From Scrappy Beginnings to Smarter Businesses
I’m Justin, the founder of Bootstrapped Consulting. For the past 20 years, I’ve worked across finance, operations, and HR—helping businesses do more with less. What I’ve learned is this: most companies don’t need more people or more complexity. They need clarity, smarter systems, and the right support at the right time.
My Story
When I was a kid, I’d buy candy bars on sale and resell them on the playground for a markup. Later, I carried a backpack full of the vending machine’s top sellers and undercut the prices. (That one nearly got me expelled.) My dad was an entrepreneur, my mom worked for a company that put people first. Between them, I learned that building a business was about both scrappiness and care for people.
That same mindset has shaped my 20+ year career. I’ve built financial backbones for scaling companies, untangled messy data for startups, and created frameworks that helped owners see blind spots before they grew costly. Today, I bring all of that to small businesses and founders—helping them do more with less, without losing sight of the people at the center.
I’m especially passionate about working with founders and business owners who are chasing an idea they believe in. My goal is to free them up to focus on their craft—the service, product, or vision that excites them—instead of getting stuck in the weeds.
In Case You Were Wondering...
Where I Come From: Born and raised in Federal Way, WA, studied at Gonzaga University, and now based in Seattle, WA.
A Bit About Me: I’ve always been naturally curious—drawn to learning, testing ideas, and finding better ways to do things. My work has spanned startups, operations, finance, and people leadership, but the common thread has always been problem-solving. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions—every business is unique, and I adapt approaches so they actually work in practice.
Personality Notes: If you’re into frameworks like Human Design, Enneagram, Myers-Briggs, DiSC, Predictive Index, Numerology...etc. I’m happy to share mine. What usually shows up for me is:
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Big-picture thinker with a focus on clarity and systems
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Problem-solver who thrives in messy situations
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Relationship-builder who values honesty and trust
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Lifelong learner who’s always exploring new perspectives
Core Beliefs About Business:
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Trust is built by starting with vulnerability.
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Transparency creates stronger teams and better decisions.
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Businesses thrive when people are set up to succeed.
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Work should be meaningful and manageable—Sunday scaries shouldn’t exist.
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Clarity beats complexity—if people can’t understand it, they can’t execute it.
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Respecting people and staying open to other perspectives leads to better outcomes.
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The best systems are the ones people actually use.
How I Work: I don’t claim to know everything—but I’ll figure it out with you. If the solution requires expertise outside my lane, I’ll connect you to someone who does. My goal is to remove friction, clarify the messy stuff, and help your business run smoother—while keeping the people at the center.