Ghost Stories for Entrepreneurs John Witchel Former CEO, Red Gorilla Principal, Cole Valley Group.

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Presentation transcript:

Ghost Stories for Entrepreneurs John Witchel Former CEO, Red Gorilla Principal, Cole Valley Group

Agenda What is Bankruptcy? Mechanics of Shutdown The Big Don’ts The Hardest Part Liquidity Preference Things I’d Do Differently Protecting Your Own Hide The Things People Say …

What is Bankruptcy? Bankruptcy is a court managed dissolution of your company It is of no value if there are no significant assets to fight over It does not protect you from or alleviate you of your obligations If you think corporate lawyers suck …

The Mechanics of a Shutdown The Night Before –Tell Your Wife Day One –Tell all your employees to their faces –Call your major investors & your board –Call your major customers –Call your major suppliers Day Two –Hide Days Three – Seven –Questions and Answers Day Eight – One Hundred and Eighty –Deal with an astonishing amount of BS

The Big Don’ts Don’t Talk to the Press Don’t Promise Anything to Anybody Don’t Feel Sorry for Yourself, Your Investors, Your Management Team or Your Employees Don’t Lie, Apologize or Sugarcoat Don’t Make Backroom Deals Don’t Mess with the IRS or the DOL Don’t Treat Yourself to a Little Preference

The Hardest Part: Your Employees Some People Infuse Employment With a Paternalistic Quality –This can result in literally child like responses: rage, blame, vengeance, etc. Do Not Indulge Them

Liquidity Preference Understand Your Cap Table –A $7M acquisition offer with $10M of VC liquidation preference ain’t worth squat to you We Don’t Save Face in America –A sale to say just you sold your company is a joke

Things You’d Do Differently Never Sign a Personal Guarantee Again Never Let Cash Reserves Drop Below 120 Days Never Count on an Unknown Event

Protecting Your Own Hide Get and Maintain D&O Insurance Pay Your Taxes Pay Your 401K Don’t Make it Easy

The Things People Say … You Are Not Personally Responsible for Your Companies Obligations Your First Duty is to Your Family Your Reputation is Not For Sale The Media is Not the Place to Respond

Conclusion Bankruptcy Isn’t So Bad = Skiing, Golfing, Surfing and Diapers