Choose your own adventure.
EDITION 15: INVEST ON PURPOSE
We have a saying in the design industry. When you design for everyone, you design for no one. In building a new business, it’s easy to get sucked into the idea that you want to create something for everyone. You want this to work so the inclination is to cast a wide net.
But the risk in doing so is that you water down your messaging. You offer too many different options, you do a little bit of a lot, but don’t really commit to anything. And then, you confuse your current and potential customers.
I want to make the investment landscape clear for you, so you know when BeeCene is right for you, and when a competitor might be a better option.
How to navigate this newsletter.
For those of you who grew up in the 80s and 90s, you probably read those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. So let’s embark on an investment adventure designed for you. You’re the star of the story, and the adventures you take are a result of your choices.
At the end of each section, you choose which option is right for you and follow the instructions.
Chapter 1: The fundamental question.
You’ve been investing in your retirement accounts for years. You have company stock, along with a few other stocks that you’ve chosen, but it’s all been within the public market. So the first decision to make is: Do you want to invest in the private market?
(Unsure what I mean? Private market investing means putting your money into businesses that aren't traded on public exchanges like the stock market—you invest directly into private businesses looking to grow. Check out this previous newsletter for more.)
If you feel most comfortable sticking with the tried & true public market, traditional options like Fidelity or Betterment might be best for you. Beyond the basics, they also offer sustainable investing through ETFs and other publicly traded funds.
If you’re excited to explore the private market, let’s keep going in Chapter 2.
Chapter 2: Your risk appetite.
Whether you’re new-ish to investing or a seasoned investor, you have a general risk tolerance. Think of it like this: do you prefer slow and steady growth, or are you comfortable taking bigger risks for potentially bigger rewards?
If you are into the thrill of the unknown, head to Chapter 3.
If slow and steady growth wins the race for you, continue on in Chapter 5.
Chapter 3: The waiting game.
Ok, so you’re comfortable with risk. But are you comfortable with long lock up periods? Meaning if you invest today and don’t see that money for the next 5-10 years, are you ok with that?
If you decide to play the waiting game, head to Chapter 4.
If this exceeds your comfort level, head to Chapter 5.
Chapter 4: Go big or start small?
You’re in this game for the long run, and willing to wait to get a potentially big payout. In other words: investing in venture capital and private equity are your chosen path. Are you investing a few thousand dollars at one time or do smaller amounts feel better to start?
If a few thousand dollars is the right investment amount for you, then you might consider angel investing through Play Money. You can choose the specific companies you invest in. Or if you’re looking for a fund, AngelList has rolling venture capital funds that have higher minimum investments but get you exposure to more companies.
If you’re wanting to start smaller, Republic allows non-accredited and accredited investors to participate in deals with as little as $100.
Chapter 5: Handpick vs diversification.
Private credit can provide higher returns than the public market. Different from private equity or venture capital, you start seeing the returns from your investment on a monthly basis as the loans get repaid. The question here becomes about control.
When it comes to investing (well actually when it comes to life generally) we all want to feel like we’re in control. The difference is: do you want to feel like you have control by choosing your own investments or by diversifying across many businesses quickly?
If you decide you want to choose individual businesses that speak to you, Honeycomb Credit or SMBx are great options for you. They provide crowdfunded private loans (and equity options) to businesses all across the country. You can review each business and decide which ones you personally want to invest in.
If you decide that diversification is more important to you, BeeCene is where it's at. We are doing the hard work of vetting the companies we lend to, so you don't have to. You can set a monthly amount that works for your budget, and we'll handle the rest. We divide investments equally across multiple women-owned businesses to create immediate diversification. While we carefully evaluate each business we work with, the diversified approach means that if any single business faces challenges, it would only affect a small fraction of your overall investment with us.
Plus, BeeCene has a clear mission—support women business owners. Your investment works to close the funding gap for women, while their loan repayments build your wealth instead of going to big banks.
Chapter 6: Your next move.
No matter which path you chose, the key takeaway is this: investing isn’t just about making money. It’s about making money on purpose. It’s about aligning your financial goals with what matters to you. And truthfully, you don’t have to choose just one path. A balanced portfolio can mix and match several of these investment options.
If BeeCene is part of your adventure, you’re choosing diversification, steady returns, and impact. Your money works for you while simultaneously funding women entrepreneurs who are building businesses and creating jobs in their communities.
Ready to embark on your private market adventure with us? We’re currently running our pilot and will be launching our platform this summer. If you’re interested in being among the first to explore our platform, join our waitlist to stay in the loop.
Because the best investment story is the one where you're the hero—making strategic choices that build both wealth and the world you want to see.
Reply to this email with questions!
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The information provided is current as of the date of this writing and for informational purposes only. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell securities, and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.
Investing entails risk, including the possible loss of principal, and past performance is not predictive of future results.
