Investor help?

[CrimParticipant 31]

So I’ve had a pretty severe itch for striking out and building my own business.

The problem is that the business I am aiming to build now will cost about $150,000 to get started. I have had a number of people show interest in investing in this startup, and they’ll ask for my number/email so I can give them the details and the business plan…then they ghost. Of the 6 potentials, only 1 of them ever ended up getting in touch and got a chance to even look at the business plan.

What is going on? Do I need to just push really hard on these guys? Why do people show interest and offer to take a look, only to change their mind?

Have any of you guys used investor capital to get your own company going? Do you have any pointers in dealing with investors or “people who know some investor types”?

This is getting highly irritating. If someone says they are going to do something, they should do it. Don’t make offers that you don’t intend to at least try to fulfill…you know?

Any help on dealing with/finding investors would be greatly appreciated.

[JB BooksParticipant 3182]

Without knowing any particulars, maybe you can save up some money and start your business on a smaller scale.

We just don't realize life's most significant events while they're happening. Back then, I thought, "Well, there'll be other days". I didn't realize that that was the only day. - "Moonlight" Graham

[JB BooksParticipant 3182]

Oh yeah, one more thing. If that’s your photo, I’d pick a less recognizable avatar just to be on the safe side. If tuna or some nut trolls the site, it’s better not to be identifiable to them.

We just don't realize life's most significant events while they're happening. Back then, I thought, "Well, there'll be other days". I didn't realize that that was the only day. - "Moonlight" Graham

[Solo MAN’S WisdomParticipant]

Crim wrote:

Have any of you guys used investor capital to get your own company going?

No. I worked and saved my ass off. Started on a shoestring with NO DEBT. As revenue improved, I bought new equipment with cash. Still at it 18 years later.

After you have a foothold, the Small Business Association will loan you 150K with just a signature. Good Luck. S M W.

When women lead, destruction is the destination. -- Me.

[CrimParticipant 31]

Sadly, in order to start what I’m trying to do $150,000 is small scale. The average startup in this industry is somewhere a little north of $500,000. Regulation, because government is stupid, won’t legally permit me to start up much smaller, as I’ll need certain kinds of equipment to even break into the industry. The absolute minimum it’d take to get going would be around $90,000. Starting that small would limit growth and earnings so much that it wouldn’t even be feasible to get started in the first place.

[Anonymous 38]

Why should a person with money help you? Get their email, send them an interesting proposition, i.e. the business model, breaking down all costs, profits etc.

Wealthy people value their time highly.

[Handsome VicParticipant 1613]

Not much detail here but you say $90K is not feasible, $150K is borderline but there are competitor “startups” already with $500K or more. You have no history of earnings (yet).

Venture capital investors want a clear vision of when they will recoup their initial investment — and a lot more. Because you are high risk, and you are competing with every other use for their dollar in the investment marketplace. And money invested with you is likely to be tied up/inaccessible for a while. So you need to be able to clearly show when, where, how much and how long until your investors will get paid. As seen on every episode of Dragons Den/Shark tank … this is hard to do with no revenues.

People take a look because they are curious. Maybe they will take your idea and move first if it’s that good.

So maybe you need to go it alone on a smaller scale to build some revenues, or work with a reliable partner to build up a critical mass for expansion. Good luck.

I'm going my own way. Maybe I'll see you there.

[SpleeferParticipant 966]

That is a small loan. Go to your bank. If your business is sound, all you would need is a 30k down payment for 150k loan. Interest rate are going up, better get cracking. If these investors were genuine, they would absolutely tell you why they were not interested. I had a guy tell me I was lazy with the details. My presentation was weak with details on how he was going to make money off of my work.

My guess is you have pitched your idea to posers. The guy who talks about deals that never happened. There are people that pose as money guys , but don’t actually have any money to lend. They just fake it till some dumb ass gives them a job. If your idea was bad or your pitch sucked, any money guy will blast you out with no shame. You would know where you stand.

Galatians 5:1 (KJV) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

[iMickey503Participant 12466]

Have you ever thought about becoming transgender? Might help with cash flow?

You are all alone. If you have been falsely accused of RAPE, DV, PLEASE let all men know about the people who did this. http://register-her.net/web/guest/home

[SandalsParticipant 4254]

Your Question:

Crim wrote:

the business I am aiming to build now will cost about $150,000 to get started….they’ll ask for my number/email so I can give them the details and the business plan…then they ghost.

Your Answer:

Crim wrote:

Sadly, in order to start what I’m trying to do $150,000 is small scale. The average startup in this industry is somewhere a little north of $500,000.

And your investors know that. So you have answered your question.

By the way…

Crim wrote:

If someone says they are going to do something, they should do it.

Do not ever, ever… ever ever ever, EVER, everever… use the word “should”. The word “should” is the the mark of an individual who is:

1. Depressed
2. Inexperienced
3. Childish
4. Delusional

I have zero contact with people who use the word “should”. Investors do too.

Now… on to the details.

1. What ARE you trying to start?
2. What have you started before?
3. How and why did it fail?

[ForeverDoneParticipant 2928]

Go to a S.C.O.R.E. office if you’re in the US for some seasoned advice from retired business leaders.

https://www.score.org/

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