Leza Parker: I am okay with losing money. I am not okay with losing control.

Way before I was found or funded, I have been creating ideas and cracking ways on how to execute them. The first two years, I risked all my funds to learn the ropes of doing business. Back then in 2010 - 2012 when my company was still a small one - it makes sense to risk the profits to try various revenue generating strategies, because the losses would still be feasible to recover from. I wanted to run a company and had dreams that someday it will be hiring people and be substantial enough- so equipping myself with as many experiences & knowledge now is almost mandatory.

I started bootstrapping early.

In 2010, I kept my personal expenses low so 90% of my earnings act as capital to constantly roll over. I wake up each day with a mindset that I have zero dollars in my bank account, and how I needed to close a certain sales target to account for another productive day at work. And when I could not make any money on that day, I will not stop thinking and analysing what I did that day until I work out methods to get new businesses. This keeps my mind active at researching possibilities and alternatives I have yet to try.

Many times, I drained my corporate account to buy stock or invest in marketing in the week where salaries are due, so I learn how to stay vigilant and pro-active at finding new businesses. I was never lenient on myself. Each time I was comfortable, I let myself struggle again. While most people are asleep, I diligently studied my competitors, business trend, marketing strategies, case studies, and whatever resources I can read - five hours in a day, every day. (up till now)

I told myself at that time, if I wanted to try seeking private investments in the future - then I must learn the importance of investing other people funds in the right places as if they were my funds.

Though I had a great deal of record of failures (on purpose mostly), before the success that followed through - it was never luck that got me here. I entered entrepreneurship with the main intention to learn first, before making money. It is important that regardless failures or success - my winning is actually when I walk away learning something I did not know before. So each day, I would be better in what I do until one day, I'd be more capable of handling a larger corporation and managing people across countries - as I do today.

Those failures did not break my spirit. I asked for it. I created problems on purpose so I had the chance to create solutions. I do not want to get caught off guard of a foreign problem, so I expose myself to difficult situations early as possible to learn to fight my way through.

In 2011, my first funding was $75,000 from five private investors in several countries who had been reading my business blog for a year before. They funded my company, and that company grew supplying products to 54 stores in 9 countries. I went on to take more private investments and started many other smaller start ups, hire more people and expanded. Most of the years we did pretty well, and one year - we lost money. But regardless as a founder, I was not deprived of the opportunities to do what I always do - create. Because none of my investors were stopping or hindering me.

Because I own all of my shares despite the investments - I am a very happy entrepreneur. I was in control of the decisions I made for the business, and the direction I was steering this ship to go towards. I had to battle storms, and the wheels might turn but as long as I am in control and knowing I am in pursuit of the goals I had set for my business - I do not mind any of that.

I was lucky enough that when I sold 10% of my shares in 2016 - it was actually to a family office. They were flexible with how the funds are spend, and is interested to see the development of the global sites which are now all complete.

But if you asked me if I were to cash out more shares, I don't think that is my preference. It's easy to say - sell 30% and raise $1.5 million. You see, I am an entrepreneur. I want to be able to constantly create because for five years before this, I have eat, sleep and breathe this idea and over a thousand nights, I have imagined what it would be.

I have to be in control. I have to be able to make decisions to lead the company and its vision along with its people to where the goal is. I read articles on how VCs are stringent with how they want things done, or their network they insist you tap on, or changing the direction expecting the founder to follow. I spoke to a few VC friends as well with the protocols they have.

If I had wanted to work for people, I guess I would have done that right from the start. It does not matter whether your company takes in capital funding through investments, bank loans or sale of shares - as long as you remain in control to keep creating, trying, implementing, and innovating - that is fine.

Don't get me wrong, I love listening to feedbacks from my employees, business partners or customers. But at the end of the day, I would like to keep that freedom to create. Otherwise it defeats the real purpose of me being an entrepreneur when I can no longer do that.

If you would like to consider being our private investor, please feel free to read our deck here: https://lnkd.in/e-w-8B2

Hi I am Leza Parker. Aged 32, I have three children. I started a business from home some six years ago and currently the CEO of SC Beauty Network that operates in six countries with over 350 full time and contractual employees. I am also an angel investor having invested in small start ups in the baking, education, training, beauty and fashion industries. I have over 100,000 accumulative followers on social media and am dedicated to inspire thousands more through my Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and Facebook channels. I have published several books, appear in numerous media articles and I lecture in several universities to educate future entrepreneurs local and overseas. Two of my start ups are VC-funded and have expanded globally since.