Leaving to Africa in less than 2 months... need $2000. How?

[celltech2000]

I am leaving to Malawi, Africa in less than 2 months to organize a NGO. I need to make $2000 before going to cover the costs of the flight, supplies, etc... What kind of venture can I get into to make up the costs? I already have a full-time job at a biotech company and part-time job at Best Buy. So, I need to find something that I can do during my spare time that will yield high returns.

I live in the Raleigh/Durham area in North Carolina.

Also, I was thinking about trying to make up my money when I get back from Africa. I am looking to find suppliers there for various products and import them to the States.

Thanks.

[DrMoney]

Well,
1st, the entertainment industry is HUGE, and events is what I am doing.
I am setting up a fighting event at the local venue to raise some quick cash.

Here is the info for ya.
Eau Claire Ultimate Fight
MMA Style Fight
28 fighters
ladder style match up
1000k prize for winner-this will be from 3 sponsors
we will have a non profit sell liquor because all liqor liscence's full where I live.
then take a % of the $$
have a vendor sell food, and take a %

Costs

2-4000$ to rent area
then get a dj-100-300$
buy tickets(500) at kinkos like 50-100$ if they custom
Rent Ring. Depends on where you get it. 200-500$
Sell Shirts from the Event 5-7$ per shirt-sell at 15
Total-around 3-5k Give or take.

Profits
30$ tickets for like a 3-4 hour event
15$ per shirt(total profit 7-8$per shirt)
Selling drinks
Selling Food
totals
500 peopleX30=15,000
and all the extra stuff

[unzo]

Like it Dr Money, MMA is going to be huge.

I'm assuming you've thought of:

Licence (maybe not necessary if amateur?)
Insurance (again, maybe not necessary if fighters have their own)
Doctors in standby
Referees and judges (could get volunteers?)
Security (maybe provided by the venue)?
Ring girls?!

Still even if the above were necessary you should stand to make some $, best of luck!

[pbradish]

Oh man. Are you booking real fighters? Dave Strasser is out in Wisc. maybe you should contact him and his gym.

28 fighters going for $1k purse? That is career suicide if they are real fighters. Even the amateurs here make at least $300 just to show, with headliners earning a few K and we are just one state over. I would seriously think about what you are doing. MMA is a very territorial sport and you're probably stepping on a lot of toes by running an event without the right people knowing and OKing it.

This isn't a softball game - people are going to get hurt.

And promoting is very difficult to turn a profit. Dude, I've been around MMA for years... please rethink or at least get in touch with the right contacts first (if you haven't already).

[unzo]

Oh, and to answer your question...!

Could you sound out the possibility of part-sponsorship of your trip from local businesses?

They can help with your finances, and you take send some photos of you working to improve life in Africa to your local newspaper. They write an article, detailing that it was all made possible by the generosity and good nature of your sponsors.

Worth a try...

[BOG]

You're going to spend you're $15K profit on marketing and advertising just to get those 500 people to show up.

[celltech2000]

Oh, and to answer your question...!

Could you sound out the possibility of part-sponsorship of your trip from local businesses?

They can help with your finances, and you take send some photos of you working to improve life in Africa to your local newspaper. They write an article, detailing that it was all made possible by the generosity and good nature of your sponsors.

Worth a try...

Thanks for the input. it is worth the try... i will let you know how it turns out

[Mikey1205]

This guy is going to Africa , and suddenly the thread gets high jacked my some MMA event stuff? ... no on.

[celltech2000]

i am still welcoming any replies to my original message. thanks

[DrMoney]

Yes i have thought of everything you listed

Licence (maybe not necessary if amateur?)
Insurance (again, maybe not necessary if fighters have their own)
Doctors in standby
Referees and judges (could get volunteers?)
Security (maybe provided by the venue)?
Ring girls?!

Just dont know exact, that was very rough.

and Pbradish, I was thinking MMA, but people to get hurty and where I live, ALOT of ameteur fighters, so they would, Ive done the research.

[ttfing]

I need to make $2000 before going to cover the costs of the flight, supplies, etc... What kind of venture can I get into to make up the costs? I already have a full-time job at a biotech company and part-time job at Best Buy. So, I need to find something that I can do during my spare time that will yield high returns.

Handjobs.

[nordicnomad]

Buy a bunch of promotional pens or buttons or magnets or whatever that have the slogan for your NGO, pictures of poor african children, or whatever;

then hire some kids from your neighborhood or family to go door to door around your town selling the promotional material for donations.

Give them a very basic sales pitch and teach them how to make puppy dog eyes. Once you've "sold" enough for your trip pay the kids and head to africa.

[Paint and Air Sportz]

Well,
1st, the entertainment industry is HUGE, and events is what I am doing.
I am setting up a fighting event at the local venue to raise some quick cash.

Here is the info for ya.
Eau Claire Ultimate Fight
MMA Style Fight
28 fighters
ladder style match up
1000k prize for winner-this will be from 3 sponsors
we will have a non profit sell liquor because all liqor liscence's full where I live.
then take a % of the $$
have a vendor sell food, and take a %

Costs

2-4000$ to rent area
then get a dj-100-300$
buy tickets(500) at kinkos like 50-100$ if they custom
Rent Ring. Depends on where you get it. 200-500$
Sell Shirts from the Event 5-7$ per shirt-sell at 15
Total-around 3-5k Give or take.

Profits
30$ tickets for like a 3-4 hour event
15$ per shirt(total profit 7-8$per shirt)
Selling drinks
Selling Food
totals
500 peopleX30=15,000
and all the extra stuff

For a 4 hour event, expect to pay alot more for a dj, most professional dj's are gonna run $1000+ for a event like this.

Also you NEED insurance, what happens when a fighter gets seriously hurt, or a crowd member. (Waivers mean shit in court) If something does happen, say hello to a million+ lawsuit.


I would look into doing a concert for local bands, maby a battle of the bands. Local guys can be very good and may perform for free, or very little cash.

[pbradish]

Most promoters I know form under an LLC and have fighters sign waivers (for what it's worth). It's not uncommon to drop $20,000 or more on one event, and it's not uncommon to come up short and be unable to pay out. What worries me about events like this are does the potential promoter really know the intricacies of the game? Do you have a solid referee? Have you ever even run a fighter's meeting? How about an EMT - In nearly every state it is law to have an EMT present.