How To Start A Business With (almost) No Money Excerts From Mendez

Andrine Mendez breaks down the process of building a startup from scratch with practical, no-nonsense advice. Unlike other business books filled with theory, this one feels like a conversation with a mentor who has been through it all—successes, failures, pivots, and all the lessons in between.

How to Start a Business with Almost No Money, According to Mendez

Starting a business with limited funds is possible through a strategy known as bootstrapping. Andrine Mendez’s book, “How to Start a Business with Almost No Money: Bootstrap Blueprint,” emphasizes that success in this approach depends on the right mindset, strategic planning, and practical advice. 

Key Steps and Strategies

• Focus on Low-Cost Ideas: Prioritize service-based businesses, online ventures, or local services that leverage existing skills and minimize upfront investment.
• Leverage Free Resources: Utilize readily available tools and platforms like free business plan templates, graphic design software (e.g., Canva), and email marketing services (e.g., MailerLite).
• Build a Customer Base Early: Use cost-effective marketing strategies such as social media engagement, word-of-mouth referrals, content marketing, and partnerships to attract initial clients.
• Reinvest Earnings: Fuel growth by reinvesting early profits into essential areas like improving products, upgrading tools, or running small-scale marketing experiments.
• Consider Government Support: Explore government grants and loan schemes, like the UK’s Start-Up Loans Scheme or Innovate UK grants, which can provide funding without requiring equity or collateral.
• Stay Lean and Resourceful: Minimize expenses by operating efficiently, maximizing existing resources, and being adaptable to market changes. 

Examples of Businesses with Low Startup Costs

• Service-based: Dog walking, house cleaning, tutoring, personal training, freelance writing or design, virtual assistance.
• Online: Dropshipping, selling digital products (templates, ebooks), online courses, affiliate marketing, blogging, social media management.
• Creative: Photography, selling handmade crafts, print-on-demand products, video creation. 

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