Become a “Professional” Entrepreneur

Over the years I have called, emailed, written to, confronted and probably down-right harassed more potential investors than I would like to think about.

Yes I’m an entrepreneur!

In the early days I would have a new idea every time the sun would rise and for each new idea I would need funding. However, over the years I have matured. I’ve come to realize that asking someone to invest in an idea one day only to ask them the following day to invest in a different idea doesn’t instil a lot of confidence.

I’ve made plenty of mistakes pitching ideas to business associates, professional investors, angel investor groups and venture capital firms. I’ve stood in front of a group of investors with all the ideas and vision in the world, however lacking in deep knowledge of the market, the product or the team standing behind me. That’s the way it is for us entrepreneur’s; like a race horse out of the gate we have eyes only for the finish line.

Enter the real world, and being an entrepreneur means business. You have to be serious when you ask people for money, and you damn well better be prepared. Luckily for me I smartened up. I began to understand the needs of investors, the questions asked by angel investors and the documentation required to successfully pitch to venture capitalists.

I’ve come to understand that developing a successful business is more than an idea; it’s the implementation of that idea. That means, your team, your understanding of the market, your board and your company policies all contribute to a successful business.

What’s more, to access investor funds you need to convince investors that you are confident in what you are doing, and to do so you must show an in depth knowledge of your market, show professionalism throughout your organization and be backed by a team that knows a lot about a hell of a lot of things.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that YOU are your business. Oh no! Your team (which also consists of you) forms the well oiled engine that is your business.

So let’s get started, let’s promise ourselves that we will become professional entrepreneur’s not just people with ideas. Let’s band together and share our life lessons for the benefit of others.

Through this blog I will unveil all of my life lessons, and will help entrepreneurs develop skills in the board room, skills to manage a successful team, skills to find, present to and attract investors to their company and the skills to protect their idea, their business and themselves from external and internal attacks.

If you would like me to expand on any topic or have any questions you would like answered, please write to me.