The Struggle is Real – Why You Have To Spend Money to Make Money

Freelance and self employment world can be an extremely liberating lifestyle and can benefit you in all sorts of different ways however, it’s not always as “dreamy” as some people think it may be. Sometimes, you’re working an 80 hour week trying to finish up an intense project you landed while other times you’re living off ramen noodles wondering if you’re business is officially over.

Funniest part about this? You guys think I’m joking. Hate to say it but I’m actually not.

Self employment can be a total scare at times. Like I said, it’s one of the most rewarding feelings ever to be able to do what you love on your own terms but then again, you don’t have that security of getting a paycheck every 1st of the month which can be a bit terrifying. Catch my drift?

Regardless, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I remember when I worked as an Accountant and had to essentially clock in and out. Be there at 8am and couldn’t leave until 5-6pm OR ELSE people would look down on you. I remember having to go to a doctor’s appointment and have to always ask permission if I could skip an hour and make it up some other day. Listen, there are some people who can totally do this kind of lifestyle but it just wasn’t for me. I need to have freedom to live my life how I want and when I want. If that means I work at 10pm at night (like I am now writing this post) then so be it — it works FOR ME.

I will say, working for yourself is a lot more work and you will dedicate double the amount of hours to your own business but for some reason, it just doesn’t phase you the same. So let’s get to the real point of today’s post. For as long as I can remember I never quite understood the saying “You have to spend money to make money.” In fact, when I was struggling it was always a hard concept for me to grasp because why the hell am I going to spend money when the number in my bank account is just enough for me to pay my bills?

Well, I know — I’ve been there.

People. Don’t take this article as an OK to go frivolously buying Gucci handbags because Olia said it was OK to spend. That’s not the point. What I mean is as an entrepreneur we get scared at times and worried that it’s not ok to spend because we are 100% responsible of ourselves. There is not longer a check coming in that 1st of the month anymore to pay those bills — it’s all on us.

What I feel tends to happen is we get a little scared (understandably) and want to save as much as possible for a bad month. This is a great idea but sometimes I’ve realized (from experience) we can go a little overboard and just not want to spend at all.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do feel you can build a business for free and I totally believe you can find a small amount of success. But, in my opinion if you want to find real success you’re going to have to spend some money. Just think about musicians who have to buy equipment and instruments, retail shops that have to lease space and get inventory, the list goes on and on..

As a blogger it took me some time, but I came to realize I couldn’t do everything on my own. I needed to delegate a little whether it be with hiring photographers/videographers a manager, advertising etc.. I used to try to do everything however I got to a point where I was going crazy and I had too much on my plate. Part of me was kind of afraid that I wouldn’t be able to afford all the expenses if that makes sense. Yes, it may cost me additional fees to hire photographers more often than I used to or even ask them to edit random photos for me BUT it frees up time that I don’t have to spend doing it so I can focus on other work.

The reason I’m writing this is not to tell you guys to go blow your money by ANY means. TRUST ME — I am a saver and if anything I should listen to my advice more often because if you know me personally then you know I worry like nobody’s business. I write this however, because I always think in life we have to live a little, allow ourselves to enjoy the little things, spend a little to make our lives easier (yet do it responsibly) and in the end you will see you will be rewarded for it all. I didn’t always think this way but I had to teach myself these things slowly throughout the years. I also just wanted to relate with anyone who is self employed or starting their own business because it definitely is a VERY scary thing! Costs come out of nowhere at times and you just want to shrivel up and crawl into a hole but I sincerely believe as long as you stay focused and know what your doing and realize it has to be done, you will always come out on top.

Love, Olia

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Top: B Collection by Bobeau // Pants: MOTHER // Shoes: Christian Louboutin // Sunglasses: GUCCI // Bag: Coach