An Entrepreneurs Commitment Is Key For Success

Your commitment is key! As an angel investor this is one of the main factors I look for in an entrepreneur before I even consider investing. To give this statement real meaning, let me share a story about commitment that changed my life. It still affects decisions I make almost every day. One day I was speaking at a CEO networking event and I met a gentleman who had recently retired from a multi-billion-dollar company where he ran a billion dollar division. We started talking about commitment and he shared with me that his division spent over a million dollars on a study about commitment. Needless to say I was floored that they would spend so much money on this subject. They did so to improve their company’s performance. In the study, they found that the more a person is committed to his project, the better the chance of his being successful. Even then it is still hard work and often a really tough journey. He explained that they came to the conclusion there were different levels of commitment. This was a very interesting discussion, and it got real sobering, real fast! Their study of these levels of commitment revealed that if YOU aren’t one hundred percent committed, then you really don’t stand much of a chance toĀ succeed. Here are the numbers as I remember them. They are quite sobering. • People who are 70% committed only have a 20% chance of success. • People who are 80% committed have a 40% chance of success. • People who are 90% committed have a 65% chance of success. • Peoplewhoare100%committedhave a 75% chance of success. I hope that everyone reading this will take this very seriously and really think about your ā€œlevelā€ of commitment. It takes commitment to your venture, your capital raising efforts, and your business. Every day since I had that conversation, whenever we are making decisions about starting a new company, investing in a company, starting a new division, a new marketing plan, or basically anything, I ask myself if I am one hundred percent committed to seeing this through. Will I have a ā€œnever give up, never quitā€ attitude? Will I allocate the proper time and resources to make this a reality? Am I one hundred percent committed to the success of my project? This thought process has saved me thousands of wasted hours and tens of thousands of dollars. Everyone who knows me knows that I am a never give up – tenacious – I’ll figure out a way – committed individual. The very minute you accept that first check from an investor, you must have a new commitment level, because you are taking someone else’s hard earned money to fulfill your dream. One of the things that I look for as a personal investor, the thing that all professional investors look for, is commitment. Investors must be able to see, hear, and feel commitment every time you mention the project. I can’t stress how important this is, and how important it is for you to make sure your investor prospects understand your commitment. When I was an investment banker, people would ask me to raise money for them. One of the first things I would ask is,Ā ā€œHow much of your own money have you invested in your company?ā€ This was a great question from which to gauge their commitment level. You better have a good answer when you are asked this question. I can promise that it will be asked. Now, if you have a great project and simply have not had any money to invest in your project, that’s okay. But if you have money and have not been willing to invest in your own project that screams a lack of commitment. I want to hear the words, ā€œI’ve invested every dime I have, mortgaged my house, spent my savings, and borrowed as much as I could on every credit card I have.ā€ That shows commitment. The next question I would ask is, ā€œHow much money have your friends and family invested?ā€ Of course most of the time the answer would be something like, ā€œOh Greg, I would never ask my friends and family to invest.ā€ Wrong answer! I know it can be a mental hang-up for some people to ask their friends and family to invest in their deal. They may feel uncomfortable doing it. But how can you possibly ask an investment banker, or anyone else for that matter, to invest in your deal if you’re not comfortable asking your own friends and family? Investors must see that you are one hundred percent committed. Having the courage to approach friends and family is one way of showing commitment and confidence in your project. Investors want to know that you are all in. They want to see that you have absolute faith in your own dream, faith in yourself. In order for people to invest in your deal, they must believe in what you are doing and in your vision. You want people’s support because of your absolute certainty that, when you are successful, they will make a lot of money. You want those who get behind you to feel good about supporting you. As long as they invest with a proper understanding of the risks versus rewards, it will be okay. You must go into this with absolute faith in your dream and your eventual success. This is the level of commitment that an investor looks for.

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John Reighard, Partner & EVP

John Reighard is a Partner at Angel Investors Network, where he leverages his expertise in business development, networking, and investor relations to help entrepreneurs secure funding and scale their businesses. With a passion for connecting people and ideas, John plays a pivotal role in fostering strategic partnerships and guiding business owners toward sustainable success. In addition to his work with Angel Investors Network, he also owns and operates two other small businesses.

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A Connector and Networking Extraordinaire, Business Coach/Consultant, and Inspirational Speaker, John is deeply committed to helping individuals and businesses achieve meaningful results. His mission is to empower entrepreneurs and leaders to create lasting impact through strategic growth, financial acumen, and powerful relationship-building.

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John has trained with, been mentored by, and provided consulting services to some of the world’s top thought leaders in personal development and business transformation, including Jack Canfield (America’s #1 Success Coach and Founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul), Stephen Covey, T. Harv Eker, Bob Proctor, Blair Singer, Robert Kiyosaki, Neil Rackham, Marcia Wieder, and Roger (Bud) Seith. These experiences have shaped his ability to guide clients through personal and professional growth, helping them unlock their full potential.

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Before joining Angel Investors Network, John took a sabbatical in 2002, living with his family in Norway, Portugal, and France—an enriching experience that followed 15 award-winning years in Silicon Valley. During his time in the tech industry, he worked for leading companies such as Lucent Technologies, Exodus Communications, Octel Communications, and Brady Corporation.

Meet Jeff Barnes

Jeff Barnes is a former US Navy Nuclear power plant operator on a Submarine, Navy diver, risk management director, technology enthusiast, business growth expert, advisor and management consultant. Mr. Barnes sits on the boards of startup companies, runs a venture fund, supports non-profits supporting military vets, and spends most of his time helping CEOs and founders of growing companies automate, systemize, and scale to 8 and 9-figure valuations.

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With over 20 years of technology, systems, operations, and marketing experience, Mr. Barnes has advised over 1,000 companies, invested tens of millions in advertising campaigns, and helped companies generate over $1 billion in investment capital.

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As the chairman of Angel Investors Network and founder of Digital Evolution Marketing Group, Mr. Barnes has worked with founders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs around the world to accelerate the growth of their businesses and achieve substantial exits. He’s a father, husband, veteran, business owner, advisor, and mentor, and his true passion in life his helping others achieve success, freedom, and autonomy in theirs.