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.

Dj Thomas Dean

Can’t think of the worst, but ill share what I feel is my best. As a wedding DJ in Arizona, one of the best investments I’ve made, both in terms of time and money, has been in bettering myself by having coaches and mentors. Early in my career, I realized that if I wanted to offer couples having Arizona weddings a truly exceptional experience, I had to go beyond just knowing how to play music. I had to elevate every aspect of my craft, from performance to client service, and this realization shaped the trajectory of my business. Read more>>

Boston Mikesell

We started our social media channels back in 2016 and started just by posting daily consistent vlogs for about two years. We were filming just about everyday and editing for hours. We ran the whole channel by ourselves (keep in mind we were about 12 years old and in elementary school haha). Many days felt like we were progressing and we were just stuck. Read more>>

Eva Hill

As a realtor specializing in helping families purchase investment properties, my journey in real estate took a transformative turn when I decided to buy a duplex. The knowledge I gained, the financial benefits I enjoy, and the insights I can share with my clients have all contributed to my growth as a realtor. Multifamily properties are often overlooked, but they present incredible opportunities for conscious investors and families alike. I can discuss not just the financial aspects, but also the lifestyle changes and responsibilities that come with being a landlord. These insights help me to empathize and connect with my clients on a deeper level, positioning me as a trusted advisor rather than just a salesperson. Read more>>

Armen Kronfel

I think the best investment I’ve made has been investing in myself. Investing in my health, dreams, and goals has brought me a sense of clarity and purpose. When I had just turned 20 I experienced a couple life-altering events that led me to taking a leap of faith into pursuing my dreams. I told myself this was the direction I was headed in and I haven’t looked back since. 5 years later I’m grateful my younger self took the initiative to pursue something I simply love. I’m now 25 and am eager to see my life continue to evolve and unfold. The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is to trust and let go. Being a human, I inevitably want to control everything. I’ve learned that there’s serenity in letting go and just being patient. Read more>>

Mckayle Harnell

THE INVESTMENT First, Let me give you an understanding of how I view an Investment. In my eyes there are 3 kinds of investments. The first being, “The Sure Thing.” Basically an automatic home run, the outcome is always one of Positive ROI (return on investment). The second kind of investment is what I call, “The 50/50.” In this scenario the person invested has a high chance of ending up on the winning side. With the “50/50″ as long as you stay invested long enough you’ll find yourself learning something that brings you to your desired outcome. In short they require patience. The Third type of investment is called,”The Hail Mary” this is one you make when your back is against the wall and you’re willing to risk it all, these often feel more like bets rather than investments. In most cases The Hail Mary type requires either extreme desperation or situational abundance. Read more>> 

William Bessette Brandon Washington

The worst investment we have made as an agency is hiring with unsuccessful lead-gen companies. Quite a few years back, we had ideas to scale our business to get more clients, so we interviewed a few agencies that specialize in lead-gen automation. We didn’t have much money to spend on lead generation, so we went with a company we thought would give us a great ROI. We quickly realized that this might be a scam. The company promised ten calls per week, but in three weeks, we only received three calls, all from clients who didn’t need marketing services at all. At that point, we realized this was a bad idea. Read more>>

Jaclyn E

The short answer to this question is, the best investment I’ve ever made is in myself. The long answer is the story I’m about to share with you today. When I was 19 and recently graduated from highschool, I was trying to figure out what to do with my life. I decided to take a gap year for college and ended up starting it, but not going back. I was not the academic type. I prioritized “street smarts” and people skills over “book smarts”. Now that I look back on the success my music career has brought me, I’m so glad this was my decision. At the time, I had some money saved up, but not a lot. With the little money I did have, I invested about $1,500 in a Bluetooth tower PA system, a Yamaha digital keyboard, microphone, cables and stands. 4 years later, I look back and realize this was the best investment I could have made for myself. Read more>>

Susana Walas

My best investment has undoubtedly been in myself. Focusing on my mental wellness and personal development has been transformative, not just in my personal life but also in my career. As a brand strategist, it’s crucial to be adaptable and creative, and I’ve found that the more I invest in my own growth, the better equipped I am to navigate the complexities of my industry. This self-investment has allowed me to build resilience, strengthen my leadership skills, and approach challenges with a clear, focused mindset, all of which have been key to my success. Read more>>

Otis Giambra

The best investment of time that I ever made was a simple Craigslist ad. I had moved from Phoenix to Albuquerque in 2018, and I knew no one in New Mexico. This was a career move in my normal job. I’ve played music for a long time, but mostly for myself and within a duet in Arizona. I thought I could maybe start up a band in New Mexico, because I’ve always wanted to do that. I placed an ad saying I’d like to get a honky-tonk country band going on. That’s my favorite kind of music. I had lived in Nashville for a while, and at that time I vowed to make that happen some day. It took about 25 years, but it happened. Read more>>

Iris Preciado

One of the best investments I made was pursuing formal education. I attended Orange Coast Community College, and their photography program is exceptional. The professors are incredibly supportive and provide a comprehensive understanding of the field. Completing the program gave me the confidence to tackle any job, and it prepared me well for the industry. Another significant investment was in quality equipment. Photography can be costly, and to succeed, you need to invest wisely. I started with basic gear, but as I secured more jobs, I reinvested my earnings into reliable, high-quality equipment. For my primary focus in portrait and commercial photography, having fast and durable lenses was essential. While investing can feel daunting, the ability to deliver high-quality images to my clients makes it all worthwhile.  Read more>>

Megan Costello

My best investments have always been taking a leap and jumping out of my comfort zone. A few times that’s looked as big as moving across the country or abroad and sometimes it’s just going to be a show or event solo. It’s a great tool to shake up your perspectives and make new opportunities for yourself. Read more>>

Jake Jarvi

Making an independent feature film was absolutely the best investment of time and money that I’ve ever spent. It was also the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but that probably adds to why it feels so rewarding. I work in video for a living. I shoot and edit for the music YouTuber Rob Scallon. I’ve been shooting and editing for him for the last seven years. And although it’s very fulfilling making videos for his very large and receptive audience, those are really all HIS videos. I do my best to make them great, but I don’t have the final creative say. Read more>>