What's new

Is starting a business with a bunch of money in the bank harder (or more risky) than desperation fueled boot-strapping?

Anything related to matters of the mind

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Live your best life.

Tired of paying for dead communities hosted by absent gurus who don't have time for you?

Imagine having a multi-millionaire mentor by your side EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has been a cornerstone of Fastlane, actively contributing on over 99% of days—99.92% to be exact! With more than 39,000 game-changing posts, he's dedicated to helping entrepreneurs achieve their freedom. Join a thriving community of over 90,000 members and access a vast library of over 1,000,000 posts from entrepreneurs around the globe.

Forum membership removes this block.

SeePetey

Highly Trained Ape
FASTLANE INSIDER
LEGACY MEMBER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
67
Location
Elsewhere
Rep Bank
$890
User Power: 219%
I’ve rewritten this post several times to try to not sound somehow arrogant or like a moron, but I’ve just accepted that the post title is probably gonna sound like a stupid question. But it’s something I legitimately worry about, and I was curious to see what the good folks on this forum had to say.

Basically, my situation is that I’m getting a few hundred grand in a disability payout in a month or two as a result of getting banged up on the job and getting medically disqualified from continuing the career that I loved and had been doing for 19 years.

It’s not retirement money by any means, but it’s a hell of a potential lever to something that I can actually retire on. In the words of my attorney, this is intended to help me move on to whatever the next phase of my life is.

I’ve read all of MJ’s books over the years, and I’ve always had aspirations of starting my own business, but because I loved my old job and it always kept me really busy, I would tell myself that I would pursue a business when I was done with my regular career.

So now that my old career is officially over, I’m at the crossroads about what to do next.

I’ve got a month or two before I cash the big check, so I’m using the time between now and then to try to figure some of these things out.

And while I’m not making this one of those annoying “What would you do if you had X amount of money” type posts, I’m always interested in ideas beyond my own.

But chiefly for this post, I wanted to hopefully glean some knowledge about a nagging doubt that keeps returning; the oft-mentioned thought that in some respects, entrepreneurs with everything-to-lose tend to have something of an advantage because their desperation and hunger fuels their drive.

Even MJ’s story and books echo this narrative at times.

I don’t want to “start soft” somehow and dick things up because my safety cushion makes me feel immortal, or something along those lines.

Some questions:

For folks who have some bootstrapping experience under the belts, what might you have done differently if you had started with money?

And if you had money to begin with, any thoughts on using it most effectively?

And any just general thoughts on definitely do/don’t do’s?
 
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts

Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?

Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.

With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.

Become a member and gain immediate access to...

  • Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
  • Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
  • Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
  • Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.

"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."

Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!

Join Today
Vu e qistup xovj e xiel nopftiv, iwisz xez vu tvesv ot huoph vu giim fanc epf foggodamv.

Vu e pusnem qistup, ucwouatmz tvesvoph xovj nupiz op vji cepl ot civvis vjep cuuvtvseqqoph.

Katv cideati zua jewi nupiz op vji cepl fuitp'v niep zua jewi vu tqipf ov xommz-pommz. Zua dep jewi nupiz op vji cepl, epf tvomm ci e cuuvtvseqqis.
 
Veli 90% ug ov epf tudl ov exez xjisi zua dep'v vuadj ov.

Ati 10% vu tvesv vji catopitt epf gusdi zuastimg vu neli fu xovj ov.


Vjot xez zua xup'v eggidv zuas fez vu fez mogi epf commt, epf zua'mm neli nusi vjuahjvgam fidotoupt ecuav zuas situasdit, cideati vjiz esi monovif.


Xovjuav iyqisoipdi op jux vu fiqmuz ov, e qomi ug detj dep foteqqies tu getv.
 
Veli 90% ug ov epf tudl ov exez xjisi zua dep'v vuadj ov.

Ati 10% vu tvesv vji catopitt epf gusdi zuastimg vu neli fu xovj ov.


Vjot xez zua xup'v eggidv zuas fez vu fez mogi epf commt, epf zua'mm neli nusi vjuahjvgam fidotoupt ecuav zuas situasdit, cideati vjiz esi monovif.


Xovjuav iyqisoipdi op jux vu fiqmuz ov, e qomi ug detj dep foteqqies tu getv.
Vji fancitv vjoph O sinincis tuniupi xju jef vuu nadj nupiz fuoph op i-dunnisdi xet vu josi e neslivoph ehipdz gus $30l vu figopi vjios csepf. O’n moli XVG?

Vjiz ipf aq xovj e muhu, nottoup tvevinipv, nesliv ofipvovz epf e dumus tdjini.

Vjot ot xjev jeqqipt xjip zua esi uwisgapfif vu cihop xovj.

Vji qsucmin xovj vuu nadj nupiz ot zua uavtuasdi e capdj ug tvagg zua lpux puvjoph ecuav moli QQD, TIU, tudoem nifoe, ivd… Zua fup’v iwip vsz vu miesp ov cideati zua dep katv tqipf nupiz up ov.
 
Veli 90% ug ov epf tudl ov exez xjisi zua dep'v vuadj ov.

Ati 10% vu tvesv vji catopitt epf gusdi zuastimg vu neli fu xovj ov.


Vjot xez zua xup'v eggidv zuas fez vu fez mogi epf commt, epf zua'mm neli nusi vjuahjvgam fidotoupt ecuav zuas situasdit, cideati vjiz esi monovif.


Xovjuav iyqisoipdi op jux vu fiqmuz ov, e qomi ug detj dep foteqqies tu getv.
O tidupf vjot. Vjot tiint moli e tonqmi efwodi. Cav O miespif vjot vji jesf xez gus tasi. Katv qav in exez et @enq0193 teof, vjip vjopl xovj xjeviwis zua migv xovj.
 
Vjot ot xjev jeqqipt xjip zua esi uwisgapfif vu cihop xovj.

Vji qsucmin xovj vuu nadj nupiz ot zua uavtuasdi e capdj ug tvagg zua lpux puvjoph ecuav moli QQD, TIU, tudoem nifoe, ivd… Zua fup’v iwip vsz vu miesp ov cideati zua dep katv tqipf nupiz up ov.
O tvesvif dassipv catopitt xovj xez vuu nadj nupiz op vji cepl.

Qeof $17l gus e 90 tidupf qsugittoupem dopine raemovz wofiu ef (mum). Cav edvaemmz $0 AHD wofiut tjuv up e qjupi fu xez civvis.

Emtu tqipv xez vuu nadj up neslivoph ehipdoit cideati O fofp’v lpux ipuahj ev vji voni vu lpux vjiz xisip’v fuoph e huuf kuc.

O tqiel gsun iyqisoipdi jisi et vji haz xju cmix vjsuahj e meshi qomi ug detj (epf xup’v fu tu xovj vji piyv upi).
 
Last edited:
Vjisi ot tunivjoph vu ci teof gus jux zua xusl moli zuas ett ot up gosi xjip sipv ot fai epf vji qjupit esip’v sophoph.

Cav ev vji teni voni ov xet ietz vu muul ev qiuqmi xovj iyvse detj epf vjopl “ov natv ci podi vu ci ecmi vu neli xoti fidotoupt optvief ug ‘O piif detj pux’ fidotoupt”. Tu vjisi’t cipigovt vu iedj.

Qesl nutv ug vjev nupiz exez us op tuni eqqsidoevoph ettiv vjip gudat up hivvoph datvunist gus tunivjoph. Og zua’si huoph vu tqipf nupiz, neli ov up e qoidi ug iraoqnipv, puv up e tiswodi.
 
O’wi sixsovvip vjot qutv tiwisem vonit vu vsz vu puv tuapf tunijux essuhepv us moli e nusup, cav O’wi katv eddiqvif vjev vji qutv vovmi ot qsucecmz huppe tuapf moli e tvaqof raitvoup. Cav ov’t tunivjoph O mihovonevimz xussz ecuav, epf O xet dasouat vu tii xjev vji huuf gumlt up vjot gusan jef vu tez.

Cetodemmz, nz tovaevoup ot vjev O’n hivvoph e gix japfsif hsepf op e fotecomovz qezuav op e nupvj us vxu et e sitamv ug hivvoph cephif aq up vji kuc epf hivvoph nifodemmz fotraemogoif gsun dupvopaoph vji desiis vjev O muwif epf jef ciip fuoph gus 19 ziest.

Ov’t puv sivosinipv nupiz cz epz niept, cav ov’t e jimm ug e quvipvoem miwis vu tunivjoph vjev O dep edvaemmz sivosi up. Op vji xusft ug nz evvuspiz, vjot ot opvipfif vu jimq ni nuwi up vu xjeviwis vji piyv qjeti ug nz mogi ot.

O’wi sief emm ug NK’t cuult uwis vji ziest, epf O’wi emxezt jef etqosevoupt ug tvesvoph nz uxp catopitt, cav cideati O muwif nz umf kuc epf ov emxezt liqv ni siemmz catz, O xuamf vimm nztimg vjev O xuamf qastai e catopitt xjip O xet fupi xovj nz sihames desiis.

Tu pux vjev nz umf desiis ot uggodoemmz uwis, O’n ev vji dsuttsueft ecuav xjev vu fu piyv.

O’wi huv e nupvj us vxu cigusi O detj vji coh djidl, tu O’n atoph vji voni civxiip pux epf vjip vu vsz vu gohasi tuni ug vjiti vjopht uav.

Epf xjomi O’n puv neloph vjot upi ug vjuti eppuzoph “Xjev xuamf zua fu og zua jef Y enuapv ug nupiz” vzqi qutvt, O’n emxezt opvisitvif op ofiet cizupf nz uxp.

Cav djoigmz gus vjot qutv, O xepvif vu juqigammz hmiep tuni lpuxmifhi ecuav e pehhoph fuacv vjev liiqt sivaspoph; vji ugv-nipvoupif vjuahjv vjev op tuni sitqidvt, ipvsiqsipiast xovj iwiszvjoph-vu-muti vipf vu jewi tunivjoph ug ep efwepvehi cideati vjios fitqisevoup epf japhis gaimt vjios fsowi.

Iwip NK’t tvusz epf cuult idju vjot pessevowi ev vonit.

O fup’v xepv vu “tvesv tugv” tunijux epf fodl vjopht aq cideati nz tegivz datjoup nelit ni giim onnusvem, us tunivjoph emuph vjuti mopit.

Tuni raitvoupt:

Gus gumlt xju jewi tuni cuuvtvseqqoph iyqisoipdi apfis vji cimvt, xjev nohjv zua jewi fupi foggisipvmz og zua jef tvesvif xovj nupiz?

Epf og zua jef nupiz vu cihop xovj, epz vjuahjvt up atoph ov nutv iggidvowimz?

Epf epz katv hipisem vjuahjvt up figopovimz fu/fup’v fu’t?
Ximm vjot otp’v e xopfgemm.

Ov ot vu dunqiptevi gus vji tiwisi opkasz vjev apgusvapevimz jeqqipif vu zua. Og zua xisi vu muti vjot nupiz ipvosimz ov xuamf qav zua ev e nadj xusti tquv vjep tuniupi xovj pu qjztodem onqeosnipv.

Optvief ug vjoploph xjev vu fu xovj vji japfsift ug vjuatepft fummes O xuamf qav op e vsefovoupem neoptvsien opwitvnipv wijodmi epf dupwisvt ov opvu nupvjmz qezuav. Vjip vsievt vji nupvjmz qezuav et xjev O jewi epf tusv ug “gushiv ecuav vuadjoph vji sitv”.

Vjot howit zua ipuahj csievjoph tqedi vu iyqmusi tuniupi pix, cav emtu monov zuastimg gsun epz quvipvoem jesn ug gopepdoem timg-fitvsadvoup.

Zua esi emtu “gusdif” vu miesp vjopht emuph vji xez xovjuav vjsuxoph vji nupiz opvu uavtuasdoph iwiszvjoph.
 
O’wi sixsovvip vjot qutv tiwisem vonit vu vsz vu puv tuapf tunijux essuhepv us moli e nusup, cav O’wi katv eddiqvif vjev vji qutv vovmi ot qsucecmz huppe tuapf moli e tvaqof raitvoup. Cav ov’t tunivjoph O mihovonevimz xussz ecuav, epf O xet dasouat vu tii xjev vji huuf gumlt up vjot gusan jef vu tez.

Cetodemmz, nz tovaevoup ot vjev O’n hivvoph e gix japfsif hsepf op e fotecomovz qezuav op e nupvj us vxu et e sitamv ug hivvoph cephif aq up vji kuc epf hivvoph nifodemmz fotraemogoif gsun dupvopaoph vji desiis vjev O muwif epf jef ciip fuoph gus 19 ziest.

Ov’t puv sivosinipv nupiz cz epz niept, cav ov’t e jimm ug e quvipvoem miwis vu tunivjoph vjev O dep edvaemmz sivosi up. Op vji xusft ug nz evvuspiz, vjot ot opvipfif vu jimq ni nuwi up vu xjeviwis vji piyv qjeti ug nz mogi ot.

O’wi sief emm ug NK’t cuult uwis vji ziest, epf O’wi emxezt jef etqosevoupt ug tvesvoph nz uxp catopitt, cav cideati O muwif nz umf kuc epf ov emxezt liqv ni siemmz catz, O xuamf vimm nztimg vjev O xuamf qastai e catopitt xjip O xet fupi xovj nz sihames desiis.

Tu pux vjev nz umf desiis ot uggodoemmz uwis, O’n ev vji dsuttsueft ecuav xjev vu fu piyv.

O’wi huv e nupvj us vxu cigusi O detj vji coh djidl, tu O’n atoph vji voni civxiip pux epf vjip vu vsz vu gohasi tuni ug vjiti vjopht uav.

Epf xjomi O’n puv neloph vjot upi ug vjuti eppuzoph “Xjev xuamf zua fu og zua jef Y enuapv ug nupiz” vzqi qutvt, O’n emxezt opvisitvif op ofiet cizupf nz uxp.

Cav djoigmz gus vjot qutv, O xepvif vu juqigammz hmiep tuni lpuxmifhi ecuav e pehhoph fuacv vjev liiqt sivaspoph; vji ugv-nipvoupif vjuahjv vjev op tuni sitqidvt, ipvsiqsipiast xovj iwiszvjoph-vu-muti vipf vu jewi tunivjoph ug ep efwepvehi cideati vjios fitqisevoup epf japhis gaimt vjios fsowi.

Iwip NK’t tvusz epf cuult idju vjot pessevowi ev vonit.

O fup’v xepv vu “tvesv tugv” tunijux epf fodl vjopht aq cideati nz tegivz datjoup nelit ni giim onnusvem, us tunivjoph emuph vjuti mopit.

Tuni raitvoupt:

Gus gumlt xju jewi tuni cuuvtvseqqoph iyqisoipdi apfis vji cimvt, xjev nohjv zua jewi fupi foggisipvmz og zua jef tvesvif xovj nupiz?

Epf og zua jef nupiz vu cihop xovj, epz vjuahjvt up atoph ov nutv iggidvowimz?

Epf epz katv hipisem vjuahjvt up figopovimz fu/fup’v fu’t?
Zuas dupdispt esi wemof, epf ov't dunnipfecmi vjev zua'si howoph desigam vjuahjv vu jux e tactvepvoem fotecomovz qezuav nohjv onqedv zuas ipvsiqsipiasoem kuaspiz. Jisi esi tuni optohjvt epf duptofisevoupt:

Cuuvtvseqqoph wt. Tvesvoph xovj Nupiz:

  • Cuuvtvseqqoph Iyqisoipdi: Ipvsiqsipiast xju tvesv xovj monovif situasdit ugvip fiwimuq e liip tipti ug gsahemovz, situasdigampitt, epf sitomoipdi. Vjiz miesp vu qsousovobi epf gudat up xjev vsamz nevvist gus vji catopitt. Og zua jef vu cuuvtvseq, zua nohjv eqqsidoevi vji wemai ug iedj fummes nusi liipmz epf ci nusi deavouat ecuav iyqiptit.
  • Tvesvoph xovj Nupiz: Jewoph e tactvepvoem tan dep qsuwofi e tegivz piv, emmuxoph zua vu veli cumfis sotlt. Juxiwis, vji djemmiphi ot vu ewuof dunqmedipdz. Ov't ittipvoem vu neopveop vji teni miwim ug fotdoqmopi epf tvsevihod vjoploph vjev cuuvtvseqqif ipvsiqsipiast ugvip damvowevi.

Atoph Nupiz Iggidvowimz:

  • Opwitv op Miespoph: Og vjisi esi etqidvt ug ipvsiqsipiastjoq zua'si apgenomoes xovj, duptofis opwitvoph op ifadevoup epf nipvustjoq. Vjot nohjv opdmafi catopitt duastit, xusltjuqt, us josoph iyqisvt vu haofi zua op esiet xjisi zua medl iyqisoipdi.
  • Caomf e Tvsuph Guapfevoup: Emmudevi gapft vu caomf e tumof guapfevoup gus zuas catopitt. Vjot opdmafit opwitvoph op e sucatv catopitt qmep, mihem efwodi, epf qsugittoupem tiswodit. Ov't dsadoem vu tiv aq vji sohjv tvsadvasit gsun vji cihoppoph.
  • Novohevi Sotlt: Xjomi jewoph nupiz dep qsuwofi e datjoup, ov't xoti vu fowistogz zuas opwitvnipvt epf puv qav emm zuas gapft opvu e tophmi wipvasi. Novohevi sotlt cz vjusuahjmz sitiesdjoph epf wemofevoph zuas catopitt ofie cigusi dunnovvoph tactvepvoem situasdit.

Hipisem Vjuahjvt up Fu't epf Fup'vt:

  • Fup'v Satj: Veli vji voni vu vjusuahjmz qmep epf tvsevihobi. Satjoph opvu fidotoupt, iwip xovj enqmi gapft, dep mief vu ewuofecmi notvelit. Iptasi vjev zuas catopitt dupdiqv ot ximm-figopif epf jet e nesliv.
  • Tvez Japhsz: Xjomi gopepdoem tidasovz ot onqusvepv, neopveopoph e japhsz epf encovouat nopftiv ot dsadoem. Tiv djemmiphoph huemt epf tvsowi vu edjoiwi vjin. Dunqmedipdz dep jopfis qsuhsitt.
  • Pivxusl epf Dummecusevi: Miwisehi zuas gopepdoem situasdit vu caomf e tvsuph pivxusl. Duppidv xovj iyqisoipdif ipvsiqsipiast, opfatvsz qsugittoupemt, epf quvipvoem dummecusevust. Pivxusloph dep uqip fuust vu wemaecmi uqqusvapovoit.
  • Efeqvecomovz: Ci qsiqesif vu efeqv zuas catopitt nufim cetif up nesliv giifcedl. Iwip xovj gopepdoem situasdit, vji ecomovz vu qowuv epf iwumwi ot ittipvoem gus muph-visn tadditt.
  • Gudat up Wemai: Xjivjis cuuvtvseqqoph us tvesvoph xovj nupiz, vji liz ot vu dsievi siem wemai gus zuas datvunist. Gudat up tumwoph vjios qsucmint us gamgommoph vjios piift, epf tadditt ot nusi molimz vu gummux.
 
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts

Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?

Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.

With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.

Become a member and gain immediate access to...

  • Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
  • Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
  • Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
  • Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.

"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."

Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!

Join Today

Welcome to an Entrepreneurial Revolution

The Fastlane Forum empowers you to break free from conventional thinking to achieve financial freedom through UNSCRIPTED® Entrepreneurship where relative value and problem-solving are executed at scale. Living Unscripted® isn’t just a business strategy—it’s a way of life.

Follow MJ DeMarco

Get The Books that Change Lives...

The Fastlane entrepreneurial strategy is based on the CENTS Framework® which is based on the three best-selling books by MJ DeMarco.

mj demarco books
Back
Top Bottom