I once worked with a founder who would happily drop thousands of dollars on stage appearances, mastermind memberships, and every shiny new AI tool that crossed his path.
But when it came to paying the people who actually kept the business running, suddenly every dollar had to be justified.
Sound familiar?
It is not just him. Many founders fall into what I call the “Spend Big on Vanity, Save Small on Essentials” trap.
They will pay $7,000 to speak at a conference in hopes of landing a few new clients.
They will sign up for memberships that cost almost $900 a month just to be “in the right rooms.”
They will collect AI software subscriptions like Pokémon cards.
But ask for an extra hour of work from a contractor? Suddenly the budget is tight.
At first glance, it might seem smart to keep labour costs low. But here is the truth: undervaluing your team will cost you far more in the long run than any speaking slot or membership ever will.
Here is what happens when you skimp on the people running your business:
Morale drops: If your team feels like you would rather spend money on events than on fair pay, they stop going above and beyond.
Talent walks away: The best people will not apply (or will leave quickly) if the pay is too low.
Growth stalls: A conference or a mastermind does not magically grow your business. Your team does — but only if they have the support and resources to do their job well.
I am not saying speaking gigs, masterminds, or new tools are bad. They can be great investments.
But they only work if you have a strong, fairly compensated team to put those opportunities into action.
Otherwise, it is like buying fancy seeds but refusing to pay a gardener. Sure, you might plant them yourself… but do you really have the time and skill to make them grow?
If you are reading this and thinking, “Oh no… I might be doing this,” here is where to start:
Audit your spending: Look at how much you spend on external visibility versus internal support.
Value ROI over novelty: Just because something is new and exciting does not mean it is more valuable than your people.
Pay for impact: A motivated, fairly paid team can produce measurable results that far outweigh the cost.
Your business is only as strong as the people running it.
If you are willing to invest thousands into making your business look good from the outside, you should be just as willing to invest in the team that makes it work on the inside.
Because no amount of conference networking, monthly memberships, or AI tools will save a business that is quietly bleeding talent and morale from the inside out.
