#305: How to Fund Your Startup Without Maxing Out Your Cards

You don’t have to go broke to build your business. Somewhere along the way, entrepreneurs were told that maxing out credit cards, draining savings, and hustling nonstop was the only way to fund a startup. That belief keeps too many founders stuck, overwhelmed, and doubting whether they’re cut out for this.

In this episode, I show you how to fund your startup the smart way... without racking up debt or stressing over every dollar.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

1. The 3 most overlooked ways to fund your startup without debt
2. How your mindset about money might be the reason you feel stuck
3. Why your next funding opportunity is likely in your network... not a bank

You’ll also hear Malik’s story, how one simple shift unlocked $7,000 in resources he didn’t even know he had. This episode will help you stop asking, “Can I afford this?” and start asking, “How can I fund this wisely?”

If you’re tired of trying to figure this out alone, join us inside The DRIVENpreneur Membership Community. This is where clarity meets action every week, with resources, coaching, and a supportive community of entrepreneurs building smart, sustainable businesses.

Click the link below to join us today.

→ Join the DRIVENpreneur Membership Community

→ Download the Free Guide: 7 Costly Mistakes Startup Entrepreneurs Make

→ Book a Free Strategy Session

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
You don't have to go broketo build your business.
Let that land for a second,because somewhere along the way,
we bought into this myth that realentrepreneurs drained our savings.
They rack up debt, they max outevery car to chase the dream.
But here's the truth.
You're not underfundedbecause you're unworthy.
You're underfunded because noone showed you a smarter path.

(00:22):
And that's exactly what we're doing today.
I'm gonna show you how to fund yourstartup without maxing out your cards.
Let's go ahead and dive in.
This episode is for you, if you'vebeen Googling startup grants at 2:00
AM and you still feel stuck, or maybeyou're trying to fund everything
yourself and it's starting to feelimpossible, or maybe you've got a

(00:44):
great idea, but limited cash flow.
Maybe you're tempted to openanother credit card just to keep
the lights on, or you're wonderingif you're the only entrepreneur
building without deep pockets.
If any of that feels familiar, you're inthe right place by the time we wrap up.
My goal is for you to know the threemost overlooked ways to fund your

(01:06):
startup without debt, how your mindsetaround money might be keeping you
stuck, and one simple action thatyou could take today to get traction.
Let me introduce you to Malik.
He had a powerful ideafor consulting business.
He was about 14 monthsin running the show.
Solo revenue was trickling in, butexpenses they were pouring out,

(01:30):
so he leaned on his credit hard.
By the time he booked a call withme, he had three cards maxed out, not
because he was reckless, but becauseno one ever showed him a different way.
We walked through his options.
Turns out he had $5,000 in his network.
He'd never tapped into another 2000in local resources that he didn't

(01:51):
even know existed, and a few strategicpartnerships changed everything.
Sometimes it's not about finding moremoney, it's about seeing more options.
So let's talk through why so manyentrepreneurs, maybe even you feel
stuck when it comes to funding.
Number one, most foundersfund from emotion.

(02:12):
You feel the pressure,the dream is calling.
So the cards come out and while them, thismight be normal, it's not sustainable.
We need structure, not stress.
Number two, you're underestimatingthe power of small capital.
Most businesses don'tneed $50,000 to launch.
They need a clean 500 to 5,000strategy, and you need the right moves.

(02:36):
Bootstrapping isn't aboutscarcity, it's about precision.
Number three, there'smoney in your network.
You don't need a grant.
You need a conversation?
Think early customers.
Pre-sales, joint ventures,you're likely sitting on a cash
flow without even realizing it.
Number four, funding isn't just financial.

(02:56):
It's relational.
You need more than money.
You need people who believe in yourvision, who challenge your thinking.
And who will help you buildthis thing the right way.
All of this connects back to thedriven pillar of empowerment.
See, this isn't just about money.
It's about giving yourselfpermission to think differently,
to lead with confidence, tostop asking, can I afford this?

(03:19):
And start asking, howcan I fund this wisely?
Empowerment is a shiftfrom panic to ownership.
That's what it means tobe a driven entrepreneur.
And hey, if you're ready for deep supportand real structure, then my driven
owner program might be the next step.
It's my signature coaching offerthat helps founders like you

(03:40):
build with clarity, confidence,and consistent momentum.
We tackle both your mindsetand your business model.
And if you want to book a freesession to see if it's a good fit.
Just check the link in the show notes.
But here's the big takeaway that Ireally want you to to have today.
You don't have to go in debt to grow.
You need a plan.

(04:00):
You need people.
You need a new way of thinking.
So what's your next step?
Simple.
Make a list of five people or localresources that can support your business.
Then reach out to justone of them this week.
You don't need all the answers today.
You just need to take the nextstep, and if you're tired of doing

(04:22):
this alone, come join us inside theDriven Preneur membership community.
It's where claritymeets action every week.
You'll get access to resources,you get access to coaching, to
me, to our community, and realconversations like this one.
And if you're interested, you cancheck it out at school.com/driven
preneur, and that's school withA-K-S-K-O l.com/driven preneur.

(04:46):
The link is also below this episode.
All right, so that's it for today.
Until next time, stay clear,stay focused, stay driven.