Accounting & Finance

A Lesson in Finance: 5 Things to Learn From Taylor Swift

While her music might not be everyone’s cup of tea, her finance lessons are for all budding entrepreneurs and founders.

  • 6 min Read
  • March 15, 2024

Author

Escalon

Table of Contents

Can’t resist a little Taylor Swift tune popping into your head? Us either. But let’s press pause on the music for a second and dive into the depth of Taylor Swift’s universe. This mega-pop sensation isn’t just about catchy tunes —  she’s smashed records, ruled the charts, and soared to stardom. She isn’t just hitting high notes in music; she’s also hit billionaire status. There’s a treasure trove of financial wisdom to be mined from her journey. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, small business owner, or someone figuring out and navigating the turbulent economic landscape, you can learn from her journey.

Say YES to Adaptability


Remember that whole Taylor Swift music rights controversy? If it’s slipped your mind, let’s jog your memory quickly. Swift was tied up with Big Machine Records until she split from the label. Then, just a year later, Big Machine got snatched up by none other than industry heavyweight Scooter Braun. And guess what? All of Taylor’s music rights suddenly came under Braun’s ownership.

Schedule a call today

Moving forward, every time someone wanted to use Taylor’s music in a film or TV show, Braun made money. Another reason this was possibly a worst-case scenario: Braun was tight with Swift’s arch-rival in the industry, Kanye West. Talk about Taylor’s worst nightmare coming true. That’s when Taylor decided to flip the script on her career strategy. She started re-recording all her old chart-topping hits with a new record label. She dropped her album, 1989, featuring those re-recorded tracks, ensuring she got back what was hers.

Now, let’s talk about finance. What can one take away from this situation? Sometimes, you’re not going to make the perfect choice. You might not always nail the investment game or build partnerships resulting in fairytale endings, but resilience matters. We’ve spoken about cyber resilience before, and it’s a big deal, especially for investors and financial advisors. In this digital jungle, threats lurk everywhere, but being quick on your feet is critical. It’s not just about companies or the bigwigs in the game; individuals must also stay sharp with their finances. Predictive strategies are absolute gold, so ensure you have a backup plan ready to tackle those threats head-on when they appear unannounced. That’s the ticket to sustainable success and steering clear of financial crises down the road.

Make Smart Investments


Invest. Invest. Invest!

Let’s talk shop, especially for all you HENRYs (high earners, not yet rich) out there. Swift’s a lesson for us: be wise with your earnings and stay ahead in the investment game. While you’re raking it in, put that dough to work so it grows over time, making more money for you. According to the Wall Street Journal, Swift parked a chunk of her earnings in real estate, boasting an approximate $150 million portfolio. If real estate’s your cup of tea, dive into property investments. Do you prefer mutual funds? Head in that direction. The key is to find what clicks for you and your wallet. If financial juggling isn’t your strong suit, contact a finance expert or investment advisor to steer you right. It’s all about squeezing the most out of what you make, keeping those returns flowing, and kicking debt to the curb.

Talk to us about how Escalon’s essential business services can help your startup scale faster.

Be Wise with Insurance


If one is to look at Taylor Swift’s prolific career and astounding financial success, a typical pattern you can observe is that she’s all about safeguarding her intellectual property. From trademarking her name to album titles and catchy song phrases, she’s got her creative empire under lock and key.

Now, what’s the big lesson here for businesses and individuals alike? Protect yourself and your assets like your life depends on it —  because it does. Whether getting property insurance, financial coverage, business insurance, or trademarking your genius ideas, ensure you’ve covered all bases. It’s your shield against unseen financial catastrophes that might knock on your door. And if you aren’t sure what insurance is right for you or your business, outsource it to an advisor who’s well-versed in the know-how of the industry.

Make Friends with Tech


In this digital world, Taylor Swift has transformed herself into a brand powerhouse, harnessing the force of social media and the digital domain to amplify her voice globally. In the same manner, finance can benefit from embracing technology, too.

For small businesses, integrating cutting-edge AI developments can elevate your tools and aid in crafting client strategies that shine above the rest. Stay ahead of the curve by leveraging resources, training staff, and implementing personalized, automated systems that yield tangible results.

On a personal level, use tech-driven apps to gain insight into your finances, make investments, or establish monthly budgets. Technology goes beyond expense tracking; it empowers you with knowledge on optimizing gains and making informed financial decisions.

Diversify for Financial Stability


Starting early, Taylor Swift diversified her income streams beyond music, branching into various creative ventures. She’s done everything, from acting in the movies to creating merchandise and leading marketing campaigns on social media.

Similarly, the lesson for small businesses and individuals is clear: don’t rely solely on one source of income. Diversification is critical to financial stability, whether expanding revenue streams, refreshing your brand or adjusting your investment strategy. Businesses face unforeseen risks, but by diversifying, they can weather economic storms and unexpected crises. On a personal level, the principle remains the same. Spread your investments across different assets — mutual funds, stocks, and assets alike — and don’t put your eggs in one basket to ensure the best returns. With a diversified portfolio, you’ll easily steer clear of the turbulent waters of the financial landscape.

The Final Word


Drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift’s career and monumental success, the critical lesson is clear: proactive planning and strategic foresight are paramount. Make sound financial decisions taylor-ed to the present moment. Additionally, be prepared for unforeseen challenges and rainy days by crafting contingency plans to mitigate potential threats that may arise unexpectedly. Read more from our series on celebrity entrepreneurs

Schedule a call today

Want to know more? In addition to HR, benefits, recruiting, and payroll through its PeopleOps, Escalon’s Essential Business Services include FinOps (CFO services, taxes, bookkeeping, and accounting) and Risk (business insurance). Talk to an expert today.

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

Accounting & Finance

M&A Readiness: How to Prepare Your Financials for a Successful Acquisition or Sale 

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can dramatically alter a company’s trajectory—unlocking new markets, technologies, or customer bases. Yet, many deals stumble...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Optimizing Working Capital: Strategies to Maximize Liquidity Without Raising Funds 

Working capital: The difference between your current assets and your current liabilities. It’s a key barometer of financial health.  While...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Outsourcing vs. In-House: A Strategic Guide for Growing Companies

Expanding your team and capabilities is critical to sustaining growth—but the question often arises: Should you build an in-house department...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

The CFO’s Role in Driving Operational Efficiency in a Mid-Sized Company 

A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) isn’t just a numbers person anymore. Modern CFOs play a pivotal role in shaping strategy,...

Read More
Technology & Security

What Every $10M+ Business Should Know About Data Privacy Laws 

Once your annual revenue surpasses $10 million, you attract more attention from regulators, partners, and customers, especially regarding data privacy....

Read More
People Management & HR

The Cost of a Bad Hire: How to Improve Your Recruiting Process

Hiring is one of the most pivotal processes in any organization, particularly for a medium-sized business looking to scale. Yet...

Read More
People Management & HR

Key Insights from the 2025 CBIZ Not-for-Profit Pulse Survey 

At Escalon, we are committed to keeping our clients informed about the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities across the industries...

Read More
People Management & HR

Scaling Culture: How to Keep Employees Engaged as Your Business Grows

Growth in headcount brings exciting opportunities for a business, but it also poses a key challenge: How do you maintain...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Managing Multi-State Compliance as Your Workforce Becomes More Distributed

Rapid expansion and remote work trends have empowered medium-sized businesses to hire talent nationwide. Yet with multi-state operations come multi-layered...

Read More