Making Your Lean Startup Work With Almost No Money

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but starting a lean startup without a lot of money can feel downright impossible. It might seem like the deck is stacked against you, but with the power of creative thinking and hard work, anyone can make their Lean startup dreams a reality!

The Lean Startup Philosophy

For those not in the know, the Lean Startup philosophy is all about finding creative ways to be as economical and efficient as possible when starting a business. Rather than splurging and investing heavily right off the bat, the idea is to spend as little as possible while building something sustainable. The goal of a Lean startup is to scale up as you gain more money and momentum.

Steps to Making It Work

So, how can you make your lean startup happen with limited resources? Follow these simple steps:

• Have a Plan: Have a clear idea of what you want to do and the resources you need to do it. Map out what your goals and budget are and don’t deviate from them.
• Make Connections: Find people who can offer advice, resources and connections. Networking will be your biggest friend as a lean startup entrepreneur.
• Trade Services: Can’t afford the resources you need? Trade your skills or services for someone else’s. Get creative and start bartering!
• Use Free Alternatives: There are a ton of free resources out there, from websites to project managing tools. Explore what’s available and look for free alternatives instead of investing in more costly solutions.
• Be Efficient: Time is money. Be efficient and only spend your limited resources on things that will get results. Avoid taking detours and focus on doing what’s necessary to achieve the goals you initially set out.
• Don’t Give Up: It might not be easy, but persevere and utilize the resources at your disposal. The rewards will be worth it in the end.

Just Do It!

Making your lean start-up happen when you have limited resources is all about creative problem solving and hard work. Don’t let your lack of money or resources stop you from achieving your entrepreneurial dreams — just do it! Your lean startup is a mere step away.