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.

Haigan Gandy

I don’t think that I have made a best or worst investment, but I think any money or time that you put into your business is valuable. Investments are gifts that keep on giving. As the saying goes “You have to spend money to make money.” Any money spent to make you more knowledgeable or efficient is imperative. I have also learned that sometimes my time does not have a price. Read more>>

Jaime Engebretson

I decided to start my business when I was on maternity leave from my corporate position at a Fortune 100 company. Prior to making that decision I was volunteering with my church as a wedding coordinator and would help out with setup for the ceremony and running the logistics of the ceremony part of the couple’s wedding day. Read more>>

Bula Barua

I believe the most valuable investment an artist can make is in their own learning and self-development. While financial investments can be important, they often pale in comparison to the long-term benefits of honing one’s artistic skills and nurturing personal growth. Read more>>

Jaquenta Poole

My best investment was purchasing a shed and turning it into a clothing shop, as I brought this idea to reality I learned a lot in the process. I learned the rules and regulations also the guidelines of how to properly open this business and having the building Zoned to its area.. I made this decision of having a building so that Zipsie would have its very own home base.. Read more>>

Red Swan

One of the best investments we’ve made in our career has been getting a studio, which just happened earlier this year! We’d been wanting one for years, both to practice in and to have a more collaborative space for working on smaller commissions- in the past, we’d just been passing paintings back and forth between our houses. Read more>>

Keala Jarvis

The best investment I’ve ever made in my business is to hire a business coach. I was incredibly skeptical of hiring a business coach for many many years, it was a lot of money that I thought I didn’t have early in my career. As my goals for my business grew bigger I knew my own experience was a limiting factor and decided to give a go. Within the first year my coach helped me more than doubled my revenue, helped me navigate a multi-location business, and move my business to a new location. Read more>>

Carie Hamm

I believe that the best investment I can make into my personal line of work is a high level of customer service. This has proved a tried and true way for my business growth. My philosophy has been since day one, if you take care of your clients, they will take care of you. A high level of care and customer service let’s those clients know that they are appreciated and they will return, which is the first return of that investment. Read more>>

Carla Welechuk Kowski

My best investment was implementing a CRM to automate my processes. I personally use Honeybook, but there are so many so it’s important to find what system work best for your field. Once I was able to map out and automate my workflows it opened my time up to focus on growing my brand. It’s easy to get stuck in the weeds of the day to day when operating a business. Technology is very much your friend. Read more>>

Caroline Tabatchnick

My name is Caroline. I am the owner and wreath designer at Sweet Carolina Wreath Boutique in Fort Mill, SC. I design and hand craft faux floral wreaths and arrangements for seasons, holidays, and occasions as well as providing local, in-person wreath making workshops. Read more>>

Maisie Lay

If you have ever tried getting into the modeling industry – you may have learned how oversaturated it is. You never know who to trust, you get taken advantage of. And you get scammed. Read more>>

Kristina Horan

The best investment I made in my life was the risk to start my business. I decided to quit my 3 part time jobs when COVID hit and refocus all my energy into launching my website design/graphic design business. I always wanted to find a way to offer something into the entertainment industry vs. Read more>>

Rochelle McRyans

The best investment I’ve made as in terms of both time and money is developing my television dramedy. During the summer of 2021 I began writing my first draft of 50 pages, then I got an entertainment attorney who is supporting me and taking me to the next level of my career. Her name is Lee Morin the founder of Morin Legal she started her own small business and entertainment law firm back in 2013 . Read more>>