AS YOU START UP . . .

"Faith lives in honest doubt."

Lord Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892) British poet.

You should never expect others to believe in your start-up if you don't, but that doesn't mean you can't have your own doubts.

It's healthy for you to identify the uncertainties that are part of any new venture.

Identify them, create your plan for dealing with them, and make that a part of what you share with those whose investment you seek.

THE ONLY SURE THING: THERE ARE NO SURE THINGS

"What men want is not knowledge, but certainty."

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) British logician/philosopher

And no men (women too) want this more than venture capitalists whose job it is to invest in as sure things as possible.

If you're looking for institutional investment, don't worry; they know there's no such thing as a sure thing.

However, they want to know you know that too.

New Business: The Difference Between Dreams and Reality

"Spend not on hopes."

George Herbert
Early 17th century British poet

This could have come from a venture capitalist.

Investors understand the need to assume but the more successful ones also know the difference between well thought out plans versus hopes.

If you're starting a business, regardless of how you finance it, you need to as well.