Start Small, Stay Small-readwise

rw-book-cover

Metadata

5 key takeaways

  1. Target a $50/hr “true hourly rate.” Treat that figure as both a benchmark during product development and a post-launch goal to hit within six months, so you’re building a business that values your time properly.

  2. Outsource to multiply leverage. Handing off non-core tasks is the fastest way to raise your effective hourly earnings, freeing you to focus on high-value work instead of low-value busywork.

  3. Synthesize, don’t just consume. Skimming loads of content feels productive, but real advantage comes from distilling what you learn into actionable insights for your product and market.

  4. Market first, marketing second, aesthetics third, functionality fourth. For bootstrappers, winning starts with choosing the right paying market, then communicating value; polish and extra features come later.

  5. Go narrow to win early. A tight niche forces crisp product focus and makes it easier to find paying customers—critical for bootstrapped startups where a too-broad market can stretch resources thin.

Highlights