FINANCE FOR STARTUPS: EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURS TO LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL STARTUPS

Welcome to the Course titled Financial Foundations: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Launch Successful Startups. This is Premium Content from the venture called Finance for Startups. (http://finance4startups.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/albumart600_lowres-300x300.jpg) In this audio episode, we introduce the author and narrator of the course, Chris Benjamin, also known as The Rogue CFO. Chris delivers his background, his education, his employment in Corporate America in the world of Finance, and his experience with startups (as well as being a CFO). The following episodes will deal with the traits of an Entrepreneur, the Business Idea, Common Industries needing solutions, The Value Proposition, Monetizing the Business Idea and avoiding common pitfalls. Copyright (C) 2009-2013, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Course titled Financial Foundations: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Launch Successful Startups. This is Premium Content from the venture called Finance for Startups. (http://finance4startups.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/albumart600_lowres-300x300.jpg) These audio episodes from this Premium course is being delivered FREE to the listeners in our community. We described in the previous episode that we consider 2013 as the Year of Giving Back to our Community of listeners. . As you will hear in this audio episode, we discuss the course, as well as the services offered by Chris Benjamin (aka Rogue CFO), the author of the course. Then we describe the content in the course for each of the 13 to 14 modules of this Premium Content Seminar Course. You may ask:  How does this Premium Course differ from the Audio Book? Please be advised that the content from this Premium Course is different than the content of the Audio Book that is described in the menu selections on this site. The Audio book has 8 modules, but they are very high level, and they do not go into the detail provided in the Premium Course. You can listen to the audio episodes of the Premium Content Podcast Seminar Course from the audio player on this site; or you can download the episode with the link next to the audio player. Or, you may subscribe to this podcast show via iTunes(R). In this way, you can get every future episode of the course automatically at the moment that it is released. Note: the downloads from this site or from the iTunes subscription will only deliver the audio episode content from the Premium Content Course. If you would like to get ALL the content in addition to the audio episodes, then you can request a DVD (see below). __________________________________________________________________ How to obtain ALL the CONTENT of the course on DVD: These audio files will be published and available in sequence over time over the next several months. However, some people prefer to obtain ALL the episodes immediately and not have to wait to get the episodes on a weekly basis. In order to get the ENTIRE CONTENT (i.e., not merely the free audio files, but also the video files with screencasts and demonstrations, pdf documents, spreadsheets, templates, PPT slides, etc.) as soon as possible, you may obtain a DVD created on-demand with ALL THE COURSE CONTENT for just recovery price for the DVD that includes tax, shipping and handling, royalty payments and cost recovery. This will be only $20 dollars U.S. The DVD with all the content will be available in March, 2013. A detailed list of all the files of the DVD with all the course content is available as a pdf document at this link: List of all files with ALL THE COURSE CONTENT as a pdf document. If you would like to get the DVD with all the course content, then you may either send an email note with this request and any questions with your name and mailing address to: . finance4startups [@] gmail.com  (separated to prevent spam). . Or, if you want the DVD right away,  you can send a check or money order for $20 US dollars made out to MATRIX SOLUTIONS CORPORATION  to: Finance for Startups DVD 8650 Spicewood Springs Rd., 105-480 Austin, Texas 78759 . (NOTE: Be sure to include your name and mailing address and email address -- phone number is optional in case you want to be notified by phone. ALSO: There are no electronic payments or transactions for the DVD -- only via mail with check or money order made out to:  Matrix Solutions Corporation). After processing your order, you will receive an email notification that your order has been received and processed. After March 1st, you will receive a notice that the DVD has been created and sent to your mailing address. The email will also include the TRACKING NUMBER and tracking information, so you may track your shipment and be assured of its delivery.

How do you know what your best slide deck should be if you, as an Entrepreneur, are going to present to potential investors when you decide to get funding for your firm to grow your business? This episode of  the  Finance for Startups (http://www.finance4startups.com) podcast series delivers a repurposed episode by Chris Benjamin, the Rogue CFO, from his Podomatic Podcast series called "The Rogue CFO's Expert Guide to Launch a Startup." (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcastgain/Quality_presentations_for_investors.jpg) As an Entrepreneur looking for funding from investors, you may only have one chance to present to them in a brief, limited amount of time. Thus, you had better have the best set of slides (mainly done in MS PowerPoint (R)) to give to the investors exactly WHAT they want and communicated to them in the way that they need. You need to be effective in: - getting their attention; - giving them crisp and clear information about your firm, the market, the company management, its products and services, and the competition, and your financial status and projections; - delivering all the details of the growth of your firm and the revenues you expect as per your business plan and marketing plan; -  persuading them WHY they should take a risk and invest in your firm and provide you the funding you need; -  convincing them that you know what your business strategy, success strategy and financial exit strategy are. Since Chris Benjamin has been heavily involved for the past 15 years in the area of presenting to investors and getting funding for entrepreneurs, his real-world experience can be of value to you. As you will hear in this audio episode, Chris gets to the level of describing a recommended slide-by-slide approach for slide decks that has worked for Startups seeking funding. Copyright (c) 2012, Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. and Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

When Entrepreneurs pursue getting funding from Investors, there is a due diligence process that is performed by the potential investors on behalf of their stakeholders. However, many entrepreneurs are not aware of the extent of the detailed investigation and validation of every aspect of your business. (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcastgain/Due_diligence_collage.jpg) The Finance for Startups podcast series delivers a repurposed episode from Chris Benjamin, the Rogue CFO, from his Podomatic platform podcast series called "The Rogue CFO's Expert Guide to Launch a Startup." As you will hear in this audio episode, the due diligence goes beyond just checking on cash flow and revenue projections. The extent that investors dig in goes all the way from investigating the market and potential product or service feasibility, as well as competitive advantage and your management team as individuals. Being pro-active during this process is highly recommended. Verification, validation, proof, credit reports, background checks, legal liabilities -- these all march to the goal of reducing the risk of the Investor organization. Also, Chris recommends that you should do some due diligence on your own to investigate the investors. Copyright (c) 2012, Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. and Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Finance for Startups podcast series delivers not only interviews, but also web resources available to the small business owner to help that individual become a Successful Entrepreneur. For assistance with improving the financial health of your Entrepreneur firm, there are the BLUEPRINTS from the Rogue CFO, Chris Benjamin -- or, as he describes it, the web site that is "The Road to Success for Entrepreneurs." (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcastgain/Rogue_CFO_Blueprints_web_site_and_whitepapers.jpg) This is a repurposed episode from Chris Benjamin in his Podomatic platform podcast series called "The Rogue CFO's Expert Guide to Launch a Startup." In addition to 10 free whitepapers and other no-charge deliverables, Chris Benjamin also describes in this audio episode both the fee-based deliverables (e.g., online and web tools, audio and video files, and ebook training modules) in the area of financial health for Entrepreneurs. He also includes templates and other educational offerings. Chris Benjamin is also the subject-matter expert who delivers both the free audio-book modules, as well as the audio and video and screencast training in the 7-week online Premium Podcast education offering at Finance for Startups (at www.finance4startups.com) Copyright (c) 2012, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

[display_podcasts] For an Entrepreneur who has just launched a company, there are multiple stages with criteria that define a firm's growth, especially in relation to the top reason why small businesses fail--money and funding. In this podcast series of Finance for Startups, we deliver a repurposed podcast episode from Chris Benjamin, who is known as the Rogue CFO,  from the Podomatic platform podcast series called The Rogue CFO's Expert Guide to Launch a Startup. (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcastgain/Stages_of_Growth_for_a_Company.jpg) As you will hear in this audio episode, Chris Benjamin briefly steps us through the stages of a Startup's growth and how to recognize which stage you may be in--especially in raising capital. Chris also describes the main stage in which he assists startups during their growth. Copyright (c) 2012, Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. and Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

This repurposed episode was from a live presentation made originally for syndication from the podcast series The Struggling Entrepreneur to other series such as Entrepreneur Tools Online. It was delivered in August of 2011. There are some slides which you may follow. This discussion is about some online resources that can help your Startup get some revenue streams for your Startup from podcasting-- that is, including podcasts as part of your marketing plan and marketing tools within your business. This is especially true if they are complementary to your value proposition, your target audience "hot buttons" and your value which you deliver to your customers. (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcastgain/2011-Revenue-streams-by-podcasting-F4S26.jpg) For the pdf document with the slides to this presentation, please select the link here. (http://www.entrepreneurtoolsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pdfico.jpg) These multiple revenue streams span the spectrum from the very small and incidental ones (usually within 60 days) to the more consistent, timely and lucrative streams that take longer to create, nurture and mature. What is highlighted most in this audio podcast episode is that a podcast must be integrated as part of the marketing strategies in your business--and they must highlight the value proposition, as well as be integrated in all the marketing communications. They must also support the conversion of prospects to customers in whatever sales funnel model your business would support. They must be complementary with the social media plan, the media plan, the promotion plan, the marketing plan--which all should support the Business Plan for the firm. A key resource that you can get online is the book More Podcast Money by Dave Jackson (the entrepreneur who hosts several podcasts and has a membership site called The School of Podcasting. (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcastgain/More_podcast_Money_by_Dave_Jackson.jpg)This 82-page ebook shows you all the ways to create multiple revenue streams after creating a podcast series in the form of a show. Some of the other resources, web sites and links mentioned in this audio podcast are the following (and this is NOT all-inclusive): - Finance for Startups at www.finance4startups.com and www.premiumcast.com/finance4startups - Gain Control of Your Day at www.gaincontrolofyourday.com and www.premiumcast.com/gaincontrolofyourday - Entrepreneur Tools Online at www.entrepreneurtoolsonline.com - School of Podcasting at www.schoolofpodcasting.com - Chris Brogan Blog at www.chrisbrogan.com - No Agenda Podcast at www.noagenda.com - Jungle Warriors (audio narration of book) at www.premiumcast.com/junglewarriors -  CasaBlanca to VE-Day: A Paratrooper's Memoirs (audio narration of book) at www.premiumcast.com/a-paratroopers-memoirs - Meetup facility at www.meetup.com - Entrepreneur Edge webinars and courses at www.themarketingspot.com Copyright (c) 2011, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Finance for Startups, we deliver to you a brief book review by Chris Benjamin, the Rogue CFO, in the form of a repurposed episode from his podcast on Podomatic called Expert Guide to Launching a Startup. (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcastgain/SE145-_BookReview_by_ChrisBenjamin.jpg) This short episode reviews the book by Cynthia Kocialski titled STARTUP from the Ground Up. Chris describes the insights that he feels are of value for the entrepreneur who has a startup -- or is aspiring to create a startup. Topics range from evaluating if you are really an entrepreneur and have what it takes to make a successful transition, all the way to planning and to promotionand to investors--especially funding your small business (including your revenue model, which Chris Benjamin describes). We will be on the lookout for an upcoming interview with the author and we will let you know about the details of this discussion. Thank you. Copyright (c) 2011, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Finance for Startups, we deliver a repurposed podcast from The Struggling Entrepreneur Podcast series. Here, we announce the availability of a holiday time-frame program that contains enhancements to the education and training programs for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs. Yes, with the economy recovering from recession and the small business owner hit hard by customers possibly delaying their purchases from entrepreneur-based businesses, we have received feedback from our listeners to hold a type of “holiday-special” offering for these educational offerings in the forms of premium content podcast training courses. So, in the spirit of delivering incentives for those who want to start the new year with the right training, we are announcing a temporary offer with special pricing for the seminar courses  from December 20, 2010 until January 15, 2011. You will hear all the details in the audio episode of this podcast. For those of you who celebrate the holiday season and Christmas with giving of gifts, you may want to give this type of seminar education to the aspiring entrepreneur or small business owner in your family or circle of friends. The purpose of the training is to help the Entrepreneur know what needs to be known in several key areas that may be critical for success of the Business — in particular, the areas of Startup Finance and Personal Productivity. (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcast/albumart600_hires.jpg) and (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcast/albumart3_gaincontrol.jpg) Why these areas? - You can minimize the danger of failing in your business — which, statistically, occurs within 6 months to a year of starting the business; - You can refer to whitepaper of top 10 issues and challenges facing the Entrepreneur (you can get these at:  http://www.entrepreneurtoolsonline, episode 2) - You can improve chances for success in your entrepreneurial venture; - You can learn from proven courses delivered to entrepreneurs by subject matter experts in these fields for over 10 years — and updated to reflect today’s environment. - You can take advantage of this special price point sensitivity; - You can compare the value you can receive from the course by viewing the topics, modules and areas of knowledge; - You can take advantage of the online availability of the courses and their one-on-one-RSS-feed delivery to you; - You can select one or both courses, each one at a special temporary offer price (from 40 per cent to 50 per cent discount). Here is the temporary offer: A. The Courses and the content: (1) Personal Productivity and Time Management for the Entrepreneur:  “Gain Control of Your Day” This course will give you lifelong skills and habits to help you: - accomplish more - in less time - with better quality - and with reduced stress. Note: use special COUPON DISCOUNT CODE X10GCOYD to get the temporary offer pricing of $49 USD. (2) Finance for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners: “Finance for Startups” - This course titled "Finance for Startups: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Launch Successful Startups" will provide you with the knowledge, resources and templates, spreadsheets, etc., that an entrepreneur needs to know in launching a startup or managing the financial end of a recently-started small business. Note: Use special DISCOUNT COUPON CODE X10F4S to get the temporary offer pricing of $49 USD. ======= B. Current pricing: (US Dollars) $79 for Finance for Startups and $99 for Gain Control of Your Day. C. Special temporary offer for special pricing (from 20 December 2010 to 15 January 2011): $49 (US Dollars) for either course For more information about the specific topics of content and their delivery, please visit the following links: - For the PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY PREMIUM SEMINAR COURSE CALLED “GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR DAY”:  http://www.

In this episode of Finance for Startups, we repurpose a podcast episode from Chris Benjamin's podcast series of "The Rogue CFO's Expert Guide to Launching a Startup." In this audio episode, Chris Benjamin looks at ten exaggerations or "lies" that most small business owners or startup partners tell to Venture Capitalists during the presentation to obtain funding. The interesting part of this is that the VCs know you are telling them these exaggerations or "lies" -- and they do not want to hear them. (http://traffic.libsyn.com/fgcastgain/Ten_Lies_to_VCs.jpg) Chris Benjamin, the Rogue CFO, has helped many entrepreneurs in preparing their presentations to the Venture Capitalist firms and Angel Investors. He now gives his own perspectives from his experience of the ten exaggerations told to VCs and why these can lead you to lose credibility-- and your chance for funding-- from the VCs. He then states what you should really say about this matter so that you can stay credible -- and possibly successful. Copyright (c) 2010, Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC and Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of Finance for Startups, we deliver a repurposed podcast episode by Chris Benjamin, the Rogue CFO, which discusses the exposures of Business Incubator Programs and Firms.   Taken from the Podomatic Series of The Rogue CFO's Expert Guide to Launch Startups, this episode describes the Business Incubator programs. Chris also gives situations from his own experiences as a CFO and Financial Advisor where these types of programs and firms really did not deliver the value to the Entrepreneur and Startup firms. Chris also gives you the symptoms of these types of firms that are in the business of grouping startups together, but not really delivering what they promised to launch the startup firm. A word of caution and the tell-tale signs of these types of programs that have not delivered what they promised are always welcome, so that the Entrepreneur is aware of them--and know how to recognize and avoid them. Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Finance for Startups, the companion podcast, we deliver to you an episode from Chris Benjamin, Rogue CFO, and his Podomatic podcast series.   Here, Chris describes five tips from his own experience that are cases in point for the startup firms that want to grow their ventures. This episode was first delivered by Chris Benjamin in the podcast series titled The Rogue CFO's Expert Guide to launch a startup. Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Finance for Startups, we deliver an audio narration of a blog post by Scott Edward Walker, the founder and CEO of Walker Corporate Law Group, PLLC (a law firm specializing in the representation of entrepreneurs). This column was submitted by Mr. Walker to VentureBeat.com. Click here to link to the original post in the Entrepreneur Corner on VentureBeat.com. (http://media.libsyn.com/media/fgcastgain/5_legal_mistakes.jpg) What happens when your startup is running out of money? Should you post something on your web site or twitter about selling your stock? If you do, you may be violating laws and putting your startup at risk--both legally and financially (in the area of valuation, for example). As you will hear in this audio episode, the best thing to do is get advice from your legal counsel before acting on your home-grown plan to raise capital. We thank Scott Edward Walker for his permission to repurpose and publish this post as an audio narration. Disclaimer: This "Ask the Attorney" post discusses general legal issues, but it does not constitute legal advice in any respect. No reader --or listener-- should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. VentureBeat, the Author andthe author's firm expressly disclaim all liability in respect of any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this post. Copyright (c) 2010, Scott Edward Walker, VentureBeat.com and Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.