Day 32

On the Road: After a good meeting with Dave (pictured here) and Judy in Silverthorne Wednesday night, I drove south to Poncha Pass and rested for a few hours before meeting Matt and Christi. Dave and Matt, brothers and I knew them when we were all young.

 They and their wives were very hospitable, and it was good to catch up with old friends. We had some deep conversations, like connective tissue, ranging from global events to food and child-rearing, from economic hardships to spiritual matters, and both gave me valuable input on the project and its presentation.

I have to describe Matt's "chow ranch" - a 40-acre patch of chico grass and loamy sand with a nice white house a few miles outside Alamosa, within sight of the Sangre de Christo mountains and the Great Sand Dunes. Matt keeps four large black Chows - dogs that have been genetically programmed to defend their owners and terrorize their owner's guests (or any non-friendly trespasser). So when Matt took me to look at the artesian wells on his property, he carefully penned the fearsome pack. But completely unknown to him, they were ready and willing to dig under the fence and teach me a lesson. 

The Pack

We heard Matt's wife shouting something, and I was still wondering vaguely what could be up, but then I saw Matt get really serious really quick, trying to get between me and two hurtling black figures loping across the desert straight at me. This all took about 10 seconds. I tried to keep facing them and look fearless, but they skipped behind me and both these male dogs planted painful little nips "one-two" on my posterior. Then they stood back and gazed at me, complacently having made their point. The dogs didn't break skin and their bites were like power-pinches that smarted for an hour or so. Matt was very apologetic, but I told him the dogs were just doing exactly what they were bred to do, and I didn't mind the lesson they offered.

MEANWHILE IN WICHITA:

While Dad was crossing the beautiful mtns of Colorado, I (Ben) had the pleasure of scenic drives through downtown Wichita.   :)

Thursday marked the official launch of the bank campaign, and I started strong - visiting Sunflower Bank, Intrust Bank, Bank of the West, and Meritrust Credit Union in Day 1. My meetings went well, and the dynamics were interesting. You have to understand that I don't especially look like the archtypical business student graduate kid. You know, I dont have an expensive suit, a fancy briefcase, perfectly trimmed short hair, and professionally binded documents. Instead, I have long wavy hair pulled back with khaki's and a button up shirt, a computer case, and paperwork in a manilla folder. I have to admit the initial impression isn't awe-inspiring - but thats the angle I want! (Am I foolish? TBD.)

You see, if someone won't give me the time of day for my hair, I don't want to meet them anyway. They may be sizing me up - but hey I can size them up too. They may be the ones giving the money but I don't care. I'm stubborn like that. Of course, there's more to it than that...You see, the SBA advisors told me my long hair and khaki look actually was better than the clean cut option because I exuded the look of the young, savy, web-smart up and coming generation of overnight millionaires that are sweeping the nation by storm via the power of the viral internet. 

Sunflower Bank = He liked me, liked the plan, referred me to another SBA bank officer who was out of town. 

Intrust Bank = Very nice guy, apologetic that he didn't think it would work in this economy, and was adamant my plan would not fly at his bank. Said we didnt have enough tangible collateral. 

Bank of the West = Very enthusiastic about the plan. Wished his bank was less conservative. Gave me some good contacts, and even promised to do what he could with what I gave him. Very uplifting meeting.

Meritrust = A good meeting. She was a bit hard to read, but the meeting was long and she asked lots of questions and seemed to be impressed. Waiting on response from her, likely next week. 

So, the first day was good. All 4 bankers commented that our business plan and financial preparedness was better than 95% of people who walk in the door. I guess 30 days straight of prepping those documents really helped out. I hope to continue my quest!

Notes = need to find 3rd party gaurantor to help secure tangible collateral and also investor for early stages of development while looking for large funding. WHEW!