Ep. 232 – Startup Secret Weapon: See Execution Risk Like an Investor

SIBP-Blog-NEW-4 Welcome to Episode 232 of the Success in Business Podcast. We are here for you every Monday to teach you about success in business and today is no different, except that our host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles want to start off by wishing you a Happy Halloween! We hope you have a fun, safe and spooky day!

Next thing, be sure to tune in to listen to these recent episodes for a little more background to today’s episode:

Episode 218 – See Risk Like an Investor, Part 1
Episode 219 – See Risk Like an Investor, Part 2
Episode 220 – See Risk Like an Investor, Part 3

Understand that the investors are looking at 10 other deals and they will make their decision very objectively. It will come down to your ability to execute.

Thanks for listening!


Tweet Tom at: @TomRyanAVL

Do you have a question about your business? Tom would love to help you:

Leave a voicemail: (801) 228-0663

E-mail your questions: SuccessInBusinessPodcast@gmail.com

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Follow this podcast on Twitter: @TomRyanSIBP

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Ep. 231 – 12 Questions Every Investment Pitch Deck Must Answer – Part 4 of 4

SIBP-Blog-NEW-4 Welcome to Episode 231 of the Success in Business Podcast. Today your host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles wrap up the list of 12 questions you’ve got to be ready to answer when meeting with an investor.

10. Is your team able to get it done?

It is critical that you can prove that you have assembled an incredible team. Even if it is a small team, that’s OK. It just can’t be you alone. At this point you need to have valuable people on your team.

11. How much money can you make in the next 3 to 5 years?

Investors’ business model is typically to invest and then liquidate in 3-5 years. They want to know that you can do that for them in that short amount of time.

12. How much money are you seeking, and what will you accomplish with it?

Now you need to “read” the flow of the conversation and get ready to ask a direct or semi-direct question. Are they still sitting back with their arms folded or do you have them leaning forward in their seat? Tom reminds us that you need to have a little swagger! Be confident that you are worth the risk!

Thanks for listening!


Tweet Tom at: @TomRyanAVL

Do you have a question about your business? Tom would love to help you:

Leave a voicemail: (801) 228-0663

E-mail your questions: SuccessInBusinessPodcast@gmail.com

Like this podcast on Facebook

Follow this podcast on Twitter: @TomRyanSIBP

Get every episode free: Subscribe in iTunes

Ep. 230 – 12 Questions Every Investment Pitch Deck Must Answer – Part 3 of 4

SIBP-Blog-NEW-4 Welcome to Episode 230 of the Success in Business Podcast. Today your host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles continue discussing the kind of thorough preparation you must do before meeting with an investor. There are 12 questions every investment pitch deck must answer. We’ll break this into 4 parts. Today, in part three, we cover questions seven through nine:

7. What success or traction have you achieved so far?
Great idea vs. great business model = how receptive the Market is.

8. Who do you need to beat, and how beatable are they?

9. How will you scale the business?

Thanks for listening!


Tweet Tom at: @TomRyanAVL

Do you have a question about your business? Tom would love to help you:

Leave a voicemail: (801) 228-0663

E-mail your questions: SuccessInBusinessPodcast@gmail.com

Like this podcast on Facebook

Follow this podcast on Twitter: @TomRyanSIBP

Get every episode free: Subscribe in iTunes

Ep. 229 – 12 Questions Every Investment Pitch Deck Must Answer – Part 2 of 4

SIBP-Blog-NEW-4 Welcome to Episode 229 of the Success in Business Podcast. Today your host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles continue discussing the kind of thorough preparation you must do before meeting with an investor. There are 12 questions every investment pitch deck must answer. We’ll break this into 4 parts. Today, in part two, we cover questions four through six:

4. What’s so special about your offering? This is a unique opportunity for you to prove that you have something innovative to bring to the table.

5. How do they make money? The investor is looking to make money. This isn’t a philanthropic venture for them. Basically, you have to remove all doubt that there is a real problem here for you to remedy. How is the investor going to make money?

6. How many customers will you reach, and how can you reach them? (How big is big?) OK, show them your traction. Show them who your customers are and how you find them.

Thanks for listening!


Tweet Tom at: @TomRyanAVL

Do you have a question about your business? Tom would love to help you:

Leave a voicemail: (801) 228-0663

E-mail your questions: SuccessInBusinessPodcast@gmail.com

Like this podcast on Facebook

Follow this podcast on Twitter: @TomRyanSIBP

Get every episode free: Subscribe in iTunes

Ep. 228 – 12 Questions Every Investment Pitch Deck Must Answer – Part 1 of 4

SIBP-Blog-NEW-4 Welcome to Episode 228 of the Success in Business Podcast where your host Tom Ryan and producer Jason Pyles are getting the band back together with a great discussion on preparing to answer questions from investors! There are 12 questions every investment pitch deck must answer. We’ll break this into 4 parts. Today, in part one, we cover the first three questions:

1. What’s the big thing that you do for your customers? Meaning, what is your impact on the world and do your company’s name and tagline communicate it clearly? Here’s a great terrible example of a completely imaginary company right off the top of Jason’s head: “HydraDex – Because you shouldn’t have to.” What does this mean to you? It probably means nothing! Be sure to keep right on the forefront what you do for your customers.

2. What’s not easy for your customers to do today that you can fix? This is where you tell what you can do to improve the current market conditions.

3. How will you make your customers’ lives better? And, this is where you tell HOW.

Thanks for listening!


Tweet Tom at: @TomRyanAVL

Do you have a question about your business? Tom would love to help you:

Leave a voicemail: (801) 228-0663

E-mail your questions: SuccessInBusinessPodcast@gmail.com

Like this podcast on Facebook

Follow this podcast on Twitter: @TomRyanSIBP

Get every episode free: Subscribe in iTunes