How Refusing a Boat Ride Hurt My Business
A strong network is essential to business success.
Raising money sucks.
Venture capitalists often manipulate entrepreneurs’ emotions. They pretend to be helpful, but their ultimate goal is to make money by devaluing our dreams.
These “money people” want a significant piece of the business for a little operational cash. Their excuse? One in ten startups fail.
Entrepreneurs present a clear and present danger to their risk portfolio. They expect us to crash and burn.
So, their strategy is to make a whole bunch of tiny investments hoping for a winner.
They’re born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Mommy and daddy passed down a trust fund. They believe this gives them the right to pick our ideas apart.
They ask questions like "Prove to me that your idea will be successful," "Do you have a plan for running the business?" "Where do you see the business in five years?" "How many users will generate profit?" and "What if a disaster strikes?"
It’s painful, but entrepreneurs must learn to waltz because we need money.
We pretend we don’t need money to get money. And money people act as if there are a thousand great ideas on their desks.
I blew off a boat ride.
"James, I have a few friends coming on my boat this weekend," said Mortimer.
Part of me thought pretending I liked boats was a good idea. The angel on my shoulder told me to “ask the man a few questions, then tell him you’d be honored.“
Instead, I declined.
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