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.

Austin Packard

The best investment I ever made was to hire a mentor that actually cared about my business growing and succeeding. I signed on with Logan Cendell from blue-collar business accelerator last year in the fall and he helped me in ways that I needed help in for years. He helped my business accelerate at a rate that I frankly thought was impossible. He helped me gain new appreciation for the work that I do make more money for myself personally grow faces of my business. I’ve always wanted to and help me create a better customer experience. This is all knowledge that I could have accumulated over years and years of doing business, but was able to implement in a matter of months because of his guidance and leadership. It has definitely been the best investment that I have made for my business thus far. Read more>>

Mia Moceri

The best investment I made in terms of time was definitely deciding to move across the country from my small town in Michigan to attend Makeup Designory in Burbank, CA. Before attending MUD, I already considered myself a makeup artist. I started practicing makeup on myself at a young age, creating wild, colorful glam looks, horrifying SPFX designs, and even recreating looks I’d seen online. I began advertising my services to my high school peers, and before I knew it, I was the go-to makeup artist for homecomings and prom. Read more>>

Tad Hargrave

I think the best investment I’ve ever made is into my own business. There are so many kinds of investment out there but our businesses can give us such stability and control over so many of the factors that other kinds of investing don’t. There’s so much more possibility of getting a higher return with better strategies. Read more>>

Ian & Alexis Gaffney

The best investment that we have ever made as business owners is investing in the right people to help us run our business. Looking for trustworthy individuals that are willing to work hard, as if it’s their own is sort of like finding a needle in a haystack. Read more>>

Sami Ro

The best investment for me was honestly each time I took a step to invest in myself. When you are getting into a career space, especially any type of art, I think we often fight “imposter syndrome” and feel like we have to prove to ourselves we can do something before we allow ourselves to invest in it. But every time I’ve finally made that leap, I kick myself for not having done it sooner.  Read more>>