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 [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!