The first step to being more creative, it turns out, is thinking more creatively about how you define “creativity.” That’s the first nugget of truth we gleaned from Kimmy Scotti, investor extraordinaire, at the Luminaries Speaker Series at Twin Cities Startup Week. Kimmy is currently a partner at 8VC—and she has a history of founding, investing in and nurturing successful companies.

So, what can a smart investor with amazing business savvy teach two creatives? Quite a lot—but we broke it down into five takeaways.

(You’re welcome.)

5 Things 1 Start Up Investor Taught 2 Creatives

  1. Take the leap and fail fast
    Don’t overthink it. If you want to try something new, daring and exciting—do it! The faster you make mistakes, the faster you learn how to improve, tweak and refine.
  2. Co-create
    Everyone has creative strengths. The more you can tap into others and share your knowledge and resources, the more you can accelerate your projects. Go farther and faster, together.
  3. Be anti-fragile
    Discomfort is a good thing. It equates to growth. If you need to tackle a tough or challenging situation, view it as an opportunity to learn.
  4. Be brave, not fearless
    Being fearless implies you don’t have any fears. Being brave means having fears and deciding to forge ahead anyway. Take risks! Stay bold. Be brave.
  5. Diversity isn’t a nice-to-have
    Creativity and bravery don’t count for much without diversity. Empathy is great and challenging your own biases is even better, but innovation that doesn’t have representation from the end-user can often miss the mark.

No matter where you play—a startup, an agency, a Fortune 500 company—remember that there’s no disruption or innovation without creative people brave enough to be disruptive.

“Venture capitalism is a different medium for creativity. I’m a creative. I make things. I make meatballs. I make jewelry. I make investments.” — Kimmy Scotti