Reflecting on my experience co-owning various businesses throughout my 20s, I've realized how complex and rewarding it can be to blend personal passion with entrepreneurship. One of the biggest takeaways was understanding the importance of having a clear exit plan when you hold equity in a company. For example, with Offline TV and Cloak, although I didn't directly profit from selling equity, these ventures greatly expanded my personal brand and opened doors for sponsorships and other opportunities. Managing business relationships with close friends can be one of the most fun yet challenging experiences. Emotional investment plays a big role and requires careful navigation to maintain both personal and professional harmony. At Cloak, being part of a brand created by fellow content creators like Markiplier and Jacksepticeye was an honor, especially as a woman in a typically male-dominated industry. Feeling welcomed and included made the work truly fulfilling. Starting RTS, a management and consultancy company, deepened my understanding of the infrastructure behind the scenes. Knowing when to step away is crucial — I exited the company when I realized I needed management expertise from an external industry to grow further. That experience taught me the value of assembling a team that’s deeply invested, whether through financial backing or emotional commitment, to ensure the business thrives. On the flip side, launching the cookie company revealed how being a content creator doesn’t always translate directly to business success. The demands and expectations can differ greatly. Recognizing when to hand over control and letting the team manage operations allowed me to focus on creating while ensuring the company continued to run. Overall, these ventures were pivotal stepping stones, shaping my entrepreneurial mindset. They showed me the balance between personal brand development and sound business strategy. For creators thinking about entering business, my advice is to prepare for complexities, prioritize clear agreements, and remember that success often requires a dedicated team focused on both emotional and financial investment.