EnterpriseZone.cc Connecting Global Leaders
I am a work in progress in both and evaluating all the time! I was in Corporate for years from 2000-2011, and ALWAYS had side hustles during that time. I became a full-time entrepreneur in 2011, and have to date boot-strapped. However, I am evaluating seed funding right now.
Let’s first dissect bootstrapping. Part of me is super-proud for being scrappy and it helps with innovation and out of the box thinking with tech, team and tools. At the same time, when we become entrepreneurs if we don’t adopt a Creator to CEO mindset with accountability right away it is easy to get lost in the weeds, lack + fear mindset, and lose sight of priorities and needle-movers. The faster we do this – the BETTER.
Right upfront, it is key to honor the journey and assess your practical financial needs – that got me in trouble to say the least. At the same time, the pain to purpose has ME relate massively to others via all the ahem lessons learned.
I am in 3+ investor communities for years + have done business plans + pitch decks for 10+ years for others. So, it is very interesting I did not take this approach right away. At the same time, I wanted to build the biz + get it scalable + viable + keep the power + leverage + look to investors as an option.
Right now, I am in 2 investor workshops to potentially align the business to seeking seed-funding for CREATEIT Centers starting in Atlanta and Globally with our Retreats, and assessing crowd-funding as well. I feel like it is happening at the perfect time as the business model is viable, results, and pipeline far beyond now vs. if I sought funding upfront.
I did meet with women owned VCs last year + got great feedback on the model + marketplace as well!
I am a huge believer of tune in + assess what is best for you + your business + what you are willing to create + sacrifice. PLUs I a a huge watcher of Shark Tank for years + listen + apply like I am in school – which I am and we are – the School of LIFE!
