Why Serious Entrepreneurs Invest in Their Success (and Why I Expect Them To)

I strongly believe that in any professional relationship, we all want to feel valued for our skills, time, work ethic and dedication to successfully complete whatever the task we been set. No one wants to feel undervalued or taken for granted. But as upstanding individuals with integrity we strive to be productive, impactful, and compensated fairly for what we bring to the table, right? That is why in my experience, when it comes to engaging with others, showing appreciation for their expertise and commitment is a reflection of our own values.?

In my opinion, entrepreneurs who respect and recognise this are the ones who understand that meaningful success starts with mutual respect, ensuring that everyone involved feels valued and therefor inspired to give their best. That is why I belief when we approach funding partnerships with this mindset, we attract opportunities where respect, commitment, and true results are possible.?

As such finding funding for startups and scale-ups, is for me about more than just capital. It's about building partnerships based on trust, commitment, and a shared vision for success. As a commission only consultant, my role is to connect driven entrepreneurs with agents, brokers and investors who believe in their potential.

During my career I’ve come across many entrepreneurs who are excited to raise capital but, hesitate when it comes to committing an engagement fee. Here’s the reality in my opinion: an engagement fee isn’t just about compensating time or covering initial expenses; it’s a sign of commitment. It shows that the founder is genuinely invested in their venture, willing to put “skin in the game,” and is prepared to engage in the funding process.

As much as I want to see founders succeed, working on pure “hope” alone is neither sustainable nor productive. If an entrepreneur can’t cover an engagement fee, in my experience it raises concerns about their ability to follow through on bigger commitments, and Investors are not in the business of funding risk-takers, without a stake. They’re seeking smart partners with a vested interest in the outcome?

As an agent representing the entrepreneur this comes with a crucial first step: an engagement fee. Which allows me to dive deep into understanding the business, developing a tailored approach to attract brokers and or investors who are a perfect fit. Without that initial commitment, we lack a genuine partnership foundation.

For me the life lesson I learned here is simple: value the time, expertise, and relationships that others have invested to bring you closer to success. A well connected consultant accelerates your path to capital by bringing trusted connections and know how that would otherwise take you years to establish. Thus, investing in those who are invested in you is one of the smartest decisions you can make. That is why I believe that when, we recognise the value in others time and expertise, we move closer to our goals and often faster than we’d ever achieve alone.