Time to spend: 12 entrepreneurs reveal what they plan to invest in during 2022

It’s not only consumers who plan to spend in the new year; Australian entrepreneurs are also preparing to invest in their businesses and themselves in 2022.

From hiring new staff, to business travel and professional development, the focus is on making strategic investments to help unlock the next stage of growth in their business.

To find out exactly what those investments are, SmartCompany Plus asked 12 entrepreneurs to share more. Here’s what they had to say.

Samantha Cook, founder of Flave

For the new year I will be investing in particular areas of self development, including mindset, meditation and conscious leadership. I will be working with acclaimed coach Tom Cronin, founder of The Stillness Project, which is a global movement to inspire one billion people to sit in stillness daily.

The world’s most successful business leaders, influencers and even good coaches have coaches; someone who guides them, and allows them to operate at their highest level. I’m feeling ready to be challenged to rise to the next level of personal and professional transformational growth.

Flave co-founders Samantha and Stuart Cook. Source: supplied.

Adam Chicktong, general manager of Asana (APAC)

In 2022, we will continue to invest heavily in our greatest asset: our team. The last two years have been pretty tough on a lot of people so ensuring our team has a wonderful workspace is crucial.

We have just moved into two brand new office spaces in Sydney and Singapore and will continue to invest in creating dynamic in-office experiences where teams can thrive and do their best work, such as via flexible working days, personal coaches, a wellness stipend, expanded diversity and inclusion programs, as well as my personal favourite, team activities!

Asana (APAC) general manager Adam Chicktong. Source: supplied.

Ammar Issa, founder of AMR Hair and Beauty

As AMR looks toward 2022 and the opening of two new AMR centres in Epping and Canberra, recruitment of key personnel will be crucial, and this will be a focus for the leadership team at AMR — as will the development of a complete business rollout in the UK through 2021-22.

We’re now in a position to grow this side of the business and will be investing heavily into this in 2022. Watch this space!

AMR Hair and Beauty founder Ammar Issa. Source: supplied.

Sacha Lazimi, CEO of Yubo

For 2022, we have plenty of new and exciting projects coming up for Yubo. With over 50 million users globally, we will continue focusing and growing within our key markets such as the USA, UK, Australia and Scandinavian countries in Europe.

We also want to develop our social media platform in new regions, including in South America (Brazil), South-East Asia and the Philippines, to increase our internal footprint. We have already started adapting to these regions as we open our doors even further following the disruptions that have been brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yubo chief executive officer Sacha Lazimi. Source: supplied.

Kim Seeling Smith, founder and CEO of Ignite Global

I’ll be investing in professional development. I usually invest in yearly coaching and mentoring programs but this year I’m going to opt for short, sharp training in specific skills I need to get better at. These will range from business developing to online course production and to stage craft, as I get back into live presentations.

I’m going to be doing the Boost program through Professional Speakers Australia, potentially a NIDA course or two, and working with a mentor who specialises in building and promoting online courses on Kajabi.

Ignite Global CEO and founder Kim Seeling Smith. Source: supplied.

Ian Lennie, co-founder and executive director of solutions at Zepto

I’m investing in me, and crypto, but mostly me, because the ROI of a happy me is immeasurable.

Zepto co-founder and executive director of solutions Ian Lennie. Source: supplied

Jules Brooke, founder of She’s The Boss podcast

2022 is shaping up to be a really exciting year for me. I am seeking capital to start a global TV network for women in business; I am going to partner my podcast with global organisations for women; I am going to invest in new equipment and time to promote my podcast and develop my community.

Ultimately, I’m investing time, money and energy into putting the spotlight on women to believe in and women who are role models for the next generation. No small steps for me!

Founder of She’s The Boss podcast Jules Brooke. Source: supplied.

Elana Robertson, founder and managing director of foundher

I’ll be investing in further formal education in the neuroscience of human performance to help guide foundher clients in making an even bigger impact in 2022.

We are already seeing a hard pivot towards innovation that offers meaningful social and environmental impact and enhanced customer and employee experiences. At the heart of this change lies a greater appreciation for our humanness.

That’s why it’s so important to invest in developing our inner game in 2022 — our soft skills need to catch up to the advancements in tech to ensure we don’t simply survive, but thrive in this brave new world. If you’re not equipped with the emotional intelligence required to navigate the age of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, you won’t last.

founderher founder and managing director Elana Robertson. Source: supplied

Richard Saville, founder of Break Your Lease

After launching Break Your Lease this year, I am looking to invest in a trip to the US in 2022, so that I can launch the business in that market and continue to grow on a global scale.

Break Your Lease founder Richard Saville. Source: supplied.

Ainslie Williams, co-founder of Reel.Reviews

Growth is the name of our game in 2022. We’ve just come through a capital raise and landed two big deals for Reel.Reviews, which will super charge our acquisition. We will be looking to scale-up both our tech and customer teams to support our growth.

I’ve learned over the years that the early hires in a startup are critical, so while there’s the desire to hire quickly, finding people with the right mindset and belief in what we’re looking to achieve is as important. It’s easier to foster skills than attitude!

Reel.Reviews co-founder and chief executive Ainslie Williams. Source: supplied.

Lloyd Edge, director and founder of Aus Property Professionals

I am investing in more staff. I believe in investing in people. As my business grows there is need for more skilled people to take on the work. This creates more jobs and is good for the economy.

Growing my business and investing in people helps provide further security for both myself and my family, as well as the staff I take on.

Director and founder of Aus Property Professionals Lloyd Edge. Source: supplied.

Andy Bowen, chief investment officer at Bowens

We will continue to expand our digital offer, while opening new bricks-and-mortar stores and investing in our existing store network to ensure that we are able to cater to all our customers no matter where, when and how they conduct their next project.

The building industry withstood record demand throughout 2021, and it shows no sign of slowing down in 2022. We want to be ready to give our customers, staff and stakeholders the best chance to succeed, helping them build better.