I have recently run into a number of DIY entrepreneurs. These are "do it yourself" people who fervently believe in their ideas, business models and roll out strategy, to the point where other opinions are deemed negative vibe or destructive.
Give me a break.
Why did you call me in the first place? Do you think I write checks for a living? Am I to write these checks without asking some basic questions about how my money will be used? Why do you get upset with me when I do not necessarily agree with what you are doing?
I spend the better part of 30 plus hours per week exploring the markets I plan to invest in. I speak with friends and other VC’s. I call industry users and see what they think they need–these are the potential customers of all the good ideas. I surf the Internet to see what others are saying and doing. I subscribe to perhaps 15 Blog feeds and innumerable newsletters. Whew.
I do this because I love what I do. I want to be ahead of the next new, new thing. If you have this new, new thing and I agree with you, I will write you a check. If I do not agree with you, I will have further discussion to see if you are willing to look at different options of making your idea work. If you are not, then no check.
Being an entrepreneur mean being adaptable. It also means having a capable network of advisor’s who you can constantly turn to for advice and counsel. It means being open to changes in strategy, new ideas and new directions.
Being an entrepreneur does not mean going it alone, thinking only you have all the right ideas and that any criticism is wrong. Don’t be a DIY entrepreneur if you want to be successful and be funded.
VC’s don’t have the time or energy to waste on those who believe that success is doing it yourself without anyone’s help or assistance. I invest because I am interested in working with people to make them and their ideas successful. That’s it. No other motivations. So why won’t you listen to me again?
A VC in Vacationland 
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