Are you curious about how I’m investing? In today’s episode, I’m continuing my series which gives an inside look into my business, Gaffin Creative. I’m sharing where I invested this year in events, programs, tools, advertising, and people.
Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.
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Smart Investments That Drove My Business Growth
When it comes to investing in business, the right strategies can significantly boost growth, efficiency, and profitability. Over the past year, I’ve made intentional investments in events, programs, tools, and team expansion—all of which played a pivotal role in scaling my business. Here’s a look at what paid off and how you can apply similar strategies to your own business.
The Role of Events
Events played a pivotal role in my investment strategy. Between sponsored events, ones I attended, and those hosted, my travel expenses skyrocketed. However, the investment was worthwhile, bringing connections and experiences. Mic Check Retreat stood out, drawing podcasters into a collaborative community and blending expenses with ticket sales and sponsorships.
My sponsorship at Creative Educator Conference paid off by drawing in new clients and deepening industry ties. Navigating events like Podfest, Next Level Retreat, and Escape fostered extra layers of professional growth and personal fulfillment.
Program Investments
Ongoing education is a non-negotiable part of investing in business. This year, I prioritized programs that expanded my skill set and introduced me to like-minded industry professionals.
The MixerMind introduced me to a wealth of knowledge and new industry friends. Likewise, Ellen Yin’s C-Suite and the Educator’s Lounge provided monthly educational boosts, allowing me to refine my skills and maximize networking opportunities.
Essential Tools and Technologies
Efficient operations rely heavily on the right tools. Investing in essential business platforms allowed me to streamline workflows and boost productivity. Long-standing investments in platforms like Descript and Flodesk continue, while new tools like Hoppy Copy and improved functions of Asana have brought fresh capabilities, streamlining my operations and enhancing productivity.
Exploring Advertising and Consulting
This year also marked my first foray into advertising as a business investment. I started small, testing low-lift platforms like Mowpod and Overcast to promote my podcast. These platforms provided valuable insights into paid growth strategies without requiring a massive upfront spend.
On the consulting front, I worked with Erin from Happy Brand Studio, Ellen Yin on some podcast consulting, and Colie James to optimize my CRM.
Team Expansion
Investing in talented individuals was central to my business evolution. We brought Megan in for more projects, expanded our copywriter’s work, hired a video editor, and also onboarded a marketing team member to help with some of the backend work in the business.
While I spent more on my business this year than ever before, I have no regrets. Every dollar spent was a strategic move toward long-term growth and sustainability.
Looking ahead, I plan to evaluate and refine my spending for even greater profitability. However, I’ll continue prioritizing industry events, tools, and team support—as these investments directly fuel business success.
💡 Pro tip: When possible, strategically align business travels with personal trips. It enhances not only your work experience but also your overall well-being—a win-win for business and life.
Time-stamps:
Events (2:31)
Programs (9:24)
Tools (12:16)
Advertising (13:40)
People (15:11)
Will I spend this much next year? (19:10)
Mentioned in This Episode:
Mic Check Society Retreat: gaffincreative.com/retreat
Creative Educator Conference: layleeemadi.com/conference
Podfest: podfestexpo.com
ESC Conference: escconference.co/
Podcast Movement: podcastmovement.com
Escape Retreat: escconference.co
The Mixer Mind Retreat: lindasidhu.com/mixermind-waitlist
Mic Check Society: gaffincreative.com/mcs
Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin
