How To Bootstrap Your Startup Without Going Broke

Get a Job

This might not be the most popular option, but getting a job is one of the easiest ways to fund your startup, especially in the early days.

I know the idea of going back to a job might feel like a step backward, especially if you’ve had a taste of entrepreneurship. But here’s the thing: covering your basic living expenses is essential. You can’t focus on growing your startup if you’re constantly worrying about paying rent or buying groceries.

Why it works:

• It gives you a reliable income to cover your essentials while you work on your business.
• If you’re strategic, you can pick a job that actually helps you build skills for your startup. For example, I once worked at Uber, and it taught me so much about building and running a marketplace.
• It also opens up networking opportunities that could come in handy later.

My advice: Choose a job that aligns with your goals. If your startup is focused on marketing, find a role at a marketing agency. Learn from the experts while getting paid—then take those lessons and apply them to your business.

Do Consulting or Freelancing

If working for someone else doesn’t appeal to you, consulting or freelancing can be a great alternative. You’re still your own boss, but you’re using your skills to make money while you build your startup on the side.

This is exactly how I funded Unicorn Factory in the early days. I started freelancing to help local businesses with Facebook ads, which not only brought in money but also helped me build skills that I could use for my projects.

Why it works:

• You can earn more per hour compared to a traditional job.
• It’s flexible, so you can control how much time you spend freelancing versus working on your startup.
• You’re developing skills in real-world settings that you’ll use to grow your business.

My advice: Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or even local networks are great places to find clients. Just take what you’re learning while building your startup and offer it as a service.

Get Customers to Pay You to Build It

This is a bit of a power move, but it works: find people who want the solution you’re building and get them to pay you to create it.

Here’s the idea: instead of building your product first and hoping people will buy it, you pitch your idea to potential customers upfront. If the problem you’re solving is big enough, some of them might be willing to invest in your idea, especially if it saves them time or money.

Why it works:

• It validates your idea because someone’s willing to pay for it before it even exists.
• You’re reducing your financial risk by using customer money to fund development.
• It gives you deeper insights into your customers’ needs since you’re building it with their input.

My advice: Don’t overthink it. Approach potential customers, explain the problem you’re solving, and show them how your idea could work for them. You’d be surprised how often people will support a solution they believe in.

Pre-Sell Your Product

If your startup is consumer-focused, pre-selling is another great option. It’s like Kickstarter—you pitch your product idea and let people pay upfront to reserve it. This not only generates revenue but also validates that there’s demand for what you’re building.

Why it works:

• You can start generating revenue before you’ve even built the product.
• It creates excitement and builds a community of early adopters who believe in your idea.
• You get to test whether people will actually pay for your product.

My advice: Be transparent about your timeline and deliverables. People need to trust that you’ll deliver what they paid for, so keep them updated and make sure your offer is clear.

Learn to Build It Yourself

Finally, you can keep costs low by learning how to build your startup yourself using no-code tools like Webflow, Airtable, and Zapier.

This is how I built Unicorn Factory. When I started, I was spending about $150–$200 a month to run the entire platform. That included tools and a bit of marketing. With a small budget and some time, you can do the same.

Why it works:

• No-code tools are affordable and let you build pretty much anything without hiring developers.
• You’re in control of the entire process, so you don’t need to rely on anyone else.
• It’s faster and cheaper than you probably think.

My advice: Start small. Focus on the features your users need most and learn as you go. If you’re willing to put in the time, there are so many free resources online to help you get started.

Funding your startup doesn’t have to mean relying on investors or draining your savings. Here’s a quick recap of the five strategies we discussed:

• Get a Job: Cover your living expenses and gain relevant skills to support your business.
• Consult or Freelance: Use your expertise to generate income while staying flexible.
• Get Customers to Fund Development: Partner with early adopters to build and validate your product.
• Pre-Sell Your Product: Generate revenue and interest before launch.
• Build It Yourself: Use no-code tools to create your startup on a budget.

These approaches are practical, flexible, and give you the freedom to grow your business on your terms.

If you’re ready to take the next step, check out my free tutorials on no-code tools or explore my MVMP program for a guided approach to building your startup. Remember, you don’t need outside funding to succeed—just the right plan and the determination to make it happen.