Yeah, that's pretty common actually. Investors often have their own vision or expectations, especially if they're experienced in your field. When I went through it, I found setting clear boundaries upfront helped a lot...but even then, there were times when their input was surprisingly helpful. It's a balancing act for sure, but sounds like you're handling it pretty well so far.
Curious if you've considered how comfortable you are with the idea of someone else having a say in your decisions long-term? I went the loan route myself, mostly because I prefer keeping control...but investors do bring some valuable insights occasionally.
"Curious if you've considered how comfortable you are with the idea of someone else having a say in your decisions long-term?"
This is such a good point. I mean, investors can definitely bring fresh perspectives and valuable connections, but there's something to be said for keeping your creative freedom intact. When I was setting up my studio, I went the loan route too—mostly because I knew I'd want to experiment and pivot without having to justify every quirky design choice to someone else.
If you're leaning towards investor funding though, here's a quick tip: clearly outline your vision and boundaries upfront. Think of it like designing a room—set your focal points first (your non-negotiables), then layer in the accents (areas where you're open to input). That way, you keep your core ideas safe while still benefiting from outside expertise.
Either way, trust yourself—you've got this!
I get what you're saying about creative freedom, but isn't there also a risk in taking on debt? I mean, loans come with their own strings—monthly payments, interest rates, and the stress of owing money. An investor might have opinions, sure, but they also share the financial burden. Maybe that outside perspective could actually help refine your ideas too... just something to think about.
"Maybe that outside perspective could actually help refine your ideas too... just something to think about."
Yeah, that's a good point—sometimes having someone else invested (literally) can push you to sharpen your vision. But do you think there's a risk of investors steering your project away from your original goals? Loans might be stressful, but at least the bank doesn't weigh in on your design choices...
