Side note: While I haven't flown on Air Force One or been to the secret retreats of society's rich and famous, I have been around my share of influential leaders. I've discovered one thing they almost all have in common. They love a straight-up request. Don't hem and haw. Get to the point. What do you want? Spit it out, man!

If you're heading into a

Entrepreneurs should look at the fundraising process as a way to sharpen their thinking about their idea, their path, and their risks, and once they can clearly articulate the business and the vision, they will have an easier time persuading investors. It’s all about getting to a point where you as the founder are thinking with clarity about the pr

Raising money is incredibly distracting. Seeking funding is difficult and draining. It takes months of pitch meetings, legal maneuvering, contracts, etc. That’s an enormous distraction when you should really be focused on building something great.