Page 78 - The Bootstrapper Bible

ChangeThis clubs. In fact, without the 20-year detour, CUC never would have learned all the valuable lessons it needed. At the beginning, when youʼre armed with a plan and a cash-flow statement, you might be tempted to be very choosy about which projects and which customers you take. Donʼt do that! (At least not too much). Watch the money. Take the money. Allocate a percentage of your week to making money. Any way you can that doesnʼt distract from the core business. If a project makes money, itʼs a good project. If a product makes money, itʼs a good product. The market has something in mind for you and your company. As you follow the market, as you build your reputation and your skills and your assets, new opportunities will arise. The vast majority of start-ups go under within five years. So if youʼre still around, youʼre a winner. And itʼs probably because you were focused on survival. Donʼt take this survival advice too far. But take it. Money now is better than money later. RULE 3: SUCCESS LEADS TO MORE SUCCESS The more you do, the more you do. Being in front of people will lead to new opportunities, new products, new engagements. Be in motion, because customers like motion. Iʼve worked with many bootstrappers who have turned focus into a double-edged sword. They turn down work or avoid pursuing opportunities because they worry that it will keep them off the market when the right thing comes along. Sort of like the guy in high school who didnʼt date because he was waiting for the head cheerleader to go out with him. He didnʼt realize that she preferred to date someone with lots of dates. | iss. 6.01 | i | U | X | + | h 78/103 f