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.

Rachel Mambach

Hmmm. Let’s go with worst. That’s more fun! Early on in my business, I was setting up at a lot of craft shows as well as trying to get my art into stores. My end goal at the time was to get it into stores so I could stop the craft fairs. I truly loved meeting the people who bought my art, but it was really a dream to be able to just make my art and then have other people sell it for me. That’s so much more time efficient! Anyway, there was a new store in the area that was opening soon, and it was designed to sell work created by artists, artisans, and crafters on consignment. I got in early, and the owner loved my work. She used it in articles about the shop and used me as an example to show other artists who were applying to be accepted at the shop…all before the shop opened. She also wanted to make the work available online, and had a track record of successful business ventures. It seemed too good to be true…so clearly it was! She asked me to make several copies of each thing I made, but still keep it handmade. I made five of everything. So clearly to keep up with this requirement, but also to make the endeavor worthwhile, I watered down my art and also made a bunch of prints of certain originals. Long story short, I was PREPARED. However, I was not prepared for HER to not be prepared. She didn’t realize that her demographic wanted things that could be used like mugs with pictures on them, tote bags, signs with words, and other things that the artist could make one of and then have printed over and over. Read more>>

Michele Hill

As a business owner, the most valuable investment I’ve made has been in myself. Over the past decade, I’ve been involved in the beauty industry and continuously enhance my knowledge of products to provide a superior client experience. I’ve had the privilege of attending masterclasses by renowned celebrity and film artists, gaining invaluable insights that now transformed my makeup applications. Initially, I was overly focused on booking as many clients as possible, but through some unsuccessful advertising and marketing attempts, I learned the importance of establishing my personal brand and professional identity as a makeup artist. Now, I’ve solidified my artistic style and approach to ensure my clients not only receive exceptional skills but also feel comfortable and confident in my hands. Read more>>

Karen Davis

The best investment, in terms of my art, has been my Apple Pencil. Honestly, I probably would have never begun my career as an artist if my husband didn’t buy me an Apple Pencil to go with my new IPad in 2018. The funny thing is, when he gave it to me I had no idea what I would ever do with it. Neither did he. When I asked him what it was for he said I could take notes on my iPad or write with it. Then one day my son came home from school and showed me some drawings he had made on his school Chromebook, of course when he should’ve been doing schoolwork. After I did my parental duty of reprimanding him for goofing around I took a look at his digital drawings. They were good. He showed me how to use the stylus to draw different lines and change colors. Then he told me he needed his Chromebook back for schoolwork. But, he continued to tell me, I could use my own iPad to draw if I used the Apple Pencil dad had gifted me months ago! What a revelation! That was the beginning of something beautiful. In fact many things beautiful! I started drawing digitally constantly and actually sold some work within 6 months of beginning to draw. I loved the flexibility of digital drawing. I could do it anywhere with no supplies other than my iPad and pencil! Since that time at my daughters’ persuasion I also started painting with watercolors and acrylics. I still enjoy doing digital art but have focused more on watercolors in the past 2 years. I don’t think I ever would have embraced my creativity if it had not been for that gift of an Apple Pencil! Read more>>

Shelli Nornes

I, like many entrepreneurs, am a true Type A personality. I’ve always been something of a go-getter, throwing in a sprinkle of perfectionist tendencies for good measure. I thrived on the thrill of steering the ship – the what, when, where, and how of my business, being there for my clients around the clock. I was proud to personally handle all aspects of client work, ensuring they benefited from my expertise and quality work. I was good at my job and it showed! But as the business grew, my time was split among countless tasks, and juggling client work while focusing on business growth became a real challenge. It felt like I was running on fumes, spread too thin. There just were not enough hours in the day to get everything done well. I needed help, but the idea of finding someone who I could trust seemed impossible. I was exhausted. Read more>>

Elliot Holden

The best investment was made was investing in myself and my education. I decided to go back to school and get an Associates Degree in Micro Computer Specialist back in the day. Basically I got tired of delivering pizzas and being a “struggling artist”. Learning about computers and web programming allowed me to created my own website and increase my web presence. Learning how to register a domain name all those years ago helped me solidify and control my name “Elliot Holden” in Google searches not matter how your spell “Elliot”. I don’t want to talk about my worst investment because I no longer own the Apple stock, LOL. Read more>>

Brittany Wolf

Hands down, the best investment I’ve ever made in my business was actually an investment I made in myself – hiring a business coach that I trust! While I’m all about leaning into your support system, being a small business owner can be incredibly lonely when no one else is in the weeds with you. Learning from someone who I felt cared about my success and wasn’t just selling products gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams. Read more>>

Cassie Rhoda

Spending time in nature praying to Jesus, while slowing down to soak up all the beauty and wonders, have recently been my greatest investment of time not only for my health but even for my business. Most of my ideas and creativity come from these moments daily. Read more>>

Malik Hicks

In my experience as a business owner; I would have to say that Myself as an investment has been equally my best and worst at times!(LOL) People are fickle enough as it is, and it becomes multiplied when you add in resources and the natural stress that comes with maintaining them or the lack thereof. As a young entrepreneur you’re going to have an abundance of two main resources: time or money, those two are always exchanging or investing naturally for one another. So that’s my big lesson: is to learn to invest both my time AND money responsibly and purposefully to achieve my desired result which right now is in business and more importantly my brand! Read more>>