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.

Tatiana Tsoir

My best investment has turned out to be in myself, in my self development and growth. And I am not talking about meditations or yoga or pilates, none of that. I am talking about being the best person in the world for me to bet on. By 2018 I was building my own firm, about six years into it. Read More>>

Melanie Fritz

Well let’s see, the best and worst investment I’ve made as a business owner is actually the same one: building my app, BeautyHive. After more than 20 years in the beauty industry, I saw a gap. Beauty professionals had social media, but there wasn’t really a dedicated space for education, networking, collaboration, and sharing opportunities within our industry. Read More>>

Morgan De Witt

The best investment I have made in my business so far has been customized packaging. I really didn’t know the difference it would make in not only growing my brand, but also increasing the distribution possibilities. Read More>>

Camille Fazel

It sounds a little crazy to say it now, but C. Fazel Designs originally began as an online party styling and home entertaining boutique toward the end of the COVID era. I quickly realized that running an online-only boutique meant my days were filled with website management and packing shipments—neither of which brought me much creative fulfillment. Read More>>

Ayelet Werner

The best investments I’ve ever made as a business owner have been investments in myself. Early on, I made a conscious decision that whenever I had the opportunity to learn a new skill, improve my knowledge, or invest in my professional development, I would do it. Whether that was courses, mentorship, software, or training, those investments have consistently paid the biggest dividends over time. Read More>>

HOLLY JAI

The best investment I’ve made was one I didn’t fully recognize as an investment at the time and honestly, that’s what made it so powerful. As an undergrad studying Mass Communications with a concentration in PR at a STEM-centered university, I was surrounded by people who had very clear, conventional paths. Read More>>

Carina Tenaglia

One of the best investments I’ve made as an artist is getting my favorite or most meaningful pieces imaged in high-resolution files for print reproductions and commercial licensing opportunities. This was a big up front investment cost for me, but resulted in several commercial deals and print sales that have made it worthwhile several times over. Read More>>

Elena Garci

Invest in people not products! Serve them by being the owner who cares the most and watch your business grow by itself . Read More>>

Kyoko Oyobe

My name is Kyoko Oyobe. I am a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and teacher based in New York City, as well as the mother of a nine-year-old son. The greatest investment of my life has been my passion for jazz. On my 24th birthday, I boarded a plane and left my hometown of Okayama, Japan, arriving in New York with little more than a dream. Read More>>