How to find investors?

[Carlos]

I'm looking for a investor or business man to connect with in my area, but I don't know where to start.

I'm starting to feel wary of online relationships now. While I want to stay connected to my friend who has been helping me out on starting my site, he seems silent on a few things especially when it comes to financial topics.

Where do you find what you're looking for? Where are business men/investors usually when they're in-between meetings, errands, and going on their business stuff?

[David Sandusky]

This is a wonderful example of building relationship on and offline. Financial relationships require additional commitment and therefore trust.

The first thing you need to do, Carlos, is be sure you have a plan for why you need money, how much and what the proceeds will be spent on - a business plan. No need to over due it, but have direction you can communicate. The business elements to the Strategic Career Plan you have will help with some of the target market thinking, etc.

With this in mind (and on paper), you can identify the type of people you you should meet including type of financing (friends and family, SBA, bank, angel investor, venture capital). From here, networking offline provides opportunity to build relationships with the right people.

Let me know your thoughts on the above (offline where appropriate) and I can fill in blanks.

[Carlos]

The plan is all written in my head already, the part that I need figuring out, is how to find those who understand business.

Here's what I know: I can't ask family for money; been rejected by two members of my family that have enough to go into their own business (might I add a million dollar/yr type). They responded to me saying that I need a business degree and they'll talk. *Scoff* I ask three others in small doses, boom, nothing. They're all working right now.

Friends? I already asked one (I just mentioned), because I initiated the sale of XE to him; I was the owner of the property. All I needed to do was negotiate with the EIC/original owner. On top of that, that EIC happens to owe me 300 bucks. But its taking a long time.

I thought of bank and SBA, but for SBA, you need a few years of business existence. Bank needs better credit or better credit score. I don't have too much of it right now.

So, my final and last resort is finding someone with deep pockets (ahem; angel investor).

[David Sandusky]

Your profile says you are in CA and unless you are in a remote area, you will have access to associations and chamber of commerce groups.

Do a search for business associations in your area. Identify those who have business owners and service provides to companies relevant to what you are doing. Here in Denver and when I lived in San Diego, I am a big fan of TiE - here is TiE Rockies - see the pull down location menu top right and see if there is one near you. Look for similar deals and chamber resources. You will be younger than average and that is good - I was too! People love to mentor young idea generators. Look for mentors and add value to them. Young people question what they can do - ask. Build a network that respects you and you will be way ahead of the game.

[Carlos]

I'm very close to the Silicon Valley metro area.

I checked TiE, nice and professional site. The site isn't cheap, tho, $50 to $100 for registering. Wow. That place is making an crazy ammount of money.

[David Sandusky]

I checked TiE, nice and professional site. The site isn't cheap, tho, $50 to $100 for registering.

It is important to point out the dues are for being a member and includes monthly offline meetings. Look at all your options in the area and find the best two or so to invest a little money and time. You will get out of networking groups like this what you put in. Get involved.

[Carlos]

I will start searching business associations. I will try to find a networking "hot spot."

In the mean time, I will try to see areas that is attractive to business owners, sometimes I pass by people with suits (ehh, I dunno about you, but something about suits says "I'm a professional (or business man)." But I don't know that, nor do I know how to approach them. Remember, I'm pretty new to this, even tho that I've been doing it online for a very long time.

[David Sandusky]

I realize it is new for you. There is plenty of offline networking info in this forum, you still have access to the paid part of this site with plenty of networking support to help you balance both on and offline networking - and I am here for you as a result so call to prep for a networking event, or whatever.
Have you seen this post for the shy networker (The Power of Networking...for the 'Shy Networker'.)?