Paul Azous
 Agent: No
New York, New York, United States Email: azous@hotmail.com INTERVIEW WITH PAUL AZOUS - Wall Street Journal Interview, January 13, 2010 and New York Times, April 10, 2009.
Copy into your browser:
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100113-708957.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/business/smallbusiness/10hunt.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
or
http://biz.yahoo.com/nytimes/080410/1194763804989.html?.v=10
Paul Azous, Ph.D. is a native of Seattle, Washington. He is the Managing Member of the consulting firm PPM.net, a venture dedicated to helping companies worldwide successfully raise capital and get to market. Specifically, through one of PPM.net's subsidiaries, Business Plan Advisors, the Company has written and edited hundreds of business plans spanning a wide spectrum of industries. Azous has worked in the finance, education and think tank sectors and is the author of several recent books on modern history and thought. He sits on numerous boards of directors of both start-up and multi-million dollars firms. For the last several years he has focused on helping companies develop business models and help raise capital.
JTA_R, New York. November 20, 2009-11-24.08
Interview with Paul Azous.
I recently had the pleasure to chat with Paul Azous at a venture capital forum in New York City prior to Thanksgiving. In his talk to a group of investors he managed to make 50% of the room despise some of his thoughts, while the remaining half couldn’t stop applauding him. Indeed, it is quite rare these days to hear an insider speak frankly on matters such as the economy, international investment strategy, and global politics, all in the context of a changing global environment. Dr. Azous, a young, well spoken investment strategist has much to say, and many are listening. What follows is an excerpt of an ‘interview’ I had with Paul Azous. I met him in the Ritz Carlton foyer, and found him sipping a cup of coffee. He was wearing an Armani suit that, he told me, was given to him as a gift by a wealthy investment firm in Saudi Arabia. He tells me that he only wears such a suit for meetings in front of 'powerful people'. But the suit, he says, is just a suit.
Hossein Rubin (H.R.): Dr. Azous, how many books have you written?
Azous: Trick question, but I will answer it the way I tell my grandmother. I have written three books, one that is published, and two in the process of getting published. Certainly there is a valid point to say that one has not ‘written’ a book until it is published, but I do not hold by that opinion. The next two books should be out by the summer of 09’. I have a book coming out on private placement investment and venture capital. It is a guide to entrepreneurial pitfalls and should help those seeking capital to gain a street insight into the current market conditions that we currently find ourselves in.
H.R.: You recently received an award from the League of Extraordinary Authors in Washington, D.C., but you refused to show up to the event. It was rumored that you opposed their politics. Any truth in this?
Azous: None.
H.R.: Care to elaborate?
Azous: Not really. But I will say this. My firm represents many international private investment groups. The number one priority of my job is the protection and privacy of those that rely on my team and me for guidance. Yes we are young, but not that young, and the League has been critical of our influence because of our claimed lack of experience. But we are honest.
H.R.: So you thing the League is dishonest?
Azous: I am not saying they are dishonest, just disingenuous. When someone questions my integrity because of my age, they not only insult me, they insult the high net worth individuals and groups I represent. They essentially call these people fools, when in fact the wise man keeps silent, while the fool continues talk.
H.R.: Okay, we will stop with the League, for now (smiling). Tell me about TPPM.net. What is the mission?
Azous: Two things: To learn and be involved in international commerce, while making money for my clients and my firm (you could say that is four).
H.R.: And this is mainly accomplished by writing proposals and raising capital?
Azous: Somewhat. Our firm owns a part of more than 30 companies. The majority at the moment are just getting off the ground, whether that implies acquiring the necessary funding to get to market, or the granting of a patent, or the conclusion of a law suit. Aside from having offices on the ground in more than 10 countries, with each one with one or several reps on the ground with local phone numbers, we also have a presence in many venture capital firms worldwide. We write many proposals on a monthly basis, both in and out of the US. Our relationship to the funders, however, is critical.
H.R.: What about legal work?
Azous: We run several legal websites and own a part of a few additional ones. www.BusinessPlanLaw.com and www.PPM.net are two of the most successful. We have partnered with numerous law firms throughout the US, England, China and the Middle East. We are not a law firm, and I want to stress that. Although we have several lawyers who are part of the business plan team, we are not a law firm, and we never get paid for legal services.
H.R.: But if I needed a contract or private placement memorandum I could get it from you?
Azous: You could get it from our attorneys, not from me.
H.R.: Okay, a totally new topic. It is rumored you are an expert...THIS PART DELETED ON PURPOSE.............
Azous: I love this rumor. My mother was asked this once by someone doing a story on my partner and me....NEXT PART DELETED ON PURPOSE.............(laughing).
H.R.: ...THIS PART DELETED ON PURPOSE.............?
Azous: Who cares? THIS PART DELETED ON PURPOSE............. And quite frankly, this was many years ago so it doesn't count anymore (laughing).
H.R.: Years ago? You are young, no? Have you written proposals for anyone in the THIS PART DELETED ON PURPOSE.............?
Azous: Yes. But trust me, you don’t want to know for what. THIS PART DELETED ON PURPOSE..............
H.R.: You doctoral dissertation covered, among other topics, the development and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, you wrote a history of the Middle East, and the Arab-Israeli wars in the context of nuclear warfare. In your opinion, if the Middle East goes nuclear, such as Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon, what do you envision the short and long term consequences?
Azous: Heated questions and this may not be the forum to address it. More so, I am a business guy now and have left these types of politics behind.
H.R.: I understand, but you must still read the papers once in a while.
Azous: I do, but I am bored. However, I make everyone of our employees keep up with global news, but only because it effects our work and decisions. There is something called a PEST Analysis in business plan and feasibility studies that we conduct. A PEST Analysis stands for the following: Political, Economic, Social and Technological Analysis. Our investors rely upon our research and connections in order to make the most solid investment. For instance, if one of our groups wants to dump money into Iran today, what are our recommendations based on the PEST Analysis? Factors such as long term political stability of the Mullahs, short term factors such as the potential bombing of Iran over its nuclear policy and much more all come into play. We have many issues with our investors for Taiwan these days as many are fearful of an eventual Chinese takeover. In the US the PEST Analysis is employed in proposals mainly for the economic sector.
H.R.: Is that because you hold that the US economy will bounce back?
Azous: Absolutely. Many are fearful that the BRIC nations are now going to take over the economy of the planet. We disagree.
H.R.: BRIC nations?
Azous: Brazil, Russia, India and China. A large part of the world’s wealth is being dumped into these countries, and it is assumed that this will continue.
H.R.: And you don’t?
Azous: I do, but it should be called the BRICA nations, or the ABRIC nations, for America. Its naive to think that the US is will not be a global player for years to come. I am tired of hearing this, but if people want to fool themselves into such beliefs I will not stop them.
H.R.: But you are not an economist. Why should I believe you?
Azous: You shouldn’t. I don’t answer to you or the public. Our company answers to our investors only, and all assessments such as what I just told you, although not elaborate by any standards, are kept quiet.
H.R.: Who exactly are your investors?
Azous: Good people with a long term vision.
H.R.: Yes, but can you name some?
Azous: No. I could name a hundred, but cannot.
H.R.: So it’s a secret?
Azous: Not a secret, but a fact. Most of the people we associate with like to keep a low profile. They do not need to be contacted by someone they do not know. We have a trust factor in place that took a long time to solidify. I do not bother them unless I feel it is worth their time. And worth their time can mean several things. I will give you an example. I have a love-hate relationship with a billionaire boating magnet. He is nearly 70 years old. He is not married, has no family, and he claims he has maybe two real friends. He spends the majority of his days on one of several massive yachts in his fleet. He has told me that if I bother him for a deal it means I am interrupting his fishing time, even at night time. So this guy likes to play, although he plays alone. Others in our network are so busy they have little time to entertain new ideas. So it just depends. But I am very careful how often I contact these people and the method by which I contact them at all.
H.R.: What do you mean? You call or email, right?
Azous: Most of the time (smiling). There are people, like the yacht guy, that I have to fly to show them something I feel is worthwhile to invest in. Most, however, have several people to get through to first, such as their attorneys or business managers. Some don’t have either.
H.R.: Have you ever flown to yacht guy?
Azous: I have and on more than one occasion. To get to him you have to fly to Greece or Monaco, and then take a private helicopter to one of his yachts. The problem is I hate flying. I really don't like any moving vehicle that runs on petroleum. I make a prayer before every flight, including on helicopters.
H.R.: I imagine there is good food waiting for you as a compensation for your travels.
Azous: Actually I only ate with him once. Typically I get one hour with him to explain what I think is a good deal. The last time I met him his chef made us a sushi lunch. It was quite good.
H.R.: How many others like you are there out there? Ones that meet such people in such different circumstances?
Azous: I don’t know any except my mentor. He is the best in the business at raising money. This guy could walk into a room full of billionaires and say ‘I need three million from you, six from you and forty from you” and within 24 hours those funds would be wired to his account. It was sickening, and it still is.
H.R.: Who is your mentor and where is he now?
Azous: My mentor, Jack, is having fun. He now focuses his time on space tourism. He has linked his investors, who have since become some of my best contacts, with many great scientists with the goal of developing space tourism. Jack made millions in less than 10 years representing his clients.
H.R.: You hope to do the same? I mean Jack is your mentor. You want to be like him?
Azous: I used to be teacher years ago, and I look forward to getting back into education in a few years. (Azous pauses for about six seconds, thinking to himself, and then he continues). Jack is a man without any character flaws. He is honest, trustworthy, and probably the most intelligent person I have ever met. He encourages me to return to education 'when the time is right'.
H.R.: That cannot be your whole goal of running PPM.net returning to the classroom?
Azous: Actually, one of the major goals was to originally afford a round trip ticket to space on one of those tourism ships. But now my goal is to spend a week on the Mir Space Station, among several other small goals. It will cost around $20 million, but I am working on it (laughing). Maybe with the help of Jack it will cost less. But either way, we are taking our business to space and having fun trying.
My interview was interrupted by a tall, pretty, well dressed woman with an English accent. We exchange hellos and she asks me if Paul is being helpful in answering my questions. She bends down and whispers something in his ear and hands him a cell phone. He excuses himself for about ten seconds, and then returns and tells me he is sorry but he must leave.
“It was great speaking with you, and I am sorry to cut this short but I must go”.
“Where to?” I ask with a smirk. “London?”
“Actually I am going to Brooklyn. My best friend from college just had a baby”.
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Paul Azous
Paul Azous, (Ph.D. pending, expected to receive degree in June 2006) is a native of Seattle, Washington. A trained historian and gifted writer, Azous has been a life-long entrepreneur, helping hundreds of companies create business plans and financials model, private placement memoranda, and aided in procuring capital as well.
As PPM.net’s founder and CEO, Paul has led the Company’s growth to become an industry leader in private placement memorandum and business plan consulting. Under his guidance, PPM.net has become – not the largest - but one of the most effective companies to emerge in the entrepreneurial and capital acquisition spheres in the last several years.
As the head of Company oversight, Paul is responsible for several divisions that specialize in business plan development, private placement memorandum creation and private placement, franchise creation in the U.S. and more. Over the past decade, Paul has helped scores of companies launch their businesses, including assisting in the development of their business plan, due diligence material, and company valuations. Under Paul’s guidance, PPM.net has written and edited more than 2,000 offering memorandums and business plans spanning a wide spectrum of industries.
Paul’s resume boasts a plethora of creative and mathematical experiences. He has geared his team toward a ‘focused-team-work-based operations platform’. Without a team, he often says, there is no game to play. Paul sits on numerous boards of directors and is often a sought after consultant.
Azous has taught history and other subjects at the college level. He has worked in the political and economic think-tank sector, including as an independent consultant, while simultaneous managing his own start-ups. Under his leadership at PPM.net, the company has exponentially grown in both size and service. Catering to a now global clientele that ranges from Tokyo to Dubai to Seattle, with offices in 10 countries, and local partners on the ground in each, PPM.net has become one of the pre-eminent strategic business planning firms in the world.
Through one of PPM.net's major divisions, Business Plan Advisors™, (www.Businessplana.com), the Company has created an international network of entrepreneurs, investors, and partnerships.
Business Plan Advisors™
Over the past several years, Business Plan Advisors™, a New York/Seattle based venture, has become one of the leading business plan and private placement memorandum development firms in the world.
Hundreds of businesses worldwide, spanning a vast awry of industries, have relied on Business Plan Advisors™ for solid plan development and an honest assessment regarding a project’s feasibility. The firm’s reputation is known as reliable and straight forward while meticulously paying attention to detail, time constraint and budget. Most plans are completed within several weeks from the start date. They offer affordable business plan services and much more.
For both its domestic and international clients Business Plan Advisors™ offers a multi-tiered platform for growth. Below are the three main features currently being offered, though the Company, under the leadership of PPM.net, offers a vast awry of other services, too.
(i) Business Plan Development and Writing: Business Plan Advisors™ offer business plan development for virtually all industries and all company levels, whether pre-revenue, second or later-stage.
(ii) Capital Raising Services: Business Plan Advisors™ has a multi-tiered platform for raising capital. The network consists of various direct funding sources, including investment banks, venture capital firms, angel investors, hedge funds, private banks, and much more. They Company also writes grants for both profit and non-profit organizations.
(iii) "Legal Work": Business Plan Advisors™ has created a strategic alliance with a team of attorneys nationwide. The law firm, www.BusinessPlanLaw.com, as well as www.PPM.net, services the Company’s clients worldwide, saving entrepreneurs thousands of dollars in unnecessary costs in both general legal counsel and private placement memoranda creation. Similar to its business plan and capital raising divisions, Business Plan Advisors™ saves its clients upwards of 50% of the traditional costs associated with starting a business, or seeking additional capital.
All Services
Profit & not-for profit Plan Development » Fund Raising via Our Network » Offering Memoranda » Executive Summaries » Financial Projections » Competitive Analyses » Patent Protection & Copyright » Trademark Information » Start-up Consultation » Legal Materials & Non-Disclosure » Search Engine Optimization » Web Site Development » B2B Networking » Branding & Logo Design » Feasibility Study » Strategic Market Research » Venture Capital Research » More.
Business Networks
PPM.net assists companies worldwide. Over the past few years offices have been opened in ten countries and many more cities, including Seattle, New York, Toronto, London, Tel Aviv, Cairo, Dubai, Bangalore-Mumbai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore. More are on the way.
From the point of view of the Board of Directors, consisting of an international body, only one person was capable of leading PPM.net deep into the 21st Century: Paul Azous. Mr. Azous’ resume boasts a plethora of creative and mathematical experiences as well as a focused teamwork based operations platform. He is well known as a gifted speaker and prolific writer.
For additional information on Business Plan Advisors™ visit www.Businessplana.com.
For additional information on Business Plan Law, visit www.BusinessPlanLaw.com.
For additional information on Private Placement Memorandums, visit www.PPM.net.
For another division of PPM.net, visit, www.FranchiseC.com, in order to help franchise your business.
To purchase a copy of Mr. Azous’ first book, visit www.PaulAzous.com, www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com, or visit a local Barnes & Noble near you.
Azous’ ground breaking Ph.D. Dissertation, spanning the fields of American foreign policy, Middle East conflict post-World War I, and nuclear proliferation in the 21st Century, is soon to be published. Azous is preparing to publish his third and fourth book, entitled 101 Jewish Values © and The Art of Taking Investors' Money and Using it to Make More: Private Placement and Venture Capital Strategies ©.
Azous enjoys barbecuing, reading and everything entrepreneurial. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Posted by R.H. Mahdavi
Interests: Finance, Private Placement, Venture Capital, History, religion, politics, business networking
Published writer: Yes
Freelance: No |
