"How to Raise Capital: A Personal Journey of Persistence and Resourcefulness"

Many people believe that raising money is the hardest part of starting a business. From personal experience, I can say entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint-hearted. Throughout my journey—from launching a delivery service at 18 to building a graphic design agency, podcast, and other startups—I've faced sleepless nights, endless tasks, and the constant need for funding.

My First Steps in Raising Capital

When I decided to start my delivery service as a teenager, I had no idea how to fund it. With no family wealth and limited access to traditional funding as a young African entrepreneur, I turned to the simplest form of capital: personal savings and a big vision.

It wasn’t glamorous. In fact, most startups aren’t. If you lack significant capital, you either compromise or, if you're determined not to, learn to do things yourself. I taught myself how to build websites and design flyers to cut costs.

Friends and Family SupportNext,

 I reached out to friends and family. While I'm fortunate to have supportive people in my life, asking for money felt awkward. Some people even thought I was rich and couldn’t understand why I needed funds. To overcome this, I treated them like investors. I created a detailed business plan and presented it professionally. Some agreed to help, others hesitated, but each contribution brought me closer to launching. And let me tell you, there's no greater motivation than knowing your friends and family have invested in your business.

The Big Leap: Scaling Up with Fallback Pixels

Starting Fallback Pixels, my graphic design agency, was a different challenge. By then, I knew how to run small businesses, but scaling this venture—and managing my other projects like my podcast, eCommerce store, and carpentry business—required more than just personal savings.

I pitched to angel investors, but many weren’t interested in funding a “generic” business. I also tried venture capital but quickly realized how competitive and rigorous it is. Every decision was scrutinized, every financial detail questioned. Though I didn’t always secure the funds, the experience sharpened my business skills and taught me invaluable lessons.

Crowdfunding for My Podcast

For my podcast, Everything Unmastered, I tried crowdfunding. I created a campaign on Kickstarter, complete with videos, compelling storytelling, and rewards for backers. It was nerve-wracking to put my project out there, but the support from complete strangers was uplifting. Beyond the money, it validated my vision and connected me with a community that believed in what I was doing.

Bank Loans and Bootstrapping: Funding My Next Ventures

When I started my carpentry company, Wood World Carpentry, and planned to launch my restaurant, barbershop, and laundry service, I opted for traditional bank loans. Getting approved wasn’t easy—I had to present a strong business plan, provide collateral, and prove my businesses were worth the investment. While the loan helped get my businesses off the ground, I don’t recommend bank loans if you have other options. I constantly reinvest profits and closely monitor cash flow to avoid overextending myself.

Key Takeaways: Persistence and Positivity

Raising capital has been a mix of personal savings, investor pitches, support from friends and family, and even crowdfunding. It hasn’t been smooth—there were rejections, mistakes, and moments of doubt. But each challenge taught me resilience and resourcefulness.

Remember, raising money isn’t just about the cash. It’s about selling your vision, building relationships, 

and staying persistent, even when the odds are against you