Risk is a topic that comes up a lot in our conversations with entrepreneurs and creatives, but a related topic is investments. Investments come in many forms – investing your time, money, heart and soul, etc. So, with that broad definition of investment in mind, we asked rising stars in the community to tell us the stories of the best or worst investments they’ve made.
Jamel Gibbs
The best investment I’ve made was the first one. The reason for this is because I was broke and needed a way out. Read more>>
Savannah Ellis
The best investment I ever made was my education. I have done numerous courses on photography, lighting, composition, business, pose coaching and so many more. Like many new photographers I started doing jumping on every photography opportunity I could get my hands on. Which lead to a major burn out and not much of a return. Read more>>
Brianna Brown
The worst investment I made was also the best investment I made. It’s funny how it works that way. I invested over $20k into a business coaching mastermind at the start of 2022. I was almost two years into entrepreneurship and had hopes that this investment would expand my entrepreneurial skillset, broaden my creative ideas, provide strategy and intentionality around business endeavors, and increase my revenue. I got swept away in the energetic expression the business mentor had and felt like this was the place for me. Read more>>
Cameron Jones
When I started out, the single best investment I made in my business was to hire a professional graphic designer to do my logo and website. When I spoke to my husband about my plans to start my business he was 100 percent supportive but I vividly remember him saying, “If you are going to do it, get your business set up right and look professional.” Read more>>
Kiana Jones
The worst investment I made in my business happened in 2021. I had spent a year and a half getting my business, Happening Hands, off the ground as a national marketplace for makers. We had grown to nearly 25 makers, and I was able to secure $50K in funding for a new and better marketplace platform for our makers. The funding was reserved for branding, the website build, and marketing the new site. Read more>>
Brandee Spillman
Investing in the cannabis industry is both the best and worst investment I have ever made. It has taken essentially all my money and almost 4 1/2 years of my life (and counting). Read more>>
Swayvy Gang
The BEST investment than can be made is in self! Our main priority is searching within to find value to provide. Read more>>
Alexandra Connett
When we launched, we didn’t have much room in our budget for employees. Instead we partnered with several colleges and designed the Foodist Internship Program. Interns spent one semester learning every step of recipe video production. At the end of the semester, each intern was paired with a food brand to conceptualize, film and edit a food video for. These videos were presented to the business owners at our end of year intern showcase party. Read more>>
Tony Brooks
When I first started my company, very little hiring was going on in the industry. I found myself in a situation where I had to make income to support my family, and there is no one scarier than someone who is hungry, with motivation. I started by myself, often times sleeping in my car as I lived some 100 miles away from my contracted location. Read more>>
Courtney Gerwig
First off. I never thought I would be a business owner at all! I always thought I would be working for someone. So when the opportunity presented itself I was really shocked at the progression of how the business became its own. Read more>>
Kayla Russell
Investing into my hair (Viva La Kay Luxury Hair Co.) and (Viva La Kay Luxury Apparel) clothing company has been the best investments I’ve made because I am able to sell merchandise that I love and use. I love being able to share what I’ve created with others/consumers because when they put on the merchandise that I sell/made, they fall in love with it. Read more>>