EP23: Funding vs. Bootstrapping: An Entrepreneur's Biggest Decision

Are you ready for BFCM? Head to https://www.ASOMpod.com to subscribe and get your Must-Have DTC Black Friday & Cyber Monday Prep Checklist! Join the ASOM pod community at https://www.creatorscombine.com- Mastermind with likeminded Agency owners, SaaS founders, brand Operators, and Marketers. Thank you to Recharge for sponsoring the pod. Trusted by over 20,000 brands, Recharge is the #1 platform for your eCommerce subscription needs. Learn more at http://recharge.asompod.com/ Thank you to Salvit Advisors for sponsoring the pod. Salvit Advisors help eCommerce brands make profitable decisions by tailoring data-driven sights that are unique to your business. Learn more at https://www.salvit.com/ _______ In this episode of the ASOM Pod, hosts Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO & Co-Founder of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO & Co-Founder of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride) dive into one of the most pivotal decisions for entrepreneurs: choosing between external funding and bootstrapping. They bring together insights from their own entrepreneurial journeys and perspectives from other founders, exploring how each approach shapes a business’s growth, control, and risk profile. What You’ll Learn: * The pros and cons of fundraising versus bootstrapping for new ventures * How growth speed and business control differ between funded and self-funded businesses * Key market trends, including crowdfunding and venture capital shifts * How economic cycles influence funding opportunities * Personal stories of fundraising wins, bootstrapping challenges, and lessons learned * Tips for assessing whether to raise capital or stick to bootstrapping based on your goals Whether you’re weighing funding options or simply interested in understanding how these choices impact long-term success, this episode offers a balanced guide to help entrepreneurs navigate growth, risks, and the evolving investment landscape. _______ 00:00 Teaser Trailer 00:09 Personal Experiences with Bootstrapping 00:43 Pizza Talk and Casual Banter 01:30 Starting the Podcast: Meet the Hosts 02:44 Fundraising vs. Bootstrapping: Key Considerations 10:22 Deep Dive: Timing and Growth in Fundraising 14:38 Investor Perspectives and Risk Tolerance 19:03 Mindset and Growth Strategies 26:01 Investor Relationships vs. Entrepreneurial Freedom 29:18 John's Acquisition Journey 30:17 The Freedom of Entrepreneurship 32:38 Bootstrapping Challenges and Strategies 36:18 Fundraising Failures and Lessons 42:19 The Future of Investment and SaaS 48:54 Buy or Sell: Business Insights 52:21 Closing Remarks and Future Topics _____ Follow Jimmy Kim at: X: https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim Follow Bryan MacDonald at: X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad Follow John Roman at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman Follow Amer Grozdanic at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!