By Corrine Sandler, EO Toronto member and CEO of Fresh Intelligence

When I started my first business seven years ago, I knew that I had a concept that I had to act on quickly. But how could I finance a start-up? I had no idea how to borrow money or where to look for investors, so my only option was bootstrapping.

I approached a friend who ran a marketing company; he offered me office space and a little cash: I often say that I built my company with the bricks others have thrown at me. I paid back my minimal cash loan within three months, and seven years later my company Fresh Intelligence is a thriving global enterprise with offices in two major cities. I am the sole principal, with a kick-ass Senior Executive team and employees that I’ve been told would walk on hot coals for me.