We asked industry experts to share one investment they made early on that had a significant positive impact on their financial well-being. Here is what prompted them to make those investments and the lessons they learned. Discover the financial strategies that have proven successful over time.
- Invest in Continuous Learning and Development
- Build Genuine Relationships for Mutual Growth
- Leverage Early PR for Trust and Authority
- Maintain High Credit for Business Opportunities
- Educate Yourself on Financial Management Early
- Invest in Mobility for Life-Changing Opportunities
- Preserve Wealth Through Tangible Assets
7 Early Investments That Paid Off from Financial Experts
Invest in Continuous Learning and Development
I firmly believe that investing in oneself is the most valuable investment one can make. Early in my career, I recognized the importance of continuous learning and professional development. This realization prompted me to pursue advanced degrees and certifications in finance, accounting, and leadership.
The decision to invest in my education and skills has had a profound impact on my financial well-being and career trajectory. It not only opened doors to higher-paying roles and opportunities but also equipped me with the knowledge and expertise to navigate complex financial landscapes with confidence.
The key lesson I learned is that knowledge is a powerful asset that compounds over time. By consistently investing in your intellectual growth, you not only increase your earning potential but also position yourself as a valuable resource in any organization.
Harness the power of compounding by automating your investments. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to investment accounts, even if it’s a small amount initially. This effortless approach removes the temptation to spend and allows your money to work for you silently in the background. Over time, the compounding effects of consistent, disciplined investing can yield remarkable results, transforming modest contributions into a substantial nest egg for your future.
Anupreet Kaur
Content and Digital Marketing Manager, Mitt Arv
Build Genuine Relationships for Mutual Growth
Investing in relationships was key. Early on, I recognized the value of surrounding myself with people who were not just industry experts but also those who could offer diverse perspectives. I intentionally sought out mentorship and cultivated networks beyond the usual circles. This wasn’t just about attending networking events; it was about genuine relationship building through regular check-ins, offering help without expecting anything in return, and fostering a mindset of mutual growth.
The lesson? It’s not always about what you invest in financially, but who you invest time in and learn from. These relationships led to valuable connections, potential partnerships, and insights into emerging trends long before they became mainstream. By focusing on people first, I was able to leverage collective knowledge and foresight, which significantly benefited my financial trajectory.
Will Yang
Head of Growth & Marketing, Instrumentl
Leverage Early PR for Trust and Authority
Investing in PR early on had a major positive impact on our financial growth. Before we had a big marketing budget, I made it a priority to get featured in articles and respond to journalist requests. That built credibility and trust in a niche where people are naturally skeptical.
The media mentions brought in steady organic traffic, strong backlinks, and better search rankings. What pushed me to do it was realizing that no one would trust a crypto recovery service unless they saw it discussed on real, reputable platforms.
The biggest lesson was that early PR is not just about visibility. It is about trust, authority, and showing up in the right conversations from the start.
Robbert Bink
Founder, Crypto Recovery Services
Maintain High Credit for Business Opportunities
There is a blueprint for success, and it is not a secret. One of the most beneficial investments, besides education and experience, is maintaining a high credit rating. The discipline required to succeed in school or at an entry-level job will benefit you in business. However, without good credit, you’ll need to bootstrap to start or grow a business.
When our mortgage company was established, we initially operated as a broker. We were paid a commission for every mortgage that closed. We recognized the necessity of having the speed and flexibility to underwrite and close our own mortgages as a mortgage banker to remain competitive in terms of service and rates. The only option to convert from a mortgage broker to a mortgage banker was to obtain our own credit line to fund the millions of dollars of mortgages we closed per month. We would not have been able to obtain the warehouse line if we did not have great credit and experience in the business. Securing the loan enabled us to transition from a small broker to one of the largest private mortgage bankers in New England.
We utilized this strategy to establish our company. We use our credit line to buy larger merchant portfolios and residual streams. Without financing, growth would be painfully slow and make it hard to compete against a well-funded competitor. Hard work, persistence, and common sense are the main ingredients for success in business, but before you can sign your first lease or purchase your inventory, you must have your personal finances in order. Having good credit, savings, and low debt can provide a solid foundation for starting a new business.
David Caso
Managing Partner, Velocity Funding
Educate Yourself on Financial Management Early
At age 24, I spent $20 on a book that millions have read: “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. I was 30 when I invested $30,000 in an MBA.
Both taught me that you do not need to be the expert in the room; instead, get a good team of finance experts around you. Understanding this could put you in control of money rather than being controlled by it.
Invest in yourself. Like most investment-related advice—the earlier, the better. It could be seminars, courses, books, or university qualifications.
The motivation for me to consider early investment in myself was the feeling of being pigeon-holed in a career choice I made when I was 17. I completed an undergraduate degree in healthcare and could not see a career path that would provide the trifecta of income, wealth, and time.
Investing in property from age 24 provided me with a platform of equity and, with it, financial certainty. Coupled with my personal educational investment, I had the confidence to change careers and explore opportunities in business ownership.
In my finance role, I see people commonly compartmentalize their fun years (spend what you earn) and adult-investing years. I do not think the investment part needs to wait until you are older. Fun years and investing years need not be exclusive—investing in myself early taught me you can do both.
Mark Nolan
Mortgage Broker, marknols.com
Invest in Mobility for Life-Changing Opportunities
One of the best investments I ever made early on wasn’t in stocks or real estate. It was in a beat-up 1998 Toyota Corolla I bought for $1,100 when I was 22. At the time, I was working two part-time jobs, living in a shared apartment with three roommates, and barely making rent. Everyone around me said it was a dumb move, that the car was too old, and that it would break down. But I had this gut feeling that mobility would change my options.
And it did, just not in the clean, dramatic way people like to tell these stories.
That car wasn’t glamorous. The AC never worked, it shook every time I braked, and I spent more time under the hood than I care to admit. But it gave me independence, and more importantly, it gave me presence. I remember one night, around 2 a.m., I got a call that my mom was having chest pains. No ambulance was available in time. If I hadn’t had that car, I don’t know what would’ve happened. I drove like my life depended on it, because hers did. That $1,100 bucket of bolts got her to the ER. The doctors later said that if we’d been even 15 minutes later, it might’ve been too late.
So yes, it got me to work and helped me pick up extra gigs. But more than that, it gave me the ability to show up—for my family, for myself, and for the life I was trying to build.
The real lesson? Sometimes the most valuable investment isn’t about profit. It’s about potential. It’s not about owning a thing—it’s about what that thing makes possible. That old Corolla didn’t just get me from A to B. It gave me the power to respond when it mattered most. And when it finally died on the side of I-90, I remember patting the hood and saying, “You got me here.”
Mohit Koshal
Mortgage Broker, Credit Hub
Preserve Wealth Through Tangible Assets
Investing in physical gold early on has had a profound positive impact on my financial well-being. I was motivated by the understanding that inflation acts like a melting ice cube, gradually eroding the value of money held in the bank. Gold has proven to be a reliable hedge, having increased 34% over the past year and consistently outpacing inflation. I hold the gold physically, as gold coins are considered legal tender in the UK, which means they are tax-free. This is a rare and significant advantage.
Holding tangible assets like gold also eliminates counterparty risk, providing peace of mind. Over the years, I’ve learned that patience and time in the market are far more valuable than trying to time it. This experience has reinforced the importance of preserving wealth through assets that stand the test of time and economic uncertainty.
Nicholas Ward
Founder – Gold & Silver Investment Company, Gold Bullion Partners
