We at Localvest want to celebrate International Women’s Month by highlighting the amazing women and the work they are doing through our platform.
Today we sat down with Laila Victorine, the Co-Founder & Vice President of Development at Swing Away Sports, LLC to talk about some of the challenges women face while raising capital and to hear what advice she has for other female entrepreneurs. Swing Away Sports, LLC is the operating company behind The Ballpark Loudoun – Loudoun’s latest in training & active entertainment when it comes to all things including a bat and ball. Think TopGolf, but for baseball & softball.
Here’s what Laila had to say….
As the only female in my company, I am honored to have the opportunity to share some of the challenges & obstacles that I have overcome as a female executive in the sports management industry. In general, women’s participation and representation in the business world has been increasing steadily but women are still underrepresented in my industry, sports management & entrepreneurship.
Challenges and Advice for Women Raising Capital:
Balance is EVERYTHING! Be consistent, identify priorities, set your goals, stay accountable, and respect your time. Entrepreneurs especially need to embrace & intentionally implement balance into all aspects of life. There is a massive amount of pressure on women to fill so many roles in life and societal pressures demand we do so with ease and grace. Work-life harmony is only achieved once you adopt the practice of leading a balanced life.
Think BIG! Being conservative and more risk-averse when it comes to making business projections (while theoretically prudent) is not a sound strategy during the early stages of fundraising. Investors want to align themselves with opportunities that have huge potential and a management team that has a passionate vision. SHOW THEM THAT VISION!
Patience is a virtue. While raising capital is a priority, often times it is not the only or main priority of those investing. With that being said, the process can take some time, while the investor does their due diligence and eventually comes to an investment decision. Be patient and understanding, but also make it clear that the opportunity may not always be available if the capital is raised prior to a commitment.
Embrace Rejection. Rejection is inevitable and a valuable part of the overall process. Not everyone you pitch will invest in your vision. Accept rejection and learn from it. Was there something you could have done different? Improved upon next time? If so, adjust and move forward. Be confident in your vision and stick to it.
Accept & Adapt. Now more than ever, the economic climate is playing a massive role in raising capital. The concept may be incredible, financials may be sound, but navigating through a pandemic can present many challenges. Control what you can control. Have a plan to overcome the challenges and implement it.
Over Prepare. Success is where preparation and opportunity meet. Read that again. Memorize it. Live it, learn it, and love it. While preparation may be the most time-consuming and effort-intensive aspect of raising funds but it is crucial to finding the funding you need. You will need to research your industry, competitors and the market, define your products, prepare financial projections and determine how much money to raise, plus decide whether to tap into debt or equity. Investors will ask questions and it is important that you are equipped with the relevant information. Know your facts, data points, and numbers. Anticipate what could go wrong, and create a strategy to address those issues.
Network! Fundraising is a numbers game. The more qualified people you get in front of, the better.
Confidence is Key. “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me?” – Ayn Rand. Your perception of yourself affects your vibe and in general, society tends to equate confidence with competence. Love yourself, be confident in your ability, and let your positive energy flow. When you focus on problems, you will have more problems. When you focus on possibilities, you will have more opportunities.
Here are five quick tips on how to elevate your confidence and embrace your leadership:
- Know your worth. Then add tax
- Confidence has no competition
- Avoid your comfort zone
- Surround yourself with people who talk about visions & ideas
- You can never lose. You either win or you learn
Last but not least, Defy Expectations. If gender bias leads one to think that you don’t belong at the table, prove them wrong! Be the most knowledgeable, valuable, and unstoppable player on the field. With resiliency, a solid strategy, and unwavering consistency, you are unstoppable!
What is The Ballpark Loudoun?
The Ballpark Loudoun is first to market, combining cutting-edge technology, top-of-the-line training, delicious food, and a comfortable atmosphere to provide a truly unique ballpark experience for each and every one of our guests.
Whether you are prospect looking to reach the next level, a student athlete trying to earn a spot on that high school team, a little one prepping for the upcoming season, or just looking to have a night out for some friendly competitive socializing with your friends…The Ballpark Loudoun has it all.
The Ballpark Loudoun will be located in Ashburn, Virginia in the Lexington 7 building, currently under construction, just north of One Loudoun off of Route 7. The Ballpark will be accessible via Route 7 from the East & West and Route 28 or Loudoun County Parkway from the South, making it convenient for those coming from all over the region for tournaments, leagues or just an evening out.
