Angels Den Blog

Confidence: That mysterious intangible we all chase, but only a few find they have the inherent skills to master. It can’t be seen, it can’t be touched, it can’t be bottled (but if you find a way do let us know). But its power and influence is all-embracing.

As an entrepreneur in today’s turbulent market place you’ll need to have oodles of confidence to make a go of your business venture. That’s not to say that if you’re a quiet genius that you won’t make it in the business world, but it does mean that you are more likely to be drowned out by the noisy yet slightly less clever competitor out there (there are always plenty of empty vessels at large happy to shout about their musings). There should be a sign above the ideas factory of your mind saying “no shrinking violets please,” because having a brilliant business idea but no voice to tell everyone about it is quite frankly a waste of a good idea.

One of the most important things in business is to find your voice. This is the confidence to shout about your successes, achievements and aspirations from the rooftops (literally sometimes). To have the self-confidence to tell anyone and everyone about what you do and why it should interest them. (Although of course there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, be sure not to cross that one or you’ll rapidly lose all your friends and find people avoiding you at parties!) After all, the more people who know about your business the more likely you are to find clients or investors to make your business a success.

The rather chilly (ok, freezing cold) global economic climate may have brought banks and stock markets to their knees, but it has done nothing to dampen the spirit of budding entrepreneurs out there. Angels Den has seen record traffic levels on our website and every speed-pitching event that we advertise sells out in no time flat.

Speed-pitching is where confidence meets opportunity. Three minutes to convince one or more powerful, influential, cash-rich investors of why they should want to be your partner and in doing so propel your small business to new heights, hopefully making you a very wealthy person. Crack under the pressure and you’ll walk away with nothing but the bitter taste of what could have been lingering in your mouth. Practice, practice, practice before the pitch. Do your pitch to your partner, your family, your dog. Stop a stranger in the street and tell them about your business (though if they look nervous and hurriedly reach for their mobile phone do walk away before the end of your pitch). Build your confidence and the clarity of the uniqueness of your business in your pitch and you’ll give yourself the best opportunity of turning those three minutes into the most profitable of your entire life.

Angels Den runs regular speed-pitching events to enable you to present your business or business idea to the many investor Angels we have just chomping at the bit to find a reason to invest in you. To find out when the next ones are, log onto to our website at www.angelsden.co.uk.