Judy Leung’s Post

I always wanted to build something of my own. However, right after college, I was working at KPMG, stuck in the corporate world. But it took me just a year to realise that my true motivation came from solving real problems and making a tangible impact through my own venture. Growing up, I had also seen my father and grandfather build their businesses, finding success and joy in their work.  Their journey inspired me to take the leap of quitting my job to start my own company. The initial years were the most difficult for us. Making our first lakh was a challenge in itself. We struggled to find customers and faced rejection from Y Combinator not once, but thrice, before finally securing funding from them. If this wasn’t enough, the pandemic made things more complex, forcing us to cut salaries just to keep the lights on. Somehow we managed to stay persistent. Things changed when we found the right product-market fit and so we decided to keep at it, and in just a year we were able to scale it to over $1 million in ARR. This is also when I focused on founder led sales, and created content about our product, our customers, and the problems we were solving. This approach worked really well for us, drawing attention and building credibility. By consistently improving our product to better meet customer needs, we found that nothing accelerates growth more effectively than simply making your product better. Today, I can proudly say that after years of consistent efforts, my current startup is growing and the early years have made us stronger than ever before. I have always been excited to solve real problems and try new things head. Comment below what pushed you to start your own business? #entrepreneur

Some VCs will not like the advice I’m about to give founders because it makes their job harder. But there are two small things so few founders do that I think are super valuable. 1) At the start of a meeting with a VC, ask them what concerns or big questions they’re coming to the meeting with based on what they know about the business so far. 2) At the end of your meeting, ask what the VC is thinking about the business based on your conversation. It puts the VC on the spot in both cases, but it’s helpful for a founder in the following ways: It helps you see how prepared and thoughtful that VC is. If they didn’t even read your deck and/or know little about your space, you’ll know immediately. It helps give you a sense of where to focus the conversation based on any early concerns they say they have coming into the meeting. It will also give you a better read on VC biases against your category or business model. This is a big one: You’ll likely get more honest feedback by asking for their thoughts live rather than waiting for their follow-up email. By getting more honest feedback, you can better craft your future pitches. What not to do: If the VC raises something that concerns them towards the end of the meeting, don’t take up more of their time to address it on the spot. Only address that particular feedback live if there’s time. Otherwise, you can send a short (SHORT!) email after the fact addressing that point or just take it on board for future conversations. I hope this helps. Let me know in the comments if you have tried this yourself. I share more of my writing about VC and startups here: https://lnkd.in/ggrz6rJS

🌟 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 🤔 Wondering how to propel your business forward? Capital raising is key! 💸 But navigating this process can be daunting without the right approach. 🔍 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: There are practical avenues to explore: 1️⃣ 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬: Seek investors who specialize in funding startups. 2️⃣ 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: Look for individuals interested in supporting early-stage businesses. 3️⃣ 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬: Consider traditional financing options tailored to your business needs. 4️⃣ 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬: Engage communities to fund your project. 💡 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬: Imagine a small startup needing funds to expand operations. By strategically approaching investors and crafting a compelling business plan, they secured the capital needed to grow exponentially! 📈 📝 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬: 𝟏. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡: Clearly articulate your business model, market opportunity, and financial projections. 𝟐. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲: Build relationships with potential investors through industry events, referrals, and networking platforms. 𝟑. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬: Demonstrate traction and milestones achieved to instill confidence in investors. 🌱 Mindset for Success: Embrace the process of fundraising as an opportunity to strengthen your business strategy and resilience. 💬 Join the Discussion: Share your experiences or questions below 👇 or connect to explore practical strategies for raising capital. Let's achieve tangible growth together! 🚀 #BusinessGrowth #CapitalRaising #Entrepreneurship ------------------------------------------------------------- 🔮Seek insights at our CFO Academy!💡https://rb.gy/hty9ai 🔬 Discover strategies at our Business Lab.📈https://rb.gy/0mx2k0

Monday Poll Result: MYTH: Unicorn founders previously worked at top #consulting firms, top 5 tech companies, or bulge bracket banks. REALITY: Only 20 percent of #founders worked for an elite employer defined here as Big Three consulting, Big Five tech, or bulge bracket banks. So what do they have in common? The reality is the vast majority of top unicorn founders have previous #entrepreneurial experience. 80% of the founders in this study either worked for another entrepreneurial business or founded another enterprise prior to launching their top-valued unicorn company. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/e_ppkCis

A business doesn't need investors JUST for the money. Raising funding goes beyond a financial backup. Let me share a bit of our journey at BabyOrgano. For the first two years, we bootstrapped our way through, pouring our hearts and savings into the business. It was challenging, but it taught us invaluable lessons about resource management and prioritization. In our third year, we made the decision to seek external funding. But here's the thing - it wasn't just about seeking financial backup. We were looking for more than a financial cushion. We wanted partners who could help us scale, navigate challenges, and open doors we didn't even know existed. This experience taught me that funding is about so much more than money. Here's why- 1. Market insight: Investors have a bird's-eye view of market trends and customer behavior. They can help you see the bigger picture and spot opportunities you might miss. 2. Network access: Need to connect with a key decision-maker at a big company? Investors often have the right contacts to open doors for partnerships or sales. 3. Fresh perspective: Sometimes, you're too close to your own business to see things clearly. Investors can offer an outsider's view on your marketing, sales, or product strategy. 4. Brand boost: Beyond advice, investors might offer PR opportunities. Speaking at events, or getting mentioned in their posts can increase your visibility. 5. Product development: Experienced investors, especially those who've built startups, can provide valuable input on your MVP and product roadmap. The right investors bring more than money to the table. They're partners who can help shape your company's future. When seeking funding, look beyond the financial aspect and consider how potential investors can contribute to your overall growth and success. What's your take? Have you experienced unexpected benefits from investors? #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #BabyOrgano #FundingStrategy #Bootstrapping

“If I keep asking for introductions, it makes me look needy.” If you too feel this way about seeking introductions from existing connections, this post is for you. You are not alone. A lot of early-stage founders feel the same. But, it is an important aspect in the quest of fundraising. Many founders come to me looking for an introduction with investors and industry experts. Here are the things you should avoid when reaching out: 1. Not doing your homework Before reaching out, research potential investors and find common ground. Genuine interest in their work lays the foundation for meaningful connection. 2. Complicating your message When you reach out, be clear and concise. Explain why you're reaching out, your admiration for their work, and how your startup aligns with their interests. 3. Choosing the wrong time to reach out Be mindful of timing. If they're currently engaged in a project or have a busy schedule, respect that. 4. Being disrespectful of their time Acknowledge the value of their time. Express your gratitude for any assistance and assure them that you understand the demands on their schedule. 5. Positioning the request as an introduction Position the request as a potential collaboration. Emphasise shared goals and how the investor's insights could contribute to your collective success. 6. Not following up or too much If the introduction happens, express your gratitude. If not, graciously follow up, expressing your understanding of their commitments and expressing hope for a future connection. Remember, seeking introductions is about building relationships, not transactional needs. Approach it with authenticity, respect, and a genuine interest in collaboration. Follow me for valuable insights on #duediligence, #entrepreneurship, #mergersandacquisitions, #valuation, and #venturecapital. 🔍 Click https://thevallaris.com to get in touch on raising venture capital and scaling businesses. 🤝 Make Your Move™. Siong Yoong VALLARIS

💡 Not all advice is good advice! 💡 As a scrappy founder, you've probably come across a lot of mainstream advice that just doesn't feel right for your business. The truth is, sometimes the best thing you can do is trust your gut and stick to your lean approach. 🚀 Yesterday, we caught up with a friend who built an amazing AI-diagnostics company from the ground up. She didn’t raise any capital until they were generating significant revenue and even then it was a small amount. Eventually, she sold the company to a strategic buyer and had a phenomenal exit for herself and her early investors. Her journey inspired this post and reminded me of the power of staying true to your approach. Here are a few common pieces of advice that should raise some red flags: 🚩 "Raise as much as you can" 🚩 "Hire fast, scale fast" 🚩 "Spend big on marketing" 🚩 "Focus on hypergrowth over profitability" Efficiency, smart scaling, and thoughtful decision-making are your biggest assets. You don’t need to follow the hype to succeed. 🧠 Founders: what advice have you ignored that made all the difference? Let’s discuss! https://lnkd.in/gCaRBbdv #Startups #Entrepreneurship #LeanStartup #FounderLife #TrustYourInstincts #VC #BusinessGrowth #Profitability #ScrappyFounder

✨ Empowering Creative Innovators: Bridging the Gap to Success ✨ 🚀  We created Cre8tive Capital because we saw a gap in the tech startup industry—brilliant ideas and passionate entrepreneurs often struggle to find the right support to reach their full potential. Our mission is to bridge that gap by providing expert guidance, strategic planning, and insightful analysis to help your business thrive. At Cre8tive Capital, we believe in empowering the next generation of creative innovators. Leveraging our pillars of social, intellectual, financial, and human capital, we elevate businesses to new heights. Our unique approach involves partnering closely with your team, bringing a personal touch to help you grow. Here's How We Help: 🔑 Analysis - We dive deep into your financials, conducting comprehensive financial modeling and valuation to showcase your business’s viability. By analyzing your financial accounting, sales, and marketing data, we help optimize your processes, 🔑 Strategic Planning - We work with you to develop robust business models and go-to-market strategies. Our team creates strategic roadmaps and monitors key performance indicators to ensure that your plans are executed flawlessly, driving your business transformation and growth. 🔑 Business Development - We identify market needs and opportunities through competitive intelligence, including market sizing, customer analysis, and white space analysis. Our expertise in technology evaluation and innovation helps you stay ahead of the curve, exploring new market adjacencies and driving growth. At Cre8tive Capital, we’re not just about providing consulting services. We’re about helping your business find the right strategies and solutions to achieve long-term success and resilience, as partners, and making sure your startup is in the best possible position to succeed and raise money from seed or series rounds. Ready to take your startup to the next level and learn more? Schedule a FREE 30-minute business consultation with us today! https://lnkd.in/gxwVBPCY Check out our website for more information! Cre8tiveCapital.com #ConsultingExcellence #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #StrategicPlanning #BusinessDevelopment #Analysis #Entrepreneurship #Cre8tiveCapital #EmpowerYourBusiness

Listen here - if someone tells me to do something 100x you can bet your bottom dollar I'm probably not going to do it. When I started the accelerator, my gut said - no, don't take equity - do cash. Provide your skillsets and help founders learn. And when I talked to my mentors and entrepreneurs I looked up to, they all said - take equity because you will strike gold eventually. And I said, yeah.... but no. That's the whole problem right now with access. Women who don't have a technical background or haven't been in the space simply don't know what they don't know. They're coming in thinking they can take their idea straight to a pitch deck and then apply to some investment funds or accelerators. And then when they find out no, that's not how it works, they go to find someone that can build it for them for "free," AKA for equity. And when they find that person, they dilute themselves, get into bad business relationships, and often have to start all over again. ACCESS to the knowledge of what to do at the idea stage is not readily available. And not only that, no one is sitting with them telling them what to do or how to do it and supporting them in the process. So you could say the accelerator I run is a bit unconventional from a business model, but you know how I know it's a good model? Every single time I talk to a woman about the model, they light up. They are so thrilled that they can learn without giving away their potential future. They tell me how refreshing it is to see a model like this because it simply doesn't exist. And guess what, people are paying for the accelerator. So not only are they telling me they like it, but they are also investing in it. So let this be a lesson: not everyone knows what's best for your business. And yeah, I probably will miss out on millions by doing this process, but you know what... if we aren't the change we want to see, then who will be? It's on us to make the difference. 

Starting a business from scratch is an exhilarating journey, filled with dreams, ambitions, and challenges. As someone who bootstrapped my recruitment company, from the ground up, I’ve experienced firsthand the critical importance of managing finances carefully. Here’s my story and some advice for fellow startup founders. When I started my entrepreneurial journey, I came from humble beginnings. With limited resources, I knew that every financial decision would significantly impact the future of my company. Here’s how I managed to navigate the financial landscape and grow Creatigrity Technology into a successful venture: ☑ Prioritize Essential Expenses: In the early stages, it’s crucial to differentiate between needs and wants. Invest in essentials that directly contribute to the growth and sustainability of your business. For Creatigrity Technology, that meant focusing on hiring the right talent and building a robust infrastructure. ☑ Keep a Close Eye on Cash Flow: Regularly monitoring cash flow is vital. Understand where your money is coming from and where it’s going. This practice helped me identify potential financial bottlenecks early and take corrective measures before they became major issues. ☑ Leverage Technology: Utilize financial management tools to streamline your accounting processes. These tools can provide valuable insights into your financial health and help you make informed decisions. At Creatigrity, adopting such tools was a game-changer in maintaining financial discipline. ☑ Seek Expert Advice: Don’t hesitate to consult with financial advisors or mentors. Their expertise can provide you with strategies to optimize your finances and avoid common pitfalls. I benefitted immensely from the guidance of seasoned professionals who shared their wisdom and experience. ☑ Plan for Contingencies: Always have a financial buffer for unforeseen circumstances. Whether it’s an unexpected expense or a downturn in revenue, having a contingency plan can ensure your business remains resilient. ☑ Reinvest in Your Business: As your startup begins to generate revenue, consider reinvesting a portion of it back into the business. This can accelerate growth and help you scale efficiently. At Creatigrity, reinvestment has been a key driver of our sustained success. Remember, careful financial management is the backbone of a successful startup. By being prudent, strategic, and proactive with your finances, you can navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and steer your company towards long-term success. Wishing all startup founders the best on their journey! #StartupTips #FinancialManagement #Entrepreneurship #CreatigrityTechnology #PramodRajShukla #BootstrappingSuccess