Part 2/9:
Starting a business is not merely about securing loans or venture capital; it's about timing and readiness. Alex emphasizes that young entrepreneurs must be discerning about when to seek external funding. The initial step should involve thorough self-assessment and market validation rather than jumping straight into the funding pool. He cites personal experiences investing over $100 million in veteran-owned companies, alongside insights from financial expert Dave Ramsey, who warns against premature funding of half-baked business ideas.