Funding

Borrow: What debt is actually for

By Stephanie Sims | February 12, 2026

If betting is about asking others to take risks with you, borrowing is about proving you can handle responsibility. There is a reason most borrowing options require at least two years of operating history and positive cash flow. Debt is not about belief. It is about evidence. Core distinction One of the biggest differences between…

Bootstrap, Borrow or Bet: Why venture funding is actually a bet

By Stephanie Sims | February 10, 2026

The funding fantasy is alive and well. It is February and LinkedIn is already full of celebratory funding announcements. Raised $8 million. Big valuation. Big momentum. 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀 That story is compelling for a reason. It feels like validation. It feels like winning. It feels like forward motion. But what almost nobody talks about is what…