Holly Sloofman

What's the one thing you wish someone told you before you became a founder?

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As a non-technical founder, I had to navigate the steep learning curve of building a tech product, often relying on external experts. Early on, I encountered moments when specialists told me something couldn't be done, would take too long, or exceed my budget. My instincts told me otherwise, but I ignored them, deferring to the "experts." Over time, I learned the importance of surrounding myself with the right advisors and team - people who respected my vision and empowered me to take charge. The truth is, founders hold the ultimate blueprint for what they want to create. It's not easy to make tough calls, like letting someone go, but those decisions pave the way for better opportunities - for them and for you. Trust your intuition; it's usually leading you in the right direction.

What's been your toughest challenge bootstrapping, and how are you navigating it?

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Managing finances, balancing full-time work, and overcoming the fear of fundraising have been my greatest challenges. Bootstrapping has required me to go back into advertising and take on freelance projects to fund Necterine. While it's allowed me to retain full control of my vision, it's also significantly slowed down the process of building what I want to create and launching our MVP. For a long time, my fear of rejection and self-doubt held me back from seeking outside funding.

I've begun actively working to identify those people and step into fundraising with more confidence. Navigating this challenge has taught me resilience, creativity, and the importance of asking for help when needed.

What's a significant mistake you made early on, and what did you learn from it?

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Initially, I resisted bringing on a co-founder, fearing they might take over or that discussing my idea too openly would lead to someone stealing it. I've since realized how much stronger Necterine could have been early on with the right support and partnership. It takes an immense amount of work to build a business - collaboration and openness are essential. I also made a costly mistake by partnering with a development agency that over-promised and under-delivered. I didn't do enough research or interview other agencies, and I ignored warning signs when they dismissed my input and overcharged for subpar results. That experience taught me to rigorously vet partners, require references, and prioritize internal teams when possible. Since assembling my own team, the difference has been night and day. Features that agency claimed would take months are now being delivered in weeks. Investing time and energy into finding the right fit has been one of my most valuable lessons.