I blogged recently about my latest book "How to Fund Your Business", because I had submitted the final manuscript to the publisher.

Well, in parrallel with the last stages of writing the book, I had been using the ideas and advice in it to help a friend of mine raise £1.5m for his new business.

I helped him and his team focus their ideas and then I wrote the business plan for them using the template I use in the book.

So you can imagine my nerves being on edge as they started sending it out to some of the big venture capital firms, banks and business angels!

I'm relieved to say that it worked! They have raised the first tranche of money, and the rest is well on the way.

One major international bank even told my friend that it was the best business plan they had seen for years.

Phew!