Category Archives: Real World Inspiration

For the past two years I have been travelling the highways and byways of Arizona and spending time with some incredibly cool and inspiring companies.

Visit here as I share what I experienced along the way…

Show me the money…

Posted on by

Over the last few weeks I have been on what some say is an impossible quest.  Raising capital in today’s economy.  The journey is not a new one and the road has many twists and turns.  It’s taken me from the coffee shops of Phoenix, to the islands north of Vancouver and the mountains of Winnipeg.  From Singapore to Europe and back to Arizona again.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJS_zTnUiBc&hl=en&fs=1]

The two projects could not be more different. 

One – a biotech company is pre-revenue with a vision of detecting dread diseases, including cancers, before the disease can spread and harm the ones we love.  SBIR funding and early stage capital has taken them far in the lab, but now to commercialize takes funding from the equity markets or strategic partners if we are to make vision  reality.

The second – a manufacturing company – has product, inventory, a proven system, an experienced sales and management team, AND, best of all, customers. 

In multiple conversations, across multiple continents, in the quest for money, the secret is to find the RIGHT partner and show them the value.  Only then will they ‘show me the money.’

I have not reached the end of the quest yet, but I am learning along the way.  Here are a few of the lessons I have learned:

1.  Be creative – funding streams can come in all forms from traditional lending and equity, to more creative funding streams like loan guarantees and debt conversions.

2.  Be passionate – if you can’t get excited about what your opportunity- how can you get an investor excited?

3.  Be flexible – they have what you need.  You can’t call all the shots.  Know what points you can flex on and those you can’t without jeopardizing the success of the business plan.

4.  Do your homework – not just on the company you are working to build but on the needs of a potential investor.  What do you need and when.  What do they need and when.  Look for strong matches.

5.  Reach out to your network and listen.  You’d be surprised who knows who or who’s done what in the past.  Your network can connect you to the perfect partner if you take the time to listen.

So wish me luck along the journey and stay tuned…

The Economy and Your Economy

Posted on by

When you view the world news on The Economy, its pretty dismal as recounted in the attached report from the Associated Press. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rib6oprOsuo]

The important thing to remember is that WE are the economy. And while the Federal Government, Wall Street, and the Big Banks clean up their act, it will be up to all of us, the entrepreneurs and small business owners to innovate, expand, create jobs, and save jobs.

As I make my way around the valley and talk to companies across the country and around the world. I am seeing some incredible things. Small businesses and entrepreneurs are creating innovative products and services – the kinds that can pull us out of this economy the old fashioned way – with American spirit and entrepreneurial ingenuity.

Here are just a few:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDNW7GzWNXA]

  • Imagine a Convenience Store open 24-7 that has when you need but is totally automated. This video shows the first one in the US. Now there are three and soon to be more. Check out Shop24 and be sure to view the video press releases. This cool technology may be coming to a corner near you some time soon!
  • How about having a guardian angel looking over your company or property with video surveillance and live reporting. That’s what Iveda Solutions is doing. Click their link and see what this cool Arizona company is up to.
  • GangPlank in Chandler in Chandler has created an incredible environment where entrepreneurs can gather for learning, support, and even locate their new business.

So don’t let all the doomsday news from The Economy keep you from being innovative, reaching out, working with others, and continuing to build up Your Economy. The opportunities are out there!

Mission Possible

Posted on by
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IXa2pNGVj8&feature=email]

Is this impossible? Watch the video .

Over the last few weeks, I have been meeting with CEOs in and around Arizona.  We talk about what we’ve done, what we are planning to do, opportunities we’ve seen, and people we’ve met.  We share contacts, resources, and ideas.  We’ve looked at what worked and shared lessons on what did not.

At the same time I have watched the media focusing on everything that is NOT working.  It makes growing businesses in this economic sound like Mission Impossible.

Here is a list of some of the impossibilities we are barraged with every day:

  • It’s impossible to raise money in this economy.
  • It’s impossible to be a CEO and not become a scapegoat.
  • It’s impossible to find a great job, grow a great company, take back our leadership position on the world stage.
  • It’s impossible to balance a budget.
  • Everything –  it’s just impossible.

Well entrepreneurs have a long history of making the impossible – possible.  We raise money, take responsibility, create jobs, grow companies, and make our country the world leader that it is.  We balance  our budgets because we have to. (Unlike some, it’s illegal for us to print money.)  And we know better than most – nothing is impossible if you pursue it with passion, work smarter, and put all of your resources and connections to work to make things happen.

So is the mission possible – you bet!