There are a range of emotions that lottery winners will encounter when coming into life-changing sums of money. At one end of the spectrum, the knowledge of being financially comfortable for the rest of your life can provide a sense of freedom. At the other end, managing all that money may prove to be a daunting and overwhelming prospect, particularly if you're not used to being wealthy.

If you are intrigued about how to invest lotto winnings for when that life-changing lottery ticket comes in, of course you'll be pleased to know there are many avenues to explore. Contrary to popular belief, it might not include immediately paying off your mortgage either. Some lucky lotto winners already have successful businesses or fledgling careers that they choose to invest their money in to give them an even greater chance of personal success.

Let's take a look at some examples of lottery winners that have avoided flashy cars and designer handbags in favor of putting their winnings into their existing ventures and aspirations.

Budding photographer Charlie Lagarde's lotto win in Quebec

Canadian 18-year-old Charlie Lagarde had only just turned 18 but within days of her birthday, she was celebrating a life-changing lotto win. She was offered the option of taking a CAD$1 million lump sum or accepting CAD$1,000 a week for the rest of her life. Lagarde opted for the latter and has since used that weekly income to invest in her fledgling photography career, helping her on her way to fulfill her dreams and work on behalf of National Geographic.

Jonathan Vargas fulfilled his ambition to be a TV producer

Jonathan Vargas was another young lotto winner at the age of just 19, but he invested his $35.3 million Powerball winnings wisely by giving himself the chance to become a name in TV production. Using his new income, Vargas established a women's wrestling promotion called 'Wrestlicious'. He produced television coverage called 'Wrestlicious TakeDown'. Unfortunately for Vargas, the show only lasted one season, but it's another demonstration of how lotto winnings can help individuals pursue their dreams.

John Kutey invested in a water park tribute to his parents

Although Kutey didn't strictly invest some of his lotto winnings in his own business, he did invest money into a fitting and lasting tribute to his parents. As a state lottery winner, John Kutey invested $200,000 in a new spray park at Paine Street in New York in memory of his parents and his wife's too. Although the couple opted to move to Florida with their $28.7 million riches, Kutey said that it's nice to have a lasting reminder of their parents to return to in Green Island once in a while.

Cynthia Stafford fulfills her movie production dream

Cynthia Stafford's route to stardom was rather similar to that of Jonathan Vargas. The unemployed woman from Los Angeles scooped the $112 million MegaMillions, truly transforming her life, having cared for her late brother's children before the jackpot. Stafford spent a sizeable amount of her winnings on developing her own film production studio. She produced movies such as The Brass Teapot, The Inheritance, and Polish Bar, but no big screen productions have appeared since 2012.

For some, becoming a lottery is also the perfect opportunity to start a dream business.

(Photo credit: Piqsels).