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.

Fernando Ortega

Probably the best investment I ever made was using the $7,000 my father lent me to start developing the **ILOVEACEITE** project in the United States. That investment not only changed the destiny and projection of our company, which went from being a Spanish company to having a subsidiary in the United States, but it also changed my life forever because I was finally able to fulfill my dream of having my own business in the North American market and operating as a local company. Read more>>

Reva K

The best investment I’ve made so far—in terms of both time and money—has been building my studio and learning to produce and record my own music. Before diving into the world of music production, I spent years collaborating with multiple producers, but none of them could ever create a sound that resonated with me. The worst part was that, in work-for-hire situations, I’d often end up with a final file I was unhappy with while the producer walked away with the significant fee I’d paid for their work. Read more>>

Melissa Batt

One of my strengths is that I don’t get stuck in indecision. I believe that taking action—whether it turns out to be the best decision or not—keeps me moving forward. While not every investment I’ve made has been financially beneficial, I don’t see them as total losses. Each one has taught me something valuable. Read more>>