Dan Vega Business Bits

Bite-sized bits of entrepreneurial education, interviews from Dan Vega and Tuesdays With Dan, and success principals that can be used in your business and personal life.

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Dan Vega, Professional Training & Coaching: The authoritative source of Dan Vega's personal information, links, and social activity.

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What is the profile needed to become VC?

Answer by Dan Vega:

Technically, you only need money; however, it is good to figure out how you will offset your risk. Some have developed a certain metric for a risk-reward ratio that is acceptable to them. Others only invest in the fields where they have an extensive knowledge personally. Also, you need to figure out what your terms will be. I work with other VC's that are willing to do a straight interest loan, permitted that other components are in place. Many VC's will do a straight equity stance. I typically will do a combination of the two. I am looking to provide a lower interest rate on a 120 month term, maybe 7-10% with a small equity stance of 15-19%. Owning more than 20% of a company creates another level of risk when it comes to taxes and liability.

What is the profile needed to become VC?

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Dan Vega Education Information

Covina High; graduated BBI for having successfully completed the Billionaire Business Coach Program level 1 and 2.

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Dan Vega Employment History

I specialize in helping existing companies maximize their profits while reducing their costs and overhead. This is done by an advanced restructuring system that analyzes many different factors of ones business, and identifies problems and pitfalls while helping them become profitable multi-million dollar enterprises. I am also considered an expert in assisting companies with securing funding. I have been connected with as many as 600 Private Equity Investors, Institutional Investors, Venture Capital Groups, and Angel Investors. Currently I host a weekly television talk show with an entrepreneurial format. It features a combination of entrepreneurs, celebrities, and human interest stories. Many viewers will be glad to know that that Tuesdays with Dan is now expanding nationally. The show airs on ABC in the Gulf Coast area covering South Mississippi, West Florida, and Alabama. Due to the shows growth and success, the networks have suggested a name change to allow a broader viewership and more opportunities. We will begin our sixth season under the name The Dan Vega Show starting in June of 2014. This expansion enables us to be in cities across the U.S.and air in over 40 million homes per week. We are set to go with this new expansion in June of 2014 and are very excited. Thanks to our fans for all their support." 

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Dan Vega, Professional Training & Coaching: The authoritative source of Dan Vega's personal information, links, and social activity.

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What does success mean to you?

Dan Vega  just now - Edit

If you could ask your favorite thought leader any question, who would you ask them? I actually have the opportunity to do this quite often. I am very interested to find out what a leaders definition of success is. This will obviously Give you some incite as to what drives them, but also will show you commonalities between all successful people. It's an eye opener!

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Is Speaking and Acting the Same Thing?

I believe that great actors master the art of being someone else. Great speakers master the art of being themselves. Although, an actor may lend their personality to a role, they are working off a manuscript. These are someones else's words, thoughts, perspective's, etc. Generally an effective Speaker will prefer to use an outline over a manuscript. This allows them to not only put their personality into it but to freely create. Another benefit the speaker has over the actor is the ability to read his/her audience. This will help the speaker adjust and adapt to the audiences needs, instead of just delivering the prepared information. With that being said, I do think it is good to use humor in your presentations. I must admit, I do one heck of a Christopher Walken impression. 

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What Is The Best Way To Secure Funding?

There are two options: Debt or Equity. 

Debt will demand a periodic payment, which puts pressure on you to generate revenues above the cost of capital in a timely manner. It also carry interest. 

  Equity is more flexible, but you may give up a hefty piece of ownership for it. It will require you to generate a profit at some point in time, for returns as agreed upon. 

  Attempting to raise equity will test your idea, and filter your emotional link to what you think is a great idea. This is something that is good for you and your team to think about regardless if you need capital at the present time. A good idea and proven management will attract capital from investors, or from customers, if the idea proves to add exceptional value for them.

  I think the most viable solution could lie somewhere between a debt and equity loan. I put deals together all the time, where the lender will provide a very reasonable term loan and in return require a small equity stance. The loan will usually be a 120 month term at two points above prime rate. In addition, I will give up 10 to 15% equity.

  In my experience, when you seek a straight term loan, you will pay much higher than two points above prime (4 to 5%). Also when you seek a straight equity loan they will gun for 30 to 50%. Can you say Shark Tank? 

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The Success Factor

Someone asked me the other day "what was one tip I could give to make an impact on a young entrepreneur?" Always remember separate your vision from your strategy! When moving forward to accomplish your vision, you will experience much pain and discomfort. When this happens most will start to second guess the vision. Instead recognize your strategy may need some work. Successful Entrepreneurs constantly refine, tweak, and move!

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Dan Vega and Les Brown

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Dan Vega with Brian Tracy

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I have found that most people have a very enchanted view of funding, especially during the start-up phase. When it comes to amounts needed, usage of funds, risk, etc., they are way off base. Since funding is the path with the lesser amount of resistance, it seems necessary. Most of this thinking stems from fear! Get more confidence in your plan, and know it well. Picking yourself up by the bootstraps and enduring the initial pain is still the best way to go!