From Funded to Self-Funded: The Story of WeddingLovely

My presentation at #MicroConf. :)

Transcript

1. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF From Funded to Self-Funded The Story of WeddingLovely
2. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF
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6. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF https://unsplash.com/photos/wESKMSgZJDo
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13. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF :(
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15. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF This is my story
16. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF The beginning
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23. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lessons learned 
 regarding cofounders
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26. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF 224 points!
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28. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Y Combinator interview!
29. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Faced with a choice…
30. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Co-founders are great, but don’t let the lack of a cofounder hold you back.
31. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF How WeddingLovely started + the year of hustle
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33. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF https://unsplash.com/photos/dgE3lWVyDh8
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37. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Don’t be smarmy! Look at these meetings as a way to make a new friend.
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40. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lesson learned #1 Have an MVP live as early 
 as possible
41. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lesson learned #2 Network, network, network.
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45. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lesson learned #3 If you want something, HUSTLE
46. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lessons learned 
 regarding writing
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49. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF 490 points!!
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54. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lesson learned #4 Write as much as possible — the good, and the bad.
55. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lessons learned regarding fundraising and bootstrapping
56. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Bootstrapping vs. Funded company
57. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF $50,000 for 5% is 
 hard to turn down.
58. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lessons learned about 
 marketing and sales by blogging
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66. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lessons learned regarding acquisitions
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69. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF https://unsplash.com/photos/5D47VsGV86c
70. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Focused on the 
 acquisition instead.
71. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lesson learned #5 Establish expectations early on when in talks for acquiring.
72. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF The downslide
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75. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lesson learned #6 Never give up, never surrender.
76. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Plodding along + starting a side project.
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78. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lesson learned #7 Have as little expenses as possible so your business can last as long as possible.
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82. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Investment… again?!
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90. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF The Airbnb for weddings
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92. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF crickets
93. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Why?
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95. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lessons learned #8 Don’t waffle back and forth on funding vs. bootstrapping
96. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF The last year or so
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98. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lessons learned #9 Don’t be afraid to hire remote workers and virtual assistants
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100. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Lessons learned #10 Automate your business 
 as much as possible.
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108. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Today
109. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF No acquirers when you actually want to be acquired
110. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Not even close to being a success… but…
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113. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Recap
114. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Launch an MVP ASAP, as you never know what opportunities might arise.
115. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Launch an MVP ASAP, as you never know what opportunities might arise. Network, network, network — the people you 
 meet might lead you to the next big thing.
116. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Launch an MVP ASAP, as you never know what opportunities might arise. Network, network, network — the people you 
 meet might lead you to the next big thing. HUSTLE. If you want something, don't shy 
 away from working for it.
117. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Write about your experiences, good and bad, as 
 your writing might lead to more opportunities.
118. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Write about your experiences, good and bad, as 
 your writing might lead to more opportunities. If you have an acquisition inquiry, make sure 
 you're on the same page to save everyone's time.
119. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Write about your experiences, good and bad, as 
 your writing might lead to more opportunities. If you have an acquisition inquiry, make sure 
 you're on the same page to save everyone's time. Never give up, never surrender. Or at least, 
 don't give up easily.
120. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Cut your expenses as much as possible to give your future company as much runway as possible.
121. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Cut your expenses as much as possible to give your future company as much runway as possible. Don't flip flop between bootstrapping and fundraising. Once you change to fundraising, it's really hard to go back to bootstrapping.
122. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Hire remote workers for easily replicated tasks.
123. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Hire remote workers for easily replicated tasks. Automate everything as much as possible. Save yourself time to focus on bigger picture things.
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125. TRACY O SBOR N @limedaring MICROCONF Thank you! @limedaring