Burn rate is the speed at which a newly-built business spends money. My rate would be $50,000 a month when my new media company started . So ,I began looking around for people who would be my first investors . “Angel money” it was called .But when I considered my list of acquaintances to find those who might be able to help, I found the number got small.
With not other choices , I began meeting with the venture-capital companies . But I was warned they took a huge share of your company for the money they put in .And if you struggled ,they could leave you .
As I was searching for “angel money”, I started to build a team who trusted me even though I didn’t have money for pay yet .
We had some really good people ,but we still didn’t have enough money . One night, my neighbor, Louise Johnson, came for a visit. She and I were only nodding acquaintances ,but her boys and ours were constant companions. She ran a very good business at the time .
Louise was very clever and missed nothing .She had been watching my progress closely. She knew I was in great need of money and I had good prospects but could offer no guarantees of success.
She told me that her lawyer had talked to mine and the terms had been agreed upon. She handed me an envelope. Inside was a check for $500,000.
I almost fell down .I heard her voice as if from heaven .
“I have confidence in your plan,” she said . “You’ll do well . You’re going to work hard for it ,but it’s satisfying when you build your own company.” Who would have thought I’d find an angel so close to home ? There were no words enough for the moment. We just said good night .She left and I just stood there, completely humbled and completely thankful .

Burn rate is the speed at which a newly-built business spends money. My rate would be $50,000 a month when my new media company started . So ,I began looking around for people who would be my first investors . “Angel money” it was called .But when I considered my list of acquaintances to find those who might be able to help, I found the number got small.
所谓烧钱率，指的是新公司花钱的速度．当我的传媒公司开张伊始时，烧钱率是每月５万美圆．因此，我只好开始寻找我的第一批投资者．这种从天上掉下的馅饼被称为＂天使的钱＂．然而，翻遍熟人名录，我发现，其中能帮助我的人寥寥无几．
With not other choices , I began meeting with the venture-capital companies . But I was warned they took a huge share of your company for the money they put in .And if you struggled ,they could leave you .
没有别的选择，我只得开始恰谈风险投资．但是有人提醒我，风险投资公司会以受让很大比例的公司股份作为其出资条件．如果你对此提出异议，他们就会拂袖而去．
As I was searching for “angel money”, I started to build a team who trusted me even though I didn’t have money for pay yet .
由于正在为＂天使的钱＂而四处搜寻，我开始组建一个信任我的团队，尽管当时我还无法向他们支付报酬．
We had some really good people ,but we still didn’t have enough money . One night, my neighbor, Louise Johnson, came for a visit. She and I were only nodding acquaintances ,but her boys and ours were constant companions. She ran a very good business at the time .
这个团队的确不赖，可我们还是囊中羞涩．有天晚上，我的邻人 Louise Johnson来到我家．虽然她和我不过是点头之交，但她的儿子们却是我们的老朋友了．那时她经营着一家相当不错的企业．
Louise was very clever and missed nothing .She had been watching my progress closely. She knew I was in great need of money and I had good prospects but could offer no guarantees of success.
聪明一如Louise，是从来不会错过任何机会的．她一直就近关注着我们公司的进展，深知我虽然前景光明，但当时却极度缺钱，并且也无法保证将来就一定会成功．
She told me that her lawyer had talked to mine and the terms had been agreed upon. She handed me an envelope. Inside was a check for $500,000.
她告诉我，她的律师与我的律师谈过，并已就付款条件取得了共识．她递给我一个信封，里面装着一张５０万美圆的支票．
I almost fell down .I heard her voice as if from heaven .
“I have confidence in your plan,” she said . “You’ll do well . You’re going to work hard for it ,but it’s satisfying when you build your own company.” Who would have thought I’d find an angel so close to home ? There were no words enough for the moment. We just said good night .She left and I just stood there, completely humbled and completely thankful .
我几乎要晕倒了．她的声音听上去有如天籁．

＂我对你的计划充满信心，＂她说．＂你会成功的．虽然你为此而苦苦地努力工作，不过，开创自己的公司会赋予你成就感．＂谁会想到我最终找到了一位天使，而且她还始终近在眼前？我们互道了晚安．她转身离去，而我还伫立原地，满怀谦恭，一腔感激．