Investors are scared and wasting our time [ I will not promote ]

Investors are scared & wasting our time I’ve busted my ass to get out of poverty. In 2016, I had a 425 credit score, $0 to my name, tens of thousands in credit card debt, and a job at Coldstone. Since then, I’ve built two businesses and employed 10-15 people. Right now, I have 9 people working for my startup—most of whom have been with us for more than two years. We’ve built something real. We’ve put in the work. But now, we’re running out of money and time on our runway, and it’s terrifying. What I’m venting about is the LPs, venture scouts, and “investors” who waste people’s time, play games with money, and have no idea what they’re doing. They say they want traction, but when you show them actual traction, they dismiss it. They criticize without data, won’t engage meaningfully with the numbers, and often seem more interested in the idea of investing than actually taking a bet. They’ll talk in circles, give noncommittal feedback, and string founders along for months—only to ghost or say, “Come back when you have more proof.” The worst part? The thing they call “proof” is often just vibes. It’s not about metrics, it’s not about customers, it’s about whether you fit some imaginary mold in their heads. Meanwhile, we’re the ones doing the work, making the sacrifices, and putting everything on the line. I know this is part of the game, but damn, I’m tired of playing it with people who don’t even understand their own rules. I will not promote.