Are VCs your only funding option? I bootstrapped my company (with some help from the local bank, and a government small-business program)-- we hacked together

Are VCs your only funding option? I bootstrapped my company (with some help from the local bank, and a government small-business program)-- we hacked together some prototypes that were enough to show to potential customers, and with sufficient customer interest, there was money available (including enough for salaries). We broke even our first year, brought in outside investors after 6 years, and cashed out after 8.