Tweet

Angels Are All Around Us

Guest post by: Rebel Brown

Article Overview: Angels are all around us. I've written about many of them but there are so many more angels out there who use the digital world to help the less fortunate; giving of themselves, their time and their energy to make the world a better place. What a contrast they bring to the self-centered wolves.

Angels Are All Around Us

On Monday I wrote about the New Breed of Digital Wolf. Before everyone starts thinking I've gone negative, I want to point out all the powerful positive angels created by the digital age. Not everyone is a wolf. In fact - the angels far out-number the wolves.

Angels are all around us. I've written about many of them but there are so many more angels out there who use the digital world to help the less fortunate; giving of themselves, their time and their energy to make the world a better place. What a contrast they bring to the self-centered wolves.

Many of these angels walk among us unknown. They don't promote themselves as gurus or coaches, leaders or public figures. They do their angelic work out of the limelight, in the quiet where no one sees their efforts.

These angels use the power of the digital age to connect with the world, garnering support for worthy causes, helping those in need, supporting small business and promoting those less fortunate.

While I didn't name the names of the wolves who've come and gone in my life...I will proudly point to some of the angels I know and admire.

Look at CellarAngels. These folks help small wineries sell their excess stock, giving their buyers lower prices while also donating a portion of their revenues to charity. More and more folks are creating businesses that give back even as they support others.

Then there are organizations such as The Cloud Foundation, The Wild Horse Preservation and Madeline Pickens Wild Horse Rescue. These and more are using the power of digital connectedness to raise our awareness of the horrible plight of our wild horses. FYI - Madeleine is T Boone's wife. Heaven knows she could be a wolf, or simply stand back and do nothing, resting in her husband's wealth. Instead she is using her dollars and the power of social media to help save our horses from the horrors of man.

Angels come in all shapes and sizes. Celebrities use the digital world to help their favorite causes and make the world a better place. For example, Alyssa Milano tweets for support of critters, causes and the betterment of our world. Lada Gaga just created a charm bracelet to raise money for the Japanese earthquake victims. The lists of celebrities using the digital age to advance our world is long - and growing.

Many angels are simple people like all of us. Check out Laura Kennedy and Stash Serafin as great examples. Laura works tirelessly to support our veterans - living and deceased - to bring them the honor and support they so deserve. Stash is a blind ice skater who uses his digital presence to shed light on the plight of the disabled - and to show all of us their power to thrive and inspire in our world.

The number of people using our digital age to change our world in a positive way is astounding. That number is growing everyday.

So here's my question. It's one that really has me stumped.

How does someone choose to become an angel or a wolf, to use their power for good - or for themselves?

• Is it simply human nature - magnified by our digital age? Does the connectedness, yet disconnectedness, make it easier for those who would be predators to play their games on an even larger scale? And for those who might not have been predators to become just that, thanks to the relative anonymity?

• Or does our digital age twist and bend those who are meant to be angels - turning well-meaning angels into wolves because the inherent power is just too big for them to handle?

• And why is it that many of the wolves rise in notoriety, while our angels remain in relative anonymity? That's a question that's as old as time. As the adage goes, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Did the digital age make that adage even truer?

Is there something we can all do, actions we can take - to empower more angels and stop the wolves in their tracks?

As for me, well, I'm pledging to support the angels I find in every way I can. And I'll continue watching for the wolves, outing them as I can so that others won't fall prey to their games. But there has to be something more than I can do. Something that we all can do.

Any ideas or suggestions? Or am I sounding like my mother and not realizing that time moves on, as do our morals....

_____

I have a favor to ask. Please share your angels' stories with me! You can comment below or send me an email. I want to feature them in future posts, honoring the angels who so richly deserve our support!

Related Articles
  How Many Angels is the Right Number
  Angels? Sure. VCs? Sure. But Not Both.
  Angel Investors - Due Diligence
  Home Based Business--Start Up Money From Angels
  Southern California A Mecca for Sports Fans
  Attracting Angel Investors
  Who Are Angel Investors
  What are Angel Investors?
  FIVE GREAT LESSONS FOR ENTREPRENEURS for Standout Pitches TO ACCESS ANGEL INVESTORS
  How To Find An Angel Investor
  Teamwork - It Really Does Make the Dream Work
  Angel Investors – How to Interest Them in Your Business
  Who are your team members?
  Secret Advantages to a Home Based Business
  Is Your Godfather An Angel?
  Lesson #3 Know The Game Part II.
  Understanding Equity Capital
  It's Just a Number
  Early Stage Startup Finance: What You Need Is Dumb Money
  Top Ten Myths of Entrepreneurship

Article Tags: angels, better place, rebel brown



Related Forum Posts
My collectibles - I collect two things; Marilyn Monroe items and Angels. I have all sorts of statues, pictures, mugs and ornaments in both these fields of interest. Including one 6 foot cardboard figure of Marilyn Monroe in my bedroom! I have it against the wall behind the bedroom door and she scared the life out of my husband when I first placed it there...(He thought someone was in our room one night) LOL.
The time I spend collecting - Hi Kevin, to address your questions, honestly, I do not spend a lot of time or even money on regular basis. I've been collecting these items for about 8 years now. The way I collect is basically in my spare "I have nothing to do" time and when (or if) I happen to come accross a piece I like, I purchase it. Some of the items were gift given, like most of the Angels I've collected, while others just fell into my lap such as my 6 ft cardboard figure of Marilyn Monroe that came from my neighbor and best friend down the block from me. She happened upon it in a store and saw they were going to toss it out and she asked if she could have it...they simply gave it to her and she pasased it on. Other items I do search for when I have the time. I've even come across some pictures that I adore and printed them on my photo printer on photo paper and framed them. You can't tell they were just printed from the computer.
Re: Sports is queen! - Playoff time is always a profitable time for me.... The baseball playoffs are now going on... I've got a website for a young star named Jacoby Ellsbury - he made a great defensive play and did some good things offensively in the Red Sox' first game against the Angels on Wednesday, and today the hits on his site are going through the roof. Only one Google Adsense click,though! But I'm hoping to see somethign from Amazon tomorrow, as I've got his jersey, and a poster, and the 2007 World Serious win DVD for sale there.... As long as the Red Sox stay in the playoffs, I anticipate the hits on his website to continue to rise to probably treble what they are during the regular season... I just hope they start hitting those google ad sense ads!!!! Doesn't matter how many hits you get on a website page if nobody clicks on those ads....
funding nightmare recovery and PPM - My company has just finished being raped by two firms in Atlanta 1 a networking group and the other a capitalization group that are supposed to help growing companies raise capital. We shelled out close to $50000 to these two groups and have been strung along for 6 months on "why this isn't completed"; "we need to do this or that" etc. and we are fed up. Out of it all the first firm at least has introduced us to Angels and VC's that are interested and very serious about investing in our company. However the 2nd firm (which we were sent to by the 1st firm) was supposed to actually handle the capitalization structure; offering and prepare the investment docs. As you've probably guessed we paid for this upfront and we still do not have a ppm. We have our own CFO now and have done all the prep work ourselves internally and I don't want to engage another company to prepare the docs unless they are recommended by another entrepreneur. Does any one know of a reputable group to prepare a ppm expediently and introduce our project to additional investors? We have everything ready.
Different Types of Funding - Finance for business can be obtained through a number of different sources. Let's review some of those channels to help you decide what's right for your business needs: Grants There are over 930 different EU and UK grants and loans available from over 100 issuing bodies. This is the cheapest form of finance and an important part of the funding package that companies and individuals need. We can help you find your way through this maze. Technology Micro Projects: 50% of eligible costs up to £20,000 Research project: For a technical and feasibility study of an innovative idea for new technology 60% of costs up to a grant of £75,000. Development project: For development up to pre production 35% of costs up to a grant of £200,000 Developing an innovative idea: valuable for small companies and individuals at the start of a technical project: 75% of costs of hiring a mentor and consultants. Export To start exporting or moving into new markets grants of 50% of costs up to £20,000 each. Training and Education Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Achieving Best Practice in Your Business, Investors in People Modern Apprenticeships New Deal for various grants. Environment BOC Foundation for the Environment: 25% to 50% of Project cost, typically £20,000 to £100,000 Clean up Fund: Emission reducing equipment up to 75% of cost Community Chest Fund: Up to £25,000 for projects near active SITA sites High Impact Fund: £150,000+ for larger projects near SITA sites Assisted Areas Regional assistance grants of between 10 and 35% for capital expenditure in less favoured areas of the UK. Loans Loans are an excellent source of finance if you have suitable security to borrow against or a reliable earnings stream. This needs to be planned and presented well to obtain funds. Credit cards Provides up to 56 days free credit if you play the game! Overdraft Banks are surprisingly supportive when presented with a well thought through plan and competent management. Bank Loans Lenders tend to look for a good business plan and security. Typically the loan is approved by a centralised back office function rather than the person you meet. Terms and rates depend upon the risk. Repayments can be very flexible to meet your specific needs. Mortgages These can include flexible repayment terms to meet your business needs. This can even be incorporated into your overdraft finance so that you have one flexible account for both personal/ business mortgages and overdraft Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme Up to two years trading: Up to £100,000 Over two years trading: Up to £250,000 However these are difficult to obtain and are a loan of last resort. Export Guarantee Scheme This is government backed insurance against appropriate export documentation. Mezzanine This is a halfway house between loan and equity. It can be an innovative way of raising funds for the more established business. Mostly for expansion capital. Equity This is not as easy as the papers would have you know. Only 1% of business plans received by Venture Capital Funds are successful. However, a good business proposition consisting of a strong demand for the product or service, management track record and a sound financial plan will enhance the chance of success. Business Angels These are high net worth individuals who are successful businessmen looking for investment opportunities. They can provide both time expertise and money. Typical investment size is £25,000 to £250,000 but can go as high as £2m for the right opportunity. Exit within 3-5 years. Venture Capital These are investment funds seeking high rates of return. However typically investments are over a million pounds. Some funds are targeted at lower amounts depending upon the sector and region. These funds are looking for exponential capital growth over 3-5 years. Asset backed finance This can cover machinery, sales invoices even sales orders. It can be a very flexible source of finance to the growing business Leasing This will cover your capital expenditure and spread the cost over a three to five year period. It is particularly useful if you do not have taxable profits to maximise your capital allowances. Sale and leaseback of a property you own is another good source of funds. Factoring Factoring offers a sales ledger administration and debt collection service. Up to 95% of an approved sales invoice is paid within 48 hours, quicker if required. Credit protection is also available to protect against a bad debt. The Factor will own and place a first charge over the book debts and they might also take other charges, depending upon the strength of the financial information. Invoice discounting Invoice Discounting can be Confidential or Disclosed; it depends upon the strength of the financial information. The service is the same as Factoring, except that the sales ledger administration and the debt collection is the responsibility of the client and not the Factor. Pre payment of the approved sales invoice is still up to 95% and the factor will still have a first charge on the book debt and therefore own the debt. This service can also have credit protection cover. All sales invoices need to be for a business to business debt, and some proof of delivery is generally required. Trade Finance This is funding provided against stock purchases, signed contracts and orders whereby the funder will prepay a certain percentage of the value Pension fund It may be possible to use your pension funds for a loan back to the business What do u think about it?


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Death by Micromanagement

Smart & Simple Internet Techniques

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.