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It didn’t used to be this easy.

I know the changing game has made a lot of good people nervous. But, as a creative, I feel this new business world has been tailor-made with me in mind.

When Melissa asked me to guest post on The Frugal Style – I was elated! First because of the mad love I have for this blog – and second because this season in my life is teaching me great deal about the art of embracing both frugality and wealth.

These days, it’s easier than ever – not only to start your own business, but to do it with little or no start-up money. I’d like to share with you some of my favourite resources for savvy entrepreneurs.

I’ve had an ongoing love affair with the library since I was 15. I can get lost in a pile of books for hours. Nay, days. Since I began building brandyglows, the space where free books grow has taken on new meaning.

Scope out the business section and you can learn the equivalent of an MBA. Or, hone your craft. Whatever your business, the free Wi-Fi combined with all the free books. You’ve so got this.

I have a secret weapon. It’s the life-giving kind of lethal. When I start to feel stuck, I journal my way to breakthrough. Currently I have two running journals. One is a simple wide ruled notebook. I use it to make my to-do lists every morning, brainstorm new ideas and “get the yuck out”, meaning three pages of free-writing every morning (an exercise I picked up from The Artist’s Way – also, the reason I use wide ruled).

I started an explorative art journal recently, too. It helps me grow my business plans byactivating my right brain. We have become so accustomed to left-brain business management. There’s nothing wrong with that, but, if you’re in a creative field, you may be suspicious of the way “you’re supposed to do things”. The best part about journaling is that you get to discover onyour own terms what practices and techniques work for you.

If you’re looking to build a business on the cheap, you probably don’t have a marketing team.Strike that, you are the marketing team.

“Marketing in the future is like sex; only losers will have to pay for it.”

Welcome to the future. Tweet your heart out. Don’t think “sell”; think “engage”, “connect”and “relationship”. Reach out to your clients. Douse them in the sparkly stuff you know they’ll love – and not just your own brand of shine. Advertise yourself sparingly. Leave a trail of delicious links and they’ll find their way back to your site. Think of it as a grand experiment. No one is a social media expert, it’s far too new for that. All you have to do is get in the game and play.

Last of these gems, your loved ones have mad skills. Use them. For example, my husband is a graphic designer and a musician. Oh yeah. You can bet your keyboard I cash in on that. He’s amazing! But I digress.

Here’s my point: we all have specialties. Maybe your aunt’s a masterful painter. Maybe your man has connections in Washington. Brainstorm your peopled resources and then get yourself to their door (perhaps with a batch of chocolate chip cookies). You’ll be floored what you can manage if only you ask for it.

One tiny caveat: some businesses do require start up moolah. If that’s you, know what you need and research all your options for getting it. When it’s time to ask for the dough, you’ll be an expert in your craft. That’s just good business.

Whether or not you need money to turn your dreams into reality, here are a few juicy (free or low-cost) resources to help you out:
• Right-Brained Business Plan
• Kickstarter
• Seth Godin – oh, he’s a genius
• UnMarketing - there’s just something about Scott
• Enchantment
• A Whole New Mind
• The War of Art – sometimes the hardest part is just doing the work

Now, go forth and entrepreneu!

Brandy Walker is a digital pastor, writer and abolitionist. She’s interested in changing games and participating in the restoration of Shalom.  She invites you to think deeply about social and global problems, to love wildly and to use love as a catalyst to create the beauty we want to see in the world.