So I know I keep talking about how great my desire is to be back driving Top Fuel again. I haven’t really talked about what I’m doing to achieve my goal.

I come into the Kalitta Motorsports shop almost every morning. I have a nice office to spread my stuff out and work. My computer and the telephone are the most important tools for me right now. I start out my day by first going on Facebook and probably spending too much time on it. Then I check my e-mails and respond to fan mail and others. I always read the news to see how the economy is doing. Thankfully, there is starting to be some good news. In January and February, I stopped reading the news or watching it because it seemed to be all bad news and it was really depressing. It was also around that time that I was getting very little response from any companies when I inquired about them becoming a marketing partner.

Today things are looking a little better. I’ve noticed that the economic news is slowly starting to turn around, and I’m starting to generate more interest little by little with companies of all different types. It’s actually kind of exciting.

I went to Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago to the Licensing International Expo at Mandalay Bay. The expo was described as “the ultimate meeting place to build partnerships, preview what’s coming, and create the deals that move products off the shelves.” I knew I needed to be there from the minute I heard about it. I had the opportunity to talk with companies from all over the world — U.S., Canada, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Korea, and the list goes on. I talked with a lot of people and made some great contacts (The Smurfs were there and they took a photo with me, but they aren’t ready to go 300 mph just yet) I didn’t walk away with a signed deal, which wasn’t my objective, but I think it was definitely worth going. Now a lot of companies know about me and about NHRA Drag Racing that didn’t before.

I’m learning that raising money is about building relationships. A company doesn’t just want to hand over a given amount of money for me to go racing. They want to invest their money, trust in where it’s going, and see results from the investment.

I’ve been busy following up with all these new contacts. It’s process of contacting them via e-mail and or phone, finding out their marketing goals, and trying to find how we can meet their marketing goals, then conveying that to them in a clear and cogent presentation. The presentation, if we’re fortunate enough to even get the appointment, requires traveling to wherever this company is located. It’s process that takes time and patience.

I’m learning as I go here. I don’t know if it’s the right way, but I’ll keep plugging away. I have some great help too, so I tell you about that soon. I’m looking forward to being at the Norwalk race this weekend! I’ll be keeping updates on Twitter page https://twitter.com/HillaryWill and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/hillary.will