“There are many principles to understand, but actually angel investing is not as difficult as some may think,” states Richard Siskey. Siskey would know. After spending many years in the financial markets, Richard Siskey founded Wall Street Capitol and Siskey Industries, LLC. Thirty-plus years of experience under gird Siskey’s words of wisdom concerning angel investing.
“Many times, persons new to angel investing think that getting all the terms of the deal right is the most important aspect,” says Richard Siskey. While that may be extremely important, investing in the “right start-ups, particularly when new to this form of capital investment,” is vital, explains Siskey. “An angel investor can have every ‘t’ crossed and ‘i’ dotted, but if it is not the right start-up to invest in, it won’t matter in the end,” explains Richard Siskey. A good term on a bad investment, maintains Richard Siskey, is still a bad investment.
“Through the years I have seen many people become angel investors in different ways,” reports Richard Siskey. One way is to join a group of angel investors or a syndicate, says Siskey. “Find a friend or a trusted colleague who participates in this form of capital investing and attempt to join his or her group or syndicate,” adds Richard Siskey. Whether it is an official angel investing syndicate or a group put together for a one-time deal, Richard Siskey states that a new angel investor will learn. “This strategy will allow the new investor to ‘write a check’, watch the process, and maybe receive some mentoring from other members of the syndicate,” explains Siskey.
If a new angel investor decides not to join a syndicate and to “maverick the process”, Richard Siskey suggests two things. “Watch one episode of the TV show Shark Tank and note that each investor is concerned about two numbers,” says Richard Siskey. Explaining his Shark Tank comment, Richard Siskey says that the investors on the show demonstrate a major point concerning numbers in angel investing. “They always note that per the request for capital, the company should then be worth ‘x’ thousands or millions,” Richard Siskey explains, “and they will ask about sales, assets and so-on concerning the company.” In other words, angel investors new to the concept need to be focused on two numbers: the amount they are investing versus the valuation of the company.
“There are a lot of great tools online and books that can be read by those new to angel investing,” states Richard Siskey. And while an angel investor will make some mistakes and perhaps lose some money, “they want to minimize the losses, especially in the early days of their new investing strategy,” states Richard Siskey. “Always have a lawyer review every document you draw up in any agreement,” concludes Richard Siskey.
Richard Siskey is an angel investor and the Chairman of Siskey Industries, LLC. For more information, contact Richard Siskey at rsiskey@siskeyindustries.com.
About Richard Siskey
Over a span of thirty years, Richard C. Siskey (Rick Siskey) has become known as a premier investor and advisor to numerous entrepreneurs and businesses. Possessing what the Greater Charlotte Biz magazine dubbed, “an uncanny ability to discern situations in advance,” Richard Siskey knows what it takes to start, build, finance and sell businesses.
Motivated by raw challenge and competition, Richard Siskey founded Wall Street Capitol. After spending years in the financial markets, Richard Siskey developed moves and strategies that were a proven success. In establishing Wall Street Capitol, Siskey envisioned a company that would service all the financial needs expected by high networth clientele. Today, with a phenomenal talent and skill set under one roof, Wall Street Capitol performs at a level not easily matched for entrepreneurs and individuals of financial means.
Richard Siskey is the Chairman of Siskey Industries, LLC. Siskey Industries offers traditional and alternative sources of capital funding, strategic advisory solutions and alternative investment opportunities. As Chairman of Siskey Industries, Richard Siskey joins his expertise to a network of industry professionals in the arena of private equity investing.
Known for his integrity, Richard Siskey has built his businesses based upon that value. In a recent article one of Siskey’s clients commented, “Integrity, without question, has to be number one in financial services. I have personally seen his integrity moved from words to action.”
In 2000, Richard Siskey moved Wall Street Capitol to a specially designed 75,000 square foot office building located on prime real estate in the SouthPark area of Charlotte, North Carolina. With the professional touch often related to Siskey, these offices have become the infrastructure for expansion. Today Richard Siskey, Wall Street Capitol and Siskey Industries serve a diverse base of clients both regionally and nationwide.
Richard Siskey believes that community and family are to be valued above business. He has supported and actively given to Queens College, Catholic Social Services and numerous charities that include the United Way. In a long list of opportunities, Siskey points to one that has nothing to do with money or business: the YMCA. In 1995, Richard Siskey’s civic contributions and support of the YMCA organization were honored with the naming of The Siskey Family YMCA, a recognition for which he remains very grateful.
Richard Siskey completed his Masters of Business Administration at the Queens University of Charlotte. Deeply grateful to have earned his graduate degree from the prestigious McColl School of Business, Siskey has lectured throughout the country on a number of fiscally oriented topics. Richard Siskey is also past member of the National Speakers Association, in good standing.
Richard Siskey has been a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina for over twenty-six years. He is married to Diane and they have two adult children.