This document provides lessons and advice for starting a business based on the author's experience founding Strawberrysoup in 2005. It discusses (1) managing finances carefully and using available resources, (2) focusing on areas of expertise rather than pretending to know more, (3) having the confidence to turn down projects, (4) hiring a good accountant, and (5) networking extensively to generate business through word-of-mouth. The author emphasizes bootstrapping the business without outside funding, saying no when appropriate, trusting expertise over opinions of others, and networking effectively to promote the company.