Roundup of events for bootstrappers in September 2025. Online and in-person events are offered at $10.
Roundup of September 2025 Bootstrapper Events
We offer online events for bootstrappers including Bootstrappers Breakfast and Lean Culture. There are also in-person Bootstrapper Breakfast meetings in Las Vegas, San Francisco and Silicon Valley. These events are for “entrepreneurs who eat problems for breakfast.”®
We have eleven events this month to help you move your business forward. Join us as your interests dictate and schedule permits.
Are you an entrepreneur who’d like to share lessons learned? If you’ve a reached a milestone in your entrepreneurial journey and would like to share lessons learned, please contact Theresa Shafer (tshafer@skmurphy.com) to explore scheduling a short briefing at a Bootstrapper Breakfast or a talk at a Lean Culture event. You must have attended a Bootstrapper Breakfast or Lean Culture event to be considered.
Tues Sept 2 12:00 pm PDT Drop-In Mastermind for Non-Fiction Writing
https://www.meetup.com/skmurphymastermind/events/310507923/
Writing a business book or a blog? Join our non-fiction writers group of similarly minded small biz folks where we can keep each other motivated and accountable. Each attendee will have a chance to share a short piece (500-1,000 words) by reading it aloud or providing access to a google doc or emailing other attendees to get feedback. We do this every mastermind session.
Thurs Sept 4 8:00 am PDT Mastermind Open House https://www.meetup.com/skmurphymastermind/events/308287987/
Fri Sept 5 9:00 am PDT Silicon Valley Bootstrappers Breakfast (In Person) Downtown Campbell
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bootstrappers-breakfast-in-downtown-campbell-tickets-215740344177
Tues Sept 9 9:00 am PDT Las Vegas Bootstrappers Breakfast (In Person) The Coffee Press at Paseo Verde Library
https://www.meetup.com/bootstrappers-breakfast-las-vegas-startups/events/310694027/
Fri Sept 12 9:00 am PDT San Francisco Bootstrappers Breakfast Startups at CityGroup Center (In Person)
https://www.meetup.com/bootstrappers-breakfast-san-francisco/events/308502507/
Tues Sept 16 8:00 am PST Silicon Valley Bootstrappers Breakfast (Online)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/silicon-valley-bootstrappers-breakfast-online-2024-tickets-1200393873389
Thurs Sept 18 8:30 am CDT Chicago Bootstrappers Breakfast (Online)
https://www.meetup.com/bootstrappers-breakfast-chicago/events/cpkzjtyhcmbxb/
Fri Sept 19 9:00 am PDT Mtn View Bootstrappers Breakfast at Red Rock Coffee (In Person)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mountain-view-bootstrappers-breakfast-tickets-262928394907
Week of Sept 22 SKMurphy Market Exploration Bootcamp kicks off for 6 weeks
https://www.skmurphy.com/blog/2021/09/10/customer-discovery-bootcamp-for-market-exploration
You work on your startup and share progress and challenges with a group of up to six entrepreneurs. Cost is $140 for six two-hour zoom sessions. More details on this at
Fri Sept 26 9:00 am PDT Silicon Valley Bootstrappers Breakfast (Online)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/silicon-valley-bootstrappers-breakfast-online-2024-tickets-488376135167
Key take-aways from the Bootstrappers Breakfast conversations in August
- Capture vision at the beginning but you need to break into smaller steps or phases. Start selling small steps soon: go ugly early. Mani Doraisamy in “Build a Cannon to Kill a Mosquito” offers useful model of a step by step approach
- Some businesses are naturally local or regional. It’s safe to compare notes with people who are outside of your natural market who are likely facing similar challenges. And it’s also possible to compare notes with competitors unless they are committed to putting you out of business (e.g. most Venture-backed firms follow the Highland Creed: “There can be only one.”)
- Between AI, layoffs, tariffs and other economic uncertainties we face turbulent times. This is a good quote to bear in mind: “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence itself, but to act with yesterday’s logic” Peter Drucker in “Innovation and Entrepreneurship”
- When well meaning friends tell you to get a job, come to a Bootstrappers Breakfast.
Attendees often mention their frustration about well-meaning friends telling them to give up their entrepreneurial aspirations and “get a real job.” The trick is to take steps in the next two weeks that move you forward. Many small mistakes mean you are learning, in the same way a child falls down repeatedly when learning to walk but gets up and continues. “Fall down 7 times, get up 8“. — Japanese proverb
- Listen to the Market: sometimes you have a plan for success but find yourself succeeding in an entirely unanticipated direction. It’s often better to listen to what the market is telling you.
- September is a good time to look for an accountant for your 2025 business taxes if you don’t have one or need a new one.
Lightning Round Question for September 2025
Are there any online groups or events you think other bootstrappers might benefit from?
Trademarks: “Bootstrapper Breakfast” and “Entrepreneurs Who Eat Problems For Breakfast” are registered trademarks of SKMurphy, Inc.
Image Credits: “Conference-People” on Pixabay by SNCR_Group used with permission.