VC Fodder Forums / The World Famous Dr. VC Advice Forum / The World of Fodder / Looking for investors or angels / Latest Posts

RE: Looking for investors or angels

Ben Rowland — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 12:09:05 GMT

Mmmm... lovely image.

RE: Looking for investors or angels

Magonaga — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 12:27:19 GMT

Yes... there's one thing that I think helps entrepreneurs more than anything else.

Sheer bloodyminded determination and a willingness to leave a trail of your own bone chips and blood behind you.

RE: Looking for investors or angels

Ben Rowland — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 18:29:42 GMT

I rely on MSN chat and e-mail. Hasn't been a problem... either in finding clients, or in getting VC and other entities to take me seriously. My suggestion? Recognize that yes, it's harder, and life ain't fair. I'd also second the spending thousands to get customers, first.

Great comments, Robert. Thanks.

Are there other resources, sites, groups, tips or techniques that you have found useful?

Ben

RE: Looking for investors or angels

thomas.anderson43 — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:51:06 GMT

I would like to discuss more with you on msn if possible? My screenname is theonly157@hotmail.com.. Glad to meet some deaf business owner out here.

RE: Looking for investors or angels

Magonaga — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 12:43:29 GMT

Okay, I have a feeling my $.02 might be worth a bit here.

I'm deaf. I rely on MSN chat and e-mail. Hasn't been a problem... either in finding clients, or in getting VC and other entities to take me seriously. My suggestion? Recognize that yes, it's harder, and life ain't fair. I'd also second the spending thousands to get customers, first.

RE: Looking for investors or angels

Ben Rowland — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 01:28:15 GMT

Hi Thomas-

It's nice to have you here on our forums. Thanks for your post!

Starting a business is tough; starting it alone is pain that no one should have to go through. It might be a small consolation to you, but I know what you are going through, and I know how hard and lonely it can be.

I also understand that you are deaf. While in an ideal world this shouldn't matter, I can see how that could be a barrior to presenting your idea to an investor or getting a meeting -- especially in a world dominated by the telephone.

However, I think that being deaf could also be an asset to your business. For instance, your company could get some great PR. Writers are always looking for a edge, and this could be it!

You seem pretty frustrated with things, but I think there could be a silver lining here for you if you consider all the angles.

Ben

RE: Looking for investors or angels

Dr. VC — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 17:58:10 GMT

Thomas,

Why are you looking to raise money? How much do you need? Is your business producing revenue, and if so, how much? Are you profitable? If you can provide some more detail on your company, I (and others) will be able to provide better answers.

Are you active the entrepreneurial community in your town? If not, get out there and start meeting people. The more people you can tell your story to, the more feedback you'll get, and the better you'll be able to tell it.

If you're waiting "for someone step in" so you can "prove that the company would be profitable," keep waiting. Money won't come to you. You have to prove the model is profitable before you can raise money. There are no "magic bullets" in entrepreneurship, you gotta make a buck. You mention you've spent thousands looking for investors...how much have you spent looking for customers?

Give me some more info, and I'll be able to give you a better answer.

Looking for investors or angels

thomas.anderson43 — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 13:05:21 GMT

I'm seeking angel or investors to help me to get my company off the ground, I am the first deaf business owner in this type of business, as matter of fact, it doesn't matter but it's the diffuculty that I'm going through because I had to rely through relay service to communicate hearing world which is very tough, due to tons of hang ups, so I'm trying to find someone to put money in my company to get it off the ground, I built the company from scratch in 2003 and am ready to expand but I don't have funds to do so. I've spent thousand of dollars on finding investors, angel investors and so forth, with no success. I would love for someone step in and I'll prove that the company would be profitable since I'm using the "Lower Billing and Higher Nurses Pay Rates" which I've researched and compare to other agencies. I have beautiful business plans and executive summary. But it's not getting me anywhere, NEED YOUR HELP!