Start Nimble was founded by Alameda-based serial entrepreneur Jerry Meissner, who in 1996 quit a high-powered "big name" company position to found his first own business. It faltered in 1997 - "and deservedly so," says Jerry today.

It taught him a lesson that became the recipe for real success: Start nimble! Jerry's next venture, a Web-based business launched in 1998, went national and international the same year. It has been profitable from the start.

In addition, Jerry helped several friends in service and retail industries launch and market new, Web and eCommerce-driven businesses - from scratch to healthy growth and full profitability in a few weeks. In the process, he built the dedicated team behind Start Nimble.

All members of the Start Nimble group are experienced entrepreneurs or freelance professionals who have developed a deep knowledge and understanding of how to fund, start, and run a successful enterprise. Start Nimble has been successful sharing that knowledge within the local business community.

For more information, send us a request on our Contact Us page, or call (toll free) 888-839-6665 .

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Mailing address:

Start Nimble
909 Marina Village Pkwy. # 240
Alameda, CA 94501

Words of Wisdom:
"The new big time-waster I can report is meetings about deals for which neither party wants to pay any money. It’s a bit like one of those romantic comedy plots in which the gold digger pretending to be an heiress is hustling the billionaire who turns out to be a con man. How much you got, pal? is the mantra of the day. Forget the Perrier and the PowerPoints. Put up or shut up."

Tina Brown, in "The Gig Economy" (Jan. 2009)

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On becoming your own boss:

"Perhaps the most important decision a small business entrepreneur needs to make is where not  to spend the most valuable resources - time and money."

"Building a small business is about building trust: with your customers or clients, with business partners and potential investors, and equally important: your own trust in yourself."

"Don't trust self-proclaimed experts. Take, for example, the infamous 'web consultant' or 'webmaster' who is the son of a friend of that father from the Elementary School PTA.

"I am constantly amazed how many folks get taken to the cleaners when they have their first small business website built by so-called 'Internet experts.' All too often, once it finally has been launched, the small business owner finds out that the new site is completely useless to capitalize on the revenue streams a new business has to adapt to. Their webmaster is on vacation or puts them on hold. They are prevented from flexibly modifying their homepage themselves. Even worse, they don't have any money left to promote their new business, follow-up efficiently and actually generate revenue."

"When you start out on a budget, the last thing you need is an impressive office in a 'good location'." Save the rent! If you are not launching a bar or a shoe store, the best location for your new business is your home office. If you need to, impress your prospective customers or clients with a professional "storefront" or "reception desk" on the Internet."

"In case you got laid off, here's the good news: There is absolutely no reason to mourn the loss of a 'brand name' door sign. This is your opportunity to build, strengthen, and sell your own brand! eBay was launched in a Silicon Valley bedroom. Craig's List took off in a San Francisco home office. And the historical campaign of President Barack Obama? It was launched on a Blackberry."

"Being 'out in the cold' in a dire economy is not fate. It is a tremendous opportunity, the opportunity of a lifetime. Unlike on your last job or corporate 'gig', you alone get to shape your professional and economic destiny. Each day, you will be absolutely excited to get to work, and exhilarated and satisfied once you have accomplished your tasks and goals!"

Jerry Meissner, Founder, "Start Nimble"