There is so much to learn from investments that went really well as well as those that went really poorly and so we asked some of the wisest creatives and entrepreneurs in the community to tell us the stories of their best and worst investments.

JAI Kole

The investment is the one you give to yourself, that can be in many forms such as, reading things that relate to your craft whatever that may be. I made and invest years ago to learn I.T I received my certification 6 years ago it was something that could help open doors in the tech along with my side business & other activity, studying was the hardest but I let people know what I was working on and they help motivate me to complete this goal. Read more>>

Amy S. Miller

The best investments I’ve made have been in education. I’ve learned that I am one of those people that just loves exploring and learning how to do things whether art related or not. It all becomes tools in my toolbelt. So whether it’s been foundations laid in formal education or the YouTube video I watched on how to change the cabin air filter in my car, it has all a valuable investment in myself. Read more>>

Nichole Pitts

The best investment I made was a business owner was hiring a brand strategist. I wish I had done it sooner! When I started my business, I modeled it after the typical “corporate image.” I wanted to fit in with other industry consultants. My service descriptions were pretty sterile and focused on standard US Department of Justice best practice guidance. Read more>>

NIKISHA REAGAN

The best investment I have ever made was in myself. I know you hear all of the celebrities on podcast and tv shows talk about them investing in themselves and how they became successful. And you wonder did they really do that? Well,I am literally just a normal female who really did invest in myself and it was the best thing ever. So now when I hear other peoples success stories on how they stepped out on faith I believe it. Read more>>

Athena Matekel

Since most of my products are body paints I have definitely had to go through a lot of different products to find what works. That equals time AND monet. It’s very hard to find what works and to be honest I STILL haven’t found the body paint that works best and won’t crack. It’s a struggle but it’s worth the work. Read more>>

Marie Sutton

Best Investment or Worst Investment? This is a great question! How about I answer both- My best investment was investing in myself. Hear me out, I know this sounds cliche, but this was the turning point in elevating and leveling up my life. If I never decided to bet on myself I would not be a business owner, I would not be an investor, I would not have had the courage to leave an abusive relationship at 21, I would not have had the dream to become a homeowner in my 20’s, get out of debt, etc. Read more>>

Soo Yung

A lot of people ask me if I think it is worth paying off the hefty amount of student loans to go to school for painting since there are many successful self taught artists. For me personally, the best investment I have made for myself was going to art school. The inspirations for my paintings with rice developed during my senior year as I was taking a class for non traditional mediums. Read more>>

Darren Paltrowitz

Some people will tell you that you need to save as much as you can because you never know what the future will hold. Other people will insist that you need to invest in yourself, and I lean closer to that philosophy. Generally speaking, you are going to be the person who makes your success happen. Read more>>

Kada Goalen

Best Investments: 1. Letting go of the need for balance and focusing on presence instead. As a small business owner and single mom, I initially struggled with finding a work-life balance as my business grew. Rather than lean into the guilt of not being with my kids and/or not working hard enough on my business, I got to the point where I let go of needing “balance” and focused instead on the quality of engagement while at home or work and my presence in each situation. Read more>>

Asher Greene

The best investment that I’ve made as a business owner is believing in myself and committing my time and energy to my career. As a freelance photographer there is not a guarantee when you get bookings. I have had periods of time where I’ve been fully booked with projects and times where I didn’t receive any inquiries at all. Read more>>