Life as an Independent Tap Dancer

So the last 3 weeks have been the most seriously chalenging weeks of my life.  I’m the son of a serial entrepreneur and presenting in front of people is something I have done or been a part of since I was 12 years old.  We are still raising the final investment money for Seventh Moon and I thought I would share a little about what it has been like.

The money raise for production is done – we will have an edited movie no matter what.  It is the finishing funds that are critical.  I have presented to over 400 people in the last 7 weeks!  Each time my pitch takes about 30 minutes and then I am pelted with every question under the sun from “I see here in line 2140 you are talking about your HD Post process – please explain what that is?” to “What is a film negative?”  Mostly people want to know 1. How much money do you need?  2. What do I own in return? 3. And how much money am I going to make?  I have had pitches take 3 hours long!  Sometimes I meet with people 7 times before they finaly invest or worse – turn me down.

I have pitched to everybody from brain surgeons, to real estate moguls, and even an Ultimate Fighting Champion!  I have pitched to a board room full of 26 people to a woman working out on her excercise bicycle in her mansion.  The rejections – no matter how you try and prepare for them – are tough.  Sometimes the investors give you all the signs in the world that they are in and then pull up short very suprisingly.  Other times people that I know probably will not invest come from left field and decide they want to be a part of it.

Over all the economy has been challenging.  Many of the independent investors I know work in real estate and as everyone knows – especially in Florida – real estate is tough right now.  The credit crunch has not helped.  Still we are VERY close to being done.  I could not end an entry like this without making a pitch .  If anyone wants in inquire about investing in the film – email me at rob-at-robincowie.com.  Shares are $120,000.00 a pop so serious inquiries only please.  I’ll let you know how it is going.  Time to wrap it up.  I have my next tap dancing appointment coming up for lunch.