10 Crazy Bootstrapping Stories

What these entrepreneurs lacked in funds, they made up for in gumption. Read on for inspiring tales of daring, dedication, and desperation.

There's no question that turning a great idea into a profitable business is exciting. But it's tough, as well, especially if you're bootstrapping. So I wondered--what are some of the craziest things people will do to self-fund their businesses?

Ah, the stories entrepreneurs tell about keeping their companies alive--it's nail-biting stuff! Here are 10 tales of daring, dedication, and in some cases, desperation, to inspire you.

Live in an RV for Years

After selling about $100,000 worth of plastic comb-bound books to interior designers via direct mail, Kimberly Causey wanted to get a real book onto the shelves of bookstores but couldn't afford to professionally print them. Her solution? She bought $200 worth of professionally printed covers for her home furnishings buying guide, printed the interior pages on her home printer, folded and scored the covers and glued them all together in her kitchen using a hot glue gun and a butter knife. Within two years proceeds from her book were supporting her full time, she got an 800 number, and a credit card processing account, and she was regularly driving through the night to appear on morning TV shows all over the southeast.

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