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Frugalpreneur: Building a Business on a Bootstrapped BudgetBuilding a Business on a Bootstrapped Budget Author: Sarah St John
Welcome to the ultimate podcast for exploring *how to make money online*, *build a business on a budget*, and *leverage the best tools and resources* available in the digital marketplace! This show is your guide to understanding a variety of *online income streams*, including *affiliate marketing*, *eCommerce*, *freelancing*, *digital products*, and *passive income generation*. If youre looking to start a side hustle, grow an entrepreneurial idea, or learn *proven strategies to boost your revenue*, youre in the right place. Each episode, well dive into powerful *money-making techniques* that can help you *build an online business* from scratch or enhance an existing one. I share the *top digital tools and software* I use and recommend to help you save time, boost productivity, and achieve your business goals on a budget. Well cover everything from *email marketing platforms* and *content creation software* to *SEO tools*, *website builders*, and *social media management apps*. Whether youre focused on *growing your audience*, *increasing conversions*, or creating *engaging content*, these recommendations are selected to support you at every stage of your business journey. We dont just talk tools; Ill also feature inspiring *entrepreneur interviews* with experts and successful founders who have scaled their businesses online. Through their insights, youll hear firsthand about the challenges theyve overcome, the growth strategies theyve implemented, and their best advice on achieving *business success in the digital world*. Expect deep dives into *real-world business tactics*, *scaling strategies*, and *creative ways to drive revenue*. These conversations offer invaluable perspectives on what it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur, especially when working with limited resources. In addition to practical tips, Ill answer listener questions about *building an online brand*, *choosing the right tools for your business*, *maximizing income streams*, and more. Your feedback Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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From $200 to $13 Million: Flipping Used Books to Amazon Empire (with Corey Ganim)
Episode 296
Friday, 29 August, 2025
In this episode of the Frugalpreneur podcast, host Sarah St. John sits down with Corey Ganim, a self-made entrepreneur who shares his journey of bootstrapping an Amazon-based business from scratch. Corey recalls the pivotal moment that pushed him to pursue entrepreneurship full-time: witnessing a senior manager at IBM frequently missing family time due to work commitments. Determined to avoid that fate, Corey ramped up his Amazon side hustle, which initially involved flipping used books found at thrift stores.Starting with just a couple hundred dollars—$200 for equipment and $100 for inventory—Corey describes how he reinvested profits to gradually scale his business, reaching over $13 million in sales. He emphasizes the importance of resourcefulness and a frugal mindset, using free or low-cost tools like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to acquire inventory and even leveraging 0% APR credit cards to finance growth early on.Corey opens up about his biggest mistake: underestimating how long true, sustainable scaling takes when bootstrapping, and making some hasty decisions as a result. On the flip side, he highlights the value of being disciplined about every expense, a habit that’s served him well even as the business grew.To help others interested in the Amazon wholesale model he now follows (buying bulk products from manufacturers and reselling them on Amazon), Corey offers a free step-by-step online course at freewholesaleguide.com.The episode is packed with practical advice and real-world insights for anyone starting or scaling a business on a tight budget.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction & Episode Purpose- Host Sarah St. John introduces the Frugalpreneur showcase format: bootstrapped entrepreneurs share their tips, tactics, and tools, plus valuable takeaways for listeners' own business journeys.00:35 – Corey’s Entrepreneurial Turning Point- Corey recalls the pivotal moment in 2019 that motivated him to take his Amazon side business seriously. - Realized through a corporate anecdote (his manager, John) that he didn’t want to miss out on life and family due to endless corporate travel.02:31 – Bootstrapping the Amazon Selling Business- Started immediately after college graduation with a label printer and scanning tool from his mom (approx. $200 investment). - Began by flipping used books from thrift stores on Amazon with just $100 in startup inventory.- Highlights the “snowball” potential: reinvest profit for exponential compounding growth.04:02 – Growth and Scale- Systematic reinvestment led from a couple hundred dollars to over **$13 million** in product sales. - Emphasizes disciplined scaling, only investing more capital down the line—with slow, steady growth.05:46 – Biggest Bootstrapping Failure- Underestimated the time required to scale; thought he could hit $1M in sales within two years, but realistic bootstrapping took longer.- Early mistakes from “get-rich-quick” mindset: poor product and partner choices.- Key lesson: adopt a long-term, patient growth strategy.06:47 – Bootstrapping Success: The Frugal Mentality- Lack of excess capital forced careful, intentional spending.- Avoided unnecessary expenses (e.g., expensive websites, assistants).- Developed financial discipline and appreciation for responsible scaling—a mindset he still applies today.07:40 – Corey’s Actionable Bootstrapping Tips-Leverage free/low-cost industry resources: - Example: posted on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace offering free removal of unwanted books—led to profitable inventory at zero cost.- Smart use of 0% APR credit cards: - Used cards with promotional rates or delayed payment windows to purchase inventory. - Cautions to understand personal risk tolerance before adopting this...
