How to Start a Business with Almost No Money
The bootstrap playbook I wish someone had handed me before my first business — built from seven ventures, multiple failures, one clean exit, and €160,000 raised in grants and competitions for GoPlugable alone.
Early reviews.
"Mendez masterfully combines practical advice, emotional engagement, and inspirational narratives to create a guide that is not only useful but also empowering and motivating. It's a must-read for anyone looking to make their entrepreneurial mark without a significant financial investment."
"This book is a testament to the power of human creativity and perseverance, making it an essential read for anyone looking to enter the entrepreneurial arena without substantial financial backing."
"Mendez's authentic approach, practical advice, and emotional engagement make it a must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs. The book delivers a comprehensive and practical guide to bootstrap entrepreneurship."
The chapters.
This isn't theory. Every chapter is built around a real business Andrine started — Smiley, Pling Foods, Indiavibes, EVSwitcher, GoPlugable — the ones that worked and the ones that nearly bankrupted her.
The Mindset
Why "financial freedom" isn't a real enough reason to start, and the three founder archetypes that shape everything after.
Money and Resources
Four funding strategies that don't require savings: the Showman Strategy, Building in Public, Friends & Family, and grants.
Building the Right Team
Co-founders, vendors, and early allies — with a full co-founder compatibility questionnaire and agreement template included.
Telling Your Story
Building in public vs. stealth, and how storytelling replaces ad budget when you have none.
Coping with Failure
The most important chapter in the book, on the 90% of startups that fail and how to keep going anyway.
Fail Fast, Iterate, Pivot
Including the collapse of EVSwitcher.com, which led directly to GoPlugable.
Plus bonus chapters on breaking into a market with zero connections, finding grants and startup competitions, choosing a brand name, and staying sane when it all feels like too much.
Building in Ireland specifically? Read the short guide covering Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland, and the funding routes that apply here — then come back for the full playbook.
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Invite Andrine to speak on this topic.
The unglamorous mechanics of starting a business with almost no money — for conferences, panels, and workshops.
About the author
Andrine Mendez is a B2B growth marketer, seven-time founder, and educator — currently Head of Growth Marketing at Cora Systems. This book draws on her own founder journey, fundraising, failure, and everything in between.