I agree and use it sometimes too but hearing "bootstrapped" applied to companies outside of tech doesn't feel right. Example: my dad owns a 20 person small busi

I agree and use it sometimes too but hearing "bootstrapped" applied to companies outside of tech doesn't feel right. Example: my dad owns a 20 person small business selling commercial doors and hardware - we are in the construction industry. Saying he has "bootstrapped the business" still feels weird. That's when good old "small business" should be sufficient enough IMO. It has a stigma but it shouldn't.