Comments on: Starting a Business on a Shoestring: Why Starting Small Makes Sense During Tough Economic Times

By: Lisa Princic

Lisa Princic — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:23:25 +0000

Great article! I think starting a business in tough times is a good idea because you learn to prioritize on what really works rather than develop unhealthy financial management that will creep up and get you in harder times.

In addition, when people aren’t spending money on anything and everything you’ll know that your service is really of value if they decide to work with you. When you become a necessity instead of a luxury item, you know you will last!

Great stuff here Lauren!

By: Tracy Matthewman

Tracy Matthewman — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:24:30 +0000

Hi! I commend you for being a woman who is willing to take risks in order to prove herself to the world. Being an entrepreneur is already a challenging task, but being a woman entrepreneur makes it even harder knowing that there is really still a bit of underestimation of the girl power today. Personally, I think that the key for us women to be always ahead of our games is to have a very effective time management. With that being said, i want to share this link to all of you where you can learn a lot about effective time management and making the most out of your limited time. I really hope you could drop by and let me know what you think. Here’s the link: performtoprofit.com

Best regards!

By: ElizabethMD

ElizabethMD — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:11:39 +0000

I found your site yesterday and have been going through it finding much acceptance and understanding. As a new entrepreneur I’m not 100% sure what I am doing on the business end of things. I keep getting told this is a bad time (due to recession) I don’t have any startup money so it will never fly etc. I find the strongest people come from hard and difficult backgrounds and or situations. So it is nice to see a website and ppl who do agree with my thoughts as well.

By: Full speed ahead! (Are you ready?)

Full speed ahead! (Are you ready?) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:18:37 +0000

[...] reads on this topic: Why Starting Small Makes Sense, on Lauren & Emira’s blog (authors of “The Boss of You”). The book is [...]

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:05:53 +0000

Thanks, everyone, for your comments!

Laura: We don’t know Amanda but will check her out.

Ann: I’ve heard lots of stories like yours. It’s often hard for government agency staff to wrap their heads around “alternative” business models (although of course people have been starting businesses this way forever). Hope you’re able to find some kindred spirits nearby who can lend you some moral support while you’re starting up!

Carol: My comment about the aging population was in no way a critique of older entrepreneurs, but rather a reference to the declining population growth levels in Canada and elsewhere, due to higher life expectancy and lower birth rates. This trend is cause for concern for some of us who worry that we will soon be facing unsustainable increases in public spending on healthcare and social security, the costs of which which may have to be carried by a shrinking number of younger taxpayers.

I’m a big fan of socialized medicine and our country’s various safety nets; I’m just also conscious that we may soon be struggling with how to take good care of our elders while holding the financial well-being of the rest of the population in the balance as well. Hope that clarifies things a bit.

By: Carol

Carol — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:06:13 +0000

Hey hang on – mind what you say about us oldies! Aging population indeed! I’m 54 and just started up March 2009 and doing OK. I sell books, classical music, fabrics, vintage stuff. I’ve no personal debt, paid my mortgage, own my car, still run a home and kids etc – including growing my own veg, keep pigs, chickens, sheep turkeys, care for my elderly Mum. I’ve tons more experience than younger entrepreneurs, masses more patience, have skills that you’d never even heard of…I intend on growing at a rate of 25 per cent per month – I’m doing it right now and will, until my turnover is just under 80K euros pa and then I’ll slow down a bit so I don’t go into the next tax structure. Try running a business in France and you’ll know what I mean – it’s hard but do-able. As long as you don’t advertise in a foreign language – it’s illegal…

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:02:05 +0000

Thank you for writing about this. I just had a horrible experience with the local SBA office. It seems they can’t understand the fact that not everyone wants/needs to take out a $150,000 loan to start a business. It was the most uninspiring meeting I’ve had in my life, but I’m glad to hear other (more inspiring) thoughts on this subject. I definitely have to check out the book.

By: Jessi

Jessi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:36:59 +0000

I just discovered your blog and I luv, love, LOVE you gals!! In fact, I just reserved a copy of your book at my university’s library… can’t wait to read it! I’m always entertaining thoughts of running my own business, so any kind of encouragement, tips, etc., are warmly welcome!
J

By: Laura.

Laura. — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:02:46 +0000

thanks for the words of encouragement, as always! i need to remember to be patient and take calculated risks. deep breath.
say, do you ladies know amanda steinberg from dailyworth.com? if you don’t already, you would probably really love her and what she does: gives financial advice to women in strong, daily doses.