The First Time is Always the Hardest

I’ve often said the first time you do anything is always the hardest. So what do I mean by that? Well, think about it. It’s a basic fact that if we go into something and haven’t done it before, we tread with a bit more hesitation. If I were to ask you to meet me someplace you had never been how would you go about getting there? The guys would likely just start driving; directions are for those who didn’t inherit the direction chromosome.

The fact of the matter is that if you did get directions first you would get there faster. It would be even more efficient if you had a navigator who had been there before and could tell you where and when to turn. Still, it would not be as quick as the second time you made the journey. If you’ve done it before, you know where to turn, exactly which building it is, where to park, etc.

We can argue the status of the economic recovery; We can read the statistics in the media speaking of a turnaround but no one that I am talking to feels an increasing level of optimism or security around their financial forecasts.

As the Board Member of multiple companies and CEO of a food company with nearly 100 locations nationwide, the access to capital requires an innovative approach.  As we have talked to Banks about Lines of Credit, SBA funding, and general access to financing, all conversations follow the same path.  They are enthusiastic to do business with us.  Soon however, they then recognize that these businesses may not be perfect in every way.