When the going gets tough…

At Projects RH, we understand that the journey of companies and their leaders seeking funding is not always easy or fair. Getting an investor to part with their hard-earned money can be a much more challenging process than we expect. People do not always deliver on their promises, and legal enforcement of such commitments is difficult, time-consuming, and costly, with no guarantee of success. The loss of momentum cannot be ignored.

True entrepreneurs need to see setbacks as a part of their journey and deal with life on life’s terms[1].

Settlement this week and meeting Monday week

After slowly getting it closed, and after several months with our brave client, I was told settlement would be this week and that we should plan for a meeting with the investor’s representatives the following Monday. This saga was repeated several times until we all had to accept that the investor would not perform. We were disappointed as we were to attend the planning meeting to help set the future destiny of the company in line with the budgets and strategy we had co-authored.

Our client responded amazingly by saying that we should find a new investor. Our client is a deeply spiritual person who knows how to deal with both tragedy and delight. It was not that he was not surprised and unhappy, rather he knew that this was part of life’s journey and that we needed to “hop back on the horse” and continue.

He knew that, despite the setback and loss of time we needed to get back on the chase immediately.

…The tough get going

Most entrepreneurs who come to Projects RH have deep confidence in their project and themselves. They are positive and resourceful. The extra essence they need is the ability to deal with disappointment without losing perspective. They are keen to learn and improve for the next opportunity. Those who possess this gift will make it all the way. Invariably, these clients have life experience and can see things from a broader perspective.

I must admit, I looked at the packed bags in our family room, ready for our journey, and welcomed the message of staying together and keeping positive. When I picked up the phone to John Taylor Martin, Chairman of Pan Ocean Advisory Group in Hong Kong and explained the situation, I was a little surprised it was the third time. John had already commenced his journey and had spoken to three people when the first settlement did not occur. Of course, he had seen it all before and knew the client was not a shrinking violet.

We put the bags out of sight and got back on track to work with the client and the new leads introduced by Pan Ocean. It was critical to maintain momentum so that our client would continue to see their product as favorable for the community and profitable. The Projects RH team gathered and focused on making this client our immediate priority, even redirecting our marketing strategy to highlight the opportunity.

Insist, persist and never give up

This message is important for all entrepreneurs. It is especially crucial when they have been knocked down by an unexpected punch and need to gather themselves together, stand up, and lead. The client first called his family and then gathered his key team to meet with a new perspective investor and its team. They discussed a twin marketing strategy and the need to immediately raise further funds.

In that moment, I was reminded of my mother's favorite poem, "If" by Kipling.

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;…

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss; …

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run—

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Yours is a make-or-break scenario

For most of Projects RH's clients, getting an investment is a make-or-break decision point and confirmation of their journey. While the money is important, it is also an outward sign to the founder and the team that the journey has achieved its first goal.

Until the entrepreneur achieves close, they are on a journey looking for confirmation of their vision.

Don’t sit in the wallow. Have faith and continue!

This weekend I had to pick myself up and refocus. We attended mass at St Mary's Cathedral, a magnificent English-style building located across the park from the CBD, similar to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.

#St_Marys_Cathedral

#Aerial_View_Of_St_Marys_Cathedral

After church, we visited the Art Gallery of New South Wales for some inspiration. Breaking the cycle allowed us to return revitalized and prepared for the upcoming week.

#Paul_At_The_Art_Gallery-Of-New-South-Wales

(The photo is in the Contemporary Art Collection, and the sculpture represents "wings carrying opportunity.")

A healthy and resilient approach

At Projects RH, we work with great business leaders who we know are human beings. Others periodically add to their emotional stress levels, including the ones they love. Being entrepreneurs almost certainly means they believe in their business project and expect others to do so too. They also expect others to do as they promise.

We know our clients are reluctant but do understand that they need to "live life on life's terms." Most can deal with disappointment and are back as cheeky as ever within 24 hours. This ability to generate enthusiasm is the mark that will underwrite their future success.

As one client recently said to me, "If what we did was easy, everyone would be doing it.”

What advice would you give a young entrepreneur in order to deal with life on life´s terms and help them achieve success?

By Paul Raftery, CEO of Projects RH. We are happy to receive questions of comments at paulraftery@projectsrh.com

---------------------------------------------------

[1] The quote “We get stronger by dealing with life on life's terms. Creating positive thoughts through positive self-talk and affirmations have kept me ...” is widely attributed to Warren Buffet and 12 Step Programs. For me, it is a long term view on life which my mother taught me.