It had been weeks of preparation, countless sleepless nights, and more cups of coffee than I could count, but I finally had a business plan that I was proud of. I'd spent hours refining the concept, figuring out the logistics, and putting together a pitch that I thought would knock the socks off any potential investor. The idea was solid: a platform that streamlined the way freelancers in the service industry connected with clients, cutting through the noise and inefficiencies that bogged down existing platforms.
Today was the day. I was heading to Business Square, one of LA's most well-known hubs for startups and investors to connect. If you wanted funding, this was the place to be.
I walked into the conference room, my pitch deck loaded up on my tablet, my nerves buzzing. I had three meetings lined up with potential investors, and I had rehearsed the pitch in my head so many times that I could probably give it in my sleep. My goal was simple: secure enough capital to get the platform off the ground and start building the MVP (Minimum Viable Product). I felt ready—maybe even a little cocky.
The first meeting was with Jonathan, a middle-aged investor with a reputation for backing tech startups. He had a slick look about him—sharp suit, expensive watch, the kind of guy who probably made a hundred decisions before lunch. As I stood in front of him, I ran through my pitch with all the enthusiasm and confidence I could muster.
"And that's where we come in," I said, finishing the presentation with a flourish. "We streamline the process, making it easier for freelancers and clients to connect, cutting down time, and increasing efficiency for both sides."
Jonathan sat there, nodding slowly, his fingers tapping on the table as he glanced through my proposal. I waited, feeling my heartbeat in my throat.
Finally, he looked up at me, raising an eyebrow. "It's an interesting idea," he began, his voice measured. "But... I don't see how this is any different from what's already out there. There are dozens of platforms doing exactly what you're talking about. What makes yours stand out?"
I had anticipated this question. I had rehearsed my answer a thousand times. "What sets us apart is the simplicity and focus on the user experience. Other platforms are bloated, trying to do too many things at once. We're laser-focused on connecting freelancers and clients without all the extra noise. We're cutting down the process, making it faster and more efficient."
Jonathan nodded again, but I could tell by the way he shifted in his seat that he wasn't convinced. "Yeah, I hear you, but the market's already saturated. I'm not sure this is going to be a big enough differentiator to stand out."
I tried to keep my frustration in check. "I get that the market's crowded, but we've identified a gap—there's room for something that's more user-friendly, more streamlined. The current platforms are focused on too many things at once. We're going to specialize."
Jonathan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Specialization is great, but I just don't see the numbers here. Where's the proof that people want this? Have you run any tests? Gotten any early user feedback?"
I opened my mouth, ready to respond, but he held up a hand. "Look, Tristan, I appreciate the pitch, but it's just not enough for me. I need to see more—proof of concept, traction, something tangible. Come back when you've got that."
I clenched my jaw, nodding tightly. "Right. Thanks for your time."
I walked out of that meeting feeling deflated, but I shook it off. One investor down, two more to go. I could still turn this around.
***
The second meeting wasn't much better. This time, it was with a couple of younger investors, Emily and Raj, who specialized in early-stage startups. I gave them the same pitch, explaining how the platform would revolutionize the way freelancers connected with clients, simplifying the process and making it more efficient.
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Sugar sugar baby
RomanceIt all started at internship at Reeds Estate. Tristan, 22, senior university student becomes the assistant of Vanessa Reed, billionaire, and heiress of a multibillionaire family business. Vanessa was hot, sexy, caring, the dream milf as some guys wo...