Why You Need To Invest In Your Business

I hate that women are taught to think of money as a scarce resource. We’re told that investing is too risky, that we have to save, save, save. Last time I checked, we don’t live in the Great Depression anymore—our money should be working for us, not collecting dust in an old Jonas Brother’s lunchbox.

Women are taught to regard money and anything to do with money with fear. But as any entrepreneur can tell you, that is the worst possible way to go about growing your wealth. An unwillingness to invest in your business and yourself will kill your opportunities before they’re even born.

While most people have the foresight to start with a seed investment, what they fail to realize is that one lump sum won’t cut it. You can’t invest in your business just one time, in the beginning. Growing a business is very much like turning a water wheel; you need a constant stream of revenue to keep the wheel turning. A water wheel won’t turn in a pond, and likewise your business won’t grow without a continuous investment to facilitate growth.

And I know—for a lot of us talking about money is pretty hives-inducing. Throw in the risks associated with growing your money? Most balk at the thought. But the fact of the matter is that investing in yourself and your business has far-reaching implications that aren’t as cut and dry as simple numbers.

So if you find yourself stuck in a mental rut when it comes to re-investing, here are a few benefits that you’re not considering:

Time is money

I know we’ve all heard this saying, but do you really understand what it means? Time is one of the few things you can never get back, or get more of. Why waste your time on the mundane aspects of your business when you can invest in systems that will automate or streamline the process? You don’t need to cut out every card, sticker, or wrapper by hand; save yourself the frustration and grey hairs and pay someone else to do it for you. Trust me, you’ll know it’s worth it when you have more time to spend on the things you actually want to do, professionally and personally.

You need money to make money

I think the concept of compounding interest is very relevant in this instance. So put on your thinking hats kiddos, I’ve got a mini math lesson for you!

Say you’re selling a product for $1 a piece, and you make $100. If you invest half to bust out even more product, you’ve instantly increased your potential revenue from $100 to $150. You pocket the $100? Your output stays the same, and your stream of income never grows. See why you need to reinvest?

The quality of your life

I can not emphasize this enough. Do not kill yourself for your business. And I know: we all have to pull long hours in the beginning to get our babies off the ground. But there comes a point in your success where it benefits you to start paying someone to take over some of the work so that you can be home for dinner. Don’t work until midnight everyday just to save a few bucks—you’re making money so that you can live.

The ultimate goal, freedom

Why do any of us venture out on our own to strike it big as a business owner? Because we want freedom. Freedom from the 9-5, freedom from overbearing bosses and company bureaucracy, and for financial freedom too. We work hard so that we can wake up and not feel miserable. If you invest in your business, whether it be by outsourcing, overhauling your products, marketing, or upping the quality, you allow yourself to grow to reach that freedom. (There’s a reason the CEOs make the big bucks but don’t do the mundane work.)

Whatever the case, whatever the deciding factor, investing in yourself as a business owner is never a bad idea. You are worth the investment. Your time is valuable, and investing back in your business will not only help it grow—it’ll lead to you lounging by a pool in Cabo with a fruity cocktail and a deliciously naughty romance novel.

You’ve already made the leap. You are committed to this business thing. So tell us some of the reasons you’re afraid to invest in yourself.