5 Ways to Raise Money for Your Business (With or Without Investors)

Theresa Gonzalez
Nov 06, 2020
Brit Morin

Fundraising has become mainstream, thanks to shows like Shark Tank that glamorize the pitch process. But those who raise money from investors are actually in the minority. Most small businesses raise money on their own terms and don't have to give away part of their company to anyone else. Feeling intimidated at the idea of asking for money? Or even paying yourself? Let's talk it out! As part of our collaboration Office Depot, we're here to share a quick recap of what our Selfmade students learned this week about funding their business ideas.

Here are five ways to raise money for your business:

  1. Bootstrapping: This is when an entrepreneur builds a company with their personal savings or the operating revenues of the new company. If you pursue this route, you can bring on hires by offering equity in the company if you can't immediately pay a salary. You'll also want to start seeking out advisors in the beginning — specifically people with different skill sets than yours. Two to three advisors is a solid place to start in your first couple of years. Popular Bootstrapped Brands: Patagonia, Spanx, GoPro
  2. Grants: This is money you don't have to pay back that helps fund your business. Popular Small Business Grants: iFundWomen, The Red Backpack Fund, FB Small Biz, Eileen Fischer, Tory Burch, FedEx, and more here.
  3. Loans: This is money you eventually have to pay back, usually with an additional interest payment. The longer you're in business, and the more profitable balance sheets you have to show, the lower your interest rate will be for a small business loan. Shop around for several quotes so you can ensure you're getting the best interest rate if you go this route. One type of loan to know is a cash advance, which a bank gives you up front to pay out your vendors, etc., and that you'll pay back over time, plus interest.
  4. Crowdfunding: If you've ever been on Kickstarter or Patreon, then you probably have a good understanding of how crowdfunding works — by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people. Popular Crowdfunded Brands: Brooklinen, Allbirds, PopSocket
  5. Angel Investments & Venture Capital: With both of these funding options, you'll have to agree to give the investors a certain amount of equity in the company. AngelList is a great resource if you're considering raising money from angel investors. To pitch venture capital firms, you need a referral and an incredibly tight pitch deck. This is for businesses with a clear path to a billion dollars in revenue. Once your biz is in with VC, your only "exit" strategy is to get acquired or go public.

Still not sure where to start? Sometimes jotting it all down and making a plan can make it feel more real. Office Depot OfficeMax can help you organize & save time with a suite of business services & solutions to help you accomplish more. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax it's never been easier for your name and ideas to appear in print.

Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last.

Collaboration Hacks Every Small Business Owner Should Know

Verizon
verizon

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Therise Edwards, founder/CEO of Teshley Solutions, an education consultancy firm that helps students and families navigate the complexities of the education system K through 12.

What is an unexpected business challenge that you faced and how did you overcome it?

I wouldn't call myself a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) expert, but I ended up having to know a lot more about it than I ever anticipated. FAFSA is what administers Pell Grants, which is what a lot of colleges base their financial aid on. I knew about the application changes, and some were excellent, but they made a series of critical errors and a lot of parents were scrambling. It was not my intent to have this as my area of focus; it just became a necessity.

What's a recent small win for your business?

Recent small wins are my collaborations. I formed partnerships with one organization that focuses on students with special needs. I hosted a webinar with the executive director of that organization. I formed a partnership with members from an insurance company on planning and paying for college. That was my first corporate sponsorship. And I've got a series of events coming out because others actually reached out to me. One of them I met through another networking platform, but I got to that platform from one of the sessions that I did with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program.

How did you start to collaborate with external partners?

Just changing my strategies and my approach, and just being more secure and more emphatic in making connections. It ends up being this continual cycle.

Is there a woman in business that you admire or that you look up to?

I have two. Leontyne Anglin, who runs a nonprofit called Beyond Expectations. She works with a small pool of students, but she just gives them enormous exposure and opportunity. She's brilliant with collaborating with individuals and businesses and really bringing the students what they need. And then the other on a bigger scale is Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary, who taught her Business Plan Bootcamp through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. She is just a dynamo. She is just so supportive of women entrepreneurs. She's awesome.

How did the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program help propel your business forward?

All of the collaborations and partnerships with the exception of one all came from joining the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. I’ve taken all of the free classes and the one on projections and pricing, something every entrepreneur struggles with, was very helpful. There have been so many of them. Sometimes you're completely ignorant in a category so you take the class and it's like, okay, that's good to have. But then sometimes you sign up for it and it's like, oh, yeah, I did know 90 percent of that, but this other 10 percent is going to be very, very helpful.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Teshley Solutions.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces


business advicebusiness coursebusiness programbusiness tipscareercollaborationsdigital ready programsmall businesssmall business tipsunexpected challengesverizon sponsorshipwomen in businesssponsoredentrepreneurship

Not Close With Your Family? Here's How To Have a Joyous And Connected Holiday Season

Last year, some of us celebrated the holidays apart from our families for the first time. COVID has brought with it many changes, some of them arguably positive (like increased flexibility to work from home), some difficult (such as the realization of vastly different political and social views between family and friends), and some horrible (obviously, the health implications of a global pandemic). However, for some of us, celebrating the holidays without family members isn't exclusively due to COVID. In addition to so many of us living in different areas than our families of origin, some of us simply don't have close bonds with the people we grew up around. Sometimes, this can cause loneliness.

If you're not close with your family members, the holidays can be a difficult time. This is doubly true if you don't have a close circle of friends to call upon. But make no mistake, if this sounds like your situation, you're not alone — there are thousands of other people going through the same struggles you are. We sat down with Irad Eichler, founder of Circles, a website that connects people who are sharing similar struggles, like heartbreak, grief, or loneliness. Here are some of Eichler's tips for coping — and even thriving! — during the holiday season when you're not planning on spending it with your family, for one reason or another.

Don't Fall For "Perfect Families" On Social Media

Laura Chouette

The first VERY important step to having a joyous holiday season when you're going it alone is to stop believing the narrative that others' family situations are perfect, Eichler says.

"Remember people only post a moment in time, and only the moments when they look their happiest and best."

In addition to the fact that everything you see on social media is curated for the 'gram, it's also important to remember that by focusing on what others have and you lack, you risk failing to see the great things at play in your own life.

"These holiday periods can become a time of focusing on who and what we don't have, rather than who or what we do, and can cause a negative spiral into depressing and dreadful feelings of inadequacy," says Eichler.

Gratitude is the reason for the season, after all. So instead of only seeing the negative, try some gratitude journal prompts to help you focus on what's actually really wonderful about your life right now.

Make An Effort To Deepen New Connections

Joel Muniz

While it may seem like everyone has friends and family to spend time with during the holiday season, that doesn't mean no one is available for deepening a blossoming relationship or new friendship.

"Make a list of people you can or would like to connect with, and try to reach out to at least one of them," advises Eichler.

Reaching out doesn't have to mean a big plan or an hour-long conversation. Even a quick text letting a friendly coworker know you're thinking about them can go a long way toward deepening the relationship and moving it in the direction of closer friendship.

Don't have an acquaintance in mind? Then it's time to make new acquaintances. What's more in line with the Christmas spirit than attending a Meetup or event full of people eager to make new friends?

"Join groups with similar interests to yours, such as hiking, baking, or games. Push your boundaries and be brave - you might find new people who have much in common with you."

Give Back

Priscilla Du Preez

The holiday season is a great time to focus on giving back to your community, and coincidentally, acts of generosity and kindness are known to reduce loneliness and help people feel happier. One study found that knowing a few of your neighbors and doing small acts of kindness for them — such as cheering them up, listening to them, mowing their lawn, providing advice about local business recommendations and job opportunities, and chatting over the fence — was statistically correlated with feeling less lonely and having a lower risk of depression.

Helping out elderly neighbors can be a particularly gratifying way to give back.

"Notice older lonely people in your neighborhood or community who might have no family at all, and offer to help them," says Eichler. "These can become mutually meaningful connections, and help you 'adopt' a grandparent."

Connect With Others Online

Thought Catalog

Finally, use the Internet for its highest and best purpose: to connect people. Whether you're using Meetup to find in-person events, digital forums for having conversations about special interests, or programs like Circle for getting support from others in your situation, the opportunities to create new connections are practically endless.

"There are many interest groups that can be found digitally, where or any person can connect with others in the same life stage, going through the same challenges, or who would like to explore the same interests," Eichler states. "Meaningful connections can be formed easily in these circumstances. The Internet enables us to find and connect to people all over the world who fit this, and to whom we can become more easily attached, as we are able to find people with the exact interests that energize us."

If you're struggling with loneliness, you're not alone. Connect with our digital community of makers and creatives here at Brit+Co by following us on IG and signing up for our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

relationship advicewellnessfriendshiprelationshipsholidays

15 “Little Luxuries” Millennials Always Spend Money On, According To Reddit

As I grow older, I’ve come to appreciate the finer things in life. I’m no longer investing in things that don’t truly serve me, especially items that simply won’t last long-term. I’m certainly more particular about the clothes I buy (and even more so the materials they’re made of), and I often have to think twice or thrice before adding some silly little home decor to my cart. These days, I’m more likely to save my hard-earned money for life experiences like vacations and concerts, maintenance items like my car and bike, and a damn good night of dining out.

Past these, there are a handful of comfort purchases that are totally worth the money, according to a select group of millennial Redditors under r/Millennials. From luxury skincare products and high-end kitchenware to travel and sleep necessities, I’m truly amused by (and learning a lot from!) their responses to the question: As you’ve aged, what comfort/luxury items have you decided are worth the money?


Here are the little luxuries they buy every time.

What do millennials spend the most on?

Thirdman

Before digging into the little luxuries of it all, let's see what millennial spending habits look like in general! According to Investopedia, millennials are actually more "value-oriented" when they spend money — likely inspired by the 2008 financial crash and other unprecedented, major societal events. Since values are pretty subjective, that spending can translate in myriad of ways...including "doom spending" — or mindlessly shopping "to self-soothe because they feel pessimistic about the economy and their future" — according to CNBC.

The New York Times reported, "Millennials and Gen Z are more likely than older generations to make spending on a hobby or nonessential purchases a priority." This furthers the fact that instead of always spending towards a goal or an inherent need, millennials are looking for something more with their purchasing power. Opinions on these habits may vary, but one thing remains true: millennials want to use the money they do have to make their lives better.

Arthur Shuraev / PEXELS

1. Nonstop flights.

A few millennials agreed that spending the extra money for nonstop flights is very worth not having any kind of layover that could extend already-long travel days.

“Especially if traveling with children,” one person wrote. “Let The Journey end as quickly as possible.”

Bosch

2. Higher-end appliances.

Higher-end appliances seem popular among this millennial crowd because they have a slimmer chance of going kaput after a few years.

“I don’t want fancy bells and whistles,” one Redditor said. “I want the item to do [its] job and not crap out after 5-6 years.”

“It's the "smart" appliances that crap out quickly,” another person weighed in. “The more unnecessary buttons, the more unnecessary electronics, the more likely there is to be an issue.”

Some responders really love their Bosch appliances, like dishwashers, ovens, and more: “Bosch appliances for life. No frills but will run forever.”

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

3. Professional movers.

This one is quite self-explanatory: “Just save yourself the time and pain.” Amen!

Naturepedic

Naturepedic EOS Trilux Organic Latex Mattress

4. A really great mattress and pillows.

Several millennials noted that you’re likely to pay for back pain and other health issues down the line if you don’t invest in a good sleep set-up now. Many users responded that high-quality mattresses and pillows are their #1 ‘worth-it’ splurge.

“You spend 1/3rd of your life in that bed,” one person posted. “And if it's a shit one, it can and will slowly ruin your back and health.”

Sephora

5. Skincare.

Many skincare-focused users said that investing in skincare products that have a positive track record on their skin is also well worth it. Several users’ responses kickstarted a conversation about the best skincare ingredients to look into, especially with aging on the brain: SPF, tretinoin, vitamin C, retinol, and even Botox were mentioned.

A few more products were suggested in the thread were:

Amazon

Victorinox Grand Maitre Chef's Knife

6. Expensive (and sharp) kitchen knives.

A few Redditors said they’ve never once regretted their investment in luxe kitchen knives.

“I have a Victorinox chef’s knife that is my go-to and it was maybe $50 on Amazon. I’ve had it for years,” someone wrote. “Learning to sharpen knives properly is the key.”

“Also, [realizing] you don't need to buy a full knife block,” another person said. “Curating your knives based on the ones you actually [use] in your kitchen.”

Xtrema

Xtrema Versa Pan

7. High-end pots and pans.

Now this is some good advice!

“I find that more money spent on restaurant-quality cookware is worth it because I’m going on 25 years with the same sauce pans, stock pot, and skillets,” one user noted. “Non-stick sucks for everything but eggs and fish, but my cast iron works well enough for that as long as I can pay attention to what I’m doing. Don’t buy sets if you can afford good individual pieces.”

Pok Rie / PEXELS

8. Vacations.

Not only is a vacation one of the most popular comfort purchases among this particular group of millennials, making a vacation last at least one day longer seems to be the move, as it allows ample time for rest and recovery. Sometimes you just really need that extra day to get your mindset straight.

“An extra day off after I get home from my vacation,” someone wrote. “For some reason I need to have a vacation from my vacation before I go back to work.”

Brit + Co

9. A "bougie" gym

Going to the gym is usually a trying experience — you're exerting yourself physically, so why exert yourself mentally too? Instead of opting for the cheaper gyms that don't have as much to offer, some commenters note that the frills make their workout experience all the more worth it. One commenter straight up answered, “Paying for the bougie gym that’s got a sauna, cold plunge, and a good yoga instructor.”

Vlada Karpovich / PEXELS

10. Toilet paper.

It may seem subtle, but paying for higher-quality toilet paper can be a good boost to your everyday routine, according to some Reddit users.

A few commenters also praised the magic of having a bidet: “Best $150 I have ever spent is to [buy a] bidet attachment for my toilet.”

New Balance

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14

11. Shoes with good support.

“Cheap out on shoes? Pay for foot problems and back problems,” one Redditor wrote. And they’re not wrong!

I grew up with parents that wouldn’t pay for cheap shoes in hopes the more expensive ones would last much longer, and I’m glad I did. It’s a mindset I’ve adopted as I grow further into adulthood, buying shoes that aren’t only made of durable materials, but provide ample support for my arches.

Brit + Co

12. “Anything that makes my body hurt less.”

This is pretty self-explanatory, but let's be real: our bodies just hurt as we age. It's an annoying fact of life, but it doesn't have to be a permanent feeling. This commenter likes to buy whatever makes their "body hurt less," and I'd like to think that looks like a lot of things. It could be the comfy shoes we've mentioned, the high-end mattresses, and the likes of all that! It could be an epsom salt that just always relaxes their muscles. It could be really anything, really! But the priority is clear: comfort is seriously key, and spending money on that is certainly not a waste.

Sebastian Ervi / PEXELS

13. Sitting closer at concerts.

Standing for hours in the GA section is so exhausting, and I’m tired of pretending it’s not! A few users agreed splurging on the more-expensive sitting arrangements is way better than waking up with foot and back pain. Plus, the view can often be a lot more enjoyable!

“I'm always trying to get to the front for general admission shows, but when seating is involved, I'm committed to paying more to be closer,” one user posted.

Amazon

14. Non-toxic cleaning products.

One user said non-toxic cleaning products are their go-to comfort purchase worth spending regularly on.

“The toxic overload we experience is causing all kinds of endocrine disorders and cancer,” they wrote. “I make a lot of my own, but if I buy:"

Brit + Co

15. Coffee, chocolate, and cheese.

Knowing what you like — and what's important to you — can really help when you're prioritizing what to spend on. This millennial commented, “I never cheap out on coffee, chocolate or cheese. I’m not buying luxury items, but I will get the highest grade I can get in my regular grocery stores. The cheapest stuff just isn’t worth it.” Amen!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more fun shopping + lifestyle tidbits!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Zach Bryan & Brianna Chickenfry's Break Up Is COMPLICATED — Here's What To Know

Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia's explosive breakup is everywhere right now. From his seemingly one-sided social media posts to all the bombshell revelations she keeps dropping, it's clear this split is NOT amicable. Both parties are dropping tons of lore, info, and everything in between — including new music?! — right now, so it makes sense if you can't keep up. Luckily, I'm here to help break this breakup down for you! Here's everything you need to know about Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry's relationship...or lack thereof.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

October 22, 2024 – Zach Bryan Announces His Breakup With Brianna Chickenfry

On October 22, 2024, after some recent speculation that Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry split up, Zach took to his Instagram stories. The country star said, "Addressing something: Brianna and me have broken up with [each other] and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I'll always thank her."

He continued, noting, "I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be. Please respect Brianna's privacy and space in this and if you have it in your heart, mine too."

To wrap it all up, he closed by apologizing to his fans. He said, "With everything I am and to anyone I let down, I am sorry. I try my best in everything. I failed people that love me and mostly myself."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Brianna hopped on her own Instagram stories shortly there after. She posted, "Hey guys I'm feeling really blindsided right now. Gonna hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately, when I'm ready I'll be back and ready to talk. I love you guys so much thank you for all of your kind words. Remember you are so loved and everything's always gonna be okay 🫶"

The Brianna got on Youtube next, posting a raw, emotional video about the situation. Sitting on the floor of her bathroom, she opened up as much as she could in the moment about her breakup. She said, "I just woke up to Zach posting on his Instagram that we broke up and I had no idea that post was going up. He didn't text me, he didn't call me. I just woke up to a bunch of texts, like, 'Are you okay?'"

Brianna, with her teary eyes and red face, explained she's been crying for "five days straight." She said, "I'm at the point where it's like, how can you give someone everything and love them so unconditionally, like through stuff that you shouldn't because you just love them and you want them... like you see the good in them?"

The internet personality said that this is all "so embarrassing" and "really, really heartbreaking." She elaborated that the couple broke up on October 21, but wanted to process on her own and "didn't want it to be public."

Much like her Instagram story, she told her audience that she'll come back when she's ready.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

November 7, 2024 — Brianna Claims Zach's Emotionally Abusive, Wanted $12Mil NDA

Well, it appears this week, Brianna decided she's ready. On Barstool Sports' BFF's Pod November 7, 2024, Brianna gave an inside look at the breakup unlike any other. Not only did she claim Zach was abusive, but she also alleged that he offered her a $12 million NDA to "not talk about the relationship."

After saying it's been the hardest year of her life, she said. "I'm still scared right now because I'm scared of him. My brain's rewired and I'm scared to make him mad and last week, I didn't want to talk about it 'cause I was scared."

Brianna then described the alleged emotional abuse. She noted that everything was cyclical and that he would build her up only to break her back down again. "There was always another excuse as to why he was treating me so poorly and why I'm crying myself to sleep every night, why he's screaming at me," she said. "And then you wake up, it's the apology, it's the 'I'm going to be better like I need you in my life,' but if you've been through this — I don't expect people to understand emotional abuse if you haven't been through it. I hope you never have to go through it but if you've been there you know what I'm talking about."

Not only does Brianna allege she was offered an NDA, but she said that other women that came before her had to sign their own agreements. She declined the offer because she didn't want to "sign away [her] experiences and what [she] went through to protect someone that hurt [her]." She also wanted to share this experience for other women who've suffered something similar.

And when it comes to the logistics of losing out on the famous lifestyle and alleged $12 million? She said, "It was never about the money — I was with the dude because I loved the dude."

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

November 8, 2024 — Zach Quit Touring Amid Abuse Allegations

On November 8, 2024, Zach posted on Instagram — where he clearly loves to share all his big news — that not only is his new single "High Road" out today, but that he's also ending his tour early. Read his full statement here:

After not being home for a year and a half I drove out to my mothers gravestone in the dead of night a few days back on familiar Oklahoma roads and I came to realize just like in the past, that she never would call me again

Told her I quit touring because I got accepted to get my masters in Paris next year, I told her I was back in Oklahoma, told her about all my best friends in New York and all the nights we howled with the moon, told her about the immeasurable laughter my band and me have shared these last five years, all the calluses on my finger tips, every tear shed, told her about making it on The Rolling Stone and most importantly told her about porch swinging with my beautiful sister.
I wrote the chorus for this song a month or two back and finished it when I realized I was blessed with all these things.

I figured it was about time I released it.

Thank you guys for listening to ‘This Worlds a Giant’ last night and thank you to all the people who love me; who have truly carried the weight with me.

Seems that all these Quiet Dreams have gotten much too heavy but I’m home now and I’ll hold you through the pain.

High Road is out today and I appreciate all of you"

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83 Budget-Friendly Finds Under $30 That'll Have You Gifting Ready This Season

Discover 83 Amazon products under $30 that are nothing short of pure gold. From stylish fashion finds to the latest beauty trends, these steals offer exceptional value without compromising on quality. We always ask, what's better than the perfect gift? Well, it's the gift that also doesn't break the bank! We're confident you'll find something in here to at least appease a few loved ones this holiday season.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.