Many entrepreneurs know firsthand what it takes to bootstrap - to work with limited resources (financial and human) and stretch them as far as possible without relying on external resources. But try as you might, it is unlikely that you can do it all alone. Eventually, you will need to bring in people with skills and knowledge that you don't have.
You have three options:
- Continue in bootstrapping mode. Find someone with the expertise you are looking for and convince them to provide their sweat equity on the if-come that the business will grow and succeed.
- Delay growth until you have the ability to hire the A+ players you need.
- Outsource. Lawyers, accountants, and marketing specialists are just a few of the highly trained service providers that are available on an outsourced basis when a hire isn't possible. Reach out to service providers to focus on what is most important: generating revenue.
Unsure where to find the most reliable Service Providers? Here are some suggestions:
- Ask for recommendations. You are not the first entrepreneur in need of a lawyer well-versed in patent protection. Other entrepreneurs will gladly provide referrals. Once you find a service provider you trust, it can also be helpful to ask who they partner with. Attorneys usually have an accountant they can recommend, and vice versa.
- Poll a general audience using social networking tools. Online communities such as Twitter and LinkedIn are now vital tools for business discussion. With the number of professionals online rising daily, the internet is a great place to engage a wide variety of individuals. Post the criteria you are looking for on Twitter or in a LinkedIn group, and watch as the suggestions come in!
- Check online directories. IdeaCrossing.org is a free online resource that has a searchable online database where entrepreneurs can find and connect with service providers. Users can search by keyword, zip code, and business category to find a list of providers that meet their criteria. The Better Business Bureau also has a searchable online database where you can find accredited service providers in your area. These businesses meet the necessary standards of trust and transparency.
Don't try to handle all aspects of your business on your own. Know where your team's weaknesses lie, and seek experts to fill those gaps. Find the right people for the job, and move forward with a better business.
Tiffan is the Vice President of IdeaCrossing, a free online community created by JumpStart, which connects entrepreneurs with the national resources necessary to grow their businesses. Tiffan has worked at several venture-backed startup technology companies and strategic marketing agencies in both Boston and Cleveland. Through her work, she has facilitated the necessary growth of early-stage companies.