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.
Matthew Estep
Other than the obvious answers of ovens, mixers, and other equipment that we could not live without: the best investment I made as a small business owner was hiring employees who have helped make this company what it is and share the same passion as I do for food and desserts. I was the sole baker for roughly 2 years. Long nights would not even describe the workload…Night and day did not really exist as it felt like I was never away from the kitchen. Although, I loved what I did, there was no doubt that it was not easy. It was not until another employee at the East Market (Kylie Redman) came around. She and I began to talk about my business and how I had started. She kept bothering me about letting her help me. For a while, I pushed away the help. Read more>>
Gina Cavalier
MONEY. Money carries a unique energy and is a significant thread in the intricate tapestry of our lives. Engaging in a reflective journey is essential to understanding how it influences our experiences in this remarkable existence we are privileged to navigate. Recognizing your relationship with money and cultivating a sense of respect for its role in our society is a crucial aspect of spiritual and energetic growth. Read more>>
Kyarah Foushee
The best investment is to invest in yourself, your health, your knowledge, and your skills. My best investment was investing my time to learning how to manage my finances and how to make money work for me. Reading financial books, getting financial advice from individuals who are doing the things that I want to do, creating a budget, tracking my expenses, and investing in products that I purchase and use. Read more>>
Ran Flugstad
The best investment I ever made was hiring a business coach when I first started my business. I first started photographing weddings by working for another photographer for a few years. So when I decided to start my own wedding photography business, I felt very confident in creating beautiful images, but I knew nothing about anything else. I had no idea how to market my business or what to charge. I took a 3 month business course specifically meant for creative business owners. There was a small group of people who took this course along with me, so I was able to connect with other creatives while starting up my business. Starting my business under the guise of a successful business owner; was the smartest investment I ever made. Read more>>
Kyleigh Weathers
The best investment I’ve ever made is in myself. Specifically, in my emotions.
We aren’t trained to invest in our emotions. If anything, we’re taught to suppress, bypass, or intellectualize them. But when I stepped into business ownership, I quickly realized that no amount of strategy or skill could outrun my own imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or limiting beliefs. Business has a way of exposing the patterns that have been running your life in the background. And if you don’t address them, they will absolutely run your business too. Read more>>