Archive for the 'Explorations + Insights' Category
I was recently invited to an event put on by Owen Clark of Byzhub. The speaker, Basil Peters, is an experienced Angel Investor who discussed opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking investors. For more than 5 years news outlets are predicting D-Day, the lack of financial support for Small Business owners, which would cripple the economic growth. As Peters says, it couldn’t be further from the truth; his years of experience, logic, and network of fellow investors proves more compelling than media conglomerates interested in selling stories.
The topic was entitled: Raising Money for your business? It’s easy if you know how!
Looking around the room of 150+ business owners I was not alone in my quest for knowledge on Venture Capital, Angel Investments, and the process to achieve the perfect win-win outcome. Finding capital for any startup is essential for your company to launch and grow. Experts predict that lack of cash closes half of all startups within 5 years. I would suggest it is overspending that kills your business. Find the critical aspects that keep your business afloat and pinch your pennies.
Investing is the least understood topic when talking “business.” Unless of course you live in Silicon Valley where million dollar investments are passed around like peanuts at the bar. For the rest of us it’s a mystery, and our first experience is often across the table negotiating terms of an investment. Here are 5 points that I left with from Basil Peters topic.
- Investments are just as much about the business owner as the possibilities their business presents. Angel Investors seek owners who are charismatic, enthusiastic, and passionate. The business will get you in the door, your personality will sign the cheque.
- For the investment to make cents for the investor (yes cents) your business should have 10x return potential. 80% of all returns will come from 10% of the investments. Without 10x return to cover the failed investments that are expected your investor will be less likely to risk their money. This may not seem fair, but consider your business. If you have a retail shop your markup on products include theft, or damaged products. Investors are simply playing the numbers.
- Most large companies like Yahoo, or Google are constantly on the look out for 20 million dollar purchases. Their growth depends on it, and their shareholders demand it. Unlike small businesses, cash reserves are a liability that generate little interest.
- Popular news headlines include 100+ million dollar deals weekly; this is exceptionally rare. The majority of purchases are under 15 million dollars with the odd exemption being sold for more then 100 million.
The last point describes the truth about available capital for entrepreneurs seeking investment. 20 years ago it would cost millions of dollars to launch your business. Without the internet you would have to create custom software, produce ad campaigns and spend millions on marketing.
Todays entrepreneurs can bootstrap companies for as little as 10,000. The news outlets are accurate when describing the decrease in available capital yet forget to point out the reduced cost for startups. Angel Investors, and Venture Capitalists are constantly looking for new opportunities.
Leap of the Week:
Find an angel investor in your community and be clear about your opportunity. The best advice Peters gave: Utilize all personal financial avenues prior to finding professional investors.
For more information on Basil Peters: Twitter | Blog | Book | Website
An absolutely bang on distinction by the eloquent, Danielle LaPorte… http://whitehottruth.com/
MOTIVATION
You run the 5k to lose weight, stay in shape, raise money for cancer. Maybe to prove something. It’s on your bucket list. You made a bet. Only ten pounds to go. Achievement is thrilling.
All fine reasons.
INSPIRATION
The runner’s high. My body simply has to run. When I run, I feel closer to life.
MOTIVATION
You write the book, the blog, the brochure to raise your profile so you can sell more stuff, serve more people. You compose and package your thoughts. A 1000 words a day until you’ve crossed the finish line.
All fine reasons.
INSPIRATION
I have something to say that needs to be heard. When I write I feel bigger, freer, like God is using me well.
We seem to need motivation to get stuff done. Typically there’s a lot of “measuring” that happens in the realm of motivation. Check lists and goal posts and markers and such. There is often a fear of loss involved. We are on duty. All perfectly natural.
But beyond finish lines and well done, is a different call. Inspiration.
It is magnetic and progressive. Its reasoning cannot always be reasoned — I just gotta do it. It busts you outta shouldsville into the unfenced field of freedom and possibility.
Inspiration is a completely different force of creativity.
What is motivating you?
What is inspiring you?
What is pushing you?
What is pulling you?
Leap of the Week:
Follow the pull. It’s the first step toward flying.
I have been doing a lot of reflecting lately…as it is what I do every end of year…and I was thinking about how stupidly crazy 2011 was for me (for us at LeapZone) on many levels. In fact, I can safely say that I burned the candle at both ends this year. Yes…I admit it…I bit off more than I could chew…and I paid a great price for that…and of course, as a result, I learned a few valuable lessons too.
Here are my Top 4:
1. I mistook ‘Enthusiasm’ for ‘Priority’:
I know now that some great ideas HAVE to be PARKED no matter how good they are and no matter how exciting they are, to make room for more immediate and key priorities.
2. I lost my sense of humour:
I started to take everything way too seriously…including myself. Everything became a chore. I tend to do that when I feel like I am losing control.
3. I did not say ‘NO’ enough:
I got lost in the noise of it all. I tolerated way too much. My gut knew better, but I was too busy to listen. Busy, busy, busy! Everything became urgent and important and I know that this is only a representation of a massive lack of focus.
4. I lost sight of MY GAME:
Instead of doing things MY WAY like I normally do…I let myself be influenced by people and circumstances and it altered my quick decision-making abilities. I let myself get confused by other peoples’ noise and basically…bullshit.
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
Well, I can say that I am grateful for 2011 because it allowed me to experience how my clients feel at times and that has already made me an even better coach and catalyst.
Leap of the Week:
What will you say no to today? This week? This month?
What will you STOP tolerating to create more peace of mind?
I love change. I always have and always will. I remember when I was a kid, I would reorganize my bedroom furniture on a weekly basis. I loved the ‘newness’ of it all. We also moved a lot so ‘change’ became my friend. Not only did I not fear change….I craved it. Having said that…change is not always easy and it often requires a lot of guts!
And talking about guts…here is a gutsy woman making a gutsy move. Mavreen (our rock-star assistant) is making a big bold change in her life. She is saying goodbye to LeapZone to invest in herself. She is taking a leap of faith by going back to school and we are very proud of her. Margarita and I have made many bold decisions in our lives and we recognize how much courage it takes to leave what is safe and familiar behind to start something that is scary and new.
Mavreen, we want you to know that you will be greatly missed by us and by the entire LeapZone Community and we wish you a fulfilling journey of discovery, learning and creativity. 2011 would not have been the same, nor have been possible without you, and we look forward to having the opportunity to collaborate, in one way or another, with you again in the future. The friendship that we have created will be forever nurtured and cherished.
Here are a few words from Mavreen:
Dearest Leapers,
The last year and a half has been an incredible learning experience. I have been challenged, moved, and inspired which has lead me onto a new path. I am thrilled to be going back to school and building upon the experiences I have been blessed with, but I will definitely miss LeapZone and all of the people with whom I have connected. A huge thank you to Isabelle & Margarita for their generosity, support, and wisdom. You ladies are beyond fabulous and I love you both! I hope to stay in touch with you all and look forward to having our paths cross again at some point in the future. Best of luck and speak soon!
Thanks Mavreen for everything that you brought to us personally and to LeapZone. We wish you the best in your new endeavors and may 2012 be all that you want it to be…and remember that it’s much easier to do it, than to dwell on it! LOL!
Note to our Leaper Community
As you know, parting with a great employee creates a lot of loose ends. Both Margarita and I are taking this opportunity to simplify…simplify…simplify…everything from our value proposition to our business processes, client touchpoints, contact management system and everything in between. Why? To force us to keep it simple and to ensure maximum value for you. Having said that, I know that we will probably drop the ball a few times in the process despite our efforts not to, and we thank you in advance for your patience.
Cheers,
Isabelle & Margarita 
Happy New Year Leapers!
Hope you had a fantastic Holiday Break filled with great food and great moments with family and friends! Margarita and I are taking some focused Bubble Time this week to really work ON our lifestyle and business. It’s a great opportunity for us to get a lot done while slowly re-integrating into our schedules and daily rituals.
One key factor in preparing for a new year is to reflect and evaluate the previous one. It’s important to look into the eyes of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly to learn as much from it as we can and to recognize patterns so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
As Margarita and I are reviewing 2011 and planning for 2012…we are asking ourselves some tough but valuable questions and I thought I would share some of these questions with you, as they are powerful and important to reflect upon in order to raise the bar and move forward.
Investing 15 -20 minutes in this questionnaire will definitely prepare you for a great 2012. Here you go! Are you ready for 2012?
https://leapzone.wufoo.com/forms/w7×3k1/
P.S. By filling this out before January 7th, you are automatically entered to win one full year of MyLeapTools.com*.
*MyLeapTools™ is packed with kick-butt tools, templates, strategies and methodologies that have greatly helped us, and our clients, take their brand and business to the next level. Each item comes with a kick-ass tutorial explaining how to best use it and what it will do for you!
I look forward to continue to be a part of your “virtual team” to help you raise the bar and take your business to the next level.
Enjoy and cheers to a kick ass 2012!
Isabelle 
Catalyst at LeapZone Strategies
Host of LeapTV.com
