We got a question from an accounting firm: can vendors attend Bootstrappers Breakfasts?
Q: Can Vendors Attend Bootstrappers Breakfasts
Question about the Bootstrappers Breakfast: Do you allow potential vendors to be part of this group? My company is an outsourced accounting and fractional CFO firm that specialize in early stage, bootstrapped companies. We specialize in making early stage companies “fundable” and ready to raise a round.
Answer: Sure, anyone who runs a company or is considering starting one is welcome. Come check out a meeting, it is about peers helping peers. No direct selling is allowed at the roundtable but people may have questions you can answer. A certain amount of enthusiasm for your product or service is understandable: when in doubt, err on the side of asking questions and offering help instead of describing your services.
We have had a number of service providers attend: particular attorneys, accountants, marketing experts, contract developers, and other consultants and contractors. We also have folks who are employed but considering doing a startup, folks who are out of work and trying to decide between job hunting and starting something, bootstrappers, and serial entrepreneurs. The majority of attendees are in business bootstrapping a startup.
Meetings are more about sharing perspectives and joint problem solving, with attendees trying to help each other move forward.. Everyone around the table brings different experiences and connections and there is a lot of creative problem solving. We are not focused on funding, but organic growth based on revenue. We are not against entrepreneurs seeking funding when they have a business that both merits and requires it, but “bootstrappers” is in our name for a reason.
We do get requests for recommendations for accountants, primarily for tax filings, and for bookkeeping support. See “Can You Recommend an Accountant for Business Taxes?” The firms on this list have been recommended by members of the group, we do not charge for referrals or placement on the list.
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