bootstrapped

Jared Steffes

Bootstrap Tips for Conferences and Travel

posted by Jared Steffes
on 02/12/2013 04:49 pm
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File 22164

Currently I am in Orlando, FL for the World Money Show. I’m out here to launch my newest company called Matador.

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Steve Dinelli

A beginner’s guide to attending Office Hours

posted by Steve Dinelli
on 02/04/2013 03:58 pm
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A beginner’s guide to attending Office Hours written by Steve Dinelli @stevedinelli

A special thanks of Built In Chicago for hosting the best office hours in the Chicago!

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Like every other bootstrapping entrepreneur, I'm searching for the elusive iOS developer...

Am I asking too much? Is it possible to find a really good programmer, preferably as a technical co-founder, but could also be a coder for equity, or a freelancer, or a combination thereof? Someone who might have a real job (as do I), but could write some code on the side to get something into the App Store, gain some traction, and develop a more robust product.

Hopefully the path to find this mythical creature begins on this excellent website. Anyone who knows of the creature's whereabouts, please jump in. Thank you.

Jeff Maslouski
Jeff Maslouski
AP: 0
Muse-1
Lesley Tweedie

Little Independent on Kickstarter: Celebrating Mom & Pop Shops Across America

posted by Lesley Tweedie
on 09/05/2012 01:10 pm
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Little Independent was founded in 2010 and launched June 2011.  The site is an aggregate marketplace like Amazon, etsy or ebay but all the sellers are brick and mortar retailers.  There are bike shops, pet stores, boutiques and toy stores that use it to enhance visibility online, access new customers and sell overstock and discounted items more quickly.

We’ve been working to add content and there are now 83 stores in 20 states.  Here is what the Next Web said about the site:

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Lakshmi Bhargave

Roomations.com launches in Chicago!

posted by Lakshmi Bhargave
on 08/07/2012 03:52 pm
  • 430 views
  • 2 comments

File 18205

 

I am very excited to announce the relaunch of Roomations (www.roomations.com), a site that connects homeowners with interior designers online. We're sort of a CrowdSpring meets Amazon for interior design services and home products.

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Comments

Adam Calica
Adam Calica on 08/07/2012 05:46 pm

Really cool idea!

Quick feedback: The tagline confused me. "Get furniture and decor recommendations from retailers you love" makes it sound like the retailers themselves would provide me with recommendations.

Lakshmi Bhargave
Lakshmi Bhargave on 08/07/2012 06:25 pm

Thanks for the feedback! Definitely something to keep in mind!

Mike Zivin

Why Chicago Startups Need To Fight Harder For Credibility

posted by Mike Zivin
on 06/11/2012 01:17 pm
  • 1876 views
  • 5 comments

What separates Chicago startups from those in the Valley or New York? Besides access to a much larger pool of capital, I believe that our startups do not garner the same level of credibility as our coastal peers. This makes it significantly harder for our startups to gain traction in the market, raise funds, or attract talent.  Let me explain.

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Andrew Follett
Andrew Follett on 06/15/2012 11:53 am

I think startups and "folks in the valley" focus way too much on generating buzz (and incubators and VCs for that matter). You mention having a "great product" that solves a "real problem" at the very end of the article, but shouldn't that be a startups entire focus? Make money first, validate the business model, then credibility and buzz will follow after. Forget the press and competitions for now - all the buzz in the world isn't going to help a company without a way to make money.

Jaime Brugueras
Jaime Brugueras on 06/12/2012 03:07 pm

Mike, you should have 1871 pass on this article to all its members. This is a great read. I voted for you. Where are you sitting? I'd like to meet.

Mike Zivin
Mike Zivin on 06/12/2012 03:30 pm

Thanks Jamie. We're in the shared space, usually by the big windows on the West side. Swing on over and say hi when you get a chance.

Eliscia Filice
Eliscia Filice on 06/12/2012 09:55 am

Great advice. So true about #3. 1871 has created a great brand and has really helped give Chicago startups create a community.

Hemant Kashyap
Hemant Kashyap on 06/11/2012 02:07 pm

#5 In addition, one way for the press and bloggers to notice you is to become a domain expert in the space that your business is focused on. Getting quoted in articles and periodically publishing insights/findings in your domain is a great way to direct some attention to your company.

Amanda Thompson

Moxie Award Finalists: Best Bootstrapped Startup

posted by Amanda Thompson
on 06/04/2012 04:49 pm
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The Moxie Awards

Best Bootstrapped Startup

We are pleased to announce the following outstanding Chicago companies as our finalists for The Moxie Awards' Best Bootstrapped Startup.

Create a BigMarker Community to video conference, share files, and collaborate with others online. 

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David Albert

Top 10 Tactics To Marketing Your Product Launch With $0

posted by David Albert
on 06/04/2012 02:03 pm
  • 4618 views
  • 4 comments

So you’re a bootstrappin’ startup with zero budget to get the word out about your new product. Whether it’s a new website, online service, mobile app or a physical product, there’s plenty of elbow grease your can rub on the marketing wheels to stir up activity and interest. Here are my 10 favorites:

1. Appeal to influential bloggers

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Comments

David London
David London on 01/03/2013 04:35 pm

Helpful insights, David. I'm launching a business now and need to find creative ways to attract users without spending all my money. Thanks!

David Albert
David Albert on 01/03/2013 04:50 pm

Thanks David. Best of luck to you!

Ron Armour
Ron Armour on 01/03/2013 01:57 pm

Great and useful info for startups and businesses of all kinds!

David Albert
David Albert on 01/03/2013 04:50 pm

Thanks Ron. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Matt Pearson

GigFunder Launch

posted by Matt Pearson
on 05/08/2012 02:51 pm
  • 453 views
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I'm happy to announce the launch of GigFunder! We are a small, bootstrapped team based here in Chicago!

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