Hey bootstrappers,

As you know, we love celebrating your successes. 

And what’s interesting about success is that it differs from person to person.

Success is also protean – it morphs and adapts to new stimuli such as a past achievement or new goal – a bit like an octopus.

(Fun fact: An octopus can change its shape to mimic over 13 different species.)

What does success look like to you right now? 

Asking this question regularly will keep you sharp, resilient, and focused on your goals. 

In other words, think like an octopus: What should you aspire to next?

This week’s founders tell wildly different stories of success and how it helped redefine their aspirations for the future. 

Follow their lead (and that of the humble octopus) and you too might achieve more than you ever thought possible.

When the Green Fairy visited Jennifer Vermut, the founder instantly fell in love. Years later, “Absinthia” turned her love for the once-banned liquor into a profitable business – and she couldn’t be happier.

This Once Illegal Alcohol Is Changing the Liquor Landscape Through the Power of Entrepreneurship and Wormwood

“The very first thing that I learned in Business School is TLA. It stands for Three Letter Acronym. Don’t ever take yourself too seriously.”

Javed and Shiv pitched their first product to the company responsible for 30% of Malaysian GDP. To their excitement, the company accepted – but the biggest battles had yet to come.

This Startup Bagged Malaysia’s Largest Company as Their First Client With No Inside Connections

“They put us to the test there and then. They asked, ‘Can you digitize our process right here?’ We did it in 30 minutes in front of them. The news went to the vice president and they decided to give it a shot.”

Jennie abandoned her unhappy consulting career to travel the US with her partner Meredyth, coaching people to become the best that they can be, while enjoying the freedom of the open road.

How This Married Couple Built a Six-Figure Coaching Business From an Airstream Trailer

“It’s easy to be a critic or a cheerleader. It’s harder to be a coach. A critic sees your weaknesses and attacks your worst self. A cheerleader sees your strengths and celebrates your best self. A coach sees your potential and helps you become a better version of yourself.”

 - Shiv Unnikrishnan, Axceligent

If you've got a great story about your bootstrapped company, we want to help tell it. Fill out this form and we'll be in touch soon. 

What did you think of this week's stories?