Have you ever considered renting out the gear you own? If there's a large sum of in-demand lights and lenses for example. Given how expensive all of this stuff is, and how slow it can be to make it all back, the first thing I'd have in mind is how to pay it off or at least breakeven using it beyond my own personal use.
People don't open their wallets for Art
I always appreciated the productions I'd work on that knowingly pissed their money away on creating something, knowing that the recognition would be received but absolutely none of that money would return. In some ways it was more for the accolades that could come and potentially push them forward with other productions.
I don't think it would be all that viable to rent out my gear long term, I'm too risk averse, too far away from the big "events", and people who need my stuff probably already have it, or would buy it anyway.
I have a wedding to photograph in ~20 days, and I may reconsider my thoughts about camera ownership again after that - but deep down, having that available as an outlet for creativity is something that I will be sure to appreciate when / after starting my new job next week.
Your reply is upvoted by @topcomment; a manual curation service that rewards meaningful and engaging comments.
More Info - Support us! - Reports - Discord Channel