There is so much to learn from investments that went really well as well as those that went really poorly and so we asked some of the wisest creatives and entrepreneurs in the community to tell us the stories of their best and worst investments.

Kaylee Mcgilbery

The best thing I’ve invested in and would advise others to is yourself. I, as most artists, have been told no a million times. My business name is ‘Sabotagedsiren’. The sabotaged part comes from people in the tattoo industry, including myself, saying one thing that wasn’t the right way or talking down to me about my potential and me believing every word, because why would you not listen to mentors that you’re supposed to be learning from/looking up to. Read more>>

Wes Harris

The best investment I’ve ever made in a business would definitely be time. There’s something about constantly showing up for your dream, even on days where you don’t feel like it. Although investing money is just as vital, there’s no receipts when your time is spent somewhere. For me, music has always been a passion. For years I created songs, marketed products & albums without seeing much profit. Someone once told me that it takes about 3 years to see the results in what you do. I couldn’t agree more. Today things fortunately look a lot different, I’ll never take the hours put in for granted. Read more>>

Francy Nunez

Worst investment? 100% it would be buying photography equipment just because someone else was using it or because I thought it was cool. There are so many “fun” pieces of equipment that you can purchase in the photography world…it’s pretty crazy…but it’s easy to overdue it. Taking the time to see if you even need that item or if it is right for your style of photography/videography is super important so that everything you buy is an investment and not just a waste of money. Pretty simple right? Ha! Not until you see that new FX filter for your lens or a new camera comes out. Read more>>

Anita Aguilar

The best investment I ever made was making the jump and teaming up with my husband to become business partners. For many people, working with their spouse is not something that they would be excited about, but Edgar and I knew that our skills complimented each other. Edgar was working in the mortgage industry for awhile before I decided to enter into mortgage loan financing in 2005. Read more>>

Kelly Galeazzi

Owning a business means sacrifice, determination, and hard work. As a business owner, you will embark in many different investments to make sure your business is up and running, successful, and staying afloat. The best investment I’ve made owning a business has definitely been online marketing. Making sure my presence is known on social media. I’ve invested in myself and have put forth everything I have to offer to the world online. Making a solid foundation for my business, showing my growing talent and passion for what I love doing, and what makes me the person I am each and everyday. Read more>>

Talia Bennick

Hands down. I’ve felt more passionate about building Crisp & Crude than any other work I’ve done. I’m sure a lot of entrepreneurs feel this way if they create a product as a result of a problem they experienced. For me, creating a mood-lifting non-alcoholic cocktail finally gave me the elevated alternative to alcohol that I had been searching for on my alcohol-free journey, and I’m fired up because it’s doing the same for many of our customers. The whole thing lights me up. Read more>>

Sybil Sloan

A PhotoBooth I am not sure it was the worst investment or the worst time to make the investment; however, we purchased a photo booth. We financed the booth so we were committed to 48 months of financing or face destroying the company’s and my personal credit. Our liaison to book the booth was fired from the company that was going to be our saving Grace. No one connected to us was willing to operate the booth. We paid over 30k for the booth and NEVER made 1.00 in return. The lesson learned was to always have a Plan B for investment because Plan A often doesn’t work. Also never rely on one person, place, or thing to sustain your company. Read more>>

Jill Gulotta

Best investment I ever made was the investment in my first business coaching class. That opened up my world to the importance of investing in myself and connecting me with so many incredible people that not only changed me but changed my whole business. I will never NOT invest in myself. It really is so impactful on your business but more importantly on who you are as a person. Read more>>

Sumthing Beddar

Okay…. Best investment I’ve ever made was putting 100% into everything I attach myself to in this industry music and business wise to be the best man breathing in every room. The worst investment of time I’ve ever made was putting 100% into me without understanding the power of leverage and connection with the ” right” people. Read more>>