Did anyone have "government confirming aliens" on their Wednesday's bingo card? The jokes practically write themselves! From now on, I'm blaming all life's hiccups on extraterrestrial intervention. Running late? Aliens love traffic. Bank account acting up? You guessed it, aliens. My wife asks how I forgot a chore? Clearly aliens. But jokes aside, how is this is real life?
On a more serious note, an interesting perspective on capital caught my eye last night. A founder, when asked about raising capital, replied, "I'm not raising capital. I'm interviewing VC's." This profound shift in mindset has completely altered my perception of capital. Investors are actually at the mercy of those seeking funds. Yes, as founders, we need capital, but there are only so many promising companies out there. VC’s don’t make gains without investing. They should be fiercely competing for the top choices, similar to how college coaches vie for the best recruits.
In capitalism, relationships and leverage are pivotal. Raising capital is no different. Changing my approach to capital has also led me to reevaluate the concept of value. True value lies in growing a business, not just in securing the funding. Therefore, founders should be interviewing VC's because they will become our partners. What resources do they bring to the table? How will they support our success? What's their track record with other founders? Don't settle for a VC solely based on the depth of their pocketbook. Think about the depth of there conviction to see you succeed.
Amidst these reflections, I've noticed a shifting business landscape. Blackrock is poised to launch a Bitcoin ETF, the Supreme Court's ruling on Ripple propels XRP forward, and the federal government releases FedNow, their instant payment service. It's evident that the banking and finance world is undergoing a seismic and generational transformation. Major players are positioning themselves, and by the time the public catches on, the money will have already been made.
The rich aren't wealthier just because they're smarter. It's their access to information that drives their fortunes. It's those in the lower and middle class who learn how to acquire and, most importantly, USE information that ascend the socioeconomic ladder. With Day 3 behind me, I'm setting my sights on Day 4 with a focus on production. Are you consciously choosing to improve every day? Stay ready, so you don't have to get ready. Remember, the play doesn't care who makes it.