Robert

If by Bootstrapping you are speaking of Bob Reiss' book Bootstrapping 101 or the articles in Guerrilla Marketing those practices are GREAT, as long an you are able to fully embrace & exercise them. In fact SCORE, the volunteer organization that offers free business counseling is one of the options often offered to small business to develop and grow their business. Please be certain to use this great resource.

Big or small, all businesses need to follow basic business practices and principles. You need a plan - it may be a simply business plan but it need to include understanding your competitors, how you will meet customers needs, costs, profits, CASH FLOW (a biggie) and all the other elements in a business plan. One of the short comings in many of the 'bootstrapping' type strategies is it does not recommend you start by looking around you and understanding the TRUE market & the need (or lack of need) for what you want to offer. If you need help doing that use SCORE

And of course you need to legally establish your business with the Federal, State and local governments - and in handling food, that including food & heath requirements. Not only are they the law but your business will be able to deduct business expenses and potentially obtain wholesale prices.

Do you have a business plan. If not, see sample plans at bplans.com and use the templates at www.score.org. Plus find your local SCORE office for free counseling also at that address.

Alice, SCORE Pi edit

Hi Robert, Alice is spot on. Over the years, especially during the dotcom boom, I met with a lot of individuals, startups and small companies who had big ideas, but not much on paper. A business plan will help you see past the excitement of starting your own business and look hard at the financial picture and help you do some what-if scenarios on paper, before you get too far along.

Also, I have found for myself, that when I detail out my plans year to year, this gets me into the mindset and helps me to achieve my goals, except for years where the whole economy fizzles out.

Also, writing a good business plan will force you to look at your competition and think long and hard about what you are going to offer in the way of service or food to be different/better than your competition.

Vann Baker, Design-First edit

Hi,

Thanks very much for this comment. It help me to think about my ideals.

Tks again and pls keep posting.
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If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: http://cateringbusinessplan.info/catering-business-expenses/

Best regards.
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Send me an email at mike@amusacommercialcapital.com with your contact info and maybe we can help with funding.

Mike Feeley
www.amusacc.com edit