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.

Heidi Hyora

This may be an unexpected response, but I’d say my best investment has been in my health and well-being. After years of pouring myself into work, it had become all-consuming and was seriously affecting my happiness. I had some success, but the stress was a lot, and my health took a hit. Eventually, I took a step back and decided to leave my job. Honestly, I’m really grateful I was able to do that. My husband and I ended up moving to a remote coastal area, which has been amazing for connecting with nature. It really helped me focus on self-care, like taking long walks with my dog and just slowing down to appreciate my surroundings and life. This is where it all began- being immersed in all that natural beauty reignited my love for art. I discovered a newfound passion for working with clay. It’s turned into an essential part of my life, helping me heal and rediscover my creativity. Read more>>

Scott Kulman

People often ask, “What’s the best investment you’ve made in SpeechLess Music?” If you’d asked me that at the start, I might’ve talked about sound systems or maybe some flashy ad campaign. But looking back, it’s clear—the best investment was in our people, both on the musician side and in the office team. Hands down. From day one, I knew I wanted a team that didn’t just clock in and out but one that showed up ready to build something with real heart. I was looking for self-starters, the kind of people who’d see a challenge and think, “Alright, let’s tackle it.” Organized folks with excitement to match. That mix—of grit and genuine buy-in—has become the backbone of SpeechLess. It’s this attitude that’s defined our brand. Each member’s not just part of the team; they’re part of the story we’re building here. They’re in on the ground floor, shaping the way SpeechLess Music sounds, looks, and operates. When clients hire us, they’re not getting some cookie-cutter band—they’re getting a team that’s 100% in sync and ready to make something memorable. Read more>>

Taisuke Watanuki

Salutation, Voyage LA! This is TURBO here. I believe that everyone should invest their time and effort in education, but it’s crucial to direct that effort wisely. Looking back, one of my biggest regrets is not starting with a broad foundation, like liberal arts, before diving into subjects I’m passionate about. I’ve learned that simply reading something doesn’t guarantee understanding. This became clear when I was learning Wwise, a middleware for creating sound in video games. Despite the instructional materials appearing simple, truly grasping the concepts was a real challenge. I turned to a friend of mine, an MIT grad, for advice. What he said really struck me: “The instructions tell you what a program does, but not necessarily how it works or behaves the way you want it to. What you see on the screen is a result of scripted commands. The key is understanding what you’re trying to achieve, not just what the program does.” Read more>>