How to Pick the Best Funding for Your Start Up

by Shannon Suetos

Companies need a few different things in order to grow. One of the most important things any company needs is money. Without money, there is no possibility to buy the things you need such as copier machines, office space and more. This is when you will want to turn to venture capital investors to get the money you need to grow.

There are a few things to consider before approaching a company for venture capital. By following a few simple rules, you will choose an investor who will understand what your company is trying to accomplish. You will also stand a better chance of getting the money that you need. You may even find along the way that you will get advice to help you to focus your business plan so that you will be able to find an investor. Following these ideals will help to make sure you not only get the digital copiers your business needs, you will get so much more.

Look for Investors Who Know You

Well, maybe the investors will not know your company personally, but they understand your industry and they know a good gamble when they see one. They will be able to see your business plan and know whether you have a winner or a loser of an idea. This will help to give them all of the information that they need in order to make a decision.


You can find these kinds of investors by looking at investors which have invested Venture Capital in other businesses in your industry in the past. They will not only be receptive to your request for a meeting. If you have made enough noise, they may actually know about your business and your potential.

Network Your Business

The different professional networks like LinkedIn and others will help you to discover those who are important investors in your market. The more you develop your own profile on these websites, the more you will be able to gain the attention of those you are looking to tap for an investment. You can even float questions which ask them to simply take a look at your plan and give you advice. Many will take the opportunity to help you focus your plan as well as point you in the direction of the investor who will be best for you.

Getting to Know the Investor

Venture Capitalist investors are looking for companies which will make them money. Their ability to make money is not based on a loan where they make back interest. Instead, they are tied in with your success. If they do not get what it is you are trying to do, they will not understand how it is that you will be successful. This is not only why you look for those who have invested in your kind of industry before.

If you have a business model which is slightly different or you are looking to turn the industry on its ear, you want an investor who enjoys a challenge. They will enjoy your gumption and will be willing to help you to succeed.

Shannon Suetos is a writer based in San Diego, California. She writes extensively for an online resource that provides expert advice on purchasing and outsourcing decisions for small business owners and entrepreneurs such as phone systems & voip service at Resource Nation.

Are you a victim of the “6 Figure Myth”?

by Sandra P. Martini



Have you fallen victim to the “6 Figure Myth”? You know, the myth that so many gurus perpetuate which implies that once you “break through” (sounds hard!) to 6 Figures, all will be well:


• You’ll pay off your mortgage or invest in a bigger home
• You’ll convert those 6 Figures to millions while working 4 hours a week
• You’ll want, and get, a pair of Jimmy Choos for every outfit

You get the idea.

Fact is, it’s a myth. All of it.

I see so many business owners who reach and exceed the 6 Figure mark, only to be “making” less than when they were “under 6 Figures”. In fact, many of them have negative profits – yep, they made over $100,000 in revenue and had less than nothing left at the end of the year.

It’s not about revenue, it’s about profit.

Say it out loud. . . It’s not the revenue. It’s the profit.

As a business owner, there’s one number which matters more than any other – PROFIT. It matters more than revenue, more than list size, more than ezine open rate, more than Twitter or Facebook friends.

At the end of the day, how much money are you keeping?

Making It Real: My Request To You

As a conscious business owner, you may be shaking your head believing it’s not all about the profit, it’s about the impact you’re making.

Absolutely. . .the impact is important; crucial in fact when it comes to feeding your soul. However, without the profit, you can’t stay in business and if you can’t stay in business, it’s a lot harder to make a substantive impact.

Here are a few simple-to-implement ways to keep your eye on the bottom line as you reach for the stars:

1. Stay focused on the money by tracking how much you’re bringing in each DAY
2. Schedule a “Marketing and Money” meeting with yourself each week where you track key metrics such as revenue, profit, unique website visitors, ezine conversion, open rate, etc.
3. When creating new programs, products and services, know what your profit will be BEFORE you launch them.

By focusing strategically on both the marketing AND finances of your business, you can start increasing profits today, regardless of whether you’re currently making 6 figures, are a motivated 5-figure business or just starting out!

It’s about optimizing as much as it’s about creating. :-)

Sandra Martini is an award-winning marketing and productivity consultant who helps entrepreneurs create and implement the systems to achieve their visions, with services such as coaching, client systems development, consulting and Team Sandy Done 4 You Online Business Marketing & Management as well as a variety of informational products. For more business building strategies and to get your free audio series “5 Simple & Easy Ways to Put Your Marketing on Autopilot”, visit Sandy’s site at http://www.SandraMartini.com today

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