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.

Emily Prosise

The best investment I made in my business was 1:1 coaching! It was so much more useful than any online courses, workshops, or conferences I have attended in my 10 years of business! I wish I would’ve mentored under someone earlier in my career because of the HUGE gains I made afterward. Around five years of business I did a full mentorship program with a high-end photographer in the wedding industry which helped me bridge the gap between $1-2K weddings to $4-6K weddings. Read more>>

Alia Khatib

Worst investment: investing in productivity coach instead of an obm or coo , wasted 3 months and $3000 after 1 year in my business i knew i needed help in managing my time and projects as i was all over the place and something i struggled with all my life and now that im running my own biz i needed proper help little did i know that she was a coach that was transitioning from fitness coach to productivity and then to video/reel/ business fitness coach! Read more>>

Victor Ramos

As a business owner, you feel that money is the goal, how to make the most amount of money without having to invest too much capital, time, and effort. but in all reality that’s great and awesome, but there’s always a cost. This cost is not always tangible or you can factor it in an excel spreadsheet, most of the time it costs you your health, your emotional wellbeing, your spiritual peace, and your family time. Read more>>

Caylee Robillard

The best investment I’ve made within my job and the industry would definitely be making connections with other creatives that I look up or who’s work inspires me. As important as gear can be, that isn’t what defines a creative. Investing your time and energy into learning from the people that inspire you is incredibly beneficial. There is so much to be said for other creatives that are willing to teach and mentor, and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to learn from some of the best. Read more>>

Lindsay Burke

Best investment….SHINING MY SCHITT! I started Schitt to Shine as a fun furniture flipping side hustle…I’ve always been one to create and diy things…as I kept going I realized how shining your schitt applied to real life too…you can have the schittiest of situations and find a way to shine it up. Through my furniture I was able to feel proud and do something that was just for me. I could soar or fail..and learn a schitt ton along the way…just for me! Read more>>

Carlos Moreno

I started my business at an early age. Building a business isn’t the easiest thing for an 18-year-old. I had minimal knowledge in videography and photography. But the demand was there and I knew it. I had already done a few shoots and figured it was easy money. It was time for me to get serious and expand my work. Read more>>

Taylor Olson

I would say my education and continuing education is my best investment. I am a firm believer that no one is ever done learning. To stay relevant and current in this industry you have to learn new tricks and trends. Working with other artists and learning something from them is something I value more than I can explain. Read more>>