Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Fred Haney, Owner of Venture Management, located in Palos Verdes Estates, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is to use my experience with over 100 startup companies — as a venture capital fund manager, angel investor, corporate strategy executive, and co-founder of 6 companies — to help select-few startup companies improve their chances of success. My clients are startup companies that are not yet funded. I also authored "The Fundable Startup: How Disruptive Companies Attract Capital," a guidance for startups seeking capital.

Tell us about yourself

My career progressed from corporate strategic planning executive and operations manager (Xerox, Computer Sciences Corp., and TRW) to Venture Capital fund manager (3i Ventures), to angel investor (co-founder of Tech Coast Angels), to co-founder of 6 companies. In the process, I have worked with over 100 companies and participated in about 60 exits.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

3i Ventures was a very successful venture capital firm. It produced attractive investment returns in the early 1990s. At that time, VC profits were heavily impacted by the IPO slowdown following Black Monday (October 19, 1987). I was a co-founder of NovaDigm Therapeutics (Vaccine for candidiasis and MRSA) and DRC Computer (the most powerful DNA sequencing computer).

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Seeking capital for a startup company is a challenge. Startups can have the best business idea and an extremely powerful and proven management team, but it is still difficult to persuade investors to write a check.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Read "The Fundable Startup: How Disruptive Companies Attract Capital. Find an advisor with extensive experience — not just success in one or two companies. Recognize that you must compete against other startups for capital — some of which may have great ideas and proven management teams.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://fredhaney.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fundablestartup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefundablestartup/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fundablestartup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredhaney/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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