Showing posts with label Ren Carlton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ren Carlton. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Oakland County Residential Real Estate - Comparing 2020 to 2010 + Real E...
Watch the rest of our conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
Contact us today if you are interesting in investing in early-stage businesses, info@OmegaAccelerator.com .
Would you like to reach our network of over 21,000+ entrepreneurs and investors? - info@OmegaAccelerator.com
Sources and Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you do.
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Trends and Innovations - Investing in Residential Real Estate – Erin Red...
Contact us today if you are interesting in investing in early-stage businesses, info@OmegaAccelerator.com .
Are you looking for investors for your business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Sources and Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you do.
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Real Estate Investment Strategies in Today’s Market – Erin Redmond and Ren Carlton
Would you like to help us launch business startups? No experience required, message us today, info@OmegaAccelerator.com .
Are you looking for investors for your business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Sources and Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you do.
Labels:
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rental,
Residential Real Estate
Thursday, July 2, 2020
Residential Real Estate Investors – Why Are Prices Going Up During COVID-19? – Erin Redmond and Ren Carlton
Are you interested in learning how you can join our residential real estate investing group? Message us today, info@OmegaAccelerator.com .
Are you looking for investors for your real estate business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com. Real estate businesses and any business that supports the residential real estate market is welcome.
Do you advise the residential real estate market? Email us, Opportunities@OmegaAccelerator.com .
Sources and Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you do.
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Residential Real Estate Investing During and After COVID-19 Quarantine - Metro Detroit, Tri-County Michigan - Erin Redmond and Ren Cartlon
Residential Real Estate Investing During and After COVID-19 Quarantine - Metro Detroit, Tri-County Michigan - Erin Redmond and Ren Cartlon
-Is it a good time to buy or sell?
-2008 vs 2020 residential real estate market
Are you interested in learning how you can join our residential real estate investing group? Message us today, info@OmegaAccelerator.com .
Are you looking for investors for your real estate business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com. Real estate businesses and any business that supports the residential real estate market is welcome.
Do you advise the residential real estate market? Email us, Opportunities@OmegaAccelerator.com .
Sources and Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Labels:
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Tuesday, May 19, 2020
How much money does a startup need? The Fifth Powerful Secret to Battling Giant Competitors - Resources - How Startups can Competing Against FAANG - Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Alphabet Google - David vs. Goliath
This is part five of a series we are doing on David vs. Goliath and battling giants. I will talk about how startups can compete against the FAANG companies and other major, well-funded, legacy competitors. The FAANG are Facebook FB, Amazon AMZN, Apple AAP, Netflix NFLX; and Alphabet/Google GOOG.
Click here for part 1
Click here for part 2
Click here for part 3
Click here for part 4
The Fifth Powerful Secret to Battling Giant Competitors - Resources
Then he (David) took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
Samuel 17
Although David did not have many resources, he had what he needed to win the battle.
Samuel 17
Although David did not have many resources, he had what he needed to win the battle.
When battling giant competitors, you will need resources. Resources are purchased with money, e.g. capital. Since you will have significantly less resources than your competitors, you will need to use those resources wisely.
How much money does a startup need?
Based on our research and personal experience, we find that most early-stage, pre-revenue companies raise between $25,000-$500,000. It is tough to ask for more without giving away your company.
When looking for funding, is important to create forecasts, showing your potential funding sources how you will use the cash. And even more importantly, when you will be profitable so you can pay it back.
Obviously you want to raise as much cash as possible. However, if your company is early stage and has a valuation under $1M, you cannot ask for a $5M investment. The investor would be buying your company five times over. If your valuation is around $1M, you can ask for $200K–$300K, and offer 20–30% of your company in exchange.
Valuing a company can be tough. One of my favorite methods is the development stage valuation approach. It is often used by angel investors and venture capital firms to generate a rough range of company value. Investors set these values based on their experience and values vary depending on the company’s stage of development. The further the company has progressed along the development pathway, the lower the company's risk and the higher its value. Here’s an example of a valuation-by-stage model:
Estimated Company Value, Stage of Development
$250,000 - $500,000, The business idea or business plan exists
$500,000 - $1 million, The management team is in place to execute the plan
$1 million – $2 million, A final product or technology prototype has been developed
$2 million – $5 million, Strategic alliances, partners or customers are in place
$5 million and up, Revenue growth and a pathway to profitability is imminent
When looking for funding, is important to create forecasts, showing your potential funding sources how you will use the cash. And even more importantly, when you will be profitable so you can pay it back.
Obviously you want to raise as much cash as possible. However, if your company is early stage and has a valuation under $1M, you cannot ask for a $5M investment. The investor would be buying your company five times over. If your valuation is around $1M, you can ask for $200K–$300K, and offer 20–30% of your company in exchange.
Valuing a company can be tough. One of my favorite methods is the development stage valuation approach. It is often used by angel investors and venture capital firms to generate a rough range of company value. Investors set these values based on their experience and values vary depending on the company’s stage of development. The further the company has progressed along the development pathway, the lower the company's risk and the higher its value. Here’s an example of a valuation-by-stage model:
Estimated Company Value, Stage of Development
$250,000 - $500,000, The business idea or business plan exists
$500,000 - $1 million, The management team is in place to execute the plan
$1 million – $2 million, A final product or technology prototype has been developed
$2 million – $5 million, Strategic alliances, partners or customers are in place
$5 million and up, Revenue growth and a pathway to profitability is imminent
Click here to learn more about business valuations
One of my favorite stories about resources
But in the first two years, primarily due to rising fuel costs, the company found itself millions of dollars in debt and on the brink of bankruptcy.
When FedEx's funds dwindled to just $5,000, Smith realized he didn't have enough to fuel the planes. The company had already gone to many extremes, from pilots using their personal credit cards to fuel planes to uncashed paychecks.
So what's a desperate founder to do? Smith impulsively flew to Las Vegas and played blackjack with the last of the company money.
Amazingly, when he came back the next week, he had turned the remaining $5,000 into $27,000 — just enough for the company to stay in operation for another week.
The $27,000 wasn't the solution to all of their problems, but Smith viewed it as a hopeful sign that things would go up from there. He used the money as motivation to obtain more funding, and eventually raised another $11 million.
FedEx, the world's first overnight delivery company, delivers more than 1.2 billion packages every year in over 220 countries.
Are you looking for investors for your business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Are you interested in angel investing and helping us fund early-stage businesses? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Sources and Links
https://www.businessinsider.com/fedex-saved-from-bankruptcy-with-blackjack-winnings-2014-7https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/23/does-it-really-matter-how-much-your-startup-raises/
http://blog.gust.com/8-tips-on-how-much-money-to-ask-for-from-investors/
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=NIV
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2020/02/superbowl-2020-angel-investors-valuing.html
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Labels:
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Ren Carlton
Thursday, May 14, 2020
How to Turn $5,000 Into $4 Million, the First Three Rules of Angel Investing - Questions and Answers - Ren Cartlon
What is Angel Investing?
Providing Capital for a Business Start-up
When did Angel Investing Become Available to Most Investors?
Title III of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS) finally entered into force on May 16, 2016.
Why Should I Care About Angel Investing?
If the first three rules of real estate are location, location, location. The first three rules of angel investing are invest early, invest in the founder(s) not necessarily the idea, and plan on holding long-term. Angel investing offer high risk, high reward potential opportunities.
Targeted Returns: 2.5X in four years, roughly 25% annually.
Which is worse, risk of loss or risk of missing opportunities?
Example: If you invest $5,000 and let it sit untouched for 30 years, here are some possible scenarios:
-Bank, 1% = $6,739
-CDs, Money Markets, Bonds, 5% = $21,610
-S&P 500, Large Cap Stocks, 10% = $87,000
-Real Estate, 15% = $331,000
-Angel Investments, 25% = $4 million
Who Else Cares About Angel Investing?
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, made a $250,000 investment in Google in 1998. It was worth $1.6 billion in 2019
Where Can I Angel Invest?
Equity Crowdfunding Portals
Private Placements
Business Accelerators and Syndicates
Are There Any Other Success Stories?
$10,000 investment in Uber in 2010 was worth $127 million in 2015
$100 investment in Bitcoin in 2010 was worth $28 million in 2017
Are you looking for funding for an idea or business, send us your stuff and we will take a look, Funding@OmegaSeedFund.com
Are you interested in investing time or money into any of our businesses, Invest@omegaseedfund.com
Are you interested in promoting your product or service to our audience, contact Opportunities@OmegaSeedFund.com
Sources and Links
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2020/04/hunting-unicorns-angel-investing-vs.html
https://metrostart.org/blog/2016/07/11/260-return-on-startup-investments/
https://techcrunch.com/2012/10/13/angel-investors-make-2-5x-returns-overall/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are likely altered to protect the identity of the parties involved. The above figures are possibly estimates based on assumptions that may be proven to be inaccurate or subject to change.
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2020/04/hunting-unicorns-angel-investing-vs.html
https://metrostart.org/blog/2016/07/11/260-return-on-startup-investments/
https://techcrunch.com/2012/10/13/angel-investors-make-2-5x-returns-overall/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are likely altered to protect the identity of the parties involved. The above figures are possibly estimates based on assumptions that may be proven to be inaccurate or subject to change.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The Fourth Powerful Secret to Battling Giant Competitors - Speed - How Startups can Competing Against FAANG - Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Alphabet Google - David vs. Goliath
This is part four of a series we are doing on David vs. Goliath and battling giants. I will talk about how startups can compete against the FAANG companies and other major, well-funded, legacy competitors. The FAANG are Facebook FB, Amazon AMZN, Apple AAP, Netflix NFLX; and Alphabet/Google GOOG.
Click here for part 1
Click here for part 2
Click here for part 3
"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week."
George S. Patton
The Fourth Powerful Secret to Battling Giant Competitors - Speed
"He (Goliath) had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels (about 125 pounds or about 58 kilograms); on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels (about 15 pounds or about 6.9 kilograms.)
Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
Samuel 17
David was small, fast, and not weighed down by heavy armor or weapons. Goliath was large, slow and carrying a lot of weight.
Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
Samuel 17
David was small, fast, and not weighed down by heavy armor or weapons. Goliath was large, slow and carrying a lot of weight.
This is my favorite way to compete with large companies. Speed is a huge advantage when battling giant, large competitors. Startups can launch a business concept the day the founders hear about it. No approvals, meetings, bureaucracy, or oversight. You can just do it!
How to Grow Your Business Fast
-Focus on driving cash - Build systems and process that keep cash flowing in. No cash = no business. Investment dollars, loans, or revenue can meet this requirement.
-Be ready to pivot - Don't fall in love with any ideas until you found a winning formula. Giants have the resources and time to over-commit to bad ideas. You must change early and often until you find the winning formula. YouTube was a video dating site. Twitter was a podcasting network. Flickr was an online role-playing game.
-Establish meaningful milestones - Meaningful means milestones that will either attract investors or create revenue. It's tough to grow when you do not have a target. Picture bowling blindfolded. Tough to hit the target (bowling pins) when you do not know where to aim.
-Manage risks - Create situations where you have unlimited upside and minimal downside. That way if a situation is under-performing you do not need to worry about abandoning it for better opportunities.
-Focus on win-win situations - When you create win-win situations, everyone has incentives to keep making progress
One of My Favorite Stories About Speed
Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger founded Instagram in a San Francisco co-working space in 2010. With only 13 employees, Instagram grew to 30 million users by 2012. Instagram was acquired by Facebook in 2012 for approximately $1 billion in cash and stock. Now that is fast!
Are you looking for investors for your business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Are you interested in angel investing and helping us fund early-stage businesses? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Sources and Links
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2015/07/02/the-7-greatest-pivots-in-tech-history/
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=NIV
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Instagram
https://www.inc.com/business-insider/companies-startups-unicorn-1-billion-valuation-record-time.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2018/07/19/how-to-build-your-dream-team-and-grow-your-company-fast/#664e1cf54845
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7690-rapid-business-growth-tips.html
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2015/07/02/the-7-greatest-pivots-in-tech-history/
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=NIV
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Instagram
https://www.inc.com/business-insider/companies-startups-unicorn-1-billion-valuation-record-time.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2018/07/19/how-to-build-your-dream-team-and-grow-your-company-fast/#664e1cf54845
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7690-rapid-business-growth-tips.html
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Labels:
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AMZN,
angel investors,
Apple,
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Google,
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Patton,
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Tuesday, May 5, 2020
The Third Powerful Secret to Battling Giant Competitors - Vision - How Startups can Competing Against FAANG - Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Alphabet Google - David vs. Goliath
This is part three of a series we are doing on David vs. Goliath and battling giants. I will talk about how startups can compete against the FAANG companies and other major, well-funded, legacy competitors. The FAANG are Facebook FB, Amazon AMZN, Apple AAP, Netflix NFLX; and Alphabet/Google GOOG.
Click here for part 1
Click here for part 2
Click here for part 1
Click here for part 2
The Third Powerful Secret to Battling Giant Competitors - Vision
The Philistines declare war on the Israelites and wrench the Arch of the Alliance from them. David was not born into royalty. He entered life as a humble shepherd, rose to found a dynasty, and became a central figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Samuel the prophet had informed David that God had chosen him to be the next king of Israel and anointed him with his brothers around him (1 Samuel 16:13). David knew this information when he arrived in the camp and heard Goliath’s sneering rants. And he drew additional confidence by remembering how God had helped him in the past (1 Samuel 17:34–36).
As Israel's second king, David built a small empire. He conquered Jerusalem, which he made Israel's political and religious centre. He defeated the Philistines (Goliath was a Philistine) so thoroughly that they never seriously threatened the Israelites' security again, and he annexed the coastal region.
David's vision was to be King of Israel. What is your vision?
Building Your Vision
Your vision for your company should be exciting and motivating. One way to do this is to use your business that solves a problem or reaches a goal that is meaningful to you. If you can do this, the bare minimum outcome of success will be doing something that benefits you. If it benefits you, it is likely to benefit others as well.
Adopting this methodology avoids the challenge of developing a solution looking that is looking for a problem. This is one of the problems we see in some of the pitches we receive. Start with the problem and find a solution.
By having a concise vision of what you want your business to become, you will be in an improved position to work toward that goal. Do not make goals that are overly broad, such as "I want to make a lot of money." Instead, aim toward something like "I want to add three new customers a month" or "I want to see a rise in my search each week." As you establish measurable objectives, it is possible to view your progress. Also, it will make you more confident.
Examples of Famous Clear, Concise Visions
“Give me liberty or give me death.”
– Patrick Henry, United States Revolutionary War leader, 1776
“We shall never surrender.”
– Winston Churchill, England prime minister, 1941
“By the end of the decade, we will put a man on the moon.”
– John F. Kennedy, United States president, 1962
“A computer on every desk and in every home.”
– Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and chief executive officer, 1980
– Patrick Henry, United States Revolutionary War leader, 1776
“We shall never surrender.”
– Winston Churchill, England prime minister, 1941
“By the end of the decade, we will put a man on the moon.”
– John F. Kennedy, United States president, 1962
“A computer on every desk and in every home.”
– Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and chief executive officer, 1980
One of My Favorite Story About Vision
Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman launched Reddit in 2005 as a social website that allows users to post thoughts or content and have others rank submissions by voting it up or down. Soon after, they flew to meet with Yahoo executives in Sunnyvale. Upon hearing that Reddit had about 10,000 users at the time, one executive sneered, “You guys are just a rounding error compared to Yahoo. What are you guys even doing here?”
“The first thing I did when I got back to my desk, I put this on my wall, ‘You are a rounding error,’ because I wanted to know every single morning who we were proving wrong,” Ohanian said.
As of 2018 Reddit has 330 Million Monthly Active Users.
“The first thing I did when I got back to my desk, I put this on my wall, ‘You are a rounding error,’ because I wanted to know every single morning who we were proving wrong,” Ohanian said.
As of 2018 Reddit has 330 Million Monthly Active Users.
Are you looking for investors for your business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Are you interested in angel investing and helping us fund early-stage businesses? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Sources and Links
https://www.britannica.com/biography/David
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/where-real-courage-comes-from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/people-in-the-bible/story-king-david-goliath/#close
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054788/plotsummary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath
https://www.reliableplant.com/Read/2432/power-of-a-clear,-concise-vision
https://www.inc.com/murray-newlands/6-tips-to-build-self-confidence-for-business-success.html
https://www.ocregister.com/2014/01/28/status-update-reddits-ohanian-motivated-by-rounding-error/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/David
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/where-real-courage-comes-from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/people-in-the-bible/story-king-david-goliath/#close
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054788/plotsummary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath
https://www.reliableplant.com/Read/2432/power-of-a-clear,-concise-vision
https://www.inc.com/murray-newlands/6-tips-to-build-self-confidence-for-business-success.html
https://www.ocregister.com/2014/01/28/status-update-reddits-ohanian-motivated-by-rounding-error/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
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Friday, May 1, 2020
Angel Investors - How Much Money Does a Startup Need to Launch or Grow? - Use of Funds - Ren Carlton
I was messaging a friend of mine earlier this week about launching a new business. When I asked her how much money she thought we needed she said:
"We can each invest a max of $500 each, as partners, and make a prototype, then we can both apply for further business grants or angel investors."
A bit shocked by her response, I turned to the internet for further guidance. When I googled "how much money does a startup need", this was the first result:
"Estimate your costs. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, most microbusinesses cost around $3,000, while most home-based franchises cost $2,000 to $5,000 to start."
How Much Money Does a Startup Need?
Most technology startups, raising outside funding is a necessary step in the process of building a viable business. Not every business needs to be a technology company, but most of the businesses we see have some component of technology.
Most companies that reach a Series A round of funding Raise between $25,000 - $500,000.
That is a pretty wide range. Let's take a deeper look.
Common Startup Costs
Here are some common startup costs they may have:
-Office space
-Equipment and supplies
-Communications
-Utilities
-Licenses and permits
-Insurance
-Lawyer and accountant
-Inventory
-Employee salaries
-Advertising and marketing
-Market research
-Printed marketing materials
-Making a website
Make sure to add any other expenses that are unique to the business.
Stage
This is probably the biggest factor. Idea and prototype stage companies may have very lower costs, where a business that is producing and growing may have to support a full team, inventory, etc.
How Are You Going to Pay Your Bills?
One of my favorite questions I ask founder is "How are you going to pay your bills?
Almost everyone gets caught off guard. I am not sure why. When evaluating an angel investment, I want to make sure the founders are thinking through everything.
Are you looking for investors for your business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Are you interested in angel investing and helping us fund early-stage businesses? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Sources and Links
https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/23/does-it-really-matter-how-much-your-startup-raises/
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/calculate-your-startup-costs#section-header-10
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/23/does-it-really-matter-how-much-your-startup-raises/
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/calculate-your-startup-costs#section-header-10
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
David vs. Goliath - Part 2 - Battling Giants - How Startups can Competing Against FAANG - Facebook FB, Amazon AMZN, Apple AAP, Netflix NFLX; and Alphabet/Google GOOG
This is part two of a series we are doing on David vs. Goliath and battling giants. I will talk about how startups can compete against the FAANG companies and other major, well-funded, legacy competitors. The FAANG are Facebook FB, Amazon AMZN, Apple AAP, Netflix NFLX; and Alphabet/Google GOOG
Click here for part 1
Battling Giants - Lesson 2 - Confidence
"If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
Vincent Van Gogh
In the story of David and Goliath, we are told David goes into battle with five stones. Why five? Maybe so he can have five shots at Goliath?
Bible scholars speculate that David chose five smooth stones because Goliath had four brothers, and David was readying himself to dispatch all five giants. This theory is based on 2 Samuel 21:15–22. That passage lists four very large Philistines who were related to Goliath in some way.
Now that is confidence.
Entrepreneurs must demonstrate confidence. Customers need to believe that you will deliver your products or services. Investors want to be assured that you will produce a healthy returns on their investments. Your team needs to know that you will still be there tomorrow.
Tips for Building Entrepreneurial Confidence
- Fake It Until You Make It. Ask yourself "If I was a successful entrepreneur, what would I do?" Than do those things. It may sound a bit silly, but it works.
- Keep learning. Learning about your business and industry will do wonders. Always be aware of seminars and courses that can keep you up-to-date on your industry or make you more in-the-know in regard to business overall.
- Have a clear vision. One method to improve your confidence is to establish objectives. By having a concise vision of what you want your business to become, you will be in an improved position to work toward that goal. Do not make goals that are overly broad, such as "I want to make a lot of money." Instead, aim toward something like "I want to add three new customers a month" or "I want to see a rise in my search each week." As you establish measurable objectives, it is possible to view your progress. Also, it will make you more confident.
- Become optimistic. Negativity has the ability to reduce your motivation and drag you down. As we surround ourselves with good energy, we are automatically more productive. Have a power group of positive influences around you who'll support your goals. Not only are they able to provide you a little push when you are feeling sluggish, they're also able to reel you in when you get a bit off track.
- Take calculated risks. Helen Keller once said, "Life either is nothing at all or an adventure." Do things that temporarily remove from your comfort zone. Make sure these things are consistent with your vision. Don't forget to manage your downside risk. Taking caluculated risks means that the reward for taking the risk far outweighs the downside risk of failing. That is the difference between calculated risk-taking and reckless gambling.
- Ditch doubt. If you possess good ideas, but a phobia of moving ahead has you paralyzed, take it step by step. Many times we'll blame lack of knowledge, funds, and support when in fact we're blocking our road to success. Do not listen to negativity; have faith. You may be shocked at what you're able achieve.
- Recognize small things you have accomplished. As you make that initial sale, celebrate. As you diffuse a problem that might have exploded out of control, give yourself a pat on your back. Those little victories will serve as a reminder of how talented you are and that you have more business successes to go.
One of My Favorite Story About Confidence
On November 14, 2013, The Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook offered to acquire Snapchat for $3 billion from Evan Spiegel. Spiegel was a college dropout and living in his father's basement. Spiegel declined the cash offer.
Was that a good decision?
In 2020, Snapchat is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Evan Spiegel's net worth is estimated to be $3.4 billion dollars.
Are you looking for investors for your business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Are you interested in angel investing and helping us fund early-stage businesses? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Sources and Links
https://www.goalcast.com/2018/07/16/confidence-quotes/
https://www.gotquestions.org/five-smooth-stones.html
https://www.inc.com/murray-newlands/6-tips-to-build-self-confidence-for-business-success.html
www.investopedia.com
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=NIV
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/ceos-founders-lived-parents/story?id=26888490
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
https://www.goalcast.com/2018/07/16/confidence-quotes/
https://www.gotquestions.org/five-smooth-stones.html
https://www.inc.com/murray-newlands/6-tips-to-build-self-confidence-for-business-success.html
www.investopedia.com
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=NIV
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/ceos-founders-lived-parents/story?id=26888490
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Labels:
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Malcolm Gladwell,
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Wednesday, April 22, 2020
David vs. Goliath - Battling Giants - How Startups can Competing Against FAANG - Part 1 - Facebook FB, Amazon AMZN, Apple AAP, Netflix NFLX; and Alphabet/Google GOOG
This is part one of a series we are doing on David vs. Goliath and battling giants. I will talk about how startups can compete against the FAANG companies and other major, well-funded, legacy competitors. The FAANG are Facebook FB, Amazon AMZN, Apple AAP, Netflix NFLX; and Alphabet/Google GOOG
A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span [about 9 feet 9 inches]. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels [about 125 pounds or about 58 kilograms]; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels [about 15 pounds or about 6.9 kilograms].
He [David] took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him.
As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.
In Malcolm Gladwell's book David and Goliath, Gladwell points out that giants are not what we think they are. The same qualities that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness. And the fact of being an underdog can change people in ways that we often fail to appreciate.
Battling modern day giants with virtually unlimited resources requires you to focus on a specific niche. Otherwise, your marketing costs alone will likely bury before you get started.
Amazon launched in 1995 as a website that only sold books, founder Jeff Bezos had a vision for the company's explosive growth and eCommerce domination. He knew from the very beginning that he wanted Amazon to be "an everything store."
In 1997, Reed Hastings founded Netflix, a DVD-by-mail rental service at the time, in part after being frustrated with a $40 late fee from Blockbuster.
-Demographic, e.g. white females 25-35
-and more
Once you pick your specific niche, you can properly equip yourself for battle.
The Original Story - David vs. Goliath
Here are some excerpts from the Samuel 17, just in case you are unfamiliar with the bible story of David and Goliath.
He [David] took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him.
As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.
Battling Giants - Lesson 1 - Target a Specific Niche
David was properly equipped to battle Goliath. He wore no armor and used a deadly projectile weapon. He was fast and mobile. Goliath wore heavy armor and held a heavy weapon. He was slow and immobile. He was well equipped to go into a war leading a massive army. But he was not prepared to battle with a fast, single sharpshooter. Goliath didn't stand a chance.Battling modern day giants with virtually unlimited resources requires you to focus on a specific niche. Otherwise, your marketing costs alone will likely bury before you get started.
Amazon launched in 1995 as a website that only sold books, founder Jeff Bezos had a vision for the company's explosive growth and eCommerce domination. He knew from the very beginning that he wanted Amazon to be "an everything store."
Mark Zuckerberg competed with MySpace by focusing on students at Harvard.
Notice a pattern? All of these FAANG companies started by attacking a very specific niche. Niches may include:
-Type of service or a subset of a service, e.g. Uber for eats
-Specific attribute of an existing business model, e.g. Free delivery
-Geography, e.g. city or state-Demographic, e.g. white females 25-35
-and more
Once you pick your specific niche, you can properly equip yourself for battle.
Are you looking for investors for your business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Are you interested in angel investing and helping us fund early-stage businesses? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Sources and Links
https://www.reliableplant.com/Read/2432/power-of-a-clear,-concise-vision
https://www.ocregister.com/2014/01/28/status-update-reddits-ohanian-motivated-by-rounding-error/
https://deanyeong.com/reading-note/david-and-goliath/
www.investopedia.com
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/536961-the-reasonable-man-adapts-himself-to-the-world-the-unreasonable
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=NIV
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
https://www.reliableplant.com/Read/2432/power-of-a-clear,-concise-vision
https://www.ocregister.com/2014/01/28/status-update-reddits-ohanian-motivated-by-rounding-error/
https://deanyeong.com/reading-note/david-and-goliath/
www.investopedia.com
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/536961-the-reasonable-man-adapts-himself-to-the-world-the-unreasonable
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=NIV
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Friday, April 3, 2020
How Your Business Can Thrive During Crisis - The Art of the Pivot - Corona Virus, COVID-19, and Ren Carlton
What do Starbucks, Twitter and Nintendo all have in common?
They all pivoted
-Starbucks started out selling espresso machines
-Twitter was a platform for finding podcasts
-Nintendo produced vacuum cleaners
Pivoting means changing your focus or strategy. There are a number of reasons to consider pivoting your business, including:
-Twitter was a platform for finding podcasts
-Nintendo produced vacuum cleaners
Pivoting means changing your focus or strategy. There are a number of reasons to consider pivoting your business, including:
1. Introduction of new opportunities and restrictions: In today's Corona Virus environment, quarantine and stimulus money are two things that should be investigated. I
2. Pivoting can create opportunities to expand revenue.
Whether it’s exploring new markets, services or products, pivoting can help create opportunities to expand revenue. Research and analysis are key here.
3. It’s easier to stay relevant.
A services company may realize X service is no longer in demand, unlike Y service which is. Remember, business is about finding a need and filling it. Pivot toward the more relevant service.
4. Some of the best ideas come from testing different ideas.
5. It can reinvigorate the business.
Pivoting is a great way to bring new life to the business. All businesses must evolve if they want to stay current with their audience and competitive within their industry. Being stagnant is boring and uninspired.
2. Pivoting can create opportunities to expand revenue.
Whether it’s exploring new markets, services or products, pivoting can help create opportunities to expand revenue. Research and analysis are key here.
3. It’s easier to stay relevant.
A services company may realize X service is no longer in demand, unlike Y service which is. Remember, business is about finding a need and filling it. Pivot toward the more relevant service.
4. Some of the best ideas come from testing different ideas.
I subscribe to the lean startup approach to building businesses. Entrepreneurs must investigate, experiment, test, and iterate as they develop.
5. It can reinvigorate the business.
Pivoting is a great way to bring new life to the business. All businesses must evolve if they want to stay current with their audience and competitive within their industry. Being stagnant is boring and uninspired.
One of the biggest competitive advantages for small businesses is the ability to pivot quickly. You need to be ready to do this early and often. The art of the pivot is knowing when to be persistent and when to pivot
- Persistent: Continue operating the current business model The art of the pivot is knowing when to be persistent and when to pivot
- Persistent: Continue operating the current business model
- Pivot: Abandon or pause the current business model to pursue new opportunities that may be better
Contact us today if you want to raise capital for your business, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Are you interested in helping businesses while enjoying the potential high returns of angel investing? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Click here if you would like me to consider investing in your business. If I do not personally invest, I will give you specific tips for finding funding. Unlimited follow-up meetings. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Sources and Links
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238253
https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/Lean-startup
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238253
https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/Lean-startup
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rencarlton
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Friday, March 20, 2020
What Am I Going to Do With All of This Toilet Paper? Battling the Corona Virus.
Coronavirus COVID-19 Care Packages - Viable Business?
What Am I Going to Do With All of This Toilet Paper?
In order to help prevent the spread of the Corona Virus, we are delivering toilet paper and sanitizer to anyone in need.
Please message me if you or any of your loved ones need toilet paper or sanitizer.
If you would like to help us with this initiative, please message us, info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Click here to follow my tracking of the Corona Virus and thoughts
Contact us today if you want to raise capital for your business, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Are you interested in helping businesses while enjoying the potential high returns of angel investing? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Click here if you would like me to consider investing in your business. If I do not personally invest, I will give you specific tips for finding funding. Unlimited follow-up meetings. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/924-2/https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Monday, January 27, 2020
New Opportunities for 2020 - Launch Announcement and Omega Accelerator Update
We are excited to announce a number of exciting new opportunities for 2020!
In 2019 we launched Omega Legacy Accelerator X. Our 2020 goal is to enroll another 100 companies into this accelerator. You can learn more by visiting https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/.
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegaaccelerator.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
2019 Update - Omega Legacy Accelerator X
In 2019 we launched Omega Legacy Accelerator X. Our 2020 goal is to enroll another 100 companies into this accelerator. You can learn more by visiting https://omegalegacyacceleratorx.com/.
Are you looking for investors for your business? Contact us at funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
New Opportunity - Ecommerce Business Accelerator
Here is your chance to live the entrepreneurial life and get in on the ground floor of our next accelerator. We are looking for founders for our new Ecommerce Business Accelerator. We have remote, part-time positions with flexible working hours available. Email Opportunities@omegaaccelerator.com to learn more.Are interested in a passive investments? Omega Legacy Accelerator X is preparing for its next round of growth. Email info@omegaaccelerator.com to learn more.
Sponsors interested in reaching our network of over 20,000 entrepreneurs and funding sources can email info@omegaaccelerator.com.
Sources
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegaaccelerator.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Is Writing a Business Plan a Waste of Time? - Acquiring Business Funding and Writing a 1-Page Executive Summary for Angel Investors
“I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”
Mark Twain
Information is everywhere. It is no longer an advantage. Almost anyone can learn anything with a few minutes and a decent Wifi connection. This makes entrepreneurship and funding your business very different than it was 10 years ago. Information used to be a competitive advantage, now it is just a starting point.
These days, entrepreneurship is all about execution.
Business plans are mostly obsolete when raising capital from angel investors. We see thousands of deals a year. We are scanning your materials, trying to find something that meets our preferences. It’s not personal, there is just not enough hours in a day to digest all of the details. The time you spend writing a business plan can be spent on creating, testing, pivoting, selling, etc. The best way to succeed in business is to be in business.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail,” has been replaced by “If you aren’t embarrassed by the first version of your business, you launched too late.”
But execution requires resources and funding...
The 1-Page Executive Summary has replaced the business plan in our 140-character-or-less world. It hits all of the major areas of a business. It demonstrates a business' potential, while leaving enough flexibility for possible changes and pivots. Although there are many formats, I find this one to be compelling:
1. The Grab: You should lead with the most compelling statement of why you have a really big idea. This sentence (or two) sets the tone for the rest of the executive summary. Usually, this is a concise statement of the unique solution you have developed to a big problem. It should be direct and specific, not abstract and conceptual. If you can drop some impressive names in the first paragraph you should—world-class advisors, companies you are already working with, a brand name founding investor. Don’t expect an investor to discover that you have two Nobel laureates on your advisory board six paragraphs later. He or she may never get that far.
2. The Problem: You need to make it clear that there is a big, important problem (current or emerging) that you are going to solve. In this context you are establishing your Value Proposition—there is enormous pain out there, and you are going to increase revenues, reduce costs, increase speed, expand reach, eliminate inefficiency, increase effectiveness, whatever. Don’t confuse your statement of the problem with the size of the opportunity (see below).
3. The Solution: What specifically are you offering to whom? Software, hardware, service, a combination? Use commonly used terms to state concretely what you have, or what you do, that solves the problem you’ve identified. Avoid acronyms and don’t try to use this opportunity to create and trademark a bunch of terms that won’t mean anything to most people. You might need to clarify where you fit in the value chain or distribution channels—who do you work with in the ecosystem of your sector, and why will they be eager to work with you. If you have customers and revenues, make it clear. If not, tell the investor when you will.
4. The Opportunity: Spend a few more sentences providing the basic market segmentation, size, growth and dynamics—how many people or companies, how many dollars, how fast the growth, and what is driving the segment. You will be better off targeting a meaningful percentage of a well-defined, growing market than claiming a microscopic percentage of a huge, mature market. Don’t claim you are addressing the $24 billion widget market, when you are really addressing the $85 million market for specialized arc-widgets used in the emerging wocket sector.
5. Your Competitive Advantage: No matter what you might think, you have competition. At a minimum, you compete with the current way of doing business. Most likely, there is a near competitor, or a direct competitor that is about to emerge (are you sufficiently paranoid yet??). So, understand what your real, sustainable competitive advantage is, and state it clearly. Do not try to convince investors that your only competitive asset is your “first mover advantage.” Here is where you can articulate your unique benefits and advantages. Believe it or not, in most cases, you should be able to make this point in one or two sentences.
6. The Model: How specifically are you going to generate revenues, and from whom? Why is your model leverageable and scaleable? Why will it be capital efficient? What are the critical metrics on which you will be evaluated—customers, licenses, units, revenues, margin? Whatever it is, what impressive levels will you reach within three to five years?
7. The Team: Why is your team uniquely qualified to win? Don’t tell us you have 48 combined years of expertise in widget development; tell us your CTO was the lead widget developer for Intel, and she was on the original IEEE standards committee for arc-widgets. Don’t just regurgitate a shortened form of each founder’s resume; explain why the background of each team member fits. If you can, state the names of brand name companies your team has worked for. Don’t drop a name if it’s an unknown name, and don’t drop a name if you aren’t happy to give the contact as a reference at a later date.
8. The Promise ($$): When you are pitching to investors, your fundamental promise is that you are going to make them a boatload of money. The only way you can do that is if you can achieve a level of success that far exceeds the capital. What is your path to profitability and positive cash-flow? When will you get there? When will your investors start enjoying a financial return on their investment?
One more thing. 1-Page Executive Summaries need to be one page!
This is a good starting point for every funding campaign. It helps you clarify your thoughts and communicate your vision. If it cannot be explained in one-page, you should work on it more before you start pitching investors.
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
All offers will be contingent upon passing our due diligence process.
Mark Twain
Information is everywhere. It is no longer an advantage. Almost anyone can learn anything with a few minutes and a decent Wifi connection. This makes entrepreneurship and funding your business very different than it was 10 years ago. Information used to be a competitive advantage, now it is just a starting point.
These days, entrepreneurship is all about execution.
Is Writing a Business Plan a Waste of Time?
Business plans are mostly obsolete when raising capital from angel investors. We see thousands of deals a year. We are scanning your materials, trying to find something that meets our preferences. It’s not personal, there is just not enough hours in a day to digest all of the details. The time you spend writing a business plan can be spent on creating, testing, pivoting, selling, etc. The best way to succeed in business is to be in business.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail,” has been replaced by “If you aren’t embarrassed by the first version of your business, you launched too late.”
But execution requires resources and funding...
Raising Capital without a Business Plan
The 1-Page Executive Summary has replaced the business plan in our 140-character-or-less world. It hits all of the major areas of a business. It demonstrates a business' potential, while leaving enough flexibility for possible changes and pivots. Although there are many formats, I find this one to be compelling:
1. The Grab: You should lead with the most compelling statement of why you have a really big idea. This sentence (or two) sets the tone for the rest of the executive summary. Usually, this is a concise statement of the unique solution you have developed to a big problem. It should be direct and specific, not abstract and conceptual. If you can drop some impressive names in the first paragraph you should—world-class advisors, companies you are already working with, a brand name founding investor. Don’t expect an investor to discover that you have two Nobel laureates on your advisory board six paragraphs later. He or she may never get that far.
2. The Problem: You need to make it clear that there is a big, important problem (current or emerging) that you are going to solve. In this context you are establishing your Value Proposition—there is enormous pain out there, and you are going to increase revenues, reduce costs, increase speed, expand reach, eliminate inefficiency, increase effectiveness, whatever. Don’t confuse your statement of the problem with the size of the opportunity (see below).
3. The Solution: What specifically are you offering to whom? Software, hardware, service, a combination? Use commonly used terms to state concretely what you have, or what you do, that solves the problem you’ve identified. Avoid acronyms and don’t try to use this opportunity to create and trademark a bunch of terms that won’t mean anything to most people. You might need to clarify where you fit in the value chain or distribution channels—who do you work with in the ecosystem of your sector, and why will they be eager to work with you. If you have customers and revenues, make it clear. If not, tell the investor when you will.
4. The Opportunity: Spend a few more sentences providing the basic market segmentation, size, growth and dynamics—how many people or companies, how many dollars, how fast the growth, and what is driving the segment. You will be better off targeting a meaningful percentage of a well-defined, growing market than claiming a microscopic percentage of a huge, mature market. Don’t claim you are addressing the $24 billion widget market, when you are really addressing the $85 million market for specialized arc-widgets used in the emerging wocket sector.
5. Your Competitive Advantage: No matter what you might think, you have competition. At a minimum, you compete with the current way of doing business. Most likely, there is a near competitor, or a direct competitor that is about to emerge (are you sufficiently paranoid yet??). So, understand what your real, sustainable competitive advantage is, and state it clearly. Do not try to convince investors that your only competitive asset is your “first mover advantage.” Here is where you can articulate your unique benefits and advantages. Believe it or not, in most cases, you should be able to make this point in one or two sentences.
6. The Model: How specifically are you going to generate revenues, and from whom? Why is your model leverageable and scaleable? Why will it be capital efficient? What are the critical metrics on which you will be evaluated—customers, licenses, units, revenues, margin? Whatever it is, what impressive levels will you reach within three to five years?
7. The Team: Why is your team uniquely qualified to win? Don’t tell us you have 48 combined years of expertise in widget development; tell us your CTO was the lead widget developer for Intel, and she was on the original IEEE standards committee for arc-widgets. Don’t just regurgitate a shortened form of each founder’s resume; explain why the background of each team member fits. If you can, state the names of brand name companies your team has worked for. Don’t drop a name if it’s an unknown name, and don’t drop a name if you aren’t happy to give the contact as a reference at a later date.
8. The Promise ($$): When you are pitching to investors, your fundamental promise is that you are going to make them a boatload of money. The only way you can do that is if you can achieve a level of success that far exceeds the capital. What is your path to profitability and positive cash-flow? When will you get there? When will your investors start enjoying a financial return on their investment?
One more thing. 1-Page Executive Summaries need to be one page!
This is a good starting point for every funding campaign. It helps you clarify your thoughts and communicate your vision. If it cannot be explained in one-page, you should work on it more before you start pitching investors.
Are you looking for investors for your business, contact us today, funding@omegaaccelerator.com.
Are you interested in angel investing and helping us fund early-stage businesses? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com.
Sources
https://guykawasaki.com/the_art_of_the_-3/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegaaccelerator.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
Sources
https://guykawasaki.com/the_art_of_the_-3/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegaaccelerator.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
https://guykawasaki.com/the_art_of_the_-3/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/RenCarlton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmxQWgUDlPJo0IHCIa6SzrQ
https://omegaaccelerator.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheOmegaAccelerator/
https://www.instagram.com/omega.funding/
https://rencarlton.blogspot.com/2019/09/funding-session-with-ren-carlton.html
All offers will be contingent upon passing our due diligence process.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Shark Tank Style Business Event - Find up to $5 Million of Funding from Angel Investors at the Money for a Startup event in Troy, Michigan with host Ren Carlton
Pitch your business idea to angel investors!
100 W Big Beaver Rd, Suite 100
Troy, MI 48084
Time
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
5:00 PM-8:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time
Agenda
5:00 - Registration Opens
5:30 - 8:00 - Pitches
Watch entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to our Angels
Registration is Free - But You Must RSVP - Reserve Your Spot Today to Pitch or Host
Unable to attend out event? We also accept video pitches. Click here to learn how to send us your pitch video.
Are you interested in angel investing and helping us fund early-stage businesses? Email info@OmegaAccelerator.com to learn how you can help us host the event.
Instructions for Pitching at our Event
-Email your information to funding@omegaaccelerator.com at least a week before the event.
-Your email must include your name, business name, phone number, business idea, and the date of the event you will attend.
-When you pre-register, you are welcome to send us supporting information about your business with your pre-registration email, e.g. website, social media links, videos, slide deck, business plan, projections, 1-page executive summary.
-We also accept video pitches, Click here to learn how to send us your pitch video
Meet our Hosts
Ren Carlton
Ren Carlton has spent his career starting, growing, selling, and funding businesses. After graduating from Oakland University, Ren earned his CPA license and served as the CFO of a Tier 1 manufacturing company. His passion for business led him to leave his CFO position to pursue several entrepreneurial opportunities. Ren now actively funds, launches, grows, and sells businesses. One of his key business priorities is to encourage and help entrepreneurs pursue bold, fearless goals. Along the way, Ren hosted an award-winning business reality network radio show and wrote Profitpreneurship: Creating a Business that Produces Outstanding Financial Results.
Ren Carlton has spent his career starting, growing, selling, and funding businesses. After graduating from Oakland University, Ren earned his CPA license and served as the CFO of a Tier 1 manufacturing company. His passion for business led him to leave his CFO position to pursue several entrepreneurial opportunities. Ren now actively funds, launches, grows, and sells businesses. One of his key business priorities is to encourage and help entrepreneurs pursue bold, fearless goals. Along the way, Ren hosted an award-winning business reality network radio show and wrote Profitpreneurship: Creating a Business that Produces Outstanding Financial Results.
Haroon Bhatti MBA/MSF
Haroon’s reputation for business success has been earned the old-fashioned way: through hard work, recognizable results, and performance that consistently gives his clients a competitive advantage. Haroon specializes in Brokerage and Valuations for Mainstreet and Lower Middle Market companies. His company’s consulting division helps entrepreneurs develop exit strategies and get their businesses set up to be saleable so they can get the highest value in the market. He owns two successful companies of his own in the Automotive Industry. Additionally, he holds a Masters of Business Administration and also a Masters of Science in Finance.
Haroon’s reputation for business success has been earned the old-fashioned way: through hard work, recognizable results, and performance that consistently gives his clients a competitive advantage. Haroon specializes in Brokerage and Valuations for Mainstreet and Lower Middle Market companies. His company’s consulting division helps entrepreneurs develop exit strategies and get their businesses set up to be saleable so they can get the highest value in the market. He owns two successful companies of his own in the Automotive Industry. Additionally, he holds a Masters of Business Administration and also a Masters of Science in Finance.
Aurore Henze, ND
Aurore is the founder of Health-Media Star, which creates unique branding platforms for healthcare companies. Services include copy-writing, journalistic SEO, major news network PR, internet shows, podcasting, video creation, website development, networking opportunities and social media (design and build). Aurore also speaks on a variety of topics: Easy Wellness Tips to Increase Immunity, Overcoming Addiction, Sensible Weight loss, Look Young and Feel Young: Anti-Aging. Aurore attended Clayton College of Natural Health and received a Bachelors of Science / Doctorate of Natural Health. Aurore studied Eastern Medicine, Nutrition, body mind. biology, structural therapy, wellness, alternative therapies, and pain relief.
Aurore is the founder of Health-Media Star, which creates unique branding platforms for healthcare companies. Services include copy-writing, journalistic SEO, major news network PR, internet shows, podcasting, video creation, website development, networking opportunities and social media (design and build). Aurore also speaks on a variety of topics: Easy Wellness Tips to Increase Immunity, Overcoming Addiction, Sensible Weight loss, Look Young and Feel Young: Anti-Aging. Aurore attended Clayton College of Natural Health and received a Bachelors of Science / Doctorate of Natural Health. Aurore studied Eastern Medicine, Nutrition, body mind. biology, structural therapy, wellness, alternative therapies, and pain relief.
Format
Founders that are invited to pitch at our event will have about a minute to setup. After delivering their 45 second pitch, we will ask clarifying questions. Then we will discuss the opportunity privately. After our discussion, we will invite the founder back and we may:
-Offer to invest
-Make strategic introduction(s)
-Offer to help find funding
Founders that are invited to pitch at our event will have about a minute to setup. After delivering their 45 second pitch, we will ask clarifying questions. Then we will discuss the opportunity privately. After our discussion, we will invite the founder back and we may:
-Offer to invest
-Make strategic introduction(s)
-Offer to help find funding
Are you interested in marketing to our participants, audience, and network of over 20,000 funding sources and entrepreneurs? Email Info@omegaaccelerator.com for details
Sources
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
All offers will be contingent upon passing our due diligence process.
Sources
Disclaimer: This does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service. We are not offering any legal, investment, tax, or medical advice. Please consult the appropriate professional before doing anything you learn from the content posted on any of our digital properties. All stories are based on true events, but are altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
All offers will be contingent upon passing our due diligence process.
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