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Very simply, I started
this site, wrote Venture Capital 101, hosted networking events, wrote
columns, and started my own newsletter, all for a very simple reason:
Shameless
self-promotion.
I admit it. I'm a
capitalist, and I'd like to think all people in business are capitalists,
too. I think there is nothing wrong with promoting yourself, talking
about your service or product, and asking for the business. Resumes are
often the crappiest way to further your own personal brand.
Imbued within this
shameless self-promotion is another theme and passion:
Reducing the gap
between public face and reality.
I wrote Venture Capital
101 with this philosophy firmly planted in my head. My columns for
ePrairie attempt to do this. My newsletter and my website strive for this
result. I think we've all had a boss or parent or favorite uncle who
would take us aside and say, "kid, here's how it really works." That's
what I hope to accomplish in my endeavors. I think I have a lot of
wisdom, philosophies, and knowledge to impart on others, and I hope I am
successful in that endeavor. And since learning is a life long duty, I
hope I continue to meet others who will impart their wisdom, philosophies,
and knowledge on me.
As a struggling
entrepreneur I realized there were certain unspoken truths in the hunt for
venture capital. For example, saying "these projections are conservative"
translates to "I am a moron," and "will you sign an NDA" translates into
"I am a rank amateur who doesn't know how the game is played." I got so
sick and tired of this gap that I decided I would do everything in my
power to reduce and eliminate the gap. It is usually far better to hear
the awful truth, "your idea is terrible and you don't have a chance," than
it is to hear patronizing dribble that causes you to continue down your
personal path of unchallenged stupidity.
Along with that big
goal, my work has a few other themes, among them are...
Humor - If you can't
laugh at yourself, situations, or the things you find on this site, I
can't help you.
Communication - If you
have a problem with someone, have the guts to contact that person
directly. Don't use someone else's newsletter to publicly (but
anonymously) spew venom.
Separate the issues -
Separate the person from the issue. It is possible to disagree with
someone's opinion while still liking the person.
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