It Takes Money to Make Money (And Why That Used to Scare Me)

“It takes money to make money.”

I’ve heard that phrase for as long as I can remember, and for a long time, it made me uncomfortable. Honestly, it scared me.

Spending money in my business felt risky. It felt heavy. It felt like pressure. I was far more comfortable investing time instead. Long hours. Late nights. Figuring it out myself. If I could trade effort for progress, that felt safer than opening my wallet.

Time felt controllable. Money did not.

But over time, I started to realize something important.

My time is worth more than I thought.
And so is yours.

Time Is an Investment Too

When we talk about investing in a business, we often picture big, scary expenses. Large numbers. All-or-nothing decisions.

But every hour you spend trying to learn something that someone else already knows is an investment. Every task you do that drains you, slows you down, or pulls you away from your actual strengths is an investment.

The question is not whether you are investing.
The question is what you are investing.

Time, energy, money, focus. They all come from the same limited place.

I Used to Choose Time Over Money

For a long time, I chose time because it felt cheaper. I would spend hours researching, troubleshooting, testing, and tweaking rather than paying for help or tools.

And sometimes that made sense.

But other times, it cost me momentum. It cost me clarity. It cost me showing up fully for my clients and my family.

I started to see that “saving money” often meant spending far more time than I could afford.

Investments Don’t Have to Be Big to Matter

I also used to think of investments as huge, intimidating leaps. The kind you lose sleep over.

But growth is rarely built on one massive decision. It is built on a series of smaller, intentional choices.

A book that changes how you think.
A tool that saves you an hour every week.
A small upgrade that removes friction.
A professional you hire to help you do something better or faster.

Those small investments add up. Quietly. Consistently. Powerfully.

What Investing in Growth Actually Looks Like

Investment does not always mean something flashy or expensive. More often, it looks practical and intentional.

It can look like:

• Reading books that stretch how you think about leadership, marketing, or creativity ( two of my favorites are Profit First and Storybrand)

• Purchasing gear or tools that allow you to do your work better and more efficiently

• Attending workshops or conferences to learn from people who are further along than you

• Creating or updating a website so your business looks as professional as the service you provide

• Hiring a photographer, designer, coach, or consultant instead of trying to do everything yourself ( a small nudge!)

None of these things are about showing off. They are about building a foundation that supports growth.

How I’m Investing Right Now

This isn’t just theory for me. I’m actively investing in how I show up and how I serve my clients.

That looks like upgrading my video lighting so the content I create is clear, professional, and consistent. It looks like investing in quality microphones so my voice comes through cleanly and confidently. It looks like adding a teleprompter so I can show up on camera more often, with less hesitation and more clarity.

These are not vanity purchases. They are tools that remove friction.

And what’s good for me is good for your business too.

When I invest in better tools and better systems, the experience you receive improves. Communication gets clearer. Content gets stronger. Strategy gets easier to execute.

Look at the Return, Not Just the Receipt

One of the biggest mistakes people make when considering an investment is focusing only on the cost.

A better question is this:
What problem does this investment solve?

Often, the return shows up faster than expected. When you invest wisely, you are not just buying a thing. You are buying time, clarity, confidence, and consistency.

Sometimes the return is immediate. Sometimes it builds quietly over time. Either way, it compounds.

Investment Solves Real Problems

Outsourcing is a great example. When you bring in help, you free yourself up to do more of what you actually do best. Other times, the investment directly solves a customer problem. In my world, one of the biggest challenges clients face right now is video. Specifically, talking head videos. People know they should be creating them….why.. because they watch them. They just are watching other people’s videos. They know video builds trust. But sitting down and talking to a camera is really, really tough.

It feels awkward. It feels vulnerable. It is easy to overthink every word and never hit record.

That’s exactly why I’ve invested in tools like professional lighting, microphones, and a teleprompter. Those tools make the process smoother, more comfortable, and far less intimidating for the people I work with.

The return is clear.
Better content, created faster, with less stress.
More confidence on camera.
More consistency showing up online.

That is what ROI actually looks like.

Growth Rarely Comes From Playing It Safe

Most people wait until they feel ready to invest. The problem is that readiness usually comes after the investment, not before it.

You gain confidence by taking action.
You gain clarity by committing.
You grow by stretching past what feels comfortable.

The difference between businesses that grow and businesses that stall is not talent. It is willingness to invest before everything feels certain.

Investing in Your Business Is Investing in Yourself

Your business is not separate from you. When you invest in better tools, better education, or better branding, you start to show up differently.

You make decisions faster.
You communicate more clearly.
You take yourself more seriously.

And when you take yourself seriously, others do too.

Ready to Invest in How You Show Up?

If you’ve been putting off photos or video because it feels uncomfortable, overwhelming, or like something you’ll get to later, this is your nudge.

Video and branding imagery are often the fastest way to elevate your professional presence. Whether that’s talking head videos that help people trust you before they ever meet you, a full branding session that gives you consistency across your website and marketing, or even a single professional headshot that replaces the outdated photo you’ve been using for years, small investments can create real momentum.

If you’re ready to look more polished, feel more confident, and show up as the professional you already are, you can explore options here:

Branding Photography
https://www.stillandwild.com/branding

Professional Headshots
https://www.stillandwild.com/professional-creative-headshots

Growth doesn’t require everything at once.
Sometimes one smart step is all it takes to move your brand forward. As many smart people (and my dad used to say)… a quote if free. I am happy to chat to see if it makes sense to hire a professional to help with your branding and marketing. Who knows… you maybe surprised.