I know what it means to “bootstrap” my existence. From my own experience and that of the thousands of entrepreneurs I’ve worked with globally who have bootstrapped their businesses, I’ve learned that transitioning from a bootstrap strategy and approach to a capital-ready company or entrepreneurial venture takes some time and effort.

If you want to coach someone or someone asks to be coached, you have to ask the question: Are you willing to do what it takes to make it work?

We’ve noticed — in our years working with entrepreneurs around the globe — that many are driven and have a sense of urgency about getting things done.

Another is their resourcefulness.

Through my experience working with startups, I’ve learned that those who do really well are generally actors of implementation. Those who don’t do as well are looking for perfection.

I’ve been blessed to meet so many small business owners and entrepreneurs from around the world — all of whom have given me great insight on what it takes to make a business work.

When people copy your work, it means you inspired them to do something in your field. When I say “Let them copy you!” I don’t mean that you should not take action against those who infringe on your work — sometimes action is required.

Strategies are just as vital as the money you may secure.

In my experience, having a plan is key to securing funding. But the ability to effectively ask for money is also key.

I’ve always believed that Cash is King.

It is easy to get cash if you have good credit. That doesn’t mean you can’t get cash if you don’t have good credit, it’s just easier if you do.

Whenever there are changes or shifts in the economy, there is talk about the challenges of starting or growing a business. Did you know that many of the largest companies in the world started in tough economic times?

It’s a question that plays like the game of rock, paper, scissors — do you write your plan on a napkin, a piece of paper, on a rock, or in software? Which is the best?

The last thing an entrepreneur needs is to live in a fantasy that has no checks or balances.

For many years I paid no attention to what, how, or when I said what I said. I was careful, but didn’t totally understand or appreciate the insights I had gained in working with thousands of entrepreneurs around the globe.

We’re all making decisions every second we’re on Earth. We’re making decisions of what to wear, when to wake up, what to eat or buy. We’re negotiating with ourselves all day long.

I am frequently asked what I do to prepare for a meeting. I hope what I share here will spark a conversation!

Traveling as much as I do, I quickly learned that I need to leverage every minute I have to understand the environment in which I will be meeting.

In the beginning, many aspiring entrepreneurs look for the “easy way in.”

Meanwhile, those who have been around for a while have made it clear: there is no “easy way in.”

I’ve been fortunate to work with entrepreneurs in different environments around the globe. While they share some similarities, each is unique to the individual. Based on my experience, I can say that having long-terms goals or plans for the start-up depends on the entrepreneur, their background, the type of start-up, and the industry.

Working in the economic development arena for a number of years now, I’ve come to see that the term “small business” varies in meaning. Most of the time, economic development people use the term to indicate businesses with 10–50 employees. Some even stretch it to mean up to 400 employees, which are the businesses they most hope to attract.

The people who mentored me years ago never told me what to do. They simply shed light on the journey they took, so I could learn from their experience. There was no “this is the right/wrong way” — there was only “this is what I did that worked (or didn’t).” Their mentoring was about their individual journey and what I could learn from it.

I’ve come to see that some people operate on FOMO — Fear of Missing Out — to leverage the advancement of their career, or in selling their products or services.

I’ve heard SO many times over the years. When I started in sales — decades ago — I sold absolutely nothing for a long time. I learned later that it might take a hundred NO’s before you get to the first YES you may need for the day month or year.

In my last blog, I mentioned that the reality of branding is people-determinant.

I suggested that you can contribute to that brand by articulating what you want the public to know.