Need money? Of course you do! The only start-up or growing entrepreneurs who don't need money are those not yet born! Money is the grease for the wheels of entrepreneurism, and if you don't have it or can't get it, forget it! So let's investigate the money 'Angels' among us who DO have money and, for a price, are willing to part with some to help you make your dream come true.

BUT I WILL HAVE TO GIVE UP EQUITY!!!
Selling out. That's what some call it. Selling part of your business for the money to start or expand your business seems like a terrible thing to do, but it could be your best alternative to personal capital.

There's a group of people out there in the world, people with money, people some call 'Angels'. These people want more, more, and more money! They are willing to allocate some of their present fortune to your project, but only if you sign over 30% to 49% of your business to them. They're betting that out of the dozens of entrepreneurs they finance, one or two will provide them with the added fortune they desire.

"Never!" you say. "It's my idea, and I don't want to share it with anyone else." Okay, if that's your attitude, you probably won't get the money, and it's possible your dream of a business won't come true.

Stop and think for a moment . . ., what on earth would these angels do with your business? They are looking for money, not businesses to run. If you are successful, there is always the opportunity to buy-out an angel's interest and reclaim 100% of your business. It'll cost you an arm and a leg, but you can do it.

If you're not successful, you've used an angel's money, not your own, and if your relationship with the angel has been good, you just may get funding for another idea!

HOW TO FIND AN ANGEL
The easiest way to find an angel is to advertise. Put a simple ad in your local general paper, the regional legal paper, and in local magazines business people read. Your ad could read: "Wanted, investors willing to accept equity as security. Call John at . . ."

The second easiest way to find an angel is to get involved with a venture capital organization. Get on the Internet and search for terms like 'venture capital', 'investments', and 'start-up money'. You never know who's out there until you check it out.

PROVIDING THE NECESSARY FACTS
Most angels want facts, and lots of them. They want a Business Plan, so grit your teeth and get busy. I'd really suggest you use one of the many business plans available for your computer, but if you don't want to do that, here's a plan outline that that will satisfy the most demanding angel.

1. SUMMARY OF THE PLAN
   Write this section after you've finished the rest of your plan and include this document as a one or two page summary. Include the purpose of the plan, a description of your product or services (emphasize uniqueness), facts about your potential market, highlights of your sales and marketing plan, your management team and highlight of their skills, a financial projection for three years, how much money you will need, and how you intend to pay it back.

2. FACTS ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY
   Include a description of the industry you are entering, recent economic trends (use outside sources for this), any regulatory or legal challenges (and how you will handle them), and the current major players (competitors).

3. FACTS ABOUT YOUR FIRM
   Identify the current owners including yourself. Tell how your firm is structured, licensed and regulated.

4. IDENTIFY YOUR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES
   Tell how your products or services work (be sure to stress the benefits of your product, but don't ignore the risks), explain your marketing study, compare your offering with your competition, then talk about 'next generation' or 'follow-up' products.

5. THE MARKET
   Tell the size of your market, analyze the strengths & weaknesses of your competition (by name), identify the normal way to sell to the market, describe normal buying patterns, tell how your customers make buying decisions, talk about related market segments, write your five year goal.

6. MARKETING STRATEGY
   Show how your product meets the market needs, tell how you will distribute and sell your products and services, list all promotional, advertising and public relations strategies, describe your pricing policies and compare with competition, describe warranty, and describe your marketing research.

7. OPERATIONS
   Show timetable for milestones, specify key materials and supplies required, state goals for production, specify the various controls (accounting, cash handling, inventory, production), describe contingency procedures for unmet goals.

8. MANAGEMENT
   List skills needed to run the business along with who will do the work including: Detailing the compensation and incentives, providing the financial projection of cash flow, compiling income and balance statements along with business ratio comparisons with competition.

9. CAPITAL REQUIRED
   State the money you require and when you will require it. Show what the money will be used for, then tell how you will repay the money.Identify opportunities for ownership.

10. ADDITIONAL ITEMS
    Include photos, drawings, price lists, layouts, capital equipment lists, and similar items.

Will you be successful? Maybe yes, maybe no. Whatever you do, don't give up. Winners NEVER give up!