The Secret is: Get in the Game
It’s 3:30am, and I’m inspired. Yes, I’m tired but I’ve had the most amazing experience. I’ve been here at South by Southwest, talking to lots of amazing people, who want to create change. They’ve been anywhere from non-profits, to Tech-Girl geniuses, founders of movements and businesses, and angel investors.
Tonight, at the Reverse VC Pitch Party, I got an interesting insight into the world of investing from a couple of people who were generous enough to share their time and experience with me. The insights were many, but I’m just going to touch one this one, before I hit the hay.
Beyond learning the difference between working with an Angel Investor and a Venture Capitalist (did you know there was a difference? I didn’t!) I heard clearly, the value of simply getting in the game. But when it comes to jumping in, these Angels get to see a lot of people come in with ideas, and widgets, designs and products, but they’re mostly giving money to men. Why? Because that’s whose showing up. From what they’ve seen, men who are inclined to be entrepreneurial, seem more comfortable with just jumping in the game, and staying in the game (whether or not they’re an expert in their subject yet). Women never even made it to the meeting, because they kept working hard to be an expert at it, before making an appointment. Considering this insight, I suddenly noticed the men/women ratio in the room – the men FAR outnumbered the women here, and I didn’t think it was just because we’re at SxSW.
Honestly, I’m not surprised. Speaking, as a woman, it took me a lot of courage to just start asking the questions, and admitting I wasn’t the perfect overnight expert entrepreneur, straight out of the shoot. I thought I needed to be an expert in all aspects of my business, before I could start looking for collaborators. But that’s not how it works. You can’t start building the team, until you start playing the game. You don’t have to know all the answers now. Part of the process is finding the answers. There is power in being able to say “I don’t know” because the people who are looking to support, invest, or contribute to you, are going to respect you for not BSing them. If what they’re looking to offer is something you need, telling someone you’ve got everything covered (when you don’t) isn’t going to get you the team you’re looking for.
Funny how that works…
Kaye Porter
Relationship and Communication
Coaching & Consulting
