I have previously shared that the TV reality series Shark Tank provides valuable lessons for early stage entrepreneurs. Watching a wide cross-section of start-up entrepreneurs ask for capital from sophisticated investors is such a wonderful learning opportunity. And for struggling entrepreneurs, one can't beat the price of this education. It's free! Now, with a MBA in finance, years of financial consulting work, and having been the leader of one of the country's … [Read more...]
Lessons from the Shark Tank
February 19, 2012 By
Entrepreneurs looking to raise angel or early seed funding can learn a lot watching entrepreneurs pitch wealthy investors on ABC's prime time show, Shark Tank. In each show, the lessons come fast and furious for the observant. In fact, the show is such a good primer in pitching to, and negotiating with, early stage investors that I ask the founders of the high performing companies in my Venture Accelerator program to catch the lessons served-up in every show. Shark … [Read more...]
Is Fear of Hearing “No” Holding Back Your Venture?
January 26, 2012 By
Almost all of us have some level of fear about being rejected. Fear of getting told "no" so often keeps us from achieving all of that with which we are capable. This fear can impact us in our business activities, as well as in many aspects of our personal life. Few people in business need to be more capable of being able to tolerate hearing "no" than the founder of a new venture. Even the most successful of founders will hear "no" far more often than "yes" from capital … [Read more...]
Slow Dancing With Potential Venture Investors
January 15, 2012 By
If you are anything like the vast, vast majority of venture founders, your venture needs funding, and it needs it pronto! If you are just starting up, you are eager to get funded to be first to market in what you perceive to be a niche opportunity. Or, if you already have initial funding, you seek more funding so you can accelerate your progress to-date. No matter what stage you are in, you likely are pursuing funding. There is no end to potential investors. Individual … [Read more...]
Qualifying Potential Investors for Your New Venture
December 17, 2011 By
Coming soon Update: On March 1. 2012, my special report, Getting Your New Venture Funded in the Challenging 2012 Market, will be published. The first 500 readers of this blog requesting a 50% off coupon will be provided with a special discount code. Request your code today even if you are not ready to pre-order this publication, so that you are not shut-out of this exclusive offer which rewards regular readers of this blog. Get your coupon code (no obligation). If you … [Read more...]
You Gotta Believe
October 1, 2011 By
Building a successful new venture is tough stuff! Very tough!! Success will necessitate your developing skill in marketing, finance, human resource development, and so much more. And, that is all above and beyond being very good at the core competency of your business. If all this skill building was not daunting enough, you will face skeptics at every turn. There will be no end to people who will tell you that there not sure your product or service is good enough. … [Read more...]
Venture Accelerator
August 20, 2011 By
The Venture Accelerator program is an important part of my Accelerate Success mentoring program for high performers. Like with the main program, participants in the Venture Accelerator program are striving to achieve greater success, with a commitment to increase their donation level with their favorite charity as they achieve greater success as a result of the program. Entrepreneurs accepted into the very exclusive Venture Accelerator program are building … [Read more...]
