Hi, my name is Ted Paff. Building a company without investors (a.k.a. “bootstrapping”) is lonely. Eventually, the people in your life get tired of discussing what you obsessively think about – your business. My goal is to provide content to stimulate your thinking and a forum for you to engage with a community facing the same issues.
Welcome to Bootstrap Thinking!
I have been a serial entrepreneur – and a bootstrapper – for over 15 years. Prior to that I was a venture capitalist and an investment banker for over 10 years. I have an MBA from Columbia University and a BA from the University of Maryland at Baltimore County.
Although I had been a VC, when I became an entrepreneur, I decided to bootstrap my companies. I had the choice and I chose not to raise equity capital from others.
If I could waive a magic wand, I would enable every working person to think like a bootstrapped entrepreneur. By doing so, I believe people can lead less fearful, more creative and more authentic professional lives – regardless of whether they start a business or not.
I plan to publish a new post every week. But, I won’t always hit that goal. Goofing off, working on my next start up or helping someone else may take me away for a while but I will return.
If you have a suggestion, comment or question, please use the form below to let me know!