When you promote, sometimes the trick is coming up with a trick! Something innovative and clever enough that gets you the attention you need.
Some years ago I started up a small marketing firm, and I ran into a few financial problems where I needed to raise funds (when you’re a new young business, this can happen – a lot). I knew about an “angel investor” a weathy entrepreneur who “invested” and/or lent money to young businesses. He’d give them a helping hand … if he liked their business idea.
The problem, getting in to see this large business owner was next to impossible. He had a personal assistant, a private secretary and several receptionists that handled most of his correspondence. And a very busy schedule with national and international interests!
He didn’t attend many of the local city (Portland, Oregon) business type affairs and functions. I was really struggling with how to get by his various assistants who I knew would show me the door. So how was I going to get an appointment with this individual?
And then I came up with an idea. My budget was almost non-existent, yet I spent a substantial amount of money on a beautiful bouquet of flowers. One that looked professional but personal, and I wrote a short message, sealed it inside a small envelope and had the flowers with the “envelope” delivered to the investor, himself!
I was betting on the fact that none of his aides would feel comfortable opening the envelope addressed to him. And they weren’t. He was the first person to read my note.
The next morning I received a call from the personal assistant. His opening words to me were “You’re are very clever Penny, Mr — said to tell you he will give you just 15 minutes of his time on Monday, at 8 a.m. sharp.”
Yes I was excited but very nervous. I organized all the documentation I felt I needed to show him, I reviewed, again and again what I had to say and in what order to get his attention. I only had 15 minutes to accomplish my goals. The morning came, I showed up. I was led into a gorgeous office suite overlooking the water, from Swan island where his offices were located.
I shook his hand, looked directly into his eyes, told him why I needed the money, what I planned to do with it, handed him the paperwork to back it up (which he glanced at and set aside) and then he proceeded to ask me a lot of business type questions, by then the 15 minutes were up and his aid opened the door and said “Sir your long distance call is waiting.”
I knew that was the signal my 15 minutes were up, but then my potential investor looked at his aide and said “I’m not through here yet, I’ll call them back.” I stayed 45 minutes, had to return in a week with more paperwork but he did agree to help!
Previous to my meeting, I’d been told by another business owner, that almost anyone who approached this individual when asking for money, never made it past 10 minutes, before the long distance phone call happened! So I was very pleased and honestly proud of my accomplishment – because through the whole process I was “scared to death” and not sure I could do it!
His final words on our first meeting were. “Oh and Penny, the flowers are beautiful, thank you.”
And the message? Would you like to know what I wrote? It said:
“Dear Sir, I am a young entrepreneur and if you meet with me I can prove to you that I have a business idea you would want to invest in! Enjoy the flowers, either way! Thank you, Penny”
This is a memory I will always remember fondly, because in spite of my fear and doubts I proved to myself that “Yes I can and guess what … If I can, then so can you!”
~ Penny
The Why About This 
Not at all surprised at your ability to “open doors” Penny! 🙂
It could’ve failed. you know, but it didn’t! So I was pleased with the outcome! 🙂
You are an awesome woman, if I haven’t told you that lately. 🙂
You’re such a ‘oh, just the bestest’ friend and sister a girl could have! 🙂
Sometimes the simple idea is the best! Way to go Penny!
Thanks Barb, it was a simple idea, the prep work, was a ton however! 🙂 xo
To use my fave word from Alastair…Brilliant!
xo 🙂 🙂 xo
Thanks RoSy! It was gutsy even for me, but after the fact was glad I did it! 🙂 xo
I love the approach you used! Way to go.
Thanks, I don’t even remember where I got the idea Christy. I mean generally speaking, women don’t send flowers to men!
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat™.
That’s my clever friend, Penny!!! Brilliant!
Enjoy a beautiful Wednesday, my dear!! 🙂 xxxxxx
Hey favoritest one. Thanks, Marina. Just your usual, being an artist and thinking about things from a different perspective. I’m pretty good in a “one on one” situation, so knew I had a shot, if I could get in to see the guy! A glorious Wednesday evening and Thursday to you sweet friend of mine! 🙂 xoxoxo
What a great example of getting a foot in the door. Very clever. That angel investor sounds like the forerunner of the now TV show “Shark Tank” which I love (not for the hoopla) but the door it opens to those who may have no other way for that degree of mass marketing and help.
You post so many great things, Penny. I had to stop by and comment on this one which I won’t forget about when I’m trying to think of ways to help get help for dogs.
Blessings to you,
Paulette
Hello Paulette, and thank you so much. Sometimes the original idea can make a difference! And good for you, keep thinking creative ideas. One thing I do know for most people is, if you appeal to their “self-interest” you can get in the door! Just have a good argument or “cause” ready once you have their interest! Thank you again for stopping by and your lovely compliment, have a lovely rest of your week, my friend! xo
Reblogged this on Living and Lovin.
I think you were so sure of your goal, focused and well prepared that did the trick. To think of flowers and note was a brilliant idea. It may not occur to everyone. Lovely and inspiring memory. Thanks for sharing.
I had prepared Indira, but I was by no means sure it would work. The brave part was making the attempt, the follow through was a little less scary! I had my statistics ready to show this intelligent business man! 🙂 xx
The bravest part was attempting and keeping statistics ready . You were successful and that means a lot for me. Love and hugs.
Thank you Indira, love and hugs received with much appreciation and shared in full!
Hi Penny,
great example of your resilience and perseverance. Well done.
Thank you, I will admit that perseverance is one of the big boys here, Michael. I had been trying for quite awhile to get the funding (traditional methods) and had failed so the ability to get up, one more time, and try was hard! I think the money I spent for the flowers was the money for the utility bills for the month (LOL) talk about scary! 🙂 xo
excellent, and clever !!!
Hi, thank you. I know most women don’t sent flowers to guys much less professionals, and certainly not in a business environment, but it worked, Yay! The work I had done with the business plan and the pro forma for the financials were what sold him (along with my thinking out of the box and being – his term – “gutsy”! 🙂 Still a great memory of mine!
yes, it was just the perfect combination of ingenuity and initiative that woulda impressed anyone! 🙂
You know, what’s funny is it ticked off the personal assistant because it got by him, (I know because he told me so, lol)! 🙂
hahaha… well, he just didn’t like the idea that you were smarter than him. 🙂
🙂 yup!
That is very ingenious. 🙂
Thank you. You know when I showed up for the meeting, I’m not sure what he expected, what he got was a professionally dressed and acting individual who spoke concisely on the financial positives of my plan! Follow through is important too! Again thanks for your compliment! 🙂
WOW! That’s a fantastic memory Penny. Very clever with the flowers and the note. Ingenious.
Thank you Alastair, I do appreciate it. I spent weeks with my accountant and attorney getting ready (paper work) before I even sent the flowers, so although the flowers were the method of getting in, I did need to prove what I wrote! Still it was ‘way cool’ that my method to get “in” worked! 🙂 xo
“Way cool” is an understatement 😀 Sometimes weeks of hard work for the jumping up and clicking your heels moment are worth it