On a broad level, "bootstrapping" simply means building and growing a business without significant external investment. In other words, the business is entirely self-sustaining and self-growing.
Bootstrapping doesn't mean getting by on ramen and futons, per se, although that's strongly implied in the early stages. Fiscal self-discipline is a nice-to-have in any startup, but it's the difference between life or death at a bootstrapped startup.
Achieving a certain level of profitability, and reinvesting those profits in the business, is still bootstrapping. Walmart, for instance, was bootstrapped until the day it listed on the NYSE.
Bootstrapping doesn't mean getting by on ramen and futons, per se, although that's strongly implied in the early stages. Fiscal self-discipline is a nice-to-have in any startup, but it's the difference between life or death at a bootstrapped startup.
Achieving a certain level of profitability, and reinvesting those profits in the business, is still bootstrapping. Walmart, for instance, was bootstrapped until the day it listed on the NYSE.