounderSummit/status/1303828652954546176">https://twitter.com/FounderSu...
If you& #39;re a founder of a tech or tech enabled company, and don& #39;t think VC culture is a fit, @FounderSummit (and our new Mastermind Sprint
The bootstrapped founder community welcomes you!
Fin/ https://twitter.com/FounderSummit/status/1303828652954546176">https://twitter.com/FounderSu...
